Decumani Hat & Cowl set

Decumani Hat & Cowl Set by Renate Kamm

Project Overview

The Decumani Hat & Cowl set is a coordinating pair of knitted accessories designed by Renate Kamm. Both pieces feature an all-over mock-cable textured pattern inspired by the cobblestone walkways of ancient Napoli. This downloadable PDF pattern includes instructions for creating a matching hat and cowl that work beautifully together as a complete set.

What is Being Made

• Hat: An unisex, in-the-round knitted hat available in four sizes with circumferences of 16.5, 18.5, 20, and 22 inches (42, 47, 51, and 56 cm). The hat is designed to be worn with 1.5 to 2 inches (4 to 5 cm) of negative ease for a comfortable, close fit.
• Cowl: A matching cowl that coordinates with the hat, also featuring the same distinctive mock-cable texture pattern and worked in-the-round.

Knitting Techniques

Both the hat and cowl are worked using knitting in-the-round, a fundamental technique for creating seamless, tubular garments. The projects are designed as quick knits, making them accessible for knitters with intermediate experience and familiarity with circular needle work. A distinctive feature of this pattern is the use of mock-cable construction without a cable needle, which simplifies the cabling process while creating the textured appearance inspired by ancient cobblestones.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used throughout both projects is a mock-cable texture worked as an all-over pattern. This mock-cable effect is achieved without requiring a traditional cable needle, making the pattern more straightforward than conventional cable knitting while still producing the dimensional, twisted appearance characteristic of cable work. The pattern creates visual interest across the entire surface of both the hat and cowl.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

Both the hat and cowl are worked with two strands of yarn held together, which creates a thicker fabric and contributes to the quick-knit nature of these projects. The yarn is baby alpaca, chosen for its exceptional softness and warmth, making the finished set a pleasure to wear. The yarn weight is 4-ply, a medium weight suitable for creating garments with good drape and insulation.

Needles and Tools

• US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needle, 16 inches (40 cm) for working the mock cable pattern in the round and achieving the proper gauge
• US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 16 inches (40 cm) for additional sections of the pattern
• US 6 (4 mm) double-pointed needles for working smaller circumferences, such as the crown decreases of the hat

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty. While the projects are suitable for any knitter with experience working in-the-round using circular needles, the mock-cable texture and multi-size options require solid foundational knitting skills and comfort with gauge and shaping.

Design Details

Both pieces in the Decumani set are unisex designs, making them versatile accessories suitable for any wearer. The coordinated mock-cable pattern creates visual cohesion between the hat and cowl, allowing them to be worn as a complete set or separately. The use of baby alpaca yarn combined with the two-strand construction ensures these accessories provide both comfort and warmth for cool weather wear.