This hat and cowl set makes use of a stitch pattern that resembles pomegranate seeds, using a simple technique in which stitches straddle spaces.

Pomegranates, along with the goddesses Proserpine and Ceres are featured in an ancient Roman myth of springtime, explaining the changing of the seasons. Proserpine, while picking flowers in Sicily, is abducted by Pluto, god of the underworld, and forced to marry him. While in the underworld, Proserpine eats pomegranate seeds (the myths vary; sometimes she eats three, sometimes she eats four, in some she finds them in her pocket and eats them because she is hungry and lonely, in others, Pluto forces her to eat them, knowing that by eating them she would be forced to return to the underworld). For each seed eaten, Proserpine must remain in the underworld with Pluto for a month, during which time Ceres mourns the loss of her daughter and the world is cold and barren. When Proserpine returns to her mother in springtime, Ceres welcomes her with fruit and flowers, and then in the autumn, changes the leaves to Proserpine’s favorite colors as one last gift before she must return to the underworld.

The hat is worked from the bottom, starting with a row of foundation single crochet (fdsc), worked in a cluster loop stitch for the body, and then hemmed on the bottom with tweed stitch. The hem is worked into the underside of the foundation single crochet row.

Suggested Yarns:
Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Victoria. 1 skein will make both a hat and a cowl, and have some yarn left over.
Cephalopod Yarns, Traveller. 1 skein will make a hat, or a cowl. For sizes L and XL (hat) and M/L (cowl), you may need part of a second skein.
Hazel Knits, Lively DK.
Lorna’s Laces, Shepherd Sport

Hook Sizes:
US G/6 4.0 mm (or size needed to get gauge)
US D/3 3.25 mm (or size needed to get gauge)

Gauge:
Gauge in cluster loop: 13 sts/16 rows = 4” NOTE: row gauge is provided but is not crucial. Test crocheters had varying results for row gauge and found it easier to get the stitch gauge and work from measurements rather than row count.
Gauge in tweed stitch: 28 sts/24 rows = 4”

Finished Measurements:
HAT: Toddler (Child, Small Adult, Large Adult, X-Large Adult)
X-small: 16” circumference x 9” length
Small: 17” circumference x 10” length
Medium: 19” circumference x 10” length
Large: 21” circumference x 11” length
X-Large: 23” circumference x 11” length

Sized to fit head circumferences 16 (17, 19, 21, 23) inches.
Intended to be worn with approximately zero ease.

Notions:
tapestry needle
removable stitch markers

Skill Level: Intermediate