Valley Yarns Emily Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Emily Knit Hat and Cowl Set

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Emily is a luxurious two-piece knit set consisting of a matching hat and cowl designed by Lidia Karabinech. This coordinated collection is crafted from premium 100% cashmere yarn, making it an exceptionally soft and warm accessory set suitable as a gift or personal indulgence. The hat features a finished circumference of 19½" and height of 9½", while the cowl measures 25" in circumference and 10" in height. Both pieces are worked at an intermediate skill level and can be completed relatively quickly due to the bulky yarn weight.

Techniques Used

Both the hat and cowl in the Emily pattern are constructed using seamless, bottom-up construction worked in the round. This technique eliminates the need for seaming and creates a continuous, tubular fabric. The hat is worked on circular needles and then transitioned to double-pointed needles for the crown shaping, a common method for achieving proper stitch tension during the decreasing rounds. The cowl is similarly worked in the round on circular needles. Strategic decreasing rounds are incorporated throughout the hat pattern to shape the crown and create a proper fit, with stitch markers placed to help maintain pattern repeat accuracy across all rounds.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern used throughout both pieces is the Seersucker Stitch, a textured pattern that creates visual interest and dimension. The Seersucker Stitch is worked over a multiple of 4 stitches and repeats over 8 rounds, alternating between knit and purl combinations to produce its characteristic dimensional effect. The pattern incorporates knit and purl stitches as the foundation, with knit 2 together (k2tog) decreases strategically placed in specific rounds to shape the hat crown. Stitch markers are essential tools used throughout the pattern to delineate pattern repeats and maintain consistency across the circular rounds.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Emily set is designed to be knit in Valley Yarns Monadnock Bulky, a luxurious yarn composed of 100% cashmere fiber. This premium yarn is available in color 1034 Pearl for this pattern. The yarn specifications are 50 grams per 71 yards, with a bulky weight classification that allows for quick project completion. The pattern requires 2 balls of yarn for the hat and 2 balls of yarn for the cowl, totaling 4 balls for the complete set.

Needles and Gauge

Construction requires US 10½ (6.5 mm) circular needles in a 16-inch length for the main body of both pieces, and US 10½ (6.5 mm) double-pointed needles for the hat crown shaping where the stitch count becomes too small for circular needles. The working gauge is 13½ stitches and 20 rounds equal 4 inches when worked in the Seersucker Stitch pattern. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements specified in the pattern.

Additional Materials

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping decreases, waste yarn for temporary stitch holding if needed, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends upon completion. The hat may be finished with an optional pompom for added decorative detail and visual interest at the crown.