Apparel Accessories Accessory Knitting Pattern

Apparel Accessories Knitted in King Cole Forest Aran

What is Being Made

This downloadable knitting pattern leaflet (5831) from King Cole features a collection of apparel accessories including a hat and hand warmers. These intermediate-level projects are designed to coordinate as a set, making them ideal for creating matching winter accessories.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project suitable for knitters with intermediate skill level. The pattern incorporates several classic knitting techniques to create textured and decorative accessories. Cable stitches are featured prominently, including C2B (cable 2 back), C2F (cable 2 front), and C3R (cable 3 right), which create the characteristic twisted rope effects typical of Aran knitting. Yarn forward techniques (yfwd) and decreases (sl1, K1, psso and K2tog) are used throughout to create lace-like eyelet details and shaping.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K) and purl stitch (P) as foundational stitches
• Stocking stitch (st-st) – right side knit, wrong side purl – for smooth fabric areas
• Garter stitch (gst) – every row knit – for textured borders and edges
• Cable stitches including C2B, C2F, and C3R for decorative twisted effects
• Yarn forward (yfwd) and yarn round needle (yrn) for eyelet and lace details
• Decrease stitches including slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (sl1, K1, psso) and knit two together (K2tog)
• Slip stitches (sl) for shaping and stitch manipulation

Materials and Specifications

These accessories are designed to be knitted in King Cole Forest Aran yarn, a medium-weight Aran yarn suitable for creating structured, durable accessories. The pattern requires 5mm knitting needles for the main fabric, with 4mm needles used for the hand warmers cast-on. A cable needle is essential for working the cable stitches that define the Aran texture.

Tension is critical for this project: 24 stitches and 25 rows to 10cm (4 inches) over pattern on 5mm needles. The pattern emphasizes the importance of checking tension before commencing by knitting a tension square, as adjusting needle size may be necessary if your tension differs from the specified measurements.

Pattern Details

The hand warmers begin with a cast-on of 103 stitches using 4mm needles, then transition to 5mm needles for the main pattern work. The pattern rows demonstrate intricate stitch sequences combining knit, purl, cables, and eyelet details. For example, row sequences include repeating motifs of yarn forwards paired with decreases (yfwd, sl1, K1, psso) alternating with cable crosses and knit stitches, creating a balanced, visually interesting fabric.

The hat and hand warmers are finished with simple seaming, with instructions to sew up the back seam for a neat, professional appearance. This pattern supports the Pink Ribbon Foundation, with a donation made for every King Cole pattern purchased.