The Sweetie Pie Hat
When I first designed the Sweetie Pie Hat four years ago, I had plenty of time on my hands to create patterns. With no one tugging at my sleeve while I knit, I had deep reserves of concentration and loads of patience. But now that I have a one and half year old, updating an old beloved pattern with new yarn and simpler instructions is about all I can handle!!
The original Sweetie Pie Hat was striped, because back then, I had no reason to mind switching colors every eight rows (not to mention weaving in all those ends!). I still love that hat and will continue to wear it, but after knitting the Forever Baby Blanket for a friend, the For Better or Worsted from Anzula was calling my name. I decided it was just the right yarn for a fresh take on an old favorite!
With its crisp and clean stitch definition, For Better or Worsted is the perfect choice for interesting stitch patterns, and it just couldn’t be nicer to work with! Super duper soft and sumptuous, this merino, cashmere and nylon blend is also machine washable. The new Sweetie Pie Hat takes only one skein of For Better or Worsted and will knit up in no time at all, even with a toddler on your lap! Happy Holidays! -Jen
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoSweetiePieHat. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 1 skein of Anzula’s For Better or Worsted (80% superwash merino wool, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 200 yards). I used the color Mauve.
- A US 7 (4.5 mm), 16 inch circular needle
- A set of US 7 double pointed needles
Gauge
22 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Sizes
19 (22) inches in circumference, to fit most adult women (men).
Notes
How to make a baby cable: Knit 2 together, leaving stitches on the left needle. Insert right needle between these two stitches and knit the first stitch again, slipping both stitches off the left needle (without knitting the second stitch).
Pattern
Cast on 96 (108) stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Place unique stitch marker and join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.
Rib Edge
Rounds 1-3: *[K1, p1] 4 times, k2 p2 repeat from * to end of round
Round 4 (Cable Round): *[K1, p1] 4 times, make baby cable (see Pattern Notes above), p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Rounds 1-4 two more times.
Work Body
Rounds 1-3: *K10, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 4 (Cable Round): *K8, make a baby cable, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Rounds 1-4 until hat measures 5¼ (6) inches from cast on edge.
Shape Crown
Round 1 (Decrease Round): *k2tog, k8, p2* repeat from * to end of round. 88 (99) stitches
Round 2: *K9, p2* repeat from * to end of round.
Round 3 (Decrease Round): *K2tog, k7, p2* repeat from * to end of round. 80 (90) stitches
Round 4 (Cable Round): *K6, make a baby cable, p2 repeat from * to end of round.
Round 5 (Decrease Round): *K2tog, k6, p2 repeat from * to end of round. 72 (81) stitches
Round 6: *k7, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 7 (Decrease Round): *K2tog, k5, p2 repeat from * to end of round. 64 (72) stitches
Round 8 (Cable Round): *K4, make a baby cable, p2 repeat from * to end of round.
Round 9 (Decrease Round): *K2tog, k4, p2 repeat from * to end of round. 56 (63) stitches
Round 10: *K5, p2 repeat from * to end of round.
Round 11 (Decrease Round): *K2tog, k3, p2, repeat from * to end of round. 48 (54) stitches
Round 12 (Cable Round): *K2, make a baby cable, p2 repeat from * to end of round.
Round 13 (Decrease Round): *K2tog, k2, p2, repeat from * to end of round. 40 (45) stitches
Round 14: *K3, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 15 (Decrease Round): *K2tog, k1, p2, repeat from * to end of round. 32 (36) stitches
Round 16 (Cable Round): *Make a baby cable, p2 repeat from * to end of round.
Round 17 (Decrease Round): *K2tog, p2 repeat from * to end of round. 24 (27) stitches
Round 18: *K1, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 19 (Decrease Round): *K1, p2tog, repeat from * to end of round. 16 (18) stitches
Round 20 (Decrease Round): *K2tog repeat from * to end of round. 8 (9) stitches
Round 21 (Decrease Round: *K2tog repeat from * to end of round. For larger size, end with a k1. 4 (5) stitches
Finish
Using a tapestry needle, thread the end through the remaining stitches and pull tight. Bring the tail to the inside of the hat and weave in loose ends.
A question about this pattern. Row 4, k1, p1, baby cable, p2. Does the baby cable go with the k1, p1 or the p2?
Hi Connie,
Thanks for writing in! The baby cable should be worked over the K2 from the previous round, between the P1 and P2.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
Hi,
My head has a circumference of 21 inches. Should I then rather use the men’s size?
Hello Alicia,
Thank you for reaching out! I would knit up the women’s size as the hat will comfortably stretch to fit 21″.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Will the men’s size stretch to 23 inches? My head is 23 inches.
Hi Shelley,
Thanks for reaching out! This hat should comfortably stretch 1-3 inches, so the Women’s size should stretch from 19 to about 22, and the Men’s size should stretch from 22 to about 25!
Warmly,
Gianna
This is a beautiful hat, but I’m having a lot of trouble with the pattern. I’ve done a few shawls before, so not a complete newbie, but it’s my first time with baby cables and it’s a real nightmare. I’m halfway through the hat and there are zero cables in sight! What on earth am I doing wrong?…Is it supposed to be a double cable, as in this video? https://youtu.be/P83moycEx4s
Hi Ivanka,
Thanks for reaching out! This hat uses a mock cable, which you can see demonstrated in our Mock Cable Rib tutorial.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Thank you so much for the video tutorial , it is very helpful. I just started knitting the hat – for charity -, I hope to manage to create such beautiful hat. Thanks for the free pattern .
Cheers,
diana
I’m looking to try a hat with a ponytail hole for my daughter. I’m wondering if it is as simple as stopping & binding off a couple rounds short.
Thoughts on this using this pattern or if another pattern would work better?
Hi Kim,
Thanks for writing in! Yes, for a pony tail hat, you will simply bind off all the stitches part way through the decreases, once you decide that the opening at the top of the hat is the right size. This would be a great hat to try out for a pony tail hat!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
What is this a multiple of? I’d like to cast on 72 instead or close to that number TIA
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for reaching out! This hat can be worked on any multiple of 12 stitches, so 72 stitches should work perfectly!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Thank you for the great explanation by which I successfully knit my first cap with a pattern. I’m very pleased since I’m not a skilled knitter.
I just knitted this up last night and it’s so adorable but there’s an error in the pattern! Wish I had gone with my gut instead of the pattern as written, but oh well. Row 13 should be k2tog, k2, p2 — not k2tog, k4. I thought there must be a reason but nope! Just a typo 🙂
Hi Amber,
Thanks for reaching out! Oh my! Thank you so much for bringing this error to our attention, you are correct row 13 should read: *K2tog, k2, p2, repeat from * to end of round. 40 (45) stitches!
Warmly,
Gianna
How many stitches do you recommend casting on for a baby? And how should decreases be adjusted?
Hi Ruth,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately we don’t have instructions to make this hat in a baby size, but thank you for expressing your interest! I will be sure to pass this along to the rest of the team!
Warmly,
Gianna