Super Soft Merino Hats for Everyone!
I love the boisterous song that the colors of Super Soft Merino sing together, like the refrain that a group of merry hikers might belt out through a snow-covered forest!
And what better way to have some fun with color than to knit up a whole gaggle of hats? Looking at them all together, I imagine a lollipop shop where all the surfaces are white and all the lollipops bob around with their candy bright heads!
On Christmas morning, when all the wrapping paper is off these hats, I love that my whole family will be left with the same happy thoughts as I’m having now. What good cheer and warm feelings to bring to a holiday gathering!
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!
Of course, an added bonus is that nothing’s faster to knit than a hat, and one that knits up at three stitches to the inch is, well, even faster! Purl Soho’s new Super Soft Merino is the perfect yarn to get the job done. Decadently soft, prettily spun, and wonderfully toasty, it is one heck of a beautiful hat yarn! -Whitney
Update
We used this same basic hat pattern, plus some simple duplicate stitch, to make our adorable Monogrammed Hats for Everyone. Like the originals, these are knit up in Super Soft Merino and make a quick, easy, and very thoughtful gift!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoSuperSoftMerinoHatsForEveryone, and #PurlSohoSuperSoftMerino. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- Purl Soho’s Super Soft Merino, 100% merino wool yarn. Each skein of this bulky weight yarn is 87 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 36 (47, 58, 69, 80) yards required. I used the colors Heirloom White, Oyster Gray, Super Pink, Red Zinnia, Clementine Orange, Yellow Yellow, Extra Green, Desert Sky, Peacock Blue and Timeless Navy.
- A US 11 (8 mm), 16-inch circular needle
- A set of US 11 double pointed needles
- A jumbo stitch marker (optional)
Gauge
12 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Sizes
Baby (Toddler, Kid, Women’s, Men’s)
- Circumference: 12 (14, 16, 18, 20) inches
- Height: 6 (6¾, 7½, 8¼, 9) inches
Note
This pattern includes one basic hat pattern (in five sizes), and four different ideas for stripes and color blocks. You can knit any size hat in any color design, or of course, it’s always fun to come up with your own color story!
Basic Hat Pattern
SHOWN ABOVE: Baby hat in Extra Green and Women’s hat in Super Pink.
THE CUFF
Cast 36 (42, 48, 54, 60) stitches onto the circular needles. 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: *K3, p3, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Round 1 four (4, 5, 5, 6) more times.
THE BODY
Knit every round until piece measures 4 1/2 (5, 5 1/2, 6, 6 1/2) inches from the cast one edge.
THE CROWN
- Baby: start the crown with Round 9
- Toddler: start with Round 7
- Kid: start with Round 5
- Women’s: start with Round 3
- Men’s: start with Round 1
Round 1: *K8, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (54 stitches)
Round 2: Knit.
Round 3: *K7, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (48 stitches)
Round 4: Knit.
Round 5: *K6, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (42 stitches)
Round 6: Knit.
Round 7: *K5, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (36 stitches)
Round 8: Knit.
Changing to double pointed needles…
Round 9: *K4, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (30 stitches)
Round 10: *K3, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (24 stitches)
Round 11: *K2, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (18 stitches)
Round 12: *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (12 stitches)
Round 13: *K2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (6 stitches)
Cut the tail and thread it through the remaining stitches. Weave it into the inside of the hat. Weave in the other ends and you’re done!
One Stripe Hat
SHOWN ABOVE: Baby hat in Heirloom White and Desert Sky; and Kid hat in Oyster Gray and Yellow Yellow.
Following the Basic Hat Pattern (above)…
With Color A, cast on and knit the cuff . Cut Color A.
With Color B, knit to 1/4 inch of crown. Cut Color B.
With Color A, knit 1 round and then knit the crown.
Three Stripes Hat
SHOWN ABOVE: Kid hat in Oyster Gray, Clementine Orange and Red Zinnia; and Men’s hat in Heirloom White, Peacock Blue and Timeless Navy.
Following the Basic Hat Pattern (above)…
With Color A, knit the cuff and the body until piece measures 2 (2 1/4, 2 1/2, 2 3/4, 3) inches from the cast one edge. Cut Color A.
With Color B, continue to knit the body for 2 (2 1/4, 2 1/2, 2 3/4, 3) more inches. Cut Color B.
With Color C, knit 1 round, then knit the crown.
Pinstripe Hat
SHOWN ABOVE: Toddler hat in Heirloom White and Extra Green; and Men’s hat in Heirloom White and Clementine Orange
Following the Basic Hat Pattern (above)…
With Color A, knit the cuff.
*With Color A, knit 2 rounds.
With Color B, knit 1 round.
Repeat from * to end of hat.
