Simple Pleasures Hat
For this hat, I wanted to use the most luxurious fibers I could get my hands on and to let the yarn speak for itself by keeping the shape casual and the design simple. Jade Sapphire’s 2 Ply Cashmere Silk answered the call. Doubled for the cuff and combined with a laceweight mohair (Rowan’s Kid Silk Haze or Alchemy’s Haiku) for the crown, the Cashmere Silk is one of Purl’s gems. It is unbelievably soft and supple; it’s beautifully hand dyed; its materials are of unparalleled quality; and it’s surprisingly affordable. Whenever I knit with it, I spend as much time admiring what I’ve knit as I do actually knitting!
If you’ve never knit a hat before, this is a wonderful place to start. You will learn to knit in the round (with circular needles), but can delay the dreaded double pointed needles because they’re not necessary for this pattern. Even if you’ve knit hundreds of hats, this may be welcome news!
To get started, please visit keep on reading. If the yellow mittens are catching your eye, check out last March’s EZ’s Mitts entry – it’s a great time of year to be thinking about mittens! -Whitney
Update: A New Simple Pleasures Hat
AUGUST 2012
Over the years, thanks to the feedback of our wonderful readers, we found that dropping down a couple of needle sizes is a good idea. Cashmere blooms quite a bit with wear, so at first, the 14 1/2-inch circumference may seem a bit small, but after a wear or two, it will feel just right! For more information on the New Simple Pleasures Hat, click here.
Update: Our Newest Simple Pleasures Hat
February 14, 2020
Our Simple Pleasures Hat is surely simple and definitely a pleasure. Super soft, slightly slouchy, and 100% lovely, it’s one of our favorite hats around! Now knit at a slightly different gauge using our Line Weight and Tussock, this beloved Purl Soho classic is back and better than ever! View the updated pattern here!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoSimplePleasuresHat. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 1 ball of Rowan’s Kid Silk Haze, 70% super kid mohair, 30% silk (This color is “Majestic”, #589.) (For more color options, consider Alchemy’s Haiku mohair/silk blend. The equivalent gauge of Kid Silk Haze, it’s a beautifully hand dyed alternative.)
- 1 skein of Jade Sapphire’s 2 Ply Cashmere-Silk, 45% cashmere, 55% silk. This is color is “Tea Leaves”. (NOTE: We no longer offer Jade Sapphire’s 2-Ply Cashmere, but choose from one of our other fingering weight yarns.)
- A US 8 (5 mm), 16-inch circular needle
- A US 9 (5.5 mm), 16-inch circular needle
- A tapestry needle
Gauge
4.75 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch, using the larger needle and 1 strand of cashmere silk and 1 strand of mohair
Size
18 inches in circumference, unstretched. To fit an average woman’s head.
Notes
For this pattern, I call the Cashmere Silk “Yarn A”. (It is doubled for the cuff.) I call the Mohair “Yarn B”. (For the crown, one strand of Yarn A is combined with with one strand of Yarn B.)
To double Yarn A, either wind the skein into two balls and pull one strand from each ball. Or, wind a center-pull ball (by hand or, more easily, on a swift) and pull one strand from the inside of the ball and one from the outside.
Pattern
Cuff
Using 2 strands of Yarn A, cast 92 stitches onto the smaller needle. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches. Place marker to indicate the end of the round.
Round 1: *K2, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Round 1 until the piece measures 6 inches from the cast on edge.
Crown
Cut one of the strands of Yarn A and add one strand of Yarn B (so that you’re knitting with one strand of A and one strand of B).
Change to the larger needle, and knit every round until the crown measures 7 inches from the top edge of the cuff.
Next Round: *K2, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (69 stitches)
Knit 2 rounds.
Next Round: *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (46 stitches)
Knit 2 rounds.
Next Round: *K2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (23 stitches) (This round will be a little tight on the circular needle. Feel free to switch to double pointed needles if you want, but I didn’t find it necessary.)
Finish
Cut a 12 inch tail and thread it onto a tapestry needle.
