Side to Side Hat and Scarf Knitting Pattern

Side to Side Hat and Scarf Knitting Pattern by Plymouth Yarn

Project Overview

This downloadable knitting pattern from Plymouth Yarn features a coordinated set of two projects: a scarf and a matching hat. Both pieces are designed to be worked side to side, creating a unique construction method that produces striking color-block effects through strategic yarn color changes. The pattern is offered free with the purchase of Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted.

Scarf Construction and Specifications

The scarf measures approximately 8 inches wide by 50 inches long and is worked horizontally using a side-to-side technique. This method involves casting on a large number of stitches and then knitting only one row at a time while alternating between two colors, creating vertical stripes across the width of the finished piece.

Scarf Technique: The scarf is constructed by casting on 150 stitches very loosely with Color A, then alternating single rows between Color A (Gray #194) and Color B (Maroon #999). An 8-inch tail is left at the beginning and end of every row, which are later knotted together to form five groups of fringe on each end of the scarf. This creates a distinctive fringed edge that can be trimmed to the desired length.

Scarf Stitches: The pattern uses basic garter stitch throughout, which is created by knitting every row. This fundamental stitch produces a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges.

Hat Construction and Specifications

The hat is worked in the round and measures approximately 8 inches wide by 23 inches in circumference. Like the scarf, the hat employs a side-to-side color-changing technique, but adapted for circular knitting to create alternating knit and purl rounds in contrasting colors.

Hat Technique: The hat begins with a loose cast-on of 70 stitches on a 16-inch circular needle. The main body is worked in alternating rounds: one knit round with Color B followed by one purl round with Color A, repeated until the piece reaches 8 inches in length. This creates a reversible ribbed texture with color blocking. After the body is complete, a series of strategic decreases are worked to shape the crown, changing to double-pointed needles as the stitch count decreases. The decreases are worked in Color B using knit-two-together reductions, with purl rounds in Color A worked between each decrease round, maintaining the color-block pattern through the shaping.

Hat Stitches: The hat combines knit and purl stitches in alternating rounds to create texture, along with knit-two-together decreases to shape the crown.

Materials and Yarn

Both projects are designed to be made with Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted, a worsted-weight yarn. The pattern requires 2 balls each of Color A (Gray #194) and Color B (Maroon #999), with each ball weighing 100 grams. Encore Worsted is a durable, versatile yarn suitable for structured garments.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern calls for US size 11 circular needles (24 inches) for the scarf and US size 10½ circular needles (16 inches) for the hat, with US size 10 or 10½ double-pointed needles for the hat crown shaping. The gauge is 12 stitches equals 4 inches in garter stitch on a US 11 needle, or whatever size is needed to achieve the correct gauge.

Pattern Difficulty and Appeal

This pattern is suitable for knitters with basic skills, as it relies on fundamental stitches and straightforward construction methods. The side-to-side technique is an interesting design element that creates visual interest while remaining accessible to intermediate knitters. The color-blocking effect achieved through yarn changes adds sophistication to the finished pieces without requiring complex colorwork techniques.