Rainbow Stripe Hat
SHOWN ABOVE: Toddler hat in Oyster Gray with Red Zinnia, Clementine Orange, Yellow Yellow, Extra Green and Peacock Blue; Women’s hat in Heirloom White with Red Zinnia, Super Pink, Desert Sky, Peacock Blue and Timeless Navy
Following the Basic Hat Pattern (above)…
With Color A, knit the cuff.
Still with Color A, knit 3 (3, 3, 4, 4) rounds.
With Color B, knit 1 round.
*With Color A, knit 2 (3, 4, 4, 5) rounds.
With Color C, knit 1 round.
Changing colors for each stripe, repeat from * to end of hat.
Here’s where to start the crown shaping for each size hat:
- Baby: Start crown shaping with the Color F (5th) stripe.
- Toddler: After the Color E (4th) stripe, knit 1 round with Color A. Next round, start crown shaping.
- Kid: Start crown shaping with the Color E (4th) stripe
- Women’s: Knit Color E (4th) stripe. Next round, start crown shaping.
- Men’s: After the Color D (3rd) stripe, knit 2 rounds with Color A. Next round, start crown shaping.
Remember to maintain the stripe pattern as you knit the crown!
LEARN ABOUT SUPER SOFT MERINO + ALL OUR BEAUTIFUL YARNS
The best reason to use Super Soft Merino for this project is because it is the dreamiest, cuddliest, toastiest yarn you can imagine! A single ply of 100% merino wool, Super Soft Merino has a nice, loose spin that shows off the softness of its fiber and keeps it nice and lightweight. Its gauge ranges from a chunky/bulky-weight to super bulky-weight (2.75-3.25 stitches per inch), making it a great choice for quick (and beautiful!) hand-knit gifts. And more… Super Soft Merino comes in over 30 amazing colors, too!
More Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our vast collection of (mostly free!) Super Soft Merino knitting patterns and cast on!
More Chunky/Bulky + Super Bulky-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of chunky/bulky weight yarns
- Shop our entire collection of super bulky-weight yarns
- If you want to use a different yarn, be sure to take the time to get the correct gauge. Need help? Check our All About Gauge Tutorial!
More Yarns With Similar Fibers
- Shop merino wool
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!
i assume the two different needle options are just to suit the scale of the pattern you're working? or should you switch to the DPNs for the crown?
Hi Helen-
You switch to the DPNs for the crown.
Thank you so much for your question!
Molly
I assume these hats should fit snug on the head? I knitted the men's size for my husband (who has a large head) and it was much too large. I used a different yarn, but one that knitted 3 stitches to an inch and had to modify the pattern so that the body of the hat measured 3.5 inches, rather than 6.5 inches and the hat fits much better.
Thanks for the fantastic pattern!
Hi! Quick question-do you find hat the men's size hat is too long for your head? I'm making some for my friends and I know their head circumferences would be closer to 20 inches, but I'm worried about the length of the hat. Thanks!
-Maria
Hi Maria K,
First, I'm thinking that you may want to knit a woman's size hat for a 20-inch head, just so that it will fit snugly. And second, yes, the hats do have a little room at the top (about an inch or so). They're not designed to sit right down on top of the head, but knitting the body a little bit shorter will change that!
Thanks for your question! And please let me know if you have others!
Whitney
I've been drooling over these hats since you posted them. I live in Victoria BC and am looking for a yarn to use. Would you recommend trying to match the gauge of the pattern – 3 stitches to the inch on US #11, or should I try to match the original gauge of the Super Soft Merino. If I lived in NYC I'd be down there to grab some myself asap!
Do you have a cotton yarn that I could use instead of the wool? I cannot use wool due to allergies.
Hi Anne B-
Any chunky weight yarn should work, which is about 3-stitches to the inch.
Thank you for your question!
Molly
ps- We ship to Canada all the time : )
Add a pom pom! I knitted up one of these hats as soon as I saw the pattern, added a pom pom and it's my new favourite. Thanks for all the amazing, free patterns! I love your website!
Thanks Molly! You can bet I will be ordering some, but Christmas is coming up soon!
Hi Melissa,
A lovely option would be doubling up the Blue Sky Cotton: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/721-Blue-Sky-Worsted-Cotton . If you'd like an idea of how that would look, check out our Chevron Blanket (it's also doubled Blue Sky Cotton): https://www.purlsoho.com/create/chevron-baby-blanket/ .
I hope this suggestion works out for you and thanks so much for asking!
Whitney
Got every color of this amazing yarn yesterday and started whipping out these adorable beanies. It is soooo soft.
Three quick questions. I also have lots of colors of Blue Sky Worsted Hand Dyes. Can i combine some of the Blue Sky for the single stripes?
Can you explain how create single row stripes without creating a jag.
Also, would a cable cast on work well to create elasticity at the rim.
