Somerville Hat & Scarf

Somerville Hat & Scarf by Jennie Atkinson

Project Overview

The Somerville Hat & Scarf is a coordinated knitting set designed by Jennie Atkinson, featuring a generous-sized scarf paired with a simple tie-top hat. Both pieces are crafted using a subtle moss stitch pattern in DK weight yarn, creating a refined and versatile accessory collection. This design complements the Somerville jumper that appeared in The Knitter Issue 120, allowing knitters to create a complete coordinated wardrobe.

Scarf Details

Dimensions: The scarf measures 164cm (65 inches) in length and 28cm (11 inches) in width, providing a generous size suitable for various styling options and seasonal wear.

Construction: The scarf is knitted flat using moss stitch, a classic textured stitch that creates subtle visual interest while remaining elegant and understated. This stitch pattern is worked over DK weight yarn, resulting in a fabric with good drape and warmth.

Hat Details

Sizing: The hat is designed to fit head circumferences of 56–61cm (22–24 inches), with an actual hat circumference of 53cm (21 inches) and a length from crown to hem of 28cm (11 inches). The tie-top closure adds a charming design detail and allows for adjustable fit.

Construction: The hat is knitted in the round using moss stitch, maintaining consistency with the scarf design. The tie-top feature provides both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality.

Knitting Techniques & Stitches

• Moss Stitch: The primary stitch used throughout both pieces, creating a textured, reversible fabric with visual depth. Tension for moss stitch is 22 stitches and 37 rows per 10cm using 4mm needles.
• Stockinette Stitch: Referenced in the pattern for tension gauge purposes, with a tension of 22 stitches and 30 rows per 10cm using 4mm needles.
• Flat Knitting: The scarf is constructed using flat knitting on straight needles, allowing the moss stitch pattern to develop evenly across the width.
• Circular Knitting: The hat is worked in the round, which eliminates seaming and creates a seamless crown, with the tie-top closure added as a finishing detail.
• Charted Patterns: The design includes charts to guide knitters through the moss stitch pattern, providing clear visual references for stitch placement.

Materials & Yarn Specifications

Yarn: Erika Knight British Blue 100, a DK weight yarn composed of 100% British Bluefaced Leicester wool. Each 100g skein provides 220 meters (240 yards) of yarn. The shade used is 603 Kanoko, a versatile neutral tone.

Yardage Requirements: The pattern requires 4 × 100g skeins total. The sample scarf used approximately 250g of yarn, while the sample hat used approximately 80g, allowing knitters to calculate yardage needs based on their specific yarn choices.

Needles & Accessories: The pattern calls for a pair of 4mm (UK 8/US 6) straight knitting needles for the scarf and a 4mm (UK 8/US 6) circular needle measuring 60cm for the hat. Additional accessories include stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate, making it suitable for knitters with some experience. The moss stitch pattern is straightforward but requires consistent attention to maintain even tension and stitch definition. The combination of flat and circular knitting techniques, along with the tie-top hat closure, provides an engaging project that builds confidence in fundamental knitting skills.

Pattern Features

The Somerville Hat & Scarf pattern includes comprehensive abbreviations and instructions, with clear notation for right side (RS) and wrong side (WS) rows. The inclusion of charted patterns provides visual guidance for the moss stitch repeats, making the pattern accessible to knitters who prefer chart-based instructions alongside written directions.