Plymouth Yarn Girl's Rib Hat and Pom Pom Cowl Knitting

Plymouth Yarn Girl's Rib Hat and Pom Pom Cowl

Project Overview

This downloadable knitting pattern from Plymouth Yarn (Pattern No. 3129) features a coordinated set of two accessories: a fitted ribbed hat with decorative lace detailing and a matching cowl. Both pieces are designed for children and feature the same yarn color, making them ideal companion projects. The hat is available in three sizes—Baby, Child, and Teen—with corresponding finished circumferences of 16½", 18¼", and 20" respectively. The cowl maintains consistent dimensions of 20" circumference by 6" wide across all sizes.

What Is Being Made

Girl's Rib Hat: A close-fitting, crown-shaped hat worked from the bottom up in the round. The hat begins with a ribbed cuff section that transitions into a stockinette body featuring integrated lace patterning. The crown shaping creates a tapered silhouette suitable for children's head sizes.

Pom Pom Cowl: A cylindrical neck warmer with a 20" circumference and 6" height. The cowl provides comfortable coverage and can be worn as a single loop or doubled for extra warmth.

Techniques Used

Both projects are worked in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles, eliminating the need for seaming. The hat incorporates lace techniques through strategic yarn overs and decreases that create decorative openwork patterns while maintaining structural integrity. The ribbing technique appears throughout both pieces, providing stretch and a refined, finished appearance. The hat pattern demonstrates crown shaping through graduated decreases that narrow the top section.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k): The primary stitch forming the stockinette base
• Purl (p): Used in ribbing sequences to create vertical texture
• Yarn over (yo): Creates decorative holes and increases within the lace pattern
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk): A left-leaning decrease used in lace sections
• Knit two together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease paired with yarn overs for balanced lace
• Ribbing (alternating p1, k1): Forms the cuff and provides elasticity

Materials and Gauge

The pattern calls for Knitcol yarn in color 077. For the hat, use 1 ball (50g) for Baby size, 1 ball for Child size, and 2 balls for Teen size. The cowl requires 2 balls (50g) of the same yarn. The recommended gauge is 22 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US Size 6 (4mm) needles after blocking, ensuring proper fit and drape.

Needles and Notions

For the Hat: One US Size 6 (4mm) 16-inch circular knitting needle, one set of US Size 6 (4mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs), one stitch marker, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

For the Cowl: One US Size 6 (4mm) 16-inch circular knitting needle, two US Size 6 (4mm) double-pointed needles, one stitch marker, and a tapestry needle.

Pattern Structure and Sizing

The pattern is written for the smallest size with larger measurements provided in parentheses. When only one number appears, that instruction applies to all three sizes. This format allows knitters to easily track which numbers apply to their chosen size. The hat construction begins with a long-tail cast-on of 90, 100, or 110 stitches depending on size, joined in the round with careful attention to avoid twisting.

Hat Construction Details

The hat begins with a ribbed cuff section worked in a simple alternating purl and knit pattern, creating a stretchy, refined edge. The cuff height varies by size: 1 inch for Baby, 1¼ inches for Child, and 1½ inches for Teen. Following the ribbing, the pattern transitions to the main body through a series of 14 rounds that combine stockinette sections with integrated lace motifs. The lace pattern features paired yarn overs and decreases arranged symmetrically around the hat, creating visual interest while the ribbed sections provide