When I look over my knitted projects from 2012, ninty percent of the projects come from The Purl Bee. THANK YOU
Jane
I'm fairly new to knitting but I think I can attempt these hats. When switching colors for the stripes, do you add in the new color for each stripe the same way you would add a new ball of yarn? Or is there some way you are carrying both colors all the way through the hat that I don't know yet?! Thanks! Not sure if my question makes sense!
Hi Jane,
Great! I'm so glad you have a pile of Super Soft Merino to play with! Here are the answers to your questions:
1. The Blue Sky Worsted may be a touch thinner than the Super Soft Merino but should be fine for a stripe here and there!
2. Knitty has a good tutorial of the “jogless jog”: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEff10/FEATff10TT.php . I'm not a huge fan of the technique because I always end up with a visible diagonal line where the tension is a bit tighter. Maybe people have figured out how to avoid this, but I just stick with the jog and chalk it up to one of the quirks of hand knitting!
3. I think that the cable cast on tends to look a bit messy, except in a case where because of dense cabling or other specific concerns, you really need the added flexibility. But here, I think a long tail cast on with an appropriately loose tension is the best choice!
Thanks for your questions and have fun with all that yarn!
Whitney
Hi Sam,
Perfect sense! If you have wide stripes (I'd say more than an inch wide), you do need to cut the yarn and add a new one the way you do with a new ball of yarn. But if you're working with thinner stripes (like this pinstripe hat) you can indeed carry the yarn up the inside of the hat. Here's a link to my explanation for “Knitting Stripes in the Round”: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/rochefort-chapeau/2008/3/9/whits-knits-rochefort-chapeau.html I hope it helps!
Thanks for your question and good luck!
Whitney
Hi Whitney! Thanks so much, so helpful! Now to attempt it, I will let you know how it goes! 🙂 I love your blog and patterns!
i love these. they are the closest things to cakes. really nice sense of colour you have (and i don't). congratulations!
these hats are sooo cute and so easy to knit. and I'm a beginning knitter. the one thing I've encounters is that my cuff doesn't seem to be tight enough and after my son has worn his hat twice it is pretty stretched out. Is there any way to make it tighter to start with, or to correct for this?
I would love to make these little hats for a friend who is having twin girls next month. Any suggestions on how much I should alter the pattern for newborns? At this point, each twin is about 5 pounds…Thanks so much!
Hi Alexis,
The next size down would be a 30-stitch cast on for a 10-inch circumference. This sounds pretty small to me, but so do the twins! Make sure you start the crown with Round 10.
Sounds awfully cute! Good luck!
Whitney
Hi Becky,
Yes, you can knit the cuff with a needle one or even two sizes smaller than the one you knit the rest of the hat with.
I hope this helps and thanks so much for asking!
Whitney
When do you start shaping the crown for a Men's rainbow stripe hat? Thanks! I LOVE, love, love these hats!!
after a marathon of christmas knitting, i thought i'd take a break. just saw this pattern! no break for me!
HI Melanie,
Whoops!! I'm so sorry; I totally forgot that piece of info! I just added it to the pattern. Thank you so much for pointing out the omission!
Whitney
Hi! I am loving knitting this pattern! I was just curious if it would be a good idea to block the hats when finished.
Thank you!
Hi Carolyn,
I didn't block any of these hats, but if you feel like you want to clean up your stitches then you definitely can! Otherwise, I don't think blocking is really necessary in this case. I'd just pop it on and go!
Thanks for asking!
Whitney
How many dpn do i need to use and how do i know how many stitches for each needle. Sorry, am a real novice.
HI Nancy,
You should distribute the stitches as evenly as possible among the three needles and then use a fourth needle to knit with.
For a full discussion of the subject, check out our Double Pointed Needles Tutorial right here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/double-pointed-needles-tutoria/ . It's got lots of tips and helpful advice.
Thanks for your question and please let us know if you have more!
Whitney
Hi! Do you know when you will be restocking the other colors of the super soft merino yarn? I'm wondering if I should hold out a bit longer or just order the colors you have available. Thanks!!
Hi Sharon-
We should be getting more in the middle of this month. If you'd like us to email it when it comes back please drop us a line at customerservice AT purlsoho DOT com.
Thank you!
Molly
My knit group sat down to work on these hats (baby size) and we are struggling as the 16inch circular needles do not allow enough slack to get the rows connected. are there 12 inch needles in size 11? we went ahead and did a toddler hat and that worked but, the smaller amount of stitches (36) just did not work. i have read and re read the instructions and i can't see what i am missing. someone in our group suggested using the magic loop method instead for the baby hats but, i can't find anything in the pattern for that. thank you, kathy
Hi Kathy,
I used a 16-inch circular needle even for the baby hat, but if you (and your group) find that uncomfortable, then you can knit the whole hat on double pointed needles or indeed, you can use the magic loop method. For the magic loop you will need at least a 32-inch #11 needle. Here is a good magic loop video tutorial from Knitting Help: http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/magic-loop .