Thread the tail through the remaining 23 stitches.
Remove the circular needle and pull the tail tight. Thread the tail through the center top to the inside of the hat.
Weave in all the tails. (Remember to weave in the cast on tail on the right side because the cuff will be worn folded up.)The hat looks a little funny…
…and then looks totally cute when you put it on!
Hi! I was in a yarn shop near my house and they had a sample of this beautiful hat! I want to try this out using the Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca Silk. Which has a gauge of 5-6 stiches per inch, 3-5 US. My yarn shop suggested a size 6 needle, I was curious if you had any suggestions about using an even smaller needle on the cuff? Perhaps a 5? Also, would you use less stitches there? I'm not great at conversions so any help would be lovely! 🙂
Hi Jill,
The second version of this hat (the white one) was knit at a gauge of 6 1/4 stitches to the inch. This works up into a very small hat that stretches a whole lot because it is made out of cashmere. The Alpaca Silk also stretches, but not quite to the extent of the cashmere. So, I would suggest following the pattern exactly as written, but with a gauge of about 5 1/2 or 5 3/4 stitches to the inch. Whatever needle size gets you to that gauge is what you should use, and then choose a needle one size smaller for knitting the cuff.
I hope this helps sort things out for you. Please let us know if you have any other questions and thanks for these!
Whitney
How can i adapt the pattern to make this for my daughter who is 9? I've never made a hat before 🙂
Thank you
Darleane
Hi Darleane,
I'm sorry, we don't currently have the resources to adapt patterns to different sizes (unless they are extremely basic). This pattern has a few issues you would have to consider to resize it, so if it's your first hat, you might want to try one that is already sized for a 9-year old, like our Heel Stitch Hat (https://www.purlsoho.com/create/the-purl-bee/2011/9/1/lauras-loop-heel-stitch-hat.html); Winter Hats for Everybody (https://www.purlsoho.com/create/the-purl-bee/2010/11/21/whits-knits-winter-hats-for-everybody.html); Cozy Ear Flap Hat (https://www.purlsoho.com/create/the-purl-bee/2013/3/10/whits-knits-cozy-ear-flap-hat.html); or Super Soft Merino Hats for Everyone (https://www.purlsoho.com/create/the-purl-bee/2012/11/23/whits-knits-super-soft-merino-hats-for-everyone.html).
Please let us know if you have any more questions and good luck!
Whitney
Hi Whitney, did you ever get around to writing up the pattern for that sweater? I love it and am looking for a simple (top down) raglan pattern 🙂
HI Mils,
I never did turn this sweater into a written pattern, but we do have several resources for top-down knitting:
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/7786-Stewart-Tabori-Chang-Modern-Top-Down-Knitting
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8814-Interweave-Press-Top-Down-Sweaters
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/6122-Schoolhouse-Press-Knitting-from-the-Top-Down
I hope this helps you find what you're looking for! Thanks for your question!
Whitney
Hello there. I will be knitting this hat as a Christmas gift and I am very excited about it, but I am a bit unsure of the needle size that I should be using. The hat will be knitted using Rowan Fine Lace paired with Rowan Kidsilk Haze, but I feel that leaves me somewhere between the original and updated patterns. I don't expect this yarn to bloom like the cashmere, but I haven't used it before and cannot be certain. Which pattern should I use?
Thank you,
Laura E. Pate Bridgers
Hi Laura,
Have you tested your yarns at both gauges? If not, I would recommend that as a staring point, since it can be tricky to predict how two fibers together will behave.
If, once you've seen the two fabrics, you're not happy with either choice, then you can either alter the pattern (if you feel comfortable doing that) or your yarn.
I hope this gets you on the right path. Please let us know if you have any other questions and thanks for this one!
Whitney
Hi there, can you tell me approximately how much of the cashmere and mohair/silk was used? I have some leftovers I would like to use but I'm not sure if I will have enough.
Thanks, Sarah
Hi Sarah,
I'm sorry that I don't have an exact number, but I would guess you'd be safe with 200-250 yards of each yarn!
