Tahki Yarns Redvale Hat and Cowl Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Redvale Hat and Cowl Pattern Summary

Overview

The Redvale Hat and Cowl is a beginner-friendly knitting pattern designed by Rosemary Drysdale that features two coordinating accessories: a cowl and a matching hat. Both pieces are worked seamlessly in the round from the bottom up, making them ideal projects for knitters developing their circular needle and colorwork skills. The pattern uses a striking slip stitch technique combined with ribbed sections to create visual interest and texture.

The Cowl

The cowl is designed to measure 22 inches in circumference and 8 inches in height when completed. This accessory begins with a foundation of knit-purl ribbing, which provides elasticity and structure. The main body of the cowl features the Slip Stitch Pattern, a multi-color technique that incorporates three yarn colors to create a textured, dimensional fabric. The pattern uses color changes strategically, with the majority of the piece worked in the primary color, accented by secondary and tertiary colors in the slip stitch sections. The cowl concludes with additional ribbing to frame the top edge, and finishing is completed by weaving in ends and optional blocking.

The Hat

The hat is constructed to fit a 20.5-inch head circumference with a finished height of 9.5 inches. Like the cowl, the hat begins with ribbed edging for a secure, comfortable fit. The main body utilizes the same Slip Stitch Pattern used in the cowl, allowing the two pieces to coordinate visually. The hat includes shaping at the crown to create a fitted silhouette, achieved through strategic decreases worked with the K2tog tbl (knit two together through the back loops) technique. This crown shaping gradually reduces stitches to close the top of the hat smoothly.

Techniques Used

• Seamless, In-the-Round Construction: Both the cowl and hat are worked circularly on circular needles and double-pointed needles, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a professional, polished finish.
• Bottom-Up Construction: Both pieces are worked from the cast-on edge upward, allowing knitters to try on and adjust fit as needed before binding off.
• Slip Stitch Colorwork: A multi-color technique that creates texture and visual pattern by slipping stitches across yarn colors. This method is more forgiving than traditional stranded colorwork, as it does not require managing multiple yarn strands simultaneously.
• Ribbed Edging: K1, P1 ribbing is used at the beginning and end of both pieces to create elastic, structured edges that frame the slip stitch pattern sections.
• Crown Shaping: The hat includes decreases to shape the crown, creating a fitted top.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• K1, P1 Rib: An alternating knit and purl stitch worked in the round, creating a stretchy, textured fabric ideal for edges and cuffs.
• Stockinette Stitch: Smooth knit fabric created by knitting every round, used in transition sections between ribbing and patterned areas.
• Slip Stitch Pattern: A multi-color pattern worked over a multiple of 3 stitches. The pattern alternates between knit and purl rows with slipped stitches, creating a textured, dimensional fabric. Stitches are slipped with yarn in back (wyib), maintaining the integrity of the pattern.
• K2tog tbl (Knit Two Together Through the Back Loops): A left-leaning decrease used in the hat crown shaping to gradually reduce stitch count.

Materials and Specifications

The Redvale pattern calls for Tahki Yarns Donegal Tweed Fine, a wool and mohair blend yarn. Specifically, the pattern requires 2 skeins of color #2723 teal (A) for the primary color, along with 1 skein each of color #2724 light teal (B) and color #2735 raspberry (C) for the slip stitch pattern accents. Each skein contains 1.75 ounces and 218 yards of yardage, composed of 70% wool and 30% mohair, providing warmth, softness, and subtle sheen.

The pattern is worked on US 4 (3.5mm) needles, including a 16-inch circular needle for the main body of both pieces and a set of double-pointed needles for crown shaping on the hat. Additional supplies include stitch markers to denote