Thanks for your question, and I'm so sorry you had trouble with the needle length!
Whitney
When knitting the pinstripe design, do you cut the main color, tie on the next colour and keep knitting with it until you cut that and return to the main colour? Thanks for the help : )
Hi Dorothy McM,
You could cut each yarn as you finish it, but it would be much easier to “carry” the yarns up the inside of the hat. Here's how: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/rochefort-chapeau/2008/3/9/knitting-stripes-in-the-round.html .
I hope this helps! Please let us know if you run into any problems and thanks so much for your question!
Whitney
Hi there,
I am going to make one of the hats with the Blue Sky Cotton. I'm concerned about the needle size since the Blue Sky Cotton is a little thinner than the Merino. For instance, the baby blanket suggested 13 inch needles. I also used the Blue Sky Cotton for that blanket but used 9 inch needles so her fingers and toes wouldn't go through the blanket. Would 9 inch needles be sufficient as long as I kept the gauge correct?
Thank you,
Lindsey
Hi Lindsay-
Needle size is always just a suggestion. As long as you are getting the correct gauge it doesn't matter what sized needles you use to get there.
Thanks so much for writing in!
Molly
Hi there!
Even here in Berlin, purlbee is loved dearly … I do not know where to start knitting first …!
The colourful hats are just beautiful.
However, I do not seem to get the sizes right. My little son has a head circumference of 48cm which shoud be sth like 19inches. But the circumference of a man's head is given as 20inches. At what point do I get this wrong?
Thanks a lot for your help, starting asap – wool ready!
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
Because hats tend to stretch so much, these finish a few inches smaller than the actual head circumference of the wearer. So, for a 19-inch head, you'd want to make a hat that is about 16 inches around. Also, for future reference, this is true for most hat patterns!
Thank you so much for asking and also for sending so much enthusiasm from Berlin! I love it!
Whitney
Love this pattern, but I have loads of worsted weight yarn I'd like to use up. Do you have a conversion or another similar pattern for this type of yarn?
Thanks so much!
What a beautiful pattern! I would like to use Jill Eaton minnowknits extra fine superwash merino which is 41/2 sts/inch on US8 needles fot the toddler hat. Do you think it will work or do I need to amend the amount of stiches or use different size needles?
Hi Fran-
We are not familiar with this yarn but it sounds like a worsted weight so unfortunately it sounds like it won't work for this pattern. You might want to check out our Basic Hats for Everyone here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/the-purl-bee/2013/10/10/purl-soho-basic-hats-for-everyone.html
Thank you for writing in!
Molly
Thanks for the great patterns! My friend and I made 12 hats for each of our family members. We gave them out all at once…don't open until Grandma says open!"
Happy New Year!!
HI what size would you use for a four years old? Kid or toddler? Thank you so much!
I have no little head to measure at hand ; )
Hi Clairette,
I knit my son the kid size when he was four years old, and it fit just right!
Thanks for asking and I hope you enjoy making your hat!
Whitney
Hello! My name is Marcia and I'm from Brazil. Please, I would like to know the numbers of stitches for all sizes if I use 4 mm needle (US7 or 8). Thank you!
Hi Marica-
Unfortunately we are not able to re-write this pattern in different gauges right now but you might want to check out our Basic Hats for Everyone pattern since it uses a US size 7 needle:
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/the-purl-bee/2013/10/10/purl-soho-basic-hats-for-everyone.html
Thanks you!
M
Hiya..Just wanted to ask if I can knit this hat with a 6.5 mm needle for a man as my yarn (Debbie Bliss Rialto Chunky DK Yarn – tension – 15 sts) recommends using a 6.5 mm needle. Do I need to increase the stitches if I use this yarn and these needles? Thank you!
Hi DIsh-
You will need to cast on more stitches. First you should do a gauge swatch- If you are getting 15 stitches over 4 inches (3.75 stitches per inch) like the yarn suggests I would cast on 78 stitches to get a hat that is 20-inches in diameter. If you are getting a different gauge simply multiply the stitches per inch by 20-inches and round to the nearest multiple of 6 to get your cast on number. You can follow the rest of the pattern as written, just keep decreasing until you reach 6 stitches at the top of the crown.
Thanks for your question!
Molly
Great! Thanks a lot for your response! 🙂
Dish
How can I down load this knitting pattern. I knit for charity and this pattern is perfect as I need beanies for boy's and men. Already knitted loads for girls.
I cannot find any where to download. Pleas can you help.
Janet
Hi Janet-
The best way to print and save our patterns is to copy and paste just the text and photos you need into a Word or Text doc and save/ print from there.
Thanks for your kind words about the site and good luck with the hats!
