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Embla Set Hat and Cowl Pattern

Embla Set Hat and Cowl Pattern
4.0β˜… Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
4.0K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Iο»Ώdeal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

🧣

Snug Essential

Everyday comfort with practical charm, designed for both functionality and style through changing seasons.

About This Embla Set Hat and Cowl Pattern

This pattern creates a coordinating Embla hat and cowl set with traditional Nordic colorwork motifs. Youll work the hat crown, color-charted body, optional double brim or ear flaps, and a matching circular yoke cowl. Detailed sizing, needle suggestions, and yarn requirements for multiple sizes are included. The pattern is written for DK weight yarn and uses small circular needles and DPNs for shaping.

Embla Set Hat and Cowl Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Both pieces are worked in the round and use stranded colorwork charts for the motifs. Full finishing instructions, i-cord ear flap strings, and blocking advice are provided.

Why You'll Love This Embla Set Hat and Cowl Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it blends classic Nordic motifs with practical wearable pieces you can use all winter. I enjoy knitting colorwork and seeing the pattern emerge row by row makes the project satisfying and meditative. The sizes and clear instructions mean I can make a set for anyone in the family without guesswork. I also love that the hat includes options β€” a single brim, double brim, or ear flaps β€” so I can personalize each set to suit the wearer.

Embla Set Hat and Cowl Pattern step 1 - construction progress Embla Set Hat and Cowl Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Embla Set Hat and Cowl Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Embla Set Hat and Cowl Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love customizing this set by swapping the three colors for high-contrast or tonal palettes depending on the look I want.

I often change Color A to a soft neutral and use bold colors for the motifs to make them pop.

If you prefer a chunkier version, I switch to a bulkier DK/aran yarn and a larger needle for a squishier hat and cowl.

I sometimes omit the ear flaps and add a faux-fur pompom for a more modern finish.

Try changing the brim length: a double brim creates a cozy folded edge while a single brim is sleeker and quicker to knit.

I like to experiment with different chart rows as a center motif to create unique yoke patterns for the cowl.

For children, add small embroidered accents or a small crocheted applique to personalize the hat.

Consider using a helical stranded technique to reduce jogs between colors and create a cleaner round-to-round transition.

I occasionally add a wire or cord inside the i-cord to give the ear flap strings more structure for styling.

When gifting, I knit matching mitts or a small headband in the same palette to make it a full coordinated set.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

βœ— Not checking gauge before starting; always knit a swatch in colorwork and block it to verify 22 sts = 10 cm to ensure finished size accuracy. βœ— Using too-small needles for the increases at the crown; try the designers tip and switch to needles one or two sizes larger at the start to avoid overly tight stitches. βœ— Neglecting to place stitch markers at the beginning of the round; place a marker at the BOR to keep track of pattern repeats and ear flap placement. βœ— Pulling floats too tightly across the wrong side in stranded colorwork; maintain even tension and catch floats occasionally so the fabric lays flat and elastic. βœ— Skipping the recommended DPN or circular changeover when you have enough stitches; switch to circular needles for comfort and an even circumference once stitches fit on a circular needle.

Embla Set Hat and Cowl Pattern

Make a classic Nordic-inspired Embla hat and matching cowl in DK weight yarn. This set uses stranded colorwork to create beautiful motifs and is worked in the round for a neat finish. The pattern includes full instructions for crown shaping, ear flaps, brim options, and a matching yoke cowl. Youll enjoy clear size options and helpful tips for gauge and finishing.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Embla Set Hat and Cowl Pattern

β€” Main Fabric

  • 01
    DK weight yarn in 3 colors, approx. 125 meters / 137 yards per 50 g skein
  • 02
    Hat: Color A: 1 skein (any size)
  • 03
    Hat: Color B: 1 skein (any size)
  • 04
    Hat: Color C: 1 skein (any size)
  • 05
    Cowl Color A approx: (45) 50 (55) 60 (70) 80 (90) 105 (120) 135 meters / (49) 55 (60) 66 (77) 88 (99) 115 (131) 148 yards
  • 06
    Cowl Color B approx: (50) 60 (70) 80 (100) 125 (150) 175 (200) 225 meters / (55) 66 (77) 88 (109) 137 (164) 192 (219) 246 yards
  • 07
    Cowl Color C approx: (40) 45 (50) 55 (60) 65 (70) 75 (80) 85 meters / (44) 49 (55) 60 (66) 71 (77) 82 (88) 93 yards

