Soft + Sweet Hats

Angora twin sets may have gone the way of beehive hairdos, but a touch of angora is still totally enchanting. Nowadays, we prescribe the fuzzy decadence of angora in small doses, because really, just a little tuft here and there is all you need to feel sweet!

The thing I find so wonderful and amusing about angora is that it so closely resembles the animal from which it came. Astonishingly soft fibers are gently combed from astonishingly soft angora rabbits and are left so unadulterated that the resulting little fluffy ball could easily be mistaken for an actual baby bunny!

For these Soft + Sweet Hats I chose Koigu’s lovely Kersti Merino Crepe to play the straight man to Joseph Galler’s wild Belangor 100% angora. In gentle, dusky colors, the result is classic, just the way we like it!

Choose from three sizes (baby, toddler or child) and three designs. The Anchor Hat, above, reminds me of an old fashioned nursery where boys wore bloomers and sturdy leather shoes. But I’d adore this hat for my sneaker-wearing son too, and so in the end, it’s its timelessness that I really love.

The Stripes Hat is simple to knit but finishes with a beautifully complex interplay of textures. Lines of downy angora fibers form a diaphanous veil over stripes of smooth, crisp merino. Wow!
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!

And want to give something super sweet this Valentine’s Day? The Hearts Hat is an easy fair isle design with a whole lot of whimsy and love!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoSoftAndSweetHats. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials

- Main Yarn: Koigu’s Kersti Merino Crepe, 100% merino wool. This color is #0000.
- Hearts Hat: 1 (1, 2) skein(s)
- Stripes Hat: 1 (1, 1) skein
- Anchor Hat: 1 (1, 2) skein(s)
- Contrast Yarn: Joseph Galler’s Belangor, 100% angora. These colors, from the top, are Pink, Oatmeal and Dark Grey.
- Hearts Hat: 1 (1, 1) ball
- Stripes Hat: 1 (1, 2) ball(s)
- Anchor Hat: 1 (1, 1) ball
- US 4 (3.5 mm), 16-inch circular needles
- A set of US 4 double pointed needles
- Purl Soho’s Pom Pom Maker Set(optional, make your own cardboard template if you prefer!)
Shop our wonderful collection of light worsted/DK-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
30 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette
Sizes
Baby (Toddler, Child)
Finished Circumference: 12 (14½, 16¾) inches
Pattern
Basic Hat
NOTE: To make a different size Stripes or Anchor Hat, cast on any even-numbered multiple of 9. If you’re planning to make the Hearts Hat, cast on any multiple of 18.
CUFF
Cast on 90 (108, 126) stitches onto the circular needles. Place a marker and join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches. Round 1: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end of round. Repeat Round until piece measures ¾ (1, 1½) inches from cast on edge.
BODY
Knit every round until piece measures 5 (5½, 6) inches from cast on edge.
CROWN
(Note: Switch to the double pointed needles whenever the stitches no longer fit comfortably on the circular needles.)
Round 1: *K7, Knit Two Together (k2tog), repeat from * to end of round. 80 (96, 112) stitches
Round 2: Knit.
Round 3: *K6, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. 70 (84, 98) stitches
Round 4: Knit.
Round 5: *K5, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. 60 (72, 84) stitches
Round 6: Knit.
Round 7: *K4, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. 50 (60, 70) stitches
Round 8: Knit.
Round 9: *K3, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. 40 (48, 56) stitches
Round 10: Knit.
Round 11: *K2, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. 30 (36, 42) stitches
Round 12: Knit.
Round 13: *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. 20 (24, 28) stitches
Round 14: Knit.
Round 15: *K2tog, repeat from * to end of round. 10 (12, 14) stitches
Round 16: Knit.
Round 17: *K2tog, repeat from * to end of round. 5 (6, 7) stitches
Cut the yarn and thread it through the remaining stitches. Weave in the ends.
POM POM
Using the larger template of the Small Pom Pom Maker, make an approximately 2-inch-in-diameter pom pom. (Or make your own cardboard template.) Use the Main Yarn, the Contrast Yarn or a combination of both! Bring the tails through the top of the hat to the inside, tie a tight knot and weave in the ends. Gently block your hat and you’re done!
Hearts Hat
With the Main Yarn, knit the Cuff according to the Basic Hat pattern, above. Then knit every round until piece measures 1 1/4 (1 3/4, 2 1/2) inches from the cast on edge.
Introducing the Contrast Yarn, knit the next 12 rounds according to the chart below. Starting in the bottom right corner, read every line from right to left. Repeat each line to the end of the round, then move up the chart one line for the next round. Be sure to keep the strands across the back of the work loose. I find the best way to do this is to shove the stitches on the right needle far over to the right so that the new color has to stretch to reach the left needle.
This creates perfect slack, preventing buckling and tightness.

Once you’ve finished the chart, continue to knit the rest of the hat with the Main Yarn according to the Basic Hat pattern, above.
Stripes Hat
NOTE: For some helpful tips for knitting stripes in the round visit our Tutorial right here! With the Main Yarn, knit the Cuff according to the Basic Hat pattern, above. *With the Main Yarn, knit 4 rounds. With the Contrast Yarn, knit 2 rounds. Repeat from * to the end of the hat, continuing the stripe pattern throughout the crown shaping.
Anchor Hat
With the Main Yarn, make a Basic Hat according to the Basic Hat pattern, above. Then, with the Contrast Yarn, use Duplicate Stitch to embroider the design from this chart to the front of the hat. Start the design 1/2 (3/4, 1) inch above the ribbed cuff.