Molly
I have a question about any of these Super Soft Merino Hats with a single stripe color change. Are the stripes jogless at the start of each round, or do you see the stripe color change? I tried to do a jogless method, but I don’t really like how it turned out (even after blocking). Do you have any recommendations on a method for knitting a jogless, single stripe? Thank you! Kitty
Hi Kitty,
No, these hats don’t use a technique for jogless striping. I have never found a wholly satisfying jogless method and so always opt for the jog, feeling that it is what it is!
Other tips: You may want to check out our Stripes in the Round Tutorial to make sure you’re properly carrying the yarns up the inside of the hat. It’s right here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2008/03/09/stripes-in-the-round/ And also, if you can’t stand the jog but can’t find a good technique, sometimes the simple solution is blocking. When you block stripes (especially single round stripes) that have a jog you can sometimes shift the stripes into alignment.
Thanks so much for your question and please let us know if you have any others!
Whitney
I love these hats and the yarn! I’m an uber-beginner to knitting, and am confused about how to switch to the double pointed needles. Is it necessary? If so, any suggestions on how to go about it or where I might look to find out? Thank you so much! Katerina
Hi Katerina,
It becomes necessary to switch to the double pointed needles when you’re decreasing stitches at the top of the hat and there become so few that they can’t reach around the circumference of the circular needle. You’ll know it when you see it!
What you’ll do at that point is drop the right hand end of the circular needle and use a double pointed needle to knit the first 1/3 of the stitches, then you’ll drop that needle and use a second double pointed needle to knit the second 1/3 of the stitches, drop that needle and use a third double pointed needle to knit the final 1/3 of the stitches. You should now have all of the stitches on three double pointed needles. Now, use a fourth double pointed needle to knit the stitches off the first needle, use that newly freed needle to knit the stitches off the second needle, and on and on, around and around!
For more in-depth instruction on using double pointed needles, visit our Double Pointed Needle Tutorial here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2008/07/25/double-pointed-needles/
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
love your web site thanks for patterns see you real soon
Did you block all of these hats? Been having issues with HAVING to block or not… scared to! These hats look PERFECT!
Hi Christina-
Yes, these hats were blocked. It’s a great way to get things looking neat and tidy after you’re done knitting! Here’s a blocking tutorial that might be of help! https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2006/11/13/blocking/
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
Hi,
Can I use double pointed needles for the whole pattern (not just the last top stitches)? Do I need to change the decreasing increments at all. I assume it’s use 3 dpn and the 4th for knitting. Love the pattern just don’t want to go out and buy circular needles unless I have to. Thanks!
Hi Laura!
You can use double pointed needles for the whole thing without altering the pattern at all, it’s just a little more clunky. I actually knit my first hat entirely on dpns without much problem (many years ago!)
And yes, you use 3 dpns to hold the stitches and the fourth to knit with.
Please let us know if you have any more questions!
Molly
I love the hats and wonder what age group are you calling KID? This would help decide on knitting the toddler or the KID. Love all your projects. Sincerely, Ashlee
Hi Ashlee-
The finished measurements are listed under the “Pattern” headline. We find it easier to go by the measurements than age since everyone’s head is a different size! But if you don’t have the head measurement for the child in question I’d say a loose idea would be that up to age 1 is Baby, up to age 3 is toddler, and beyond that is Kid. And when in doubt always knit the larger one!
Thanks for your question!
Molly
Can I do pattern just with circular needles? I don’t know how to knit with dpn. Just mastered circular. Do u have patten for circular if I can’t?
Donna
Hi Donna-
Am afraid you can’t finish these without moving to double pointed needles. DPNs seem a little harder than they actually are and we have a tutorial that might help you out: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2008/07/25/double-pointed-needles/
The only hat that we have that doesn’t use double pointed needles is a baby hat here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2012/12/11/mollys-sketchbook-super-simple-super-soft-merino-baby-hat/ There are some suggestions for adapting it into an adult hat in the comments section if you’d like to give that a try.
Thank you!
Molly
I use magic loop method and can knit up to the very top.
I use two circulars for the whole hat (or anything in the round) half of the stitches on each circular works well for me.
I just got a stash of 4 ply yarn that I want use to make these hats with For a local children’s charity. I like that you have so many sizes listed. The yarn you have listed doesn’the say what #yarn it is and sincenter I am a beginner I am not familiar with this yarn I have quite a bit of this Red Heart 4 ply yarn. Thanks Paula
Hey Paula,
Thank you for the comment! You can absolutely use the Red Heart 4 ply yarn for this project. However that yarn is a thinner gauge than the Super Soft Merino that the hats are designed for. I would recommend holding 2 strands the 4 ply yarn together to achieve the proper gauge. If you hold the yarn single you will have to reconfigure the pattern to the appropriate gauge.
I hope this helps and please don’t hesitate to write us back if you have anymore questions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
How would I reconfigure the pattern if using 4 ply and only want to use one strand as I have only been knitting almost a year.
