Cowl & Hat in Plymouth Encore Worsted - F325

Cowl & Hat in Plymouth Encore Worsted – Pattern F325

This free downloadable knitting pattern from Plymouth Yarn is a Special Edition For Stitch & Pitch release, offering two coordinating accessories designed to be knitted in team colors: a striped cowl and a striped hat. Both pieces are worked in the round using Plymouth Encore Worsted yarn in two contrasting colors, making them an ideal project for sports fans, beginner-to-intermediate knitters, and anyone looking for a quick, satisfying knit with bold colorwork results.

About the Yarn and Materials

Both the cowl and hat are worked in Plymouth Encore Worsted, a popular worsted-weight yarn well known for its durability, affordability, and wide color range. The pattern calls for 2 balls of Encore Worsted in 2 contrasting colors, referred to throughout as Color A and Color B. Choosing your favorite team's colors is explicitly encouraged, making this pattern a fun, personalized project for game days and outdoor events.

• Yarn: Plymouth Encore Worsted, 2 balls total in 2 contrasting colors (Color A and Color B)
• Needles: 16-inch circular needles, US Size 8
• Additional needles: Double-pointed needles (DPNs), US Size 8 — required for hat crown decreases
• Notions: 1 stitch marker
• Gauge: 4.5 stitches = 1 inch on US Size 8 needles

Achieving gauge is important for both pieces to ensure proper fit and finished dimensions. Worsted-weight yarn on a Size 8 needle produces a firm, warm fabric well suited to cold-weather accessories.

Techniques and Construction Overview

Both the cowl and hat are worked entirely in the round on circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming. This makes the pattern especially approachable for knitters who are comfortable with circular knitting but may not yet have tackled complex colorwork. The stripe sequence is created through a simple two-color carry method: the unused color is carried up along the inside of the work at the color-change point rather than being cut, which keeps finishing work minimal and prevents yarn waste.

This technique — sometimes called carrying yarn up the side or jogless stripes in the round — is a practical skill that produces clean, tidy color transitions on the interior of the work. The pattern explicitly notes: DO NOT CUT YARN, reinforcing this approach throughout both designs.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch — the primary stitch used throughout both pieces
• Purl stitch — used in rounds within the Color B stripe sections to create textural contrast
• Cast on (loose) — a loose cast on is specified to ensure the edges remain stretchy and comfortable
• Bind off (loose) — similarly, a loose bind off is required for the cowl to maintain elasticity

The Cowl

The Encore Worsted Cowl is a circular, tube-style cowl worked entirely in the round. It is offered in two sizes, with cast-on options of 90 or 100 stitches, allowing for a slightly looser or more fitted drape depending on preference.

Cowl Construction Details

• Cast on 90 (100) stitches in Color A using a 16-inch circular needle
• Join to work in the round and place a stitch marker
• Work 10 rounds of knit stitches in Color A to form the base brim section
• Begin the stripe sequence: change to Color B, knit 1 round, then purl 3 rounds
• Change back to Color A and knit 4 rounds
• Repeat this stripe sequence until 12 (10) stripes of Color B have been completed
• End with the 4-round Color