Childs Hat, Scarf & Mittens in Plymouth Encore Worsted - F170 -

Child's Hat, Scarf & Mittens in Plymouth Encore Worsted

Project Overview

This downloadable knitting pattern from Plymouth Yarn's Design Studio provides instructions for creating a coordinated three-piece set ideal for children ages 5 and up. The set includes a fitted hat, matching scarf, and mittens, all worked in the same vibrant color pattern using Plymouth Encore Worsted yarn. The pattern offers three size options to accommodate children from size 5-7 through size 11 and up, making it versatile for various age ranges.

What Is Being Made

The pattern includes three complementary garments designed to work together as a coordinated winter accessory set:

• Child's Hat: A classic fitted hat with ribbed cuff and crown shaping
• Scarf: A rectangular accessory piece for layering and warmth
• Mittens: Paired hand coverings with ribbed cuffs

Materials and Yarn

This pattern is designed to work with Plymouth Encore Worsted, a durable and versatile worsted-weight yarn. The design requires one 100-gram ball each of four coordinating colors: peach (#448), green (#450), cream (#218), and pink (#449). The multicolor approach creates visual interest while maintaining a cohesive, coordinated aesthetic across all three pieces.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires different needle sizes for each garment to achieve proper gauge and fabric characteristics:

• Hat: US size 6 and US size 8 needles
• Mittens: US size 5 and US size 7 needles
• Scarf: US size 9 needles

Stitches and Techniques

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches and shaping techniques suitable for intermediate knitters:

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary fabric structure used throughout the hat and mittens, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side
• 2x2 Ribbing: A classic elastic stitch pattern used for all cuffs, created by alternating two knit stitches with two purl stitches. This ribbing provides stretch and recovery, ensuring the hat, mittens, and scarf cuffs maintain a snug, comfortable fit
• Knit Two Together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used systematically throughout the hat crown shaping to gradually reduce stitch count and form the fitted top
• Purl Two Together (p2tog): A decrease worked on wrong-side rows during the final crown shaping phase
• Color Pattern Work: All three pieces follow an identical repeating color sequence throughout construction, alternating between the four yarn colors in a consistent pattern: four rows of color A, two rows of color B, two rows of color C, four rows of color D, and two rows of color B, then repeating this sequence

Hat Construction Details

The hat begins with a loosely cast-on edge of 74, 82, or 90 stitches depending on size. The ribbed cuff section measures 4 inches worked in 2x2 ribbing on smaller needles, establishing the elastic edge that frames the face. The knitter then transitions to larger needles and stockinette stitch, working even for 3½ to 5 inches depending on size. The crown is shaped through a series of strategic decreases worked over eleven rows, with knit-side decreases occurring every other row and purl rows worked between decrease rows. The decreases progress from spacing stitches further apart to closer together, gradually tapering the crown. Once all stitches are decreased, the yarn is cut with a 12-inch tail, threaded through remaining stitches, drawn tight, and secured. The side seam is sewn closed with special attention to reversing the seam at the top of the ribbing so it can fold inward.

Mittens Construction Details

The mittens are cast on with 30, 34, or 34 stitches on smaller needles and worked in 2x2 ribbing for 2.5 to 3 inches depending on size. The ribbed cuff provides a comfortable wrist opening with stretch and recovery. Stitches are increased evenly across the final ribbing row before transitioning to larger needles and stockinette stitch for the hand and finger sections.