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Embla Set Pattern

Embla Set Pattern
4.2★ Rating
8-10 Hours Time Needed
2.7K Made This
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Intermediate Level

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

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All-Day Adventure

Requires 8-10 hours, ideal for a full day of immersive crocheting.

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Snug Essential

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

About This Embla Set Pattern

This pattern creates the Embla hat and matching cowl in traditional Nordic colorwork, worked in DK weight yarn. The set features a charted yoke and hat crown with clear instructions for multiple sizes. Youll work from charts and use small circular needles and DPNs for the hat crown. The design includes optional ear flaps and a double brim variation for extra warmth.

Embla Set Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Both pieces are worked in the round with stranded colorwork, and the pattern includes gauge, needle suggestions, and yarn requirements for every size. Full instructions for the hat, ear flaps, and cowl hem finishing are provided, along with abbreviations and blocking guidance.

Why You'll Love This Embla Set Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it combines classic Nordic colorwork with practical wearable pieces that you can actually use every day. I enjoy how the charted motif grows into a beautiful yoke and how the hat crown mirrors that design for a cohesive set. I appreciate that the pattern offers multiple sizes so I can make matching sets for different people in the family. I also love the optional ear flaps and double-brim choice — they let me adapt the hat to different weather and styling preferences. Finally, I find the rhythmic colorwork meditative and rewarding once the finished item is blocked and ready to wear.

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

Switch Things Up

I like to change the color palette to make the set feel fresh; try muted pastels for a gentle look or high-contrast brights for a modern statement.

I often substitute a slightly thicker DK yarn and a larger needle to create a chunkier, warmer version of the hat and cowl.

For a miniature keychain or doll-sized set, I use fingering weight yarn and much smaller needles to scale the pattern down.

I sometimes add a contrasting-colour i-cord edge around the cowl hem for a neat finish and a pop of color.

Try embroidering small motifs on the hat brim or cuff after blocking to personalize each set with initials or little stars.

If you want a sleeker look, I switch to a single-color brim and reduce the contrast by using tonal shades instead of stark colors.

For a playful touch I replace the pompom with a faux-fur pompom or a knitted tassel in a bold accent color.

I recommend experimenting with stranded tension on a swatch to see how different float lengths affect drape and adjust your floats accordingly.

To make the cowl cozier, I sometimes fold the hem in and stitch it down to create a double-layered neck warmer effect.

I also like to try different buttoned closures or toggles on the cowl for a wearable collar style that can be opened and closed.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Not checking your gauge before starting; knit a colorwork swatch and block it to match the pattern gauge to ensure the finished pieces fit as intended. ✗ Changing needle sizes mid-chart without adjusting stitch count; always count stitches after increases and the chart section to confirm you have the correct number. ✗ Carrying floats too tight across the wrong side; keep floats loose enough to allow fabric stretch but not so loose they snag by catching the working yarn under the float occasionally. ✗ Skipping the provisional decrease rounds at the crown or neck; follow the set-up and decrease rounds precisely to avoid uneven shaping or puckering in the finished yoke. ✗ Failing to block the colorwork after finishing; block the hat and cowl to even out stitches and relax the stranded fabric for the best drape and fit.

Embla Set Pattern

Make a cozy Embla set featuring a traditional colorwork hat and matching cowl. This pattern uses DK weight yarn in three colors and easy-to-follow charts to create a timeless Nordic motif. Youll enjoy the rhythmic colorwork and the warm finished result thats perfect for gifting. Designed to be adaptable in size, this set is ideal for making for the whole family.

