Pointy Hats for Newborns
I have to admit, there has been a time or two when presented with a fresh new baby that the words “old man” have crossed my mind. I know, I know, I’m being terrible. But listen, even with their little wrinkled brows and gummy grimaces, newborn babies fill me with wonder and overwhelm me with awe. And anyway, what’s so bad about looking like an old man?
Which is why I love the idea of celebrating a baby’s little-old-man-ness with this hat that seems plucked from the head of woodland gnome. Inspired by Joelle’s chunky-weight Pointy Elf Hat from her book More Last Minute Knitted Gifts, this version is in a lace weight cotton, especially designed for the world’s newest inhabitants.
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!
I made these Pointy Hats for Newborns with Habu’s very elegant Nerimaki Cotton Slub. Textured puffs of cotton lend rich character and a soft, natural feel. And a festive sprout of Koigu KPM Needlepoint Yarn is a perfect little pop of color for a perfect little baby, old man wrinkles and all! -Laura
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoPointyHatsForNewborns. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
To knit your own Point Hats for Newborns, you will need…
- Main Color: 1 skein Habu’s Nerimaki Cotton Slub, 100% cotton; approximately 110 yards required.
- Contrast Color: 1 skein Koigu KPM Needlepoint Yarn, 100% merino
- A set of US 1 (2.5 mm) double pointed needles
- 3 stitch markers
Here are six inspiring colorways…
TOP ROW
- Nerimaki Cotton Slub in Powder + KPM in 0000
- Nerimaki Cotton Slub in Natural + KPM in 2130
SECOND ROW
- Nerimaki Cotton Slub in Natural + KPM in 2403
- Nerimaki Cotton Slub in Blue + KPM in 2220
BOTTOM ROW
- Nerimaki Cotton Slub in Smoke + KPM in 2100
- Nerimaki Cotton Slub in Natural + KPM in 1153
Shop our wonderful collection of lace-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
38 stitches and 52 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Size
0 to 3 months
- Finished circumference: 14 inches
Pattern
Begin
With the Main Color, cast on 132 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: Knit.
Round 2: Purl.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 three more times.
Next Round: Knit.
Continue working in stockinette stitch, knitting each round until piece measures 3 inches from cast on edge.
Shape the Point
Set Up Round: (K44, place marker) two times, knit to end.
Decrease Round: *Knit Two Together (k2tog), knit to next marker, slip marker, repeat from * to end of round. (3 stitches decreased)
Next Round: Knit.
Repeat previous two rounds 7 more times. (108 stitches)
Repeat Decrease Round every round until 3 stitches remain.
Cut yarn and thread it onto a tapestry needle to draw it through the remaining 3 stitches. Pull tight and bring tail to the inside of hat and weave in.
Add the Tiny Attached Tassel
Cut a 24-inch length of the Contrast Color and thread it onto a tapestry needle.
Pinch the tip of the hat with the middle finger and thumb of your non-sewing hand. Bring the needle through the tip of the hat.
Then over the top of your index finger and back through the tip of the hat.
Repeat this, making as many loops as you want (I made 5 loops).
Tightly wrap the around the base of the loops a few times.
Bring the needle up through the center of the tassel.
Cut through the loops and trim the tassel to whatever length you desire.
Weave in your ends.
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 am wondering – could this translate to an adult size? Thinking of college kids!
Hi Becky-
We don't have plans to write this in adult sizes at the moment but you might want to check out The Pointy Elf Hat from Joelle's knitting book "More Last Minute Knitted Gifts" https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/7642-Stewart-Tabori-Chang-More-Last-Minute-Knitted-Gifts
Or you can look at all of our free hat patterns here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/hats-knitting/
Thank you!
Molly
These are adorable. Quick question: how many hats do you get out of a single kit?
Thanks!
this is an adorable little project, but i am having trouble imagining how it will look on a baby and where it will sit on their head. any tiny models around to show it off? thanks!
Very fun!
Hello Kristin,
Thanks for writing in. Great question.
You can only get one hat per skein, but there is some yarn left over. You could get two hats from three skeins.
Laura
Hi Vanessa-
Unfortunately we don't have any newborns around at the moment! But this hat is sized similarly to many other newborn hats.
If there are any readers out there who have knit this and want to take a picture of it on a newborn please feel free to share it on our Facebook page!
Thanks!
