Berroco Penthia Cowl Knitting Pattern

Berroco Penthia Knitting Pattern Collection

Berroco Penthia is a versatile knitting pattern collection designed by Amy Christoffers, featuring three coordinating projects: a hat, mitts, and a cowl. All three designs showcase the beautiful drape and stitch definition of Berroco Lucca yarn, making them ideal for knitters seeking elegant, wearable accessories with moderate construction complexity.

Hat Design

The Penthia hat is a classic, easy-to-knit accessory measuring approximately 19 inches around and 11 inches high when unstretched. This project demonstrates fundamental circular knitting techniques and is suitable for knitters developing their skills in the round.

Construction Techniques: The hat is worked in the round using a combination of circular needles and double-pointed needles. Knitters begin with a smaller needle size (US 3 / 3.25 mm) for the ribbed cuff, then transition to larger needles (US 6 / 4 mm) for the main body. This two-needle approach allows for a snug, elastic cuff that transitions smoothly into the patterned crown.

Stitch Pattern: The hat features a repeating 8-round pattern stitch worked over a multiple of 4 stitches. The pattern alternates between textured rounds combining knit and purl stitches (K1, P2, K1 ribbing), solid knit rounds, and purl rounds. This rhythm creates visual interest and dimensional texture across the hat's surface.

Materials: The hat requires 2 balls of Berroco Lucca yarn in color #5827 Lapis, along with 16-inch circular needles in sizes 3 and 6, one set of double-pointed needles in size 6, stitch markers (including one in a contrasting color to mark the beginning of rounds), and a tapestry needle for finishing.

Mitts Design

The Penthia mitts are fingerless hand coverings measuring approximately 7 inches around and 7½ inches long. These practical accessories are quick to complete and provide excellent practice for working with double-pointed needles.

Construction Techniques: The mitts are worked in the round using a single set of double-pointed needles in size 6 (4 mm). The seamless, in-the-round construction creates a smooth, comfortable fit. Thumb stitches are held on waste yarn during the main body construction, then worked separately to complete the thumb opening—a fundamental technique for fitted hand accessories.

Stitch Pattern: The mitts utilize the same 8-round repeating pattern stitch as the hat, maintaining design cohesion across the collection. The pattern works over a multiple of 4 stitches, creating consistent texture and visual continuity.

Materials: The mitts require 1 ball of Berroco Lucca in #5827 Lapis, one set of double-pointed needles in size 6, two stitch markers in different colors, waste yarn for holding thumb stitches, and a tapestry needle for finishing.

Cowl Design

The Penthia cowl is a generous neckwarmer measuring approximately 37 inches around and 9½ inches high when unstretched. This larger project showcases the pattern stitch at a more expansive scale and introduces flat knitting techniques to the collection.

Construction Techniques: Unlike the hat and mitts, the cowl is worked flat on straight knitting needles in size 6 (4 mm), then seamed to form a tube. Working flat allows knitters to use a different version of the pattern stitch adapted for row-by-row construction, providing variety in technique across the three projects.

Stitch Pattern: The cowl's flat-worked pattern stitch is adapted from the circular version, working over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2 edge stitches. Row 1 (right side) begins with K2, then repeats P2, K2 across, while Row 2 reverses this sequence. This creates the same dimensional texture as the circular projects but in a format suitable for straight needles.

Materials: The cowl requires 2 balls of Berroco Lucca in color #5820 Poppy, straight knitting needles in size 6, and a tapestry needle for seaming the finished piece.

Yarn and Gauge Information

Yarn Specifications: All three projects use Berroco Lucca, a 50-gram ball yarn available in multiple colorways. The hat and mitts are worked in #5827 Lapis, while the cowl features #5820 Poppy