A New Simple Pleasures Hat
It was almost four years ago when Whitney wowed us with her Simple Pleasures Hat. There are a few projects from the Bee that every single person at the shop just HAS to make. This is one of them! As soon as fall breezes in, we reach for our Simple Pleasures Hats, grinning as we all arrive to work in our matching knitwear. It’s just too good a pattern to pass up, a dream to knit and even better to wear!
For this season, we’ve knit up a fresh, cloud-like version in elegant creams and super soft cashmere. We started with two strands of Jade Sapphire’s beautifully soft and cozy 2 Ply Cashmere. After a few inches of ribbing, we added a strand of Alchemy’s mohair and silk Haiku. This gorgeous combination of hand dyed fibers makes for complex plays of pigment and texture with a subtle luster, a downy halo, and a spectacular depth of color!
Like every autumn, I am sure there will be a lot of new Simple Pleasures Hats around the shop. Come surprise us with yours!
To make this version of this hat, you will need the following materials. Please note, the needles are smaller than in the original pattern. 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 14½ -inch circumference may seem a bit small, but after a wear or two, it will feel just right! -Laura
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 our Line Weight + Tussock Bundles, and our newest Simple Pleasures Hat story!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.
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 skein of Jade Sapphire’s 2 Ply Cashmere in the color Ivory.
- 1 skein of Alchemy’s Haiku, 40% silk and 60% mohair, in the color Platinum.
- US 6 (4 mm), 16 inch circular needles
- US 7 (4.5 mm), 16 inch circular needles
Shop our wonderful collection of fingering-weight yarn to find a suitable substitute for this project, and remember that it’s always a good idea to check your gauge before you cast on… Our All About Gauge Tutorial shows you how!
Gauge
6¼ stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch using the larger needle and 1 strand of each yarn
Pattern
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
When i click on the link for the pattern it says 'URL not found'. I absolutely love the look of this and would love to make one. Can I find the pattern somewhere else?
Hi Krista-
The link should be fixed now.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention!
Molly
HI
Can you recommend a cashmere you carry that will eliminate the use of the Haiku?
Allergic to Haiku
Hello Mar.
If you would like to do this in just cashmere, you can work the entire hat with two strands of 2-Ply held together. I've actually done a version just like this and LOVE it.
-Laura
If I were to knit the whole hat with two strands of the 2-ply cashmere, would I be able to complete it with only one skein? Thank you for your amazing patterns!
Hi Dianne,
Sadly, I think you'll need a second skein, I have done a version like that and am always hopeful I'll be able to eek it out with just one, but I always dip into the second. If you make the hat less slouchy, it might would with just one! Depends on the look you're going for.
Laura
Hi
I would love to make this in another color, maybe grayish… Could you recommend some color combinations (for both yarns)?
Thanks a lot,
Viviane
Hi Viviane,
I would try either:
Jade Sapphire's 2ply in Sliver Fox + Alchemy's Haiku in Sliver
Jade Sapphire's 2ply in Pewter + Alchemy's Haiku in Sliver
Thanks,
Laura
When i click on the link for the pattern it says ‘URL not found’. Is there somewhere else I can find this pattern? Thanks!
Hi Chrissy-
The links should be working now! Thanks for pointing this out!
Best-
Molly
Hi there,
I’d love to make this hat for a friend and however as a student I can’t afford to splurge on expensive yarn. Do you have some cheaper suggestions?
Thanks!
Hi Amber.
Yes. I’d love to provide some cheaper options.
For replacing the Cashmere, maybe take a look at:
Purl Soho’s Line Weight: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/9249-Purl-Soho-Line-Weight
Swan’s Island’s Lace Weight: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8950-Swans-Island-Lace
The mohair yarn is harder to suggest alternates for. We don’t really sell anything similar to it. Hopefully substituting the cashmere will bring the total cost down enough?!?
Let us know if you have any questions about these or other yarns!
Laura
Hi Laura,
I bought the line weight to replace the cashmere, and I’m so excited to make this hat! What needle sizes would you recommend since I’m guessing the line weight won’t bloom the way the cashmere does?
Thanks!
Hi Vivian,
The Line Weight doesn’t bloom exactly like the cashmere, you are correct. But it does bloom! Quite beautifully in fact! I would give it a go with the needle size that’s suggested, but definitely make a swatch first and see if you’d like the fabric to be knit a hair denser to compensate for the more modest bloom!