Thanks for asking and good luck!
Whitney
I just saw the circumference of the hat and it made me a little nervous. I have a big head and a lot of hair, so I cast on 100 instead of 92. But it still looks so small! Should I make it a little bigger? I measured my head with my hair up in a bun and if was about 21in, and should be more with my hair in full frizz mode.
Hi Robin-
The finished measurement for this is 18-inches un-stretched and it will easily fit around a head 21-inches in circumference. Ribbing always looks deceptively small but it stretches a ton!
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
Womenfolk in my clan have REALLY BIG heads (23 inches). In fact, the updated pattern will likely fit my 10 yr old perfectly, but not the rest of us. (It’s very hard to buy hats, which is why I’m going to learn to knit them after a year of scarves under my belt!)
I understand this yarn/stitch combo “blooms”, but am wondering how many stitches to add. We also get headaches from too-tight hats, but, like Goldilocks, don’t want them too loose, either.
Love all your patterns, wish I were accomplished enough to take on the trickier ones. I need easy patterns for commuter train knitting, and this one looks like the perfect First Hat. Thanks!
Hi Calif Mom,
If you’re using cashmere or a silk-cashmere blend, it really does stretch and grow, but to make the hat a bit bigger you just need to cast on 4 or 8 stitches more. Every four stitches will add slightly less than inch to the circumference (provided you’re getting the correct gauge).
Thanks for asking and please let us know if you have any questions along the way!
Whitney
Hello ~ Gosh this hat looks so lovely! I need one! I've knitted a wool scar using a variegated yarn that goes from medium blue to dark navy. What two colors would u suggest using the cashmere & haiku?
Hi Nancy,
We think that Jade Sapphire's Blue Steel or Slate Blue (for the 2 Ply Cashmere) would go beautifully with Alchemy's Blue Jay (for the Haiku).
Please let us know if you have any other questions and thanks for this one! Sounds beautiful!
Whitney
Hi! I'm planning on making this hat for a second time, but I'd like to skip the mohair and only use the cashmere this time around. Would I need to double the cashmere for the entire hat, and would I need to purchase two skeins instead of just one?
Thanks so much!!
Amy
Hi Amy,
The important thing is that whatever you decide for the crown portion of the hat, it has to knit up to 4 3/4 stitches per inch. So you may need to experiment to see which you prefer: one strand of cashmere would be a bit loose at that gauge and two strands may be a bit tight.
Of course, if you use one strand, one skein would be plenty. If you decide to use two, I think you'd have just enough, but it's close! You might want to buy an extra skein to be sure (if you don't end up needing it, you can exchange it within six months in its original skein).
Please let us know if you have any more questions and thanks for this one!
Whitney
Hi, I love this hat in the Tea Leaves color, but the new yarn option doesn't seem to match the original coloring. Can you give another suggestion? Is there a color in haiku that might look nice with the Pewter color in the cashmere?
Thanks,
Sheryl
Hi Sheryl,
Wow, I agree that our website's photo of the Tea Leaves looks a lot different than the Tea Leaves I used here! You may want to call the warehouse to talk with someone who can put her eyes on the actual skeins available to let you know if any of them are a closer match to this Tea Leaves. The number to call is (800) 597-7875 Monday through Friday 12-6 EST.
Otherwise, I did check with our store team to see what they thought would be a good alternative. They report that the 2 Ply Cashmere in Silver Fox with the Haiku in Amethyst would be close, but lighter; and the 2 Ply Cashmere in Pewter with the Haiku (also) in Pewter would be a grayer, darker choice.
I hope you find something you love! Please let us know if we can help you further and thanks for asking!
Whitney
greetings. wondering if you could help me identify an appropriate yarn (ideally in cashmere still) so that i can make this hat in black. seems as though the black that you used to carry (La Nuit) in Jade Sapphire is no longer available…
thanks!
