Tahki Yarns Dawson Hat & Scarf Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Dawson Hat & Scarf

Overview

The Dawson Hat & Scarf is a coordinated knitted accessory set designed by Rosemary Drysdale. This pattern allows crafters to create either a matching hat and scarf combination or individual pieces, making it versatile for gift-giving or personal use. The design features elegant lace detailing combined with classic seed stitch texture, offering visual interest while remaining accessible to knitters with intermediate skill levels.

Hat Details

Construction: The hat is worked primarily in the round using circular needles, with a transition to double-pointed needles during crown shaping. The piece begins with a cast-on of 41 stitches and measures 20½ inches in circumference and 8 inches in height when completed.

Stitch Techniques: The hat combines two primary stitch patterns. Seed stitch forms the foundation and borders of the design, creating a textured, reversible fabric. A 7-stitch lace pattern panel is strategically placed in the center front, worked over 12 rounds and repeated to create decorative openwork. The lace pattern incorporates yarn overs and decreases (k2tog and ssk) to form the characteristic holes and flowing lines of lace knitting.

Crown Shaping: The crown is shaped through strategic decreasing using techniques such as p3tog, k3tog, and k2tog to gradually reduce stitches from 41 to 23 stitches, then to 12 stitches. The final stitches are drawn closed with a yarn needle and fastened securely.

Scarf Details

Construction: The scarf is worked flat in rows rather than in the round. It is cast on with 17 stitches and measures 60 inches in length and 8½ inches in width, creating a generous rectangular accessory suitable for draping around the neck.

Stitch Techniques: Like the hat, the scarf employs seed stitch as its primary texture, worked in rows over an odd number of stitches. A 7-stitch lace pattern panel runs vertically down the center of the scarf, flanked by 5-stitch seed stitch borders on each side. This arrangement creates a balanced, symmetrical design with lace detail framed by stable textured edges. The lace panel uses the same yarn-over and decrease techniques as the hat version but is adapted for flat knitting.

Materials & Gauge

Yarn: The pattern calls for Tahki Yarns Highland Roving, a yarn composed of 100% fine Highland wool. Each skein contains 5.25 ounces and yields 90 yards. One skein is sufficient for the hat alone, while two additional skeins are needed for the scarf, totaling three skeins for the complete set. The pattern offers two color options: #18 lilac blossom or #22 raspberry.

Needles & Tools: Construction requires US 17 (12mm) circular needles measuring 16 inches in length for the main hat body, with US 17 (12mm) double-pointed needles for crown shaping when the stitch count becomes too small for circular needles. Additional tools include stitch markers to denote pattern sections and the beginning of rounds, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and closing the crown.

Gauge: The pattern specifies a gauge of 8 stitches and 12 rows over 4 inches when worked in seed stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished pieces match the intended dimensions.

Technique Summary

This pattern demonstrates fundamental knitting techniques suitable for intermediate crafters. The seed stitch provides texture through alternating knit and purl stitches, creating a fabric that looks identical on both sides. Lace knitting is introduced through the use of yarn overs (yo) to create deliberate holes and paired decreases (k2tog and ssk) to maintain stitch count while forming the lace's characteristic openwork pattern. The transition from circular needles to double-pointed needles during crown shaping teaches practical needle management for small circumferences. Working both in the round and flat allows crafters to develop proficiency with multiple construction methods.