Molly
So adorable! One quick question just because I'm still learning….why wouldn't you use circular needles for this? Is it too small for that? Do I need to worry about the stitches falling off the double pointed needles when I go to join in the round? Thank you!
I'm wondering if you can recommend another yarn for these hats. I'm having a lot of trouble with the habu cotton slub breaking while knitting with it. Any suggestions for substitutions? Thanks
Hi Santaannanana,
Just curious, which color were you working in?
As for substitutions… Here is a link to all of our lace weights:
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/3-knitting-crochet-yarn?filters%5B%5D=2
I think Jade Sapphire's Sylph would be a fun option. It's airy-ness would lend itself to the stand-up, pointy shape.
Laura
I cannot find the yarn that you recommended. I am wondering if you pure cotton would be too heavy?
Thank you,
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, yes, Cotton Pure would be too heavy for this pattern. I would recommend substituting Posy or Sweetgrass!
Best,
Julianna
Hi Ashley,
Your guess is correct. There are circular needles that go as small as 12 or 8 inches, but they can be very finicky. I typically do not work on circulars smaller than 16 inches which would have been too large for this project. As a result I suggested double pointed needles.
Laura
Hi,
I purchased the natural color. I have started it several times, working on double pointed as suggested, but the yarn keeps breaking where the slubs are. It just seems to pull apart. I will try one of your other suggested. Thanks for getting back to me
I recently ordered this yarn for these hats. After knitting a few inches , I realized that this would be way too big for an infant 0-3 months. I checked the Ravelry site to see if there were any finished projects using this yarn . One comment was about the number of stitches to cast on. The author chose to cast on 114 stitches instead of 132. I did not do a gauge swatch but I typically knit true to the gauge . I used a # 1 dp needle. I may try another yarn of the same weight to see how it turns out. I loved this whimsical look for the hats and the texture of the yarn added to the finished hat.
I have 4 skeins , different colors so I will need to either scale down the cast on, or use it in combination with another yarn.
Santaannanana,
I did have this issue a tiny bit, and almost exclusively with the Natural color. The dyed cottons seems to hold together better when being worked.
Thank you for taking the time to give me (and our readers) your feedback. It's quite helpful.
Laura
Hi Terry,
Thank you for writing in. Please let us know how your gauge ends up working out and if you cast on a different number. Again, thank you for taking the time to share your experience, it's helpful to both us and our other readers.
Laura
I had the same problem with the slub breaking. Will also try knitting with circular or at least on two circular.
I like this project, Beautiful hat. Thanks for sharing!
What is the row gauge for this project? I may be mistaken, but since you knit to a row count rather than to a number of inches, don't we need a row gauge to be sure it will be correct?
Looking forward to getting started. Thanks.
Hello Marci.
The row gauge is 13 = 1 inch.
Thanks.
Laura
My gauge is also way off despite casting onto size 0 needles. It looks like it could almost fit me! This is especially frustrating because you can't rip back this yarn – it will tear. I hope I have enough left for the hat.
Third time is a charm! After doing a "reasonably on target" swatch, I cast on the 132 stitches on a 12 " circular needle. I did a 2×2 rib instead of the garter edge. I thought that might help with a snugger fit, I am not convinced it will. I switched to 9" circular and then finally to the double points when the decreasing made that necessary. I knit with Powder and I had no problem with breakage. The tassel color is LIme green from a stash of wool needlepoint yarn I inherited. The finished dimensions are 14" circumference and 6.5" from tip to cast on edge.
Casting on and beginning the hat on a 12" circular, then switching, once established, to the dp's, is much easier, since the yarn/thread is so fine and the needles so small. I waited to switch until I began to decrease, in fact. Also, I agree the hat seems a bit large (so far! I'm still finishing up) for a newborn/3-month-old, and wondered if working it on 0s wouldn't give a closer gauge to that. Love the materials though! and colors. Thanks, Robin
Hi,
I like that little hat very much but I am not sure if I understand the pattern right!
Normally, stockinette stitch means knit on the right side and purl on the wrong side, right?
How does it work with dpn? The edge is scrolling so strong! Did I make a mistake?
Thanks for your help!
Heike
Hi Heike,
Great Questions. Thanks for writing in.
To create a stockinette stitch fabric when working in the round, on double pointed needles or circular needles, you knit each row because you are always working with the right side facing you. It's so quick and easy!
