"Arthur Set" - Knitting Pattern in Willow & Lark Nest

Arthur Set – Striped Cable Hat & Scarf Knitting Pattern by Willow & Lark

The Arthur Set is a charming children's knitting pattern from Willow & Lark's Fledgling Collection, designed to be worked in their signature Nest yarn. The set comprises two coordinating accessories — a striped cable hat and a striped cable scarf — both sharing the same playful cable and stripe motif as the Arthur Jumper from the same collection. This makes the Arthur Set an ideal standalone project for knitters who want to practise and refine their cabling technique in a more approachable format, without the added complexity of garment shaping.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a matching hat and scarf set sized for children. The hat is available in two sizes to fit ages 2–5 and 6–9 years, with finished widths of 43 cm (17 in) and 48 cm (19 in) respectively. The scarf is a single, one-size design measuring 18 cm (7 in) wide and 113 cm (44½ in) long — a generous length that wraps comfortably around a child's neck. Together, the two pieces create a cohesive, coordinated accessory set perfect for cooler weather.

Techniques Used

• Cables: The defining feature of the Arthur Set is its cable patterning, which runs throughout both the hat and the scarf. Cables are created by temporarily placing stitches onto a cable needle, holding them either to the front or back of the work, knitting subsequent stitches, and then knitting the held stitches. This crossing action produces the characteristic twisted rope or braid effect that gives the set its textural interest and visual appeal.
• Stripes: Colourwork is introduced through simple stripe sequences, alternating between the three chosen yarn colours. Stripes in knitting are achieved by changing yarn colour at the beginning of a row or round, making them accessible even for knitters new to working with multiple colours.
• Working in the Round: The hat is knitted in the round using double-pointed needles, a technique that produces seamless, tubular fabric — ideal for hat construction. The scarf is worked flat on standard straight needles.

Stitches Used

• Cable stitches: The cable panels form the centrepiece of the stitch pattern, requiring the use of a cable needle to cross groups of stitches over one another at regular intervals.
• Knit and purl stitches: Standard knit and purl stitches form the background fabric and ribbing sections of both pieces, providing structure and stretch.
• Ribbing: Rib stitch is typically used at the cast-on edges of hats and scarves to create a neat, stretchy border that sits comfortably against the skin.

Difficulty Level

The Arthur Set is rated as an intermediate pattern. The designer notes that the hat and scarf format is specifically well-suited to knitters who are honing their cabling skills, as the accessories allow full focus on mastering the cable technique without the additional challenge of shaping increases, decreases, or sleeve construction. Knitters should be comfortable with basic knit and purl stitches, simple colourwork stripe changes, and the use of a cable needle before beginning.

Materials – Yarn

The pattern is designed exclusively for Willow & Lark Nest, a luxurious DK weight yarn with a fibre composition of 69% Wool, 11% Cashmere, and 20% Tencel, sold in 50g (1¾ oz) skeins. This blend combines the warmth and elasticity of wool with the softness of cashmere and the subtle sheen and drape of Tencel, making it a particularly cosy and tactile choice for children's accessories.

Three colours are required for both the hat and the scarf, with one ball of each colour needed per item. The pattern's primary suggested colourway uses:

• Garnet 229 (Colour A)
• Verdigris Green 214 (Colour B)
• Owl Grey 202 (Colour C)