β€” Tools Required

  • 01
    3 mm / US 2.5 needles (DPNs and 40 cm / 16 inches circular)
  • 02
    3.5 mm / US 4 needles (DPNs and 40 cm / 16 inches circular)
  • 03
    4 mm / US 6 needles (40 cm / 16 inches circular)
  • 04
    Circular needles in 40, 60, 80 cm / 16, 24, 32 inches (3.5 mm / US 4 recommended for cowl)
  • 05
    Double-pointed needles (DPNs) for small crowns and ear flaps
  • 06
    Stitch markers (place marker at BOR)
  • 07
    Yarn needle for weaving in ends
  • 08
    Scissors
  • 09
    Blocking tools or steam iron for flattening colorwork
  • 10
    Pompom maker (optional) for hat pompom

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

β€” Hat :

Info :

CROWN OF HAT With 3.5 mm / US 4 DPNs, cast on 7 (8) 9 (9) 10 (11) sts using Color B. The hat is knitted in the rnd, feel free to switch to circular ndls whenever there are enough sts on your ndls to stretch across a pair of circular ndls.

Set-up Rnd :

K to end.

Next Rnd :

[K1, m1R] to end. - the number of sts doubled

Info :

You should now have 14 (16) 18 (18) 20 (22) sts on your ndl.

Next Rnd :

K to end.

Next Rnd :

[K1, m1R] to end. - the number of sts doubled

Info :

You should now have 28 (32) 36 (36) 40 (44) sts on your ndl.

Next Rnd :

K to end.

Section :

BODY OF HAT Begin working from Chart and inc as indicated.

Info :

From Row 16 of Chart and onwards you should have 84 (96) 108 (108) 120 (132) sts on your ndl.

Info :

Continue working from the chart until work measures 14 (16) 18 (19) 19 (20) cm / 5.5 (6.25) 7 (7.5) 7.5 (7.75) inches or your preferred length.

Next Rnd :

Using the prominent colour of the last rnd, k to end.

Info :

Example: If your previous rnd is Row 26 of chart, then the next rnd should be worked in Color B.

Section :

BRIM Switch to 3 mm / US 2.5 ndl.

Next Rnd :

[K2, p2] to end.

Info :

Repeat the previous rnd until the ribbing measures approx. 2.5 (3) 3 (3) 4 (4) cm / 1 (1.25) 1.25 (1.25) 1.5 (1.5) inches.

Round :

Bind off all sts in pattern.

Info :

If you want to make a double brim, continue knitting as instructed above, until the brim measures approx 6 (7) 7 (7) 9 (9) cm / 2.25 (2.75) 2.75 (2.75) 3.5 (3.5) inches before binding off all sts.

Info :

Tighten the top with the yarn tail from the cast-on. Weave in all ends.

Info :

Feel free to attach a pompom!

Info :

If youre knitting one of the three smaller sizes and would like ear flaps for the hat, youll find the instructions for this on the next page.

β€” Ear Flaps :

Info :

Size 6-12 months (2-4 years) 5-8 years only: EAR FLAPS With 3 mm / US 2.5 ndl pick up 24 (28) 32 sts on the inside of the brim, in the first rnd after you began the rib. Start at the beginning of the rnd.

Set up row :

K3 [P2, K2] repeat to last st. K1.

Row A :

Turn work. With yarn in back, slip 2 sts as if to knit . Work established pattern to end of row.

Info :

Repeat the row above until the ear flap measures the same length as the brim.

Row B (RS) :

Slip 2, ssk, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. - 2 sts decreased

Info :

Repeat Row B for all RS and Row A for all WS until youre left with 6 sts on your ndl.

Next row :

k1, ssk, k2tog, k1.

Info :

You should have 4 sts on your ndl.

Info :

The last remaining 4 sts will be worked to create an i cord string.

Info :

Keep the RS of the cuff facing you at all times.

I cord row :

Slide the 4 sts to the other side of the ndl, k4.

Info :

Repeat the row above until the string measures approx 15-20 cm / 6-7.75 inches.

Info :

Break yarn, and fasten so the string wont unravel.

Second ear flap :

Measure approx. 5.5 (6.5) 7.5 cm / 2.25 (2.5) 3 inches around the brim from the start of the first ear flap.

Info :

This is the neck. Make sure the beginning of rnd of the hat is placed at the back.

Info :

Pick up 24 (28) 32 sts for the second ear flap, and make it the same way as the first.

Info :

Fasten all loose ends.