As for your edge… Are you working in cotton? Cotton rolls less than wool fibers. Also, once blocked, any edge will relax a bit and roll up less.
Let us know if you have any other questions.
Laura
I'm near completion using the Natural. I've had to order another skein because of tangling and breaking. I'm determined to finish it but it has been frustrating.
I’ve started knitting (using the natural Habu) and did experience the yarn breaking during the cast on, but once through that, and knitting delicately, so far so good! I rarely ever knit garments/items for littles and think that perhaps the sizing, as written, may be a tad large for a newborn, but at the same time, don’t expect it should be too snug. We’ll see how it turns out! Adorable pattern and I love the texture created with the Habu! I’d love to make a summer t-shirt with this string!! ❤️ Happy knitting! Barb
…and so, I finished the little point hat tonight, stitching ever so delicately throughout… The Habu Cotton Neremaki Slub broke on the VERY LAST STITCH! I thought I might cry! It took patience and strong glasses as I performed some creative surgery to prevent the tiny stitches from unraveling. I do love the texture created with this yarn, but have to agree with some of the other comments about the problem with the slubs pulling apart so easily. I would recommend a different yarn unless you have the lightest touch with your stitching.
Can addi turbo needles be used instead do double pointed needles when making the pointy hat for newborns? Also, have the cast-on and pattern instructions been adjusted based on previous comments that the finished hat is too large for a newborn?
Hi Babette.
Thanks for writing in.
If you are familiar with magic loop method or using two circulars to work in the round in a small diameter, then yes, Addi Turbos will work. If you’re just working normally on the circulars, the circumference of the hat is going to get too small for the length of the needle so you’ll want to switch to double pointed needles or use another method.
As for the pattern, we have not altered it since that comment. IF you’d like to cast on fewer stitches, I would suggest a cast on of 117 stitch (for a 12 1/4 inch circumference) or 123 (for a 13 inch circumference). This will affect your set up round for working the crown. Be sure your cast on is divisible by 3. (Work a 1/3rd of your stitches and then place a marker) two times.
Let us know if you have any questions!
Laura
Hi. Quick question: if I’ve almost finished this hat and the circumference is much closer to 16 or even 17 inches, if I hand wash the hat (before attaching the tassel), is there any hope it might shrink a few inches to fit a newborn? This yarn was so wacky, but interesting to work with. Thanks!
Hi Kavi.
If you’ve worked the hat up in the same cotton yarn I’ve used here, then sadly, no, the hat won’t shrink up. I guess the good thing about babies is they will grow, he/she will fit into your hat before you know it!
Sorry to not be of more help! If you have any questions, please write back in!!
Laura
Thanks! One more quick question: is there any way to fix the “ladders”/gaps that have occurred on the sides (this was my first attempt with double pointed needles)? Would a quick hand wash fix that at all? Thank you!
Hi Kavi!
A quick handwash will definitely even out some of these gaps.
For any future double pointed needle projects, maybe take a look at our tutorial. It addresses how to avoid those ladders!
Thanks for writing in!
Laura
I’m interested in making this hat for donating to the NICU unit at my local hospital. Could you help me with sizing appropriate for preemie’s ? Also is the yarn a lace weight, light fingering, fingering? If I wanted to use a fingering weight, which I have on hand what size needles should I use and should I adjust the stitches. Sorry for all the questions this is just the cutest style hat I’ve come acrosse
Hi Haley,
Thanks for your interest in this pattern! We think what you are doing is so great! Unfortunately we don’t have the resources to customize patterns, but this pattern is quite easy to manipulate. I suggest doing a gauge swatch in the round and calculating your stitches per inch. Then multiply your stitches per inch by your desired circumference. This is a slub yarn, so the gauge is inconsistent. It’s best to measure a few stitches per inch and use the average as a standard. Best of luck to you!
Best,
Adam
I am having trouble with the yarn breaking at the nubby spots- thus far have been unsuccessful casting on despite keeping the yarn as loose as possible because it keeps breaking. Any hints? Beautiful yarn, cute pattern, I so want to complete the kit for a gift. Actually bought 2- twins!
Thanks in advance.
Hi Deb,
Thanks for writing in! Habu’s Nerimaki Slub can be tricky sometimes! As a loosely spun cotton, there are times when the yarn is a bit more delicate than others. If you continue to have difficulties, please do contact us at [email protected] and we will help you out!
Best,
Cassy