Slalom Winter Set Accessory Knitting Pattern

Slalom Winter Set in Juniper Moon Farm Herriot

Overview

The Slalom Winter Set is a coordinated knitting project designed by Pamela Wynne that includes a matching hat and cowl. This intermediate-level set combines classic winter accessories with modern cable techniques, creating a cohesive collection perfect for cold-weather wear. Both pieces feature complementary stitch patterns and are worked in the same yarn for visual harmony.

What Is Being Made

This set consists of two essential winter accessories:

• Hat: A fitted winter hat with a band circumference of 20 inches (50cm) and a height of 10 inches (25.5cm)
• Cowl: A matching neck warmer with a circumference of 20 inches (50cm) and a height of 9½ inches (24cm)

Yarn and Materials

Both pieces are knitted using Juniper Moon Farm Herriot in the Sierra Nevada (#1030) colorway. The hat requires one 100-gram hank, and the cowl requires one 100-gram hank, making this a two-hank project total. Herriot is a premium yarn choice that provides excellent stitch definition for cable work.

Needles and Notions

The hat is worked on US Size 5 (3.75mm) circular needles measuring 16 inches in length, along with a set of five double-pointed needles of the same size for working the crown decreases. The cowl also uses US Size 5 (3.75mm) needles for the main fabric, with US Size 7 (4.5mm) needles reserved for the bind-off edge to create a neat finish.

Additional notions required include a cable needle for manipulating stitches, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, waste yarn for securing stitches, and a US E/4 (3.5mm) crochet hook or larger for the provisional cast-on method.

Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate project employs several important knitting techniques that add visual interest and texture:

• Cable Stitches: The pattern features cable crossings including C3 over 1 purl left and C3 over 1 purl right variations, which create twisted rope-like textures by crossing groups of stitches over purl stitches
• Stockinette Stitch: The foundational stitch used throughout, creating smooth, flat fabric that showcases the cable work
• Provisional Cast-On: A temporary cast-on method using waste yarn and a crochet hook, allowing for seamless joins or future grafting
• Three-Needle Bind-Off: A joining technique that binds off two pieces simultaneously, creating a strong, invisible seam
• Increases: Make one purl (M1P) increases are used to shape the pieces while maintaining stitch pattern integrity
• Decreases: Techniques including knit two together (k2tog), slip-slip-knit (ssk), and purl two together through the back loop (p2tog tbl) are employed for shaping
• Circular Knitting: The hat is worked in the round on circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches (10cm) in Stockinette stitch after blocking. Proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements, and blocking is recommended to even out the cable stitches and set the fabric.

Skill Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to tackle cable work. The combination of circular knitting, cable manipulation, and multiple decrease methods provides an excellent learning opportunity for advancing knitting skills.