MJ
Hi MJ-
Thanks so much for getting in touch about this. We do still carry the La Nuit but we seem to be out of stock. If you email customerservice AT purlsoho DOT com they will get in touch with you about when it’s coming back!
Thanks again for your question!
Hi,
I have the materials and am very excited to start, however I am confused by two aspects:
1) in the instructions you indicate to knit every row for the crown, this woud give garter stitch however the hat looks like stockinette. This also applies to the rounds between the decreases, surely those should be purl rows?
2) when you say to knit in the round on a 16′ circular needle do you mean using magic loop? It’s not possible to knit in the round with that size of cord and it’s too short for magic loop.
Thanks for clarifying!
S
Hi SDG-
Thanks for writing in! Here are some answers:
1- When knitting in the round, stockinette stitch is made by knitting every round because you are always on the same side of the stitch.
2- No, this pattern doesn’t use the magic loop method. You can knit a larger than 16-inch circumference on a 16-inch circular needle since the stitches squish up next to each other on the needle.
I have a feeling that once you get going on this pattern everything will seem a lot more clear!
Good luck with the pattern and please let us know if you have any more questions!
Best-
Molly
Thanks, I totally misunderstood the pattern there…however having started the ribbing I did find it challenging to knit in the round so am using magic loop. Maybe my Addi lace long circulars are too long for this, or maybe I just need to learn to knit in the round better!
Thanks for your time and help! Stefi
Hello,
I am quite unsure now. I am knitting with Filatura Crosa Superior held double on 3,5 mm needles, achieving the right gauge of 6,25 AND I have a standard head of 21 inch. But still when casting on it feels like knitting a cowl because it turns out so big when I put it on.
What am I doing wrong?
Thanks for your help!
Regards,
N
Hi Nakuna-
I’m so sorry you’re having problems with this! If you are getting 6.25 stitches per inch and casting on 92 stitches you should be getting the correct size hat. Make sure you don’t just try on the cast on round because it will be very large before you start the ribbing. The ribbing will make it much smaller around. So, if you haven’t, please try doing several inches of the ribbing to see if that solves your issue. And do let us know if you need any more help!
Best-
Molly
I love this hat and have been meaning to make it for a while. I would like to use some leftover Worsted Twist and Line Weight that I have. Do you recommend two strands worsted for the cuff and then, with larger needle, one strand of line weight, one strand of worsted? I may have to do the dreaded swatch gauge!
Oops, I meant to say, what do you think of combining worsted twist and line weight for the entire hat, smaller needle size for ribbing. Thanks.
Hi Catherine!
Worsted Twist is thicker by far than the 2 ply cashmere. You will absolutely need to swatch if you want to use these two yarns together, and if it will work at all, it will only work if you hold 1 strand of worsted twist throughout. The gauge is even very small for the Worsted Twist alone.
Thanks for your question!
Thomas
Hi there,
Apologies in advance if this has been asked already….tried to scroll thru comments but did not find what I’m looking for. Would you be able to tell me what the yarn is that was used for the sweater in the photo?
Hi Tina-
It’s Koigu Painter’s Palette Premium Merino (KPPPM): https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/409-Koigu-Wool-Designs-Koigu-Painters-Palette-Premium-Merino-KPPPM
Unfortunately it’s a very old color that is no longer available but this yarn comes in some of the most beautiful hand dyed multi colors so hopefully you can find something you like just as much!
Please let us know if you have any more questions!
Molly
That is the most beautiful hat. I have to make it! Could I possibly make it without the double yarn at the crown? Instead, could I just work with the Jade Sapphire and Kid Silk Haze throughout? I’m just about to place an order and was hoping you could advise! I’m assuming if I opted to work it that way the co sts and needle sizes would remain the same as noted. . . Thanks and have a great day!
Kelley
Hi Kelley,
Thanks for writing in and our apologies for the terribly delayed response. You could certainly hold both strands together throughout the hat. We have found that some people have some sensitivity to the mohair in the ribbing so I would definitely keep that in mind if you would like to hold the mohair with the cashmere throughout. And, you are correct, the cast on and needle size will remain the same even if you do hold the yarn together for the whole hat.
