Compass Tam & Mittens Hat Knitting Pattern

Compass Tam & Mittens in Juniper Moon Farm Herriot Fine

What Is Being Made

The Compass Tam & Mittens set is a coordinated knitting project from The Garden Collection by designer Pamela Wynne. This collection piece includes two complementary accessories: an adult medium tam (a traditional Scottish-style hat) and matching mittens available in adult small, medium, and large sizes. Both items are designed to be worked in the same colorway using Juniper Moon Farm Herriot Fine yarn, creating a unified, sophisticated accessory set.

Tam Construction and Details

The tam begins with a German Twisted cast-on of 140 stitches worked on US 2 (2.75 mm) circular needles. The brim is established by working a charted brim pattern in the round. After the brim is complete, the project transitions to US 3 (3.25 mm) needles for the main body. Strategic increases are worked to shape the tam: the first increase round creates 168 stitches, followed by additional shaping that brings the stitch count to 186 stitches before decreasing back to 168 stitches for the crown. The tam features multiple charted stitch patterns including Peerie Chart A, Peerie Chart B, Border Chart, and Wheel Chart, which create intricate colorwork throughout the piece. The crown is finished by threading the remaining 14 stitches and pulling tight to close the top.

Mittens Construction and Details

The mittens are worked on US 1, US 1.5, or US 2 (2.25 mm, 2.5 mm, or 2.75 mm) double-pointed needles depending on size. Hand circumference measurements are 6¾ inches for small, 7 inches for medium, and 7½ inches for large. Hand length varies from 7¼ inches in small to 8 inches in large, accommodating different hand proportions. Like the tam, the mittens feature charted colorwork patterns that create the compass design throughout.

Techniques and Stitches Used

This project employs stranded colorwork knitting, a technique where multiple yarn colors are carried across the back of the work to create patterned designs. The patterns are worked from charts, requiring knitters to follow visual instructions for color placement. Key techniques include:

• German Twisted cast-on: A sturdy cast-on method that creates a neat, elastic edge suitable for ribbed sections
• Knit in the round: Both the tam and mittens are worked circularly using either circular needles or sets of double-pointed needles, eliminating the need for seaming
• Increases and decreases: Strategic shaping is achieved through make-one increases (m1) and knit two together decreases (k2tog) to form the tam's crown and shape the mittens
• Charted colorwork patterns: Peerie charts and wheel charts guide the placement of contrast colors throughout both pieces
• Color management: The pattern includes specific instructions for managing multiple contrast colors, directing knitters to keep higher-numbered contrast colors below lower-numbered ones to maintain consistent tension and appearance

Yarn and Materials

Both the tam and mittens are worked in Juniper Moon Farm Herriot Fine, a refined yarn suitable for detailed colorwork. The project requires one hank each of four coordinating colors: color #2001 Travertine (main color), color #2004 Sycamore (contrast color 1), color #2010 Lakeville (contrast color 2), and color #2011 Merlot Red (contrast color 3). The tam is worked on US 2 and US 3 (2.75 mm and 3.25 mm) circular needles measuring 16 inches, while the mittens require a set of five double-pointed needles in sizes ranging from US 1 to US 2 depending on the size being made. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings, and waste yarn for holding stitches if needed.

Gauge and Finishing

Proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements. The tam should measure 32 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches in the charted pattern on larger needles after blocking. Mittens gauge varies by size: 35½ stitches and 37½ rows per 4 inches for small, 34 stitches and 36 rows for medium, and 32 stitches and 34 rows for large. Blocking after completion helps even out the colorwork and sets the final dimensions. The tam's finished brim circumference is 17