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!
LOVE these hats!
can they be adapted for an adult?
i would love to make the heart hat for my college girl!
These hats are excellent. I especially like the striped hat. I second Susan's request for an adult size pattern, please.
For an adult version, I (personally) would follow the author's advice which I cut and pasted below, but first?
First, I would measure around my head, then subtract 10% to get a good cast-on number. I might also check other free hat patterns online to see whether the cast-on number jives with similar adult styles.
Basic Hat
NOTE: To make a different size Stripes or Anchor Hat, cast on any even-numbered multiple of 9. If you're planning to make the Hearts Hat, cast on any multiple of 18.
When making the hearts hat, how do I switch to the pink yarn when I am only knitting one or two stitches before switching back to main color? I don't want to have to cut the yarn each time, and I know there is an easier method.
Hi, when you say US #4 needles, do you mean 4 mm?
HI Rhonda-
No, a US #4 is a 3.5mm in metric sizing. All of our needles are listed with US, UK, and metric sizing and can be found here: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8-Skacel-Addi-Turbo-Circular-Needles
Thank you!
Molly
what does it mean to use the duplicate stitch to embroider the anchor?
Hi Jackie-
Sorry the link to the duplicate stitch tutorial was broken. It's been fixed now, or you can see it here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/the-purl-bee/2013/1/24/whits-knits-soft-and-sweet-hats.html
Thank you for getting in touch and bringing this to our attention!
Molly
Do you have to switch to double-pointed needles or can you do this using magic loop?
Hi Cadifor,
If you're more comfortable with the magic loop method, you can always use it when a pattern calls for double pointed needles! Go for it!
Thanks for asking and good luck with the end of your hat!
Whitney
Hi,
Just a quick question. The pattern for the body says to knit 4 rounds in the main colour and then 2 in the stripe (for the striped hat). But the gauge is measured in stockinette stitch. Should the pattern actually be knit a round and then purl a round?
Also, if this is the case would it be 4 rounds of main colour (knit, purl, knit, purl) and then 2 of the striped? Or would it need to be double?
Help?
Thanks. Steph
Hi Steph-
The pattern is correct- When you knit in the round stockinette stitch is made by knitting every round since you are always on the same side of the stitch. I know it may seem counterintuitive but if you give it a try you’ll see what I mean!
Thanks for your question-
Molly
Hi! I love these hats and am currently making the hearts hat for my VERY soon-to-be newborn daughter. I am using the exact materials it calls for and am still struggling to maintain the 12″ circumference on size 4- 16″ circulars. How is this possible? Do you need to use the “magic loop” method? (Just came across that…) Help please!! Thanks!
Hi Amanda-
The needle size that we list is always just a suggestion. Everyone knits differently so the most important thing is that you get the correct gauge, not that you are using the same sized needles. For instance, I am a very loose knitter so I usually go down 2 needle sizes. If you are getting too many stitches per inch you will need to go down in needle size. If you are getting too many stitches per inch you will need to go up in needle size. (And just to clarity I am talking about the size of the needle not the 16-inch length.)
You do not need to use the magic loop, just cast on and join in the round.
If you need any more help please let us know. If you can measure your gauge I can try to recommend a better needle size.
Thank you so much for getting in touch!
Molly
Are these yarns still available to order? When I click the link for Kersti-Merino-Crepe-Solids the link appears to no longer work. Does anyone have a suggestion for a yarn to replace it with?
Thank you!
Hi Maureen,
Yes, Kersti’s Merino Crepe Solids are definitely still available! It seems that when we switched over to our new site, we lost the links to these yarns, but they’re now back up and running.
Thank you so much for pointing that out and please let us know if you have any other questions!
Whitney
I made the angora hearts in reversed colors for a set a baby girl twins. Absolutely darling. Thank you so much. I will post pictures on my Facebook page “Robyn’s Lil Nogg’n Covers” and credit your pattern/design.
Would you be so kind as to provide the pattern (including how many stitches to cast on, and how many stitches measured from the cast on edge) for the adult, specifically women’s, version of the striped hat?
Thank you!
Hi Patricia,
Thank you for writing in! Unfortunately we don’t have an adult pattern for this hat. However, based on the gauge you should cast on roughly 140 stitches for a 19″ circumference. Also, knitting up 8″ is a normal length to knit before decreasing. Good luck and happy knitting!
-Adam
Hi. Would the Belangor angora make a good pom pom all on its own?
Hi Julia,
Thanks for writing in! Belangor on it’s own would make quite a poofy and fun pom pom! I’d say, give it a go!
Best,
Cassy
Hello, are you able to recommend a substitute main yarn given some colors are out of stock?
Hi Kathleen,
Thank you for writing in! As a substitute for the Kersti Merino Crepe, I’d suggest Anzula’s Cricket in Au Natural. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Cat