NOTE If knitting only the hat, 1 hank of A, B, and C are needed. If knitting only the cowl, 2 hanks of A, and 1 hank of both B and C are needed. If knitting both the hat and cowl, 2 hanks of A, and 1 hank of both B and C are needed.

Blue Sky Fibers Techno (1.75 oz/50 g ea approx. 120 yds/109 m, 68% baby alpaca, 22% silk, 10% extra fine merino) in #1970 Fame (Color A, white, 80 yds/73 m used for hat, 150 yds/137 m used for cowl, 230 yds/210 m total used for both), #1986 Mood Ring (Color B, pink, 45 yds/41 m used for hat, 65 yds/60 m used for cowl, 110 yds/101 m total used for both), #1975 Club Gray (Color C, black, 30 yds/27 m used for hat, 65 yds/59 m used for cowl, 95 yds/87 m total used for both)

I have always loved tartans and plaids. While both are woven fabrics with intersecting horizontal and vertical stripes, tartans identify a specific community with a certain pattern, while plaids have many different patterns and are not distinctive to a group. In other words, all tartan are plaids, but not all plaids are tartan!
I wanted to design a hat and cowl set with a twist on the classic black and white palette. With the addition of a blushing pink, the color combination reminds me of a coat I had when I was little growing up in New England. I’d wear it for special occasions and always felt very sophisticated in it and referred to it as my “sophistiplaid” coat! Since true stranded colorwork is never more than two colors per round, this plaid looks more complex than it is, and works up quickly in gorgeous and fluffy Techno. Top with an optional faux fur pom pom for additional fanciness!