Hi Lynda,
Unfortunately we don’t have this pattern written for a 4-ply yarn but I will be happy to pass along your request to the rest of the team!
Best,
Carly
This was my very first hat pattern I tried and I love it! I’ve come a long way since last year and I have a question about these hats: is it possible for me to make some baby sizes to donate my local birth center? I obviously wouldn’t be selling them they would just be gifted to the center. I wanted to check first thank you for your time!!
Hi Katerina-
Yes, you are welcome to donate these! What a lovely idea! Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
Hi. I knit the baby size using 2 strands of worsted held together. At 4.5 inches, I began my decrease rows with round 9. I’m now at the bind off row and the hat is only measuring at 5 inches high. Am I missing something? It says it should be 6 inches…thanks!
Hi Alexis,
Thank you for the comment! Did you achieve the same gauge with your yarn choice as we did with the Super Soft Merino? It sounds like you did everything correct so if your gauge is the same then I am not entirely sure what caused your hat to be shorter. If it is too short you can add a knit row in between each increase row to give it a little more height.
I hope this helps and feel free to respond if you have anymore questions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
Hi Jake,
Thanks for getting back to me. I do have the correct gauge, so I’m not really sure what is happening. Do you mean to add a knit row in between each decrease row (not increase row)? If I do this, what is the best way to undo the rows I have already completed- just tink them stitch by stitch?
Thanks~
Hi Alexis,
Thanks for your response! Yes if you knit 1 row with no decreases in between each decrease row you should add the right amount of height. You can either unknit stitch by stitch or with a piece of scrap yarn and a yarn needle you can weave a safety line by stitching into the stitches in the row your unknitting to. This will secure that row of stitches so you can unravel the hat until that point. You can then put the stitches back on the needles and begin the crown.
I hope this helps and let me know if you have anymore questions!
Happy Knittin!
Jake
I plan on knitting these hats for cancer patients through my church group. I have never used double point needles.before. Can I just use circular needles for.the entire.project?
Hi Linda-
What a lovely idea! You will need to use double points at the end but they aren’t very hard to use! Here is a tutorial: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2008/07/25/double-pointed-needles/
If you have any more questions please let me know!
Best-
Molly
I love this pattern and it seems so easy, but I can’t figure out how to knit the baby size in the round? I’m using my smallest cable, it’s only 12 inches and the 36 stitches don’t reach to both sides for a join. Any suggestions? thank you so much for sharing the pattern and for your time!
Hello, I am looking at buying a few skeins of super soft merino to make some bright winter hats for my kids, nieces and nephews. The only problem is that it is difficult to judge colour combos on-line so I am hoping to have some of your expert advice! I live far from your store unfortunately. So: 1. does the orange go nicely with the pink grapefruit? If not, is there another bright colour that will look nice with pink grapefruit? 2. What would be a nice third colour with the navy and heirloom white? I am looking at the dragonfly or the peacock as possibilities.
With 7 skeins and some mixing and matching I am hoping to make 7 hats – does that sound about right?
Thanks so much!
Hello Pastille,
As long as the hats are child sizes, 7 skeins should be enough for color work and the bodies of the hats.
The Pink Grapefruit is such a sweet and rich color, that I think the bright Clementine Orange might detract from it. I would let that color shine and use Ballet Pink or Heirloom White with it to keep it high contrast and fun! As for the blues, Peacock blue and Timeless Navy are very similar, so I would recommend going with either Dragonfly Blue or even Pistachio Green for that colorway.
Hope this helps! Happy knitting! -Alyson
Are the circumference measurements listed with the hat stretched or unstretched? (Aka, is it the head measurement itself, or the hat as it lies flat?)
Hello, Kelsey!
Thank you for writing in! The circumference measurements listed for the hats are of the hat as it lies flat. If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out again. Happy knitting!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
I’m still trying to understand yarn weight.. So does this pattern use ‘worst weight #4’, ‘bulk #5’ or ‘super bulky #6’..
Thanks
Hello, Trina!
Thank you for your question! For this pattern we used our Super Soft Merino which is considered a bulky weight yarn, it gets about 2-3 stitches per inch. Again, thank you for writing in! Happy knitting.
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Hi! I’m wanting to make this hat with a double strand of yarn, so I can achieve a kind of color-fading effect (something akin to the boyfriend cap also listed on this site). If I use the Super Soft Merino listed in the original version of this pattern but use the double-strand, do you have a recommendation about how I should adjust the pattern? Thank you for your help!
hello, Emily!
Thank you so much for writing in! Sorry for the delayed response! You are in luck, we have a hat pattern that uses two strands of the Super Soft Merino, it’s the Snow Day Hat!
Again, thank you for writing in! If you have further questions please let us know!
Hey! Love you site and ALL your patterns!
I’m newbie knitter and I was wondering could I use the magic loop process on this hat?
