Valley Yarns Sugarplum Hat and Cowl Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Sugarplum Hat and Cowl

Project Overview

The Sugarplum Hat and Cowl is a coordinated two-piece set designed by Julie Turjoman, featuring a fitted fall beanie and matching cowl. This intermediate-level knitting project showcases the luxurious qualities of Valley Yarns Charlemont, a premium blend of superwash merino, mulberry silk, and polyamide. The combination of fibers provides excellent stitch definition, warmth, and softness, making this set ideal for cooler seasons. Both pieces are quick weekend projects suitable as thoughtful handmade gifts.

What Is Being Made

• Hat: A fitted beanie available in three sizes—Small (fits 18-19" head circumference), Medium (20-21"), and Large (22-23")
• Cowl: A single-size neckwarmer measuring 9" in height and 21½" in width

Techniques Used

Both the hat and cowl are worked in the round, creating seamless garments with no side seams. The construction uses a bottom-up approach, beginning at the base and working upward. A distinctive two-color slip stitch pattern is featured in the cowl and the rise of the hat, creating depth and textural interest through the strategic slipping of stitches between color changes. This slip stitch technique allows the yarn colors to layer visually without the bulk that traditional stranded colorwork might create.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches including knit and purl stitches as the foundation. The signature element is the two-color slip stitch pattern, which adds visual and textural complexity to the finished pieces. Decreases are worked using knit two together (K2tog) techniques to shape the crown of the hat. The pattern also incorporates reverse stockinette stitch in certain sections. Finishing techniques include binding off and weaving in yarn ends to the wrong side for a polished appearance.

Materials and Gauge

The pattern calls for Valley Yarns Charlemont yarn in two coordinating colors: Purple Passion (Color A) and Mulberry (Color B). Each color requires one 100-gram skein, providing 439 yards per skein. The yarn composition is 60% Fine Superwash Merino, 20% Mulberry Silk, and 20% Polyamide, offering durability and easy care alongside luxury fiber content.

Needles required include US size 3 (3.25 mm) 16-inch circular needles for the main fabric and US size 2 (2.75 mm) 16-inch circular needles for ribbed sections, with US size 3 double-pointed needles for crown shaping. The recommended gauge is 28 stitches and 46 rows over 4 inches when working the slip stitch pattern on US size 3 needles in blocked gauge. Additional materials include stitch markers and a tapestry needle for finishing and weaving in ends.

Construction Details

Both projects utilize circular needle construction to achieve seamless, tubular pieces. The slip stitch colorwork pattern creates a sophisticated visual effect while maintaining a relatively thin, non-bulky fabric suitable for fitted garments. The hat features shaping at the crown using decreases to taper from the full circumference to a gathered top. The cowl is worked as a simple tube without shaping, making it an excellent introduction to in-the-round colorwork for knitters developing intermediate skills. Finishing involves blocking the pieces to set the stitch definition and weaving in all yarn ends to the wrong side for a professional appearance.