β€” Cowl :

NECK :

With 4 mm / US 6 ndls, cast on (112) 120 (128) 136 (144) 152 (160) 168 (176) 184 sts using Color B. Join to knit in the rnd, PM at the BOR.

Set-up Rnd :

[K2tog twice, p2tog twice] to end. - half the number of sts decd

Info :

You should now have (56) 60 (64) 68 (72) 76 (80) 84 (88) 92 sts on your ndl.

Next Rnd :

[K2, p2] to end.

Info :

Repeat the previous rnd until work measures approx. (8) 10 (12) 14 (14) 16 (16) 17 cm / (3.25) 4 (4.75) 5.5 (5.5) 6.25 (6.25) 6.75 (6.75) inches, or your preferred length.

Section :

YOKE Switch to 3.5 mm / US 4 ndl.

Next Rnd :

With Color B, k to end.

Info :

Begin working from Chart and inc as instructed. The chart is read from the bottom up, from right to left.

Info :

From Row 16 of Chart and onwards you should have (168) 180 (192) 204 (216) 228 (240) 252 (264) 276 sts on your ndl.

Info :

End working on Chart after Row (21) 24 (24) 30 (30) 36 (36) 36 (36) 36.

Info :

The work should now measure approx. (8.5) 10 (10) 12.5 (12.5) 15 (15) 15 (15) 15 cm / (3.25) 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 (6) 6 (6) inches from the rib.

Section :

HEM Rnds 1-2: Using Color A, k to end.

Rnd 3 :

P to end.

Rnd 4 :

K to end.

Info :

Repeat Rnds 3-4 once. Bind off all sts purlwise.

Info :

Weave in all ends and steam block to flatten out work.

β€” Abbreviations :

Infos :

DPN = double-pointed needles. Approx = approximately. k = knit. p = purl. st(s) = stitch(es). ndl(s) = needle(s). rnd(s) = round(s). k2tog = knit 2 stitches together. ssk = slip, slip, knit these 2 stitches together; a left-slanting, single-stitch decrease. inc('d) = increase(d). RS = right side. WS = wrong side. M1R = make one right, lift up yarn between sts from behind with left ndl. Knit into front of st. M1L = make one left, lift up yarn between sts from the front with left ndl. Knit into back of st. BOR = Beginning of Round. PM = place marker.

Assembly Instructions

  • Tighten the top of the hat with the yarn tail from the cast-on and weave in all ends securely.
  • If attaching a pompom, sew it to the top of the hat through several yarn tails and knot securely from the inside.
  • For ear flaps, pick up the indicated sts inside the brim, work the flap and i-cord, then fasten ends and secure the i-cord so it doesnt unravel.
  • Weave in all loose ends on wrong side and steam block (or gently wet block) the hat and cowl to flatten colorwork and set stitches for best appearance.

Important Notes

  • πŸ’‘Gauge is measured after blocking: 22 sts = 10 cm / 4 inches in colorwork; check your gauge to ensure correct finished measurements.
  • πŸ’‘Place a marker at the beginning of the round (BOR) and when joining to knit in the rnd to keep chart alignment correct.
  • πŸ’‘Consider using needles one to two sizes larger at the increase section to avoid tight stitches during crown shaping.
  • πŸ’‘Weave in ends and steam block to flatten motifs and improve drape of the colorwork pieces.

This Embla set includes a cozy hat and matching cowl with classic Nordic colorwork motifs, perfect for chilly days and thoughtful handmade gifts. The pattern offers multiple sizes and options including ear flaps and a double brim for personalization. Knit a set in contrasting shades or tonal greens for a timeless winter look. 🧢 Stay warm and enjoy knitting! ❄️

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished pieces be?

Finished sizes vary by the size you choose; the hat circumference ranges from approx. 38 to 60 cm across the listed sizes and the cowl yoke and neck metrics are provided for each size in the pattern.

What needle sizes are recommended?

Suggested needles are 3 mm / US 2.5 and 3.5 mm / US 4 for the hat and 3.5 mm / US 4 and 4 mm / US 6 for the cowl depending on the section; see the pattern for exact recommendations.

Can I add a pompom to the hat?

Yes, the pattern notes you are welcome to attach a pompom; secure it by sewing through the inside and knotting the yarn tails firmly.

Do I need to know stranded colorwork to knit this?

This pattern is intermediate and requires basic stranded colorwork skills; keep floats loose and catch them when necessary to maintain even tension.