Thanks again!
Hi Kati,
Thank you for your kind words! You could certainly use the magic loop method for this hat. You will need a needle with a cable that is at least 40 inches long to ensure that you can pinch out enough of the cable on each side to prevent laddering.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I’m in Australia so completely confused as to what ply yarn this pattern is for?
Hello, Gemma!
Thank you so much for writing in! The Super Soft Merino would be considered a 12ply. If you have further questions please let us know!
Best,
Kumeko
I think my last comment got lost…
Wanted some help. Knitting with 12ply on 16inch circular but the toddler and baby pattern does not seem to reach the end of the needles. Never knitted in the round before so wondering if I’m missing something, or perhaps I should of used 14ply? Would it just be easier to knit with DPNs?
Thanks for your advice
Gemma
Hello Gemma,
Thanks for contacting us! I think that a 12-ply, or Aran weight, yarn is too thin for this project. You’ll want to bump up the yarn weight or cast on some more stitches to make a toddler’s hat. I suggest you try knitting the size up from the toddler’s hat. If this doesn’t work, try swatching for circular gauge, counting your stitches per inch and multiplying your stitches per inch by the finished measurement you desire (see pattern for this measurement). I hope this helps and good luck!
How in the wold can you print this without all the comments?
Hi, Jan!
If you’re on a desktop version of the site, you will find a “print” icon in the right column just below the date and tags. If you’re on a mobile version of the site, you will find a “print” icon below the pattern and above the comments.
Follow the easy on-screen instructions to delete whichever parts of the pattern you don’t want to print or save. For example, you may decide to shorten the pattern by omitting certain images or the list of materials.
Please let us know if you have further questions!
Best,
Kumeko
Just wondering if anyone has found a good way to knit the pinstripe version joglessly? Thanks in advance!
Hi Sara,
Thanks for writing in! We don’t have a joggless stripe tutorial but there are many tutorials on YouTube that help! Best of luck!
-Adam
Is there a way you guys recommend switching colors for the stripes? It seems if I follow the pattern and do the swap, there’s basically a stitch-width line that goes down the middle where I join.
Hi Sara,
Thanks for the question! This hat was designed for beginner knitters, so there are no special striping techniques involved. However, if you YouTube “joggless stripe”, you’ll find lots of tutorials on how to make your stripe joins invisible. Best of luck!
-Adam
Can this be made on straight needles? I don’t own any circular needles and would rather not spend the extra money at this time.
I want to make chemo caps using this pattern and am excited to get started. Would appreciate your kind (and quick) response!
Thank you very much!
Hi Harlee,
Thanks for writing in! Unfortunately we can’t customize patterns but I can certainly guide you. The cast on and amount you knit up before the decreases are the same (except done flat). The only difference is the decrease, where you’ll just want to make sure you decrease four times evenly per row. Hope this helps you start!
-Adam
Hi I’ve used Red Heart 4 yarn to knit the child size hat. Since the yarn is thinner than what you have suggested, I have casted on 96 stitches ( double the 48 in your pattern). I need help with the crown. Not sure how many stitches to decrease at a time. Could you please give me some guidance.
Carolynne
Hi Carolyn,
You’ll want to divide your stitches into six sections. This means you’ll knit 14 stitches, k2tog for the first round. For the following decrease rounds you’ll knit 13, 12, 11, 10, etc stitches and then k2tog. It might help to put a marker of a different color than your beginning of round marker after your first decrease so you don’t have to count. You’ll just knit to two stitches before the marker and k2tog. Hope this helps!
-Adam
I have cast on 54 stitches for the women’s size and it seems to be stretching to join them in the 16″circular needle. Have I done something wrong? Last hat I did was 80 stitches for a women’s 20″ size head.
Hi Kim,
Thanks for writing in! The finished circumference of the women’s size is 18 inches so the 16 inch needle should work fine without stretching. Are you getting gauge with the US 11 needles and the Super Soft Merino? It could be that you may need to go up a needle size if your gauge is too tight. For this hat, the gauge should be 3 stitches per inch. If you are getting more stitches per inch, the needle would seem too small.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
For the gauge, the pattern says 3 stitches per inch but doesn’t say how many rows per inch. Any idea? Love the pattern!
Hi Mackenzie,
Thanks for writing in! Great question! We do not list row gauge here as it is not critical to the fit of the hat. Additionally, row gauge is challenging to change without changing the stitch gauge. For these lovely hats, stitch gauge is far more important! You will knit the body until you reach a certain height and then begin the decreases. That said, I have taken some measurements and it looks to be approximately 4 1/3 rows per inch.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
is there a printer friendly version of this pattern anywhere??
Hi Lauryn,
At the right side of the page under “Save to Favorites” there is a little “Print” button that will print only the pattern for you.
Best,
Carly
Please can you give me the instruction on making the two stripe hat for a 12month using two needles. I am a beginner knitted.
