Forsyth Scarf & Hat Set in Juniper Moon Farm Marlowe Jeweltones and Marlowe Dappled

Forsyth Scarf & Hat Set by Marie Grace Smith

What Is Being Made

The Forsyth collection features a coordinated knit scarf and hat set designed for relaxed, social knitting. Named after Scottish poet William Forsyth, this project combines two complementary pieces using color-blocking techniques with Juniper Moon Farm Marlowe yarns in contrasting colorways.

Scarf Details

Finished Measurements: The scarf measures 8 inches (20.5 cm) wide and 71½ inches (181.5 cm) long, making it a generous accessory suitable for wrapping and layering.

Construction: The scarf is worked flat using stockinette stitch as the primary fabric structure. Color changes are strategically placed throughout the piece, with the knitter having the option to either cut yarn at each color transition or carry yarn up the side depending on stripe frequency. Shorter distances between color changes allow for yarn carrying, while longer sections benefit from cutting and weaving in ends.

Hat Details

Finished Measurements: Available in three sizes—Small (18-inch / 46 cm circumference), Medium (20-inch / 51 cm circumference), and Large (22-inch / 56 cm circumference)—with corresponding heights of 11¼ inches (28.5 cm), 12¼ inches (31 cm), and 13¼ inches (33.5 cm) respectively.

Construction: The hat is worked in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles. After an initial ribbed cuff worked in stockinette stitch, the piece transitions to stockinette stitch in the main body. Crown shaping is achieved through strategic decreases, with color-block stripes worked in a specific sequence: one round of contrasting color, one round of main color, two rounds of contrasting color, three rounds of main color, five rounds of contrasting color, eight rounds of main color, and finally twenty rounds of contrasting color. This gradient stripe pattern creates visual interest while maintaining the meditative quality of stockinette stitch knitting.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch throughout both pieces, created by alternating knit and purl rows on flat fabric or knitting every round when working circularly
• Ribbing: Used for the hat cuff to create elasticity and structure at the edge
• Color Blocking: Systematic color changes create striped sections of varying widths, adding visual dimension without complex colorwork techniques
• Crown Shaping: Decreases are worked to taper the hat crown to closure
• Circular Knitting: The hat is constructed seamlessly in the round, eliminating the need for seaming
• Gauge Matching: Proper gauge of 16 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch ensures accurate finished measurements

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern uses fundamental knitting abbreviations and stitches including knit (k), purl (p), knit two together (k2tog), cast on (CO), bind off (BO), rounds (rnds), stitches (sts), and stockinette stitch (St st). The ribbed sections employ alternating knit and purl stitches to create the characteristic textured edge.

Yarn and Materials

Yarn Requirements: The scarf and hat set uses Juniper Moon Farm Marlowe yarns in two colorways. The main color is Juniper Moon Farm Marlowe Jeweltone in color #104 Glacier (3 balls), while the contrasting color is Juniper Moon Farm Marlowe Dappled in color #17 Abalone (2 balls). The Marlowe line features the jewel-toned and dappled colorways that create the striking color-block effect.

Needles: The project requires US 8 (5 mm) 16-inch circular needles for the scarf, US 9 (5.5 mm) double-point needles for hat crown shaping, and US 9 (5.5 mm) 16-inch circular needles for the hat body. The needle size change between scarf and hat accommodates the different yarn requirements and desired fabric characteristics.

Additional Notions: A tapestry needle is used for weaving in yarn ends, and a stitch marker helps identify the beginning of each round when working the hat in the round.

Project Characteristics