Let us know how it goes and let me know if you have any other questions.
Laura
Hi there,
I’d like to make a sort of slouchy hat…is the simple pleasures the one that would most closely resemble a slouchy-style hat?
Many thanks for your help,
Isabel
Hi Isabel!
Yes. This is a great slouchy hat.
Did you see the original post? The pictures in it show off the shape a bit more perhaps.
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2008/11/26/whits-knits-simple-pleasures-hat/
Thanks for writing in.
Laura
I have a feeling this would also make an adorable baby and toddler hat.
Can you re-write the pattern for those of us who might want to knit a small version?
Hi Louise-
We don’t have plans to rewrite this pattern in the near future but you might want to check out our full archive of hat patterns which includes many for babies and toddlers: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/category/knit/projects-knit/accessories-projects-knit/hats-projects-knit/
Thank you for getting in touch!
Best-
Molly
I love the look of this hat, but, alas, I’m allergic to wool/cashmere. Is there an alternative that you would be able to recommend that would still give a similar look?
Hi Shannon-
We carry mostly natural fibers so I’m afraid we don’t have anything that would work for a hat like this that doesn’t contain some animal fibers. If you do find some good non-wool alternative yarns elsewhere just make sure you get the same amount yardage and that the yarns are comparable gauges.
Thank you for getting in touch and sorry we can’t be of more help!
Best-
Molly
Hello,
I recently purchased some yarn for this project, along with needles. The person I spoke with suggested I go even smaller with the needles. I haven’t started yet, because I wanted to get a second opinion. Do you also recommend going even smaller with the needles? He suggested I go with #5 and #6, but maybe I should stay with #6 and #7?
Thanks for your help,
Isabel
Hello Isabel!
Are you a tight or loose knitter? Which size needles do you think you’ll be able to achieve 4.75 stitches per inch with? Assuming you bought the cashmere and mohair yarn to make this lovely hat, the person who recommended the smaller needles was probably accounting for the tendency of the cashmere to stretch quite significantly. Since cashmere is such a delicate fiber it does stretch a lot with wear. I too would recommend knitting at least the brim of the hat extra tightly so that it doesn’t become too floppy as you’re wearing it!
Best of luck! -Alyson
Hi Alyson,
Thanks so much for your response! I did get the mohair and cashmere that was recommended. I think I tend to lean towards being a bit tighter of a knitter. I also have a smallish head, so I think I’ll be okay with the smaller needles.
Thanks for your help!
Isabel
Hi, What Haiku color yarn would go well with the Cashmere Pinksickle?
Also, what about an option with peach honey too?
Hello Alissa!
I would recommend using Teardrop to match with both Cashmere Pinksickle and Peach Honey! Unfortunately we don’t have this color in stock at the moment, but I think it will be the best tonal match! Since the fuzz of the Haiku is so subtle when paired with the Cashmere, it will be a beautiful undertone. Best of luck! -Alyson
Hi,
What color Haiku yarn would go with the Cashmere Tea Leaves color? Am I correct in saying Tea Leaves is a dark purple color?
Thanks!
Hi Lindsay.
Thanks for writing in. Tea Leaves is a great color. It does have strong purple undertones in it, it’s also kind of a dark brown. What do you think of using Haiku’s Temple Gold with it? https://www.purlsoho.com/yarn/knitting-crochet/haiku.html
Let us know if you have any questions!
Laura
I am interested in making this hat. Do you know when the yarn suggested will be back in stock? Or can you recommend a silver cashmere to go with the silver silk blend? Thanks for the advice!
Hi Karen.
Thank you for your interest in this project!
I’d love to recommend a silver/gray combo…
Jade Sapphire’s 2 Ply Cashmere in the color Silver Pearl + Alchemy’s Haiku in the color Magnolia (one of my all time favorite colors Alchemy makes!) or Silver.
If you want a very faint silver you could combine the 2 Ply Cashmere in the color Ivory with that Haiku in Magnoila. I think that could be quite stunning.
As for the original colorway…
It appears we have the 2 Ply Cashmere currently available in Ivory, but we’re our of the Haiku in Platinum. If you’d like to be notified about the arrival of the next shipment, you can either email [email protected] with your request (including the brand – Alchemy, yarn – Haiku, color – Platinum, and quantity – 1 skein) or you can use our notification feature on the website by visiting the product page (https://www.purlsoho.com/haiku.html), selecting Platinum and then just below the price you’ll see a message about being alerted when the item is back in stock!