Thanking you in a
advance. Josie
Hi Josie,
Thanks for your comment! This hat is knit seamless and in the round. It you wanted to knit it flat you could cast on the specified amount in the pattern plus 1 extra stitch at the beginning and end to make a seam allowance. Make sure to knit on the right side and purl on the wrong side!
Happy knitting!
Carly
can these hats be made FLAT? I do not like round needles?
Thank you,
AMG
Hi Andrea,
Thanks for writing in! The pattern for these lovely hats is written solely for in the round knitting. While we are not able to modify the pattern, we can certainly guide you! The cast on and amount you knit up before the decreases are the same (except done flat). The only difference is the decrease, where you’ll just want to make sure you decrease four times evenly per row. Hope this helps you start!
The only other thing that you may want to consider, is that you may want to add a stitch to each side (increase your cast on by 2) in order to allow for seeming!
Best,
Cassy
Hi there. I love this hat but when I try to make the smallest size (cast on 36) I can’t join the stitches in the round – it won’t stretch that far. I know once I start knitting it will be fine, but what is the trick to getting started when it is so tight? Thanks much! I ended up making the next to the smallest size (42 cast on) but the hat is too big. Thanks much!
Hello Carole,
Thanks for reaching out! You don’t want your stitches to be stretched out so I would actually recommend knitting the whole hat on your double pointed needles. This should also be a bit easier when starting out as you won’t have to force it.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hello,
I’ve made the rainbow stripes hat, and it’s perfect!! The women’s size fits me well, but I’m wondering how I can alter the pattern for a size that’s in between the women’s and men’s. My sister has a bigger head than me, but the men’s is too large for her. Any suggestions would help!
Thank you
Hi Sara,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, due to the stitch counts required for the decreases, the cast on for each size must be a multiple of 6, so there isn’t a size in between the Women’s and Men’s sizes. However, hats are quite stretchy, so you may find that the women’s size will fit her as well, and if not, the men’s size probably will, since there is only a two inch difference in the circumference. I myself have a big head and always wear mens’ sizes in hats!
Best of luck and happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi! Can you do a 2 knit 2 purl for the trim instead of 3 knit 3 purl?
Hello Stephan,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, you can certainly do this.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
So I am knitting the women’s size and want to do a 2×2 rib. I cast on 54 stitches however I am beginning and ending the row with two knit stitches. I’m confused!?
Hi Stephanie,
I apologize for the confusion! If you wish to use a 2×2 rib, you will have to adjust your cast on to a multiple of 4. I would suggest casting on 52 stitches instead, and after your ribbing is complete, increase two stitches in the last row, one at the beginning and one approximately at the half way point, so that the stitch counts for the decreases don’t have to be adjusted.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
What type of cast on did you use for this? Just a standard long tail cast on?
Hello Steve,
Thanks for reaching out! You are correct, we used a standard long tail cast on for these lovely hats.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I’m confused by the “start the crown” instruction for the different sizes. When I get to the 5” for toddler size, then I skip to Round 8 of the crown instructions? Thanks for your help.
Hi Julie,
Thanks for writing in! For the toddler size, you will actually skip ahead to start with Round 7 of the crown instructions, and follow the rest of the decreases as written!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Hello,
I was wondering about the sizes. I noticed that the finished size for a woman’s head is18 inches. My head is 22 inches and I don’t have a huge head. It looks like I could add 6 stitches to the men’s size to make a hat that is 22 inches. Is that correct?
Thank you,
Kyle
Hi Kyle,
Thanks for reaching out! Keep in mind that the cuff of the hat is ribbed so you will get a decent amount of stretch! I would recommend making the mens size as is since you want the circumference to be a bit smaller than your actual head size to insure that the hat fits right!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Is the color ‘extra green’ still available?
Hi Kathy,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, that color has been discontinued. However we have some lovely new shades available including some beautiful greens! I would recommend Clover Green as a substitution for Extra Green.
All the best,
Gianna
Hi. I’m interested in knitting the hat for my son but peacock blue is no longer available. Is there a good substitute for this color? Thanks.
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, Peacock Blue has been discontinued and we don’t have a shade quite the same but as an alternative I would suggest Eggshell Blue, Sapphire Blue or Mountain Blue!
All the best,
Gianna
This may have been previously asked, but can you provide total yardage needed for each size? I’d like to make hats for the grands mixing and matching colors but I’ll need to figure out how much total yardage needed for each size before purchasing!
Thanks!
Hi Morag,
Thanks so much for writing in! To make this hat in the various sizes (Baby (Toddler, Kid, Women’s, Men’s)), you’ll need approximately 36 (47, 58, 69, 80) yards for each size. And for reference, each skein of Super Soft Merino is 87 yards.
I hope this helps! Have a great rest of your day!
All the best,
Cat