String Joan Hat & Cowl Knitting Pattern

String Joan Hat & Cowl

Project Overview

The Joan Hat & Cowl is a coordinating two-piece set designed by the String Design Team, featuring a classic knit hat and matching cowl neck. Both pieces are crafted from luxurious String GENEVA yarn, a premium blend of 90% cashmere and 10% lambswool. This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for creating both garments in one size, with the versatility to knit the hat using either flat or in-the-round construction methods.

Hat Specifications

Finished Measurements: The hat features a circumference of 19 inches (48.25 cm) and a height of 9 inches (23 cm), creating a classic, close-fitting silhouette.

Construction Method: The hat can be knitted flat on straight needles or worked in the round using a 16-inch circular needle, offering flexibility based on knitter preference. The pattern begins with a K2, P2 ribbed cuff worked in color A (Graphite), establishing a stretchy, fitted edge.

Stitch Techniques: The hat employs fundamental knitting stitches including knit and purl stitches arranged in a 2x2 ribbed pattern. The body transitions into stockinette stitch sections, with strategic decreases worked during the crown shaping to create the hat's tapered top. Decrease techniques include purl two together (P2tog) and knit two together (K2tog) to gradually reduce stitch count.

Color Work: The hat showcases a three-color design using String GENEVA yarn in Graphite (A), Lilac (B), and Pearl (C). Each color section measures approximately 2 inches in height, creating distinct horizontal color blocks throughout the piece.

Cowl Specifications

Finished Measurements: The cowl measures 24½ inches (62 cm) in circumference and 14½ inches (37 cm) in height, providing generous coverage and drape around the neck.

Construction Method: The cowl is exclusively worked in the round using a 16-inch circular needle, eliminating the need for seaming. This seamless construction creates a smooth, continuous fabric ideal for a neckwear piece.

Stitch Techniques: The cowl begins with a cast-on of 90 stitches and features alternating sections of knit and purl rounds. Rounds 1-15 are worked entirely in knit stitch, followed by rounds 16-30 worked entirely in purl stitch, creating textural variation. This pattern sequence is repeated three times as the cowl progresses through each color section.

Color Work: Like the hat, the cowl utilizes the same three-color palette of String GENEVA yarn in Graphite (A), Lilac (B), and Pearl (C). Each color section spans approximately 2 inches in height, with color changes occurring at regular intervals to create balanced horizontal stripes.

Materials and Tools

• Yarn: String GENEVA, 90% cashmere / 10% lambswool blend (1.75 oz / 50g per ball; 156 yards / 143 meters per ball). One ball each of color 517089 Graphite, color 517188 Lilac, and color 517092 Pearl. The pattern notes that one ball of each color is sufficient to complete both the hat and cowl.
• Needles: Size 8 (5mm) circular needle, 16 inches long for the cowl; Size 7 (4.5mm) circular needle, 16 inches long for knitting the hat in the round, or straight needles if working the hat flat
• Notions: Stitch marker for marking round beginnings; yarn needle for weaving in ends

Gauge Information

Hat Gauge: 18 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in K2, P2 ribbing, lightly stretched, after blocking.

Cowl Gauge: 15 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in pattern, after blocking.

The pattern emphasizes the importance of checking gauge before beginning, as accurate gauge ensures proper finished measurements and fit for both pieces.

Finishing Techniques

Both the hat and cowl require minimal finishing. After completing all knitting, ends are woven in using a yarn needle, and both pieces are gently blocked to set the stitches and even out the fabric. The cowl