Hap Cowl

Hap Cowl by Ella Gordon

What is Being Made

The Hap Cowl is a circular cowl inspired by traditional Shetland Haps, designed by Ella Gordon. This cowl is worked flat and then seamed, creating a finished circumference of 160cm (64 inches) and a depth of 25cm (9.5 inches). The design draws inspiration from the natural landscapes of Shetland, with two distinct colourways available: one inspired by the sea, sand, and cliffs, and another reflecting the heather, peat banks, and moss found throughout the region.

Techniques and Construction

Despite its visually striking appearance, the Hap Cowl is surprisingly easy to knit, making it an excellent beginner-level project. The cowl is constructed using a combination of straightforward knitting techniques that create an effective and professional-looking finished piece. The garment is worked in the flat rather than in-the-round, and then seamed together to form the circular shape. This flat-working approach can make the project more manageable for knitters new to circular construction.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the cowl, providing texture and structure
• Simple Lace: Incorporated into the design to add visual interest and create an openwork element
• Colour Changes: Strategic use of multiple yarn colours creates the distinctive patterning inspired by Shetland's natural palette

Materials

This pattern calls for Jamieson & Smith 2ply Jumper Weight yarn, which is fingering weight and composed of 100% Shetland wool. Each ball contains 115 meters (125 yards) and weighs 25 grams. The yarn requirements vary by colourway:

Colourway 1 (Sea, Sand, and Cliffs):

• Colour A: 3 balls
• Colour B (FC61): 1 ball
• Colour C (FC45): 1 ball
• Colour D (FC43): 1 ball
• Colour E (202): 1 ball

Colourway 2 (Heather, Peat, and Moss):

• Colour A (FC58): 3 balls
• Colour B (FC55): 1 ball
• Colour C (FC38): 1 ball
• Colour D (1284): 1 ball
• Colour E (202): 1 ball

The pattern requires 5mm (UK 6/US 8) circular needles measuring 80cm (32 inches) in length. Although the cowl is worked flat, the longer circular needle accommodates the large number of stitches required for the finished 160cm circumference.

Gauge and Finishing

The recommended gauge is 16 stitches and 36 rows to 10cm (4 inches) when measured over garter stitch on 5mm needles after blocking. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished dimensions specified in the pattern.