Intermediate 8-10 Hours

Materials Needed for Embla Set Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    DK weight yarn (approx. 125 meters / 137 yards per 50 g skein) in 3 colors
  • 02
    Color A: Contrast/main chart color — 1 skein for hat; cowl requirements vary by size (approx. 45–135 meters depending on size)
  • 03
    Color B: Background yoke color — 1 skein for hat; cowl requirements vary by size (approx. 50–225 meters depending on size)
  • 04
    Color C: Accent color — 1 skein for hat; cowl requirements vary by size (approx. 40–85 meters depending on size)
  • 05
    Sample yarns: Rauma Mitu (Green sample) A: SFN10, B: 8287, C: 1900; Sandnes Garn Merino (Blue sample) A: 1002, B: 6071, C: 6011
  • 06
    Skeins approx. 125 meters / 137 yards per 50 g

— Tools Required

  • 01
    3 mm / US 2.5 circular needles, 40 cm / 16 inches (for hat brim and ear flap pickup)
  • 02
    3.5 mm / US 4 DPNs (for hat crown) and 3.5 mm / US 4 circular needles (40 cm / 16 inches) for colorwork
  • 03
    4 mm / US 6 circular needles; 40, 60, 80 cm / 16, 24, 32 inches for cowl neck and yoke
  • 04
    Double-pointed needles (DPNs) for small circumferences
  • 05
    Stitch markers (to mark BOR and pattern repeats)
  • 06
    Tapestry / yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming
  • 07
    Scissors
  • 08
    Measuring tape
  • 09
    Blocking tools (pins, mat) and steam iron
  • 10
    Optional: Pom-pom maker

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Embla hat :

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.

— Body of Hat :

Info :

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.

— Brim :

Info :

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.

Info :

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 you're knitting one of the three smaller sizes and would like ear flaps for the hat, you'll find the instructions for this on the next page.

— 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 you're 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 won't unravel.

Info :

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. 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.

— Embla 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 dec'd

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) 6.25 (6.75) 6.75 inches, or your preferred length.

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 inches from the rib.

— 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.

Info :

Bind off all sts purlwise.

Info :

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

Infos :

DPN = double-pointed needles. Approx = approximately. k = knit. p = purl. st(s) = stitch(es). ndl(s) = needle(s). rnd(s) = round(s). inc('d) = increase(d). k2tog = Knit 2 stitches together. p2tog = Purl 2 stitches together. PM = place marker. 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. ssk = slip, slip, knit these 2 stitches together; a left-slanting, single-stitch decrease. RS = right side. WS = wrong side.

Assembly Instructions

  • Tighten the top of the hat using the yarn tail from the cast-on, then weave in and secure all ends.
  • For the ear flaps, pick up stitches on the inside of the brim as instructed, work each flap and create the i-cord strings; fasten securely so strings wont unravel.
  • Attach a pompom to the top of the hat if desired, securing with multiple passes of yarn and weaving in ends neatly.
  • Weave in all loose ends on both hat and cowl and steam block the pieces to even out the colorwork and flatten the hem.
  • When joining the cowl into the round, place a marker at the BOR and ensure your color changes are neat so the yoke motif lines up.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers to mark the beginning of the round (BOR) and major pattern repeats for even colorwork alignment.
  • 💡Work a colorwork gauge swatch and block it to ensure 22 sts = 10 cm in pattern; this will ensure proper fit across sizes.
  • 💡Keep floats loose when carrying yarn across the wrong side to maintain elasticity and avoid puckering in the stranded sections.
  • 💡Switch to the recommended needle sizes if you find the increases at the crown are causing tight tension and the work wont spread.

The Embla set brings classic Nordic motifs to life in a cozy hat and matching cowl you can wear all winter. Make it in complementary shades or create bold contrast for a modern twist. This pattern includes sizes for babies through adults and options for ear flaps and a double brim for extra warmth. 🧶✨❄️

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished pieces be?

The pattern includes multiple sizes: hat circumferences and cowl neck/shoulder measurements are given in metric and inches for sizes from 6-12 months up to adult XXL/XXXL. Finished measurements are listed under each section for reference.

What yarn and needles are recommended?

Use DK weight yarn in three colors (approx. 125 m / 137 yd per 50 g skein). Needles recommended include 3 mm / US 2.5 and 3.5 mm / US 4, and 4 mm / US 6 circulars in various lengths; DPNs are used for the hat crown.

Do I need to know stranded colorwork to make this set?

Yes, the hat and cowl are charted colorwork projects worked in the round; basic stranded knitting skills and reading charts from the bottom up are required.

How long does this project typically take?

Most knitters finish the set in about 8-10 hours, though time can vary based on experience, yarn weight, and how quickly you work through the charted colorwork.