Montrose Hat & Scarf - Knitting Pattern for Women in Tahki Yarns Gunnison

Montrose Hat & Scarf Knitting Pattern by Susan Baron

What is Being Made

The Montrose Hat & Scarf is a coordinated two-piece set designed by Susan Baron for knitters of all skill levels. The pattern includes an easy-to-knit hat with a finished circumference of 20 inches (50cm) and height of 9½ inches (24cm), paired with a matching scarf measuring 68 inches (173cm) long and 5½ inches (14cm) wide. Both pieces are crafted from the same yarn in a rich burgundy colorway, creating a cohesive, complementary accessory collection.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners while incorporating classic stitch work. The hat is worked seamlessly using the bottom-up construction method, beginning at the brim and progressing upward to the crown. The scarf is worked flat, allowing for straightforward row-by-row construction. Both pieces feature cable stitch work, which adds visual texture and interest to the finished garments. The hat incorporates decreasing techniques, including stitch-stitch-knit (ssk) decreases and purl three together (p3tog) decreases, used strategically during crown shaping to create a fitted silhouette. A specialized increase technique called Left Lifted Leg Increase (LLI) is employed to add stitches where needed. The pattern also uses a 1/1/1 Left Purl Cross (LPC) cable maneuver, which twists stitches to create the cable pattern definition.

Stitches Used

The Montrose pattern utilizes essential knitting stitches including:

• Knit and purl stitches in alternating ribbed patterns for texture and structure
• Large cable stitches that form the primary decorative element
• Decreases including ssk (slip, slip, knit) and p3tog (purl three together) for shaping
• Left Lifted Leg Increase (LLI) for strategic stitch additions
• 1/1/1 Left Purl Cross (LPC) cable crosses for dimensional cable work

The gauge is 17 stitches and 22 rows per 4 inches (10cm) in the large cable pattern, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.

Materials and Yarn

The Montrose Hat & Scarf pattern is specifically designed for Tahki Gunnison yarn, a worsted-weight blend composed of 57% wool and 43% polyacrylic. Each 3.5-ounce (100g) hank contains 218 yards (199 meters) of yardage. The hat requires one hank, while the scarf requires two hanks, both in color #2014 burgundy. This yarn blend combines the warmth and elasticity of wool with the durability and easy-care properties of polyacrylic, making it practical for everyday wear accessories.

Needles and Tools

The pattern calls for US 8 (5mm) needles in multiple configurations. A 16-inch circular needle is used for the hat's body, with the option to switch to a set of US 8 (5mm) double-pointed needles (dpn's) for working the crown decreases when stitches become too few for the circular needle. Additional tools include a cable needle for executing cable crosses, a stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends upon completion.

Difficulty Level

Rated as Easy, this pattern is accessible to beginner knitters while offering enough visual interest through cable work to satisfy those seeking a straightforward project. The one-size construction eliminates the need to choose between multiple options, and the seamless, bottom-up construction of the hat combined with the flat construction of the scarf provide clear, manageable progression through each piece.