Twist Collective Bilberry Cowl Knitting Pattern

Twist Collective Bilberry: Knitted Cowls, Hats, and Mittens Set

What is Being Made

The Bilberry collection by Pauliina Karru is a coordinated three-piece knitting set consisting of a hat, cowl, and mittens. These accessories are designed to be worked individually or as a complete set, allowing crafters to create matching pieces or select individual projects based on their preferences and available yarn quantities.

Finished Measurements

• Hat: Circumference 20 (22 ½)" / 51 (57) cm; Height 10 (10 ¼)" / 25.5 (26) cm
• Cowl: Circumference 28" / 71 cm; Height 10 ¾" / 27.5 cm
• Mittens: Hand circumference 7 ½ (8 ½)" / 19 (21.5) cm; Length (adjustable) 10 (10 ¼)" / 25.5 (26) cm

Techniques Used

All three garments in the Bilberry set employ bottom-up construction, meaning pieces are worked from the cast-on edge upward toward the crown or top edge. The designs feature seamless, in-the-round knitting, which eliminates the need for seaming and creates a continuous tube of fabric. This technique is achieved using circular needles and double-pointed needles, depending on the project stage and crafter preference.

Cable stitches are incorporated throughout the designs, adding visual texture and dimension to the finished pieces. The stitch patterns are provided in both written instructions and charted formats, allowing crafters to choose their preferred method for following the pattern.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The foundational stitch pattern used across all three pieces is K2, P2 ribbing (knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches), which creates an elastic, fitted edge. This ribbing is worked for 2" / 5 cm from the cast-on edge on both the hat and mittens, providing structure and ensuring the accessories stay in place during wear.

Beyond the ribbing, the designs feature cable stitch patterns worked from provided charts. The hat and mittens include specific chart-based stitch patterns that create the signature textured design. Decreases are strategically placed throughout, including purl 2 together (p2tog) decreases and make 1 purl (M1P) increases, which shape the pieces and create the proper fit. The mittens and hat crown employ decrease rounds to taper the pieces to their finished dimensions.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Suggested Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Homestead, 100% wool, 191 yards / 175 meters per 3 ½ oz / 100 g hank. The pattern is shown in colorway #23 Dusty Blue. For the complete three-piece set as pictured, 3 hanks are sufficient. Alternatively, 1 hank provides enough yardage to complete either the hat, cowl, or mittens individually, offering flexibility for crafters with limited yarn quantities.

Needles Required: Size 8 US / 5 mm circular needle, 16" / 40 cm long, is used for the hat and cowl. For the mittens and crown decreases on the hat, Size 8 US / 5 mm needles in the crafter's preferred style for small circumference knitting in the round are recommended. This allows crafters to choose between double-pointed needles, small circular needles, or other preferred methods for working small-diameter tubes.

Construction Overview

Each piece begins with a cast-on worked in the round, with a stitch marker placed to denote the beginning of the round. Crafters are instructed to take care not to twist stitches during the join, a critical step for seamless in-the-round knitting. After the ribbed cuff is complete, the main stitch pattern from the provided chart is worked for the specified number of rounds. Shaping occurs through strategic decreases that reduce stitch counts and taper the pieces toward completion. All pieces are finished by cutting the yarn, weaving in ends, and blocking to the specified finished measurements to set the stitches and achieve the intended dimensions.