Torridon Hat & Cowl in Juniper Moon Marlowe Jeweltones & Marlowe Dappled

Torridon Hat & Cowl Set

Project Overview

The Torridon Hat & Cowl is a coordinated two-piece knit set designed by Marie Grace Smith as part of The Alban Collection. This quick-to-knit project features an easily memorized chevron pattern with contrasting color stripes that evoke the mountains and sea, inspired by Algernon Charles Swinburne's poem "Torridon Loch". The set can be customized in single or multi-color options, making it an accessible project for knitters seeking both visual interest and straightforward construction.

What Is Being Made

• Hat: Available in two sizes—Small (17 ½" / 44.5 cm circumference) and Large (20" / 51 cm circumference)—designed to be worked in the round using circular needles and double-point needles for the crown shaping
• Cowl: One-size accessory measuring 27" x 9.5" (68.5 x 24 cm), worked in the round as a tube to be worn around the neck

Techniques Used

This pattern employs fundamental circular knitting techniques suitable for intermediate knitters. The hat construction begins with circular needles and transitions to double-point needles as stitches decrease toward the crown. Both pieces utilize in-the-round knitting, which eliminates seaming and creates seamless, professional-looking garments. The pattern incorporates color-work techniques through strategic yarn changes rather than stranded colorwork, simplifying the construction process while maintaining visual impact. Knitters will practice increasing stitches at the beginning of the chevron pattern and decreasing stitches using slip-stitch decreases, which create the distinctive peaked points characteristic of chevron designs.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The foundational stitch used throughout, worked in the round for a smooth, V-textured fabric
• Chevron Pattern: A repeating 12-round motif worked over a multiple of 15 stitches that creates the distinctive mountain-like peaks. The pattern alternates between knit rounds and purl rounds in the main color, with color changes introducing purl and knit rounds in the contrasting color. Key stitch components include knit-front-and-back increases (Kfb) at pattern edges and slip-stitch decreases (sl 2, k1, psso) at the chevron valleys
• Garter Stitch (optional): An alternative for the chevron pattern, worked in the round by alternating knit and purl rounds, offering a textured appearance
• Basic finishing stitches: Cast-on and bind-off techniques to begin and complete the pieces

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The pattern calls for Juniper Moon Farm Marlowe yarn in two colorways. The main color (MC) is Marlowe Jeweltones in color #110 Bondi Blue, requiring 2 balls for the Small size or 3 balls for the Large size. The contrasting color (CC) is Marlowe Dappled in color #18 Peacock Feather, also requiring 2 balls for Small or 3 balls for Large. The Marlowe Dappled shares a color with the master color to provide subtle variation, though the pattern notes that stronger color contrasts may be substituted. Alternatively, the entire set can be made in a single color using 3 balls of yarn total.

Needles: The pattern requires US 8 (5 mm) circular needles in 16" (40 cm) length for the ribbing or initial setup, and US 9 (5.5 mm) circular needles in 16" (40 cm) length for the main fabric. For the hat crown shaping, US 9 (5.5 mm) double-point needles are necessary. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and a stitch marker to denote the beginning of each round.

Gauge and Sizing Information

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this pattern. The stockinette stitch gauge is 16 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in the round using the larger needle. When working the chevron pattern, the gauge is approximately 20 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in the round using the larger needle. These gauge measurements ensure that the finished hat will fit properly and the cowl will drape as intended.

Pattern Customization Options