1185 Holly - Hat and Cowl Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Huntington Splash

Pattern Summary: 1185 Holly Hat and Cowl Set by Julie Turjoman

The 1185 Holly pattern by designer Julie Turjoman, published by Valley Yarns, is a coordinating hat and cowl set worked in a beautifully textured stitch pattern. Rated Advanced Beginner, this project is an excellent next step for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to explore simple lace-style stitch patterns. The set makes a thoughtful handmade gift and is versatile enough to suit recipients of many ages, thanks to an expansive size range for the hat.

What Is Being Made

This pattern includes instructions for two coordinating accessories:

• Cowl: A one-size cowl with a finished circumference of 20 inches and a height of 8 inches.
• Hat: Available in four sizes — XS, S, M, and L — with finished unstretched head circumferences of 15, 16½, 18¾, and 20¼ inches respectively, designed to fit actual head circumferences ranging from 15 inches up to 24 inches. Finished lengths range from 8¼ to 9¾ inches depending on size. The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in size M.

The Peaks and Valleys Stitch Pattern

The defining feature of both the cowl and the hat is the Peaks and Valleys stitch pattern, a 16-round repeating motif that creates a rich, dimensional texture. This stitch pattern is worked using a combination of knit and purl stitches along with increases and decreases, causing the stitch count to expand from 6 stitches up to 12 stitches and then contract back to 6 stitches over the course of each 16-round repeat. This rhythmic expansion and contraction is what gives the fabric its characteristic peaks and valleys appearance. The pattern provides both written stitch guide instructions and a chart, giving knitters the flexibility to work in whichever format they prefer.

Techniques Used

• Worked in the round: Both the cowl and the hat are knitted seamlessly in the round from the bottom up, eliminating the need for seaming and producing a clean, professional finish.
• Bottom-up construction: Each piece begins at the lower ribbed edge and works upward, making it easy to try on and adjust length as you go.
• Lace-adjacent textured patterning: While not traditional lace, the Peaks and Valleys stitch pattern incorporates increases and decreases in a structured repeat, offering a gentle introduction to working with stitch count changes within a pattern round.
• Ribbing: Both pieces begin with a K1/P1 ribbing section worked on the smallest needle size, providing a stretchy, fitted edge. For the cowl, this ribbing measures approximately 1 inch.
• Stretchy cast-on: The pattern specifically calls for a stretchy cast-on method, recommending the Old Norwegian cast-on, which ensures the lower edge has enough elasticity to match the ribbing above it.
• Crown shaping: The hat includes crown decreases worked in the round, transitioning from circular needles to double-pointed needles (dpns) as the stitch count reduces toward the top.
• Needle switching: Both projects involve working across multiple needle sizes within the same piece — a technique that controls gauge and fabric density in different sections of the accessory.

Stitches Used

• K1/P1 Rib: Used for the cast-on edges of both the cowl and the hat, creating a flexible, form-fitting border.
• Peaks and Valleys stitch pattern: The primary body stitch, combining knit stitches, purl stitches, increases, and decreases in a 16-round repeat to produce a three-dimensional textured fabric.
• Knit in the round: Stockinette-based rounds are used in transitional sections between ribbing and the main stitch pattern.

Materials

The pattern is designed specifically for Valley Yarns Huntington Splash, a 4-ply (fingering weight) yarn with a fiber composition of 75% Merino Wool and 25% Nylon