Thank You Hats | Purl Soho

Every now and then someone enters our lives to help us through a tough spot, to somehow give what we need when we need it. These hats are for those people! They express gratitude in the way that only something made with our own hands can. They say “Thank you. No, really… thank you.”

Thank You Hats | Purl Soho

The need for such a hat is upon me. I broke my foot last year, and since then, my physical therapist has become, not only the person I spend more time with than any other non-family member, but also my coach and cheerleader. And now that our time together is nearly up, words just don’t seem enough to tell her how grateful I am. I hope a hand knit hat will take her through the winter knowing how appreciated she really is!

Thank You Hats | Purl Soho

The Simple Rib Hat is sized for most women and some men and really only takes a few hours to whip up. Just one skein of Blue Sky’s beautiful Worsted Hand Dyes makes an incredibly soft and cozy hat!

Thank You Hats | Purl Soho

And the Big Rib Hat, which is sized for most men and some women, is made out of Swans Island’s spectacular Worsted. One hundred percent organic merino wool, this yarn is special for its gorgeous all natural dyes and unbelievable softness.

Thank You Hats | Purl Soho

Maybe for you it’s a teacher who cared enough to recognize something special in your child; or a neighbor who watched your dog when you suddenly had to leave town for a week; or a nurse who brought laughter and hope to your parent through a difficult hospital stay. Whoever it is, a quick knit goes a long way!

Thank You Hats | Purl Soho

Let us know who you want to thank; we’d love to know!

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.

Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoThankYouHats. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

Thank You Hats | Purl Soho

For the Simple Rib Thank You Hat…

  • 1 skein of Blue Sky’s Worsted Hand Dyes, 50% Superfine Alpaca, and 50% Merino Wool. Each skein is 100 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 100 yards required.This color (shown on the left ) is Charcoal.
  • A US 8 (5 mm), 16-inch circular needle
  • A set of US 8 double pointed needles

For the Big Rib Thank You Hat…

  • 1 skein of Swan’s Island Worsted, 100% Organic Merino Wool. This color (shown on the right) is Charcoal. (NOTE: Some colors of Swans Island, including Charcoal, are dyed with natural indigo. It is inherent to these dyes that they will rub off a bit onto your hands and maybe wooden needles. Although indigo dyes are perfectly safe and easily wash off your hands, you may want to soak your skein in a cold white vinegar bath before you wind it into a ball.)
  • A US 6 (4 mm), 16-inch circular needle
  • A set of US 6 double pointed needles

Gauge

Simple Rib Thank You Hat: 18 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Big Rib Thank You Hat: 22 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Sizes

Simple Rib Thank You Hat: 18⅔ inches in circumference (to fit most women and some men)

Big Rib Thank You Hat: 20⅓ inches in circumference (to fit most men and some women)

Patterns

Simple Rib Hat

Thank You Hats | Purl Soho

Begin

With the Blue Sky Worsted and the US 8, 16-inch circular needle, cast on 84 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.

Place a marker and join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.

Round 1: *K5, p2, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Round 1 six more times.

Now knit every round until piece measures 6 inches from the cast on edge.

Shape the Crown

Round 1: *Slip Slip Knit (ssk), k1, Knit Two Together (k2tog), k16, repeat from * to end of round. 76 stitches

Round 2: Knit to last stitch, slip last stitch to the right needle, remove stitch marker, replace stitch to left needle, place marker on right needle.

Round 3: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, k14, repeat from * to end of round. 68 stitches

Round 4: Repeat Round 2.

Round 5: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, k12, repeat from * to end of round. 60 stitches

Round 6: Repeat Round 2.

Round 7: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, k10, repeat from * to end of round. 52 stitches

Round 8: Repeat Round 2.

Round 9: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, k8, repeat from * to end of round. 44 stitches

Round 10: Repeat Round 2.

Changing to double pointed needles…

Round 11: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, k6, repeat from * to end of round. 36 stitches

Round 12: Repeat Round 2.

Round 13: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, k4, repeat from * to end of round. 28 stitches

Round 14: Repeat Round 2.

Round 15: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, k2, repeat from * to end of round. 20 stitches

Round 16: Repeat Round 2.

Round 17: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. 12 stitches

Finish

Cut a two foot tail and thread it through the remaining stitches. And to finish with a little tassel, follow our steps for Making a Tassel right here!

Weave in the ends and thank someone!

Big Rib Hat

Thank You Hats | Purl Soho

Begin with the Cuff

With the Swan’s Island Worsted and the US #6, 16-inch circular needle, cast on 112 stitches.

Place a marker and join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.

Round 1: *P5, k2, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 4 inches from cast on edge.

Next Round: Knit.

Next Round: *K5, p2, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat last round until piece measures 8 inches from cast on edge.

Knit every round for 3 more inches.

Shape the Crown

Round 1: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, k23, repeat from * to end of round. 104 stitches

Round 2: Knit to last stitch, slip last stitch to the right needle, remove stitch marker, replace stitch to left needle, place marker on right needle.

Round 3: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, k21, repeat from * to end of round. 96 stitches

Round 4: Repeat Round 2.

Round 5: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, k19, repeat from * to end of round. 88 stitches

Round 6: Repeat Round 2.

Round 7: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, k17, repeat from * to end of round. 80 stitches

Round 8: Repeat Round 2.

Round 9: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, k15, repeat from * to end of round. 72 stitches

Round 10: Repeat Round 2.

Round 11: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, k13, repeat from * to end of round. 64 stitches

Round 12: Repeat Round 2.

Round 13: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, k11, repeat from * to end of round. 56 stitches

Round 14: Repeat Round 2.

Round 15: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, k9, repeat from * to end of round. 48 stitches

Round 16: Repeat Round 2.

Changing to double pointed needles…

Round 17: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, k7, repeat from * to end of round. 40 stitches

Round 18: Repeat Round 2.

Round 19: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, k5, repeat from * to end of round. 32 stitches

Round 20: Repeat Round 2.

Round 21: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, k3, repeat from * to end of round. 24 stitches

Round 22: Repeat Round 2.

Round 23: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, k1, repeat from * to end of round. 16 stitches

Finish

Cut an 8-inch tail and thread it through the remaining stitches. Bring the tail to the inside of the hat and weave it in. Weave in the cast on tail to the k5, p2 side of the cuff (remember that it will be folded up and the “right side” will be the “wrong side”!).