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi, I would like to knit this in the “slate blue” from jade sapphire. Which Haiku color would work well with this?
Thanks a lot for your help,
Viviane
Hi Viviane,
Thanks for writing in! My personal choice is Cornflower Blue, but you could also do Platinum too. Both would look great with the Slate Blue.
All the best,
Adam
Hi, beautiful hat and I love the sweater. What is the gorgeous yarn used for the sweater? Thanks!
Hi Erin,
Thanks for writing in! It’s Koigu Painter’s Palette Premium Merino (KPPPM): https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/409-Koigu-Wool-Designs-Koigu-Painters-Palette-Premium-Merino-KPPPM
Unfortunately it’s a very old color that is no longer available but this yarn comes in some of the most beautiful hand dyed multi colors so hopefully you can find something you like just as much!
Best,
Cassy
I love this pattern because it’s simple and lets the gorgeous yarn be the star. My question is: I prefer not to use mohair in the body of the hat, because of my daughter’s allergies, could I just continue with the doubled up yarn as in the ribbed cuff?
Hi Karen,
Thank you for the question! You can certainly knit the body of the hat using cashmere doubled. You won’t have to change anything in the pattern. Best of luck and happy knitting!
-Adam
I have some Lana Grossa Silkhair Lusso leftover from a project this summer, and this hat looks like a great way to put it to use. Thanks for the pattern!
I have almost three 25g balls left. If I make this lovely hat, I think I will still have quite a lot left. Do you have a matching (or co-ordinating) pattern for fingerless gloves or a neck warmer similar?
Hi Melanie,
Great question! While we do not have an item designed to coordinate with this lovely hat specifically, I do believe that our Cashmere Cowl would be a lovely accompaniment!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Thanks very much!
Hi
I would like to knit this hat with some Flax Down yarn leftover.
Is this yarn stretching as much as the cashmere? How many stitches do you recommend to cast on?
Thanks for your help!
B
Hello Beatrice,
Thank you for reaching out! To make this hat at a deferent gauge than the pattern what you will do is knit up a gauge swatch to see how many stitches per inch. Once you have this number you will multiply it by the desired circumference to get your cast on number. The only thing you will want to keep in mind is to cast on an even number. I hope this all makes sense! Happy knitting,
-Marilla
Still one of the sweetest and simplest patterns in your site. I’ve made three and they are always a favorite. I’ve used a variety of fingering yarns, but the key is doubling up with the mohair. The luxury version with cashmere is the best though.
Hello Cara,
Thank you for writing us. I’m happy to hear you love this pattern as much as we do.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
What kind of cast on method was used to make this hat? I’m not advanced enough to tell just by looking at the picture, if that even is a thing….Thanks!
Hi Megan,
Thanks for writing in! For this, and most of our projects (unless otherwise noted), we like to use the long tail cast on! We feel like it makes a neat, tidy and elastic cast on edge!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
This is the first time I am making a hat. My friends head called for 123 stitches . I am at the point where I need to decrease and realized I would not be able to follow the directions any further …could you advise me further by any chance?
Hello Lisa,
Thank you for reaching out! I would recommend doing an extra decrease row. Each decrease row reduces your stitches by 23 stitches so If you do 4 decrease rows rather than 3 (which is what the pattern says to do) you will be left with 31 stitches instead of 23. At this point you can either close up the top or do an extra row where you decrease by 8 stitches.
I hope this all makes sense and if you have any further questions let me know!
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I’ve knitted 6” of K2,p2 for the Simple Pleasures Hat. The directions state to knit every round until the crown measures 7” from the top edge of the cuff. At what point does the decreasing began?
Hello Marie,
Thank you for reaching out! Once you have knitted to 7″ from the upper cuff edge you will begin the decreases.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
I want to make this hat in Cashmere Merino Bloom. I’m assuming that using one strand throughout will work, but I’m confused about the gauge I should aim for. Your first iteration indicated 6.25 stitches per inch, but your second version says 4.75. What am I not understanding? And should I use the larger needles you call for in the older pattern or the smaller ones in the later version? Many thanks, as always, for your help.