Please let us know if you have any question! Thanks.
Laura
Dear Purl Bee,
I’ve tried to click on the link to this pattern, but an error message appears…
I love your shop, it’s my go-to knitting paradise!
Thank you for your help.
All the best,
Margo
Hi Margo,
Thanks for writing in and for your very kind words! I am so sorry that you were having difficulties! I checked the link and it seems to be working now. I am including it here for your convenience: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2008/11/26/whits-knits-simple-pleasures-hat/
Happy knitting!
Cassy
I would love to make my first hat and this pattern seems like just what I’m looking for. I had a couple of questions before I begin:
1. Could you recommend a color combo for me? I’m really drawn to the blues/greens (like bluestone or jade sapphire or sea glass) or greys if the blue/greens don’t match.
2. I have a very small head, what needle size would you recommend due to the blooming? I’m very comfortable with dpn as I’ve done tons of leg warmers.
3. How do I start with 2 strands of the same yarn when I only have 1 skein? Do I separate that into two balls before I start knitting? (Sorry if that’s a super basic question).
Thanks! Can’t wait to try this.
Hi Emily,
Thanks for writing in! I am happy to help you out with your questions!
1. I really like Bluestone in the Jade Sapphire and Cambodia Blue in the Haiku!
2. At present there is only one size for this hat. We recommend US 6 and and US 7 for this hat but I would always recommend knitting a gauge swatch to be sure that you are getting the recommended gauge. Needle sizes are really more of a suggestion as all of our personal gauges can vary quite a bit. If you feel the hat is going to be too large, you could try going down a needle size but be sure that your gauge isn’t too tight for this pattern given that the beauty is in the bloom of the two yarns!
3. To use two strands at once from the same ball, we usually pull from the outside and the inside of the ball. You call also wind off half of the original ball to get two equal size balls and pull one strand from each.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I would like to make this in Haiku Amethyst. Would Jade Sapphire’s lavender make a good combination?
Hi Shawn,
Thanks for writing in! I think that Haiku Amethyst would work beautifully with Jade Sapphire’s Lavender Ice. They will make a lovely Simple Pleasures hat!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Could this hat also be done in the Jade Sapphire 4 or 6 ply single strand?
Thank you!
Hi Gayle,
Thanks for writing in! It certainly can! For the gauge and needle size used here, I would suggest using the 6 Ply Cashmere!
Best,
Cassy
I am so excited to start this hat! Did you knit your gauge swatch flat or in the round? I’ve heard it makes a difference but don’t know if that’s really true. What do you think? Also, I’m knitting with Shibui Cima (70% alpaca, 30% merino) and Shibui Silk Cloud (I think a very close match to Haiku). I’m a little bit of a tight knitter. My flat gauge swatch was 6 stitches per inch on size 7 needles with one strand of each yarn. After reading all the comments, I’m guessing you’d tell me to stick with that needle size since alpaca will stretch too. Do you agree?
Hi Katie,
Great question! Although you should generally knit a swatch in the round for any project that will be knitted in the round, you don’t need to be quite as precise with the gauge or fit of a hat compared to a garment such as a sweater. It sounds like your yarn and needles will be just fine!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Hello! This one looks like an oldie but a goodie and I’m eager to start. I’m wondering if you have any yarn recommendations. Line weight with tussock? Cashmere Bloom with Tussock? Would love to hear back from you with any recommendations you have. Thanks so much!
Hi Laura,
Thanks for writing in! We do still carry Jade Sapphire 2-Ply Cashmere, but you could also substitute either Line Weight or Posy in its place – unfortunately, Cashmere Merino Bloom would be a bit too thick. And Tussock is a perfect replacement for Haiku!
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi I’m going to knit Simple Pleasures hat in 80 % merino 10% cashmere and 10% nylon I’m confused about needle size I don’t know about stretch being so little cashmere please help thanks Barb
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for writing in! As long as your yarn is a fingering weight yarn, the exact fiber content shouldn’t matter too much! Every knitter and every yarn is different, however, so you will still need to knit a gauge swatch to determine if you will be able to use the same size needle we did. For more information about knitting and measuring a gauge swatch, I highly recommend checking out our new All About Gauge tutorial! It explains the full process in detail and will set you up for a very successful hat.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna