Super Simple Super Soft Merino Baby Hat
Although I know how to knit, I tend to be all talk and no action. I’m great at buying yarn and casting on, but I’m also quite good at abandoning my projects before they’re done. But with everyone at the Purl Bee creating such amazing projects with our new Super Soft Merino (like these great hats and this awesome cowl), I was beginning to feel a little left out!
I knew I wanted to get in on the Super Soft Merino action, but I certainly didn’t want another partnerless mitten or half-finished sweater. With winter here and a new baby to keep warm, I decided I could probably manage a simple baby hat, as long as it was really easy. This pattern fits the bill!
The Super Simple Super Soft Merino Baby Hat is truly the easiest hat you will ever knit. The yarn’s chunky weight makes it quick, and its vivid range of colors makes it fun. It also happens to make the softest, fluffiest pom poms so I added one to the top! I had such a good time making mine that I ended up knitting two versions in as many nights. I was so proud of myself! The short version just covers the ears, while the tall version can be worn cuffed up and trim or unfolded and a little floppy. -Molly
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Molly Schnick. Click here to see even more of Molly’s work!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoSuperSimpleSuperSoftMerinoBabyHat, and #PurlSohoSuperSoftMerino. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
To make two hats in opposite colorways, you’ll need…
- 2 skeins of Super Soft Merino, 100% merino wool. Each skein is 87 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 174 yards required. We used Oyster Gray and Super Pink.
- A small pom pom maker
- A US 11 (8 mm), 16-inch circular needle
NOTE: One skein is enough to make one hat in one color.
Gauge
16 stitches = 4 inches in 1 X 1 rib, unstretched
Sizes
Short (Long)
- Finished Circumference: Up to 16 inches circumference, stretched
- Finished Height: 6½ (8¼) inches tall, to fit babies up to 1 year
Pattern
With the Main Color, loosely cast on 44 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Place a marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Round 1: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Round 1 until hat measures 6½ (8¼) inches from cast on edge.
Cut the yarn leaving an 8-inch tail. Thread the tail through the remaining stitches. Pull the tail firmly and bring it to the inside of the hat. Tie a knot on the inside to secure it closed.
With the Contrast Color, make an approximately 1⅝-inch pom pom. Need help? Check out our Pom Pom Tutorial here!
Now bring the pom pom tails to the inside of the hat, tie a knot and weave in the ends.
Weave in the rest of your ends and you’re done!
Is one skein enough for two hats without pom-poms?
Are two skeins (each different color) enough if I wanted to make identical hats, the bodies the same color and the pom-poms the same color?
(Sorry if this was answered already in the comments!
Hi Natalie,
Thanks for reaching out again. 2 skeins is enough yarn to make two hats in reverse colorways but not two identical, one skein is enough to make one hat in one color.
All the best,
Gianna
There are no decrease rows??
Hi Byrne and Cary,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, that is correct! This hat doesn’t have any decrease rounds! You simply knit in stitch pattern until you reach 6 ½ or 8 ¼ inches (depending on the size you are making) and then cut the yarn leaving an 8-inch tail and thread the tail through the remaining stitches, pulling the tail firmly. This gives the hat the cute gathered top, perfect for adding in a pom pom!
I hope this clears things up!
Warmly,
Gianna
Can this be done on straight needles please
Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for reaching out! Since this hat doesn’t have any decreases you can certainly knit it on straight needles, seem up the side and then gather the top at the end!
Warmly,
Gianna
I’d like some suggestions of what color to pair with Denim Gray.
It’s going to a baby boy, so maybe no pink…even thought ballet pink could look pretty nice!
Thanks!
Hi Natalie,
Thanks for writing in! With Gray Denim I would recommend using High Tide, Artemisia Green or Sapphire Blue! I think Ballet Pink would look cute with Gray Denim as well, but may look a bit more feminine!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hi!
When measuring the height, should it be 6 ½ (8 ¼) inches from cast on edge unstretched or when stretched to 16″?
Unstretched I am getting a 11″ circumference. Stretching, of course, makes the hat shorter….
Hi Natalie,
Thanks for reaching out! That is a great question! I believe that the 16″ circumference is measured stretched and the 6 ½ (8 ¼) inches from cast on edge in measured unstretched!
Warmly,
Gianna
Gotcha! Thanks Gianna.
Has anyone done this pattern in larger for an adult and if so, could they share the pattern?
Hi Amanda,
Thanks for reaching out! You can simply adjust the pattern for an adult size! If your gauge is consistent with the pattern then you can easily adjust the cast on based on the circumference of your head! Just be sure to keep in mind that the rib stitch is very stretchy so you will want the circumference of the hat to be a bit smaller than the circumference of your head and you will also want to cast on an even number of stitches.
I hope this helps and please feel free to reach out with any more questions!
Warmly,
Gianna
After making one hat, I came to a realization- perhaps when making the pom pom with the contrast color, it would be better to secure the pom pom using the same color used for the hat!
I realized this as I was weaving in the ends on the inside of the hat. Even though it is hidden on the inside, better to be more invisible in my opinion.
What do you think?
Hi Natalie,
I think that would be a great idea! Using the color of the hat would be great to secure the pom pom to insure that even though you are weaving in the end on the inside that no contrasting color pops through!
Warmly,
Gianna
Can this pattern be made with a smaller need, says size 7, and #3 yarn?
Hi Toni,
Thanks for reaching out! You can absolutely make this hat with a different weight yarn. All you’d need to do is cast on more stitches to make sure that it comes out in the correct size.
To figure out your cast-on number, you will want to first knit a gauge swatch in pattern. Once you know how many stitches you are getting per inch, you can multiply that number by the finished circumference of the hat and cast on the nearest even number of stitches. Then you can follow the pattern as written!
All the best,
Lili
Awesome. Thanks for explaining it so simply to me.