Hi Norma,
Thanks for writing in! We re-worked the Simple Pleasures Hat at a smaller gauge after many reports that the cashmere silk yarn stretched out with wear and that hat turned out too big for many people. Since we haven’t found that Cashmere Merino Bloom stretches out like the original yarn, I would suggest knitting the original Simple Pleasures Hat at 4.75 stitches per inch. As always, needle sizes are more of a suggestion than a rule, so you can use whatever needle gives you the correct gauge.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I have a similar question to Linda W’s in 2012, to which I don’t see a response. (Forgive me if I missed it.) This is my favorite go-to hat pattern, and in re-familiarizing myself with the two versions, I realize I may be making a mistake. The original pattern clearly states you drop one strand of Yarn A, and add Yarn B above the ribbing. The updated version seems to me to say you should continue with two strands of Yarn A and just add Yarn B for the upper portion. Would you please clarify. Thank you!
Hi Kristen,
I apologize for the confusion! Although the description of the new Simple Pleasures Hat doesn’t specifically say to drop a strand of Yarn A after the ribbing, we do want you to follow the pattern for the original hat and drop one strand of Yarn A when adding in Yarn B.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
I’m wanting to make this hat and wonder if you can tell me which of your ,current’ yarns you recommend I use. Can you also confirm which pattern would work best?
Thank you!
Laura
Hi Laura,
Thanks for reaching out! After feedback from many knitters, we tried our New Simple Pleasures Hat on smaller needles and found that it held its shape much better, so I would probably go with that version! The only thing that is different is the needle size – the yarn amounts and cast on are the same. I think this hat would be just lovely in Tussock and Jade Sapphire 2-Ply Cashmere!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi!
I have Rowan Kid Classic and de Rerum Natura Gilliatt yarns in about the same red and wondered if I could make them up into this hat. I know they aren’t as fuzzy or silky. The first is 22% mohair, 70% wool and 8% polyamide, and the second is merino. Both take 4.5 to 5 mm needles, which I don’t have yet.
Thanks.
Hi Judy,
Thanks for reaching out! Your yarns are quite different from ours, so it’s hard to say if they will work for this pattern. We used two lace weight yarns held together, which is approximately the same as a fingering weight, but put them on a much larger needle than you would normally use to get a loosely knit, stretchy fabric. Both of your yarns are aran weight, which is much heavier weight than our two held together, so even if you do get the correct gauge, the knitted fabric won’t be as stretchy which may affect the fit of the hat. Instead, I would suggest knitting our Thank You Hats, which are quite similar and are written for an aran weight yarn!
Best,
Julianna
How many yards of each yarn does this hat take? I have left-over Rowan Kid Classic after making two wrist warmers and think of using Rowan Kid Silk Haze or Kid Silk Haze Vintage with it for the Simple Pleasures Hat.
Hi Judy,
Unfortunately we don’t have the exact yardage we used for this hat, but you should be safe with about 200-250 yards of each yarn!
Best,
Julianna
Hi! Is it possible to do this with only the kid silk? Maybe by doubling the yarn? Thanks!!
Hi Julie,
Thanks for reaching out! I think you could definitely try this out using only the Kid Silk! I would definitely recommend doubling it and I would also recommend working a gauge swatch first to test it out, you may end up wanting to go down in needle size so that the fabric is not too flimsy!
The mohair and silk blend if very light and airy so it might be a bit too soft for a hat on its own, so definitely test it out with a swatch first!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Hi,
I’m wondering if this hat is a bit too slouchy for me. I love the overall fabric but how can I make it a little less slouchy? Just start the crown a bit earlier??
Thanks
Evelyn
Hi Evelyn,
Thanks for reaching out. Yes, you can definitely begin the crown a bit earlier, which will make the hat shorter and therefore less slouchy!
All the best,
Lili