Hats for Newborns
Because it feels like a new baby enters my circle of friends and family about every two minutes, it’s pretty hectic trying to welcome each one with a hand knit gift. And although I’m short on time and long on babies, I would hate to give new parents the impression that I whipped some yarn into something vaguely wearable and oh-by-the-way-congratulations-about-the-baby. In other words, I’m in serious need of a quick, but exquisite baby gift.
Nothing’s quicker than a hat, but how to convey that this is no ordinary hat? Easy, choose an extraordinary yarn! Purl Soho’s Line Weight is instantly special with its simple purity and understated beauty. A single ply, soft and cozy merino, it is as light as a feather and as soft as a kitten. Plus, the almost 500 yard skeins mean that I’m all set for the next round of babies! -Whitney
Update: New Yarn
May 21, 2021
We’ve renamed these adorable hats for the classic pieces they are! Our Classic Baby Hats are knit in our new yarn Santolina and are every bit as a precious as the babies we hope they warm! Click here to read more!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoHatsForNewborns, and #PurlSohoLineWeight. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 2 skeins of Purl Soho’s Line Weight, 100% merino wool yarn. Each skein of this fingering weight yarn is 494 yards/ 100 grams.
- Color A: 1 skein; approximately 200 yards required. We used the color Storm Gray.
- Color B: 1 skein; approximately 171 yards required. We used the color Oyster Gray.
- A US 2 (3 mm), 12-inch circular needle.
- A set of US 2 double pointed needles.
- A Pom Pom Maker (for the Roll Brim Hat).
NOTE: This is enough yarn for ten hats!
GAUGE
8 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch
SIZE
Finished Circumference: 13½ inches
Patterns
Garter Brim Hat
With Color A, cast on 108 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: Purl.
Round 2: Knit.
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 three more times.
Next Round: Purl.
Change to Color B and knit every round until the piece measures 4 inches from the cast on edge.
The Crown
Round 1: *K7, Knit Two Together (k2tog), repeat from * to end of round. (96 stitches)
Round 2: Knit.
Round 3: *K6, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (84 stitches)
Round 4: Knit.
Round 5: *K5, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (72 stitches)
Round 6: Knit.
Round 7: *K4, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (60 stitches)
Round 8: Knit.
Changing to double pointed needles…
Round 9: *K3, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (48 stitches)
Round 10: Knit.
Round 11: *K2, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (36 stitches)
Round 12: Knit.
Round 13: *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (24 stitches)
Round 14: *K2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (12 stitches)
Round 15: Repeat Round 14. (6 stitches)
With Color A…
Round 16: Repeat Round 14. (3 stitches)
Arrange the remaining 3 stitches onto one needle.
Knit a 2 inch I-cord. (For help, visit our I-Cord Tutorial here.)
Bind off, cut the yarn, and pull the tail through the remaining stitch.
To form the top loop, bring the tail to the inside of the hat, pulling the very tip of the I-cord along with it. As you weave in the tail, sew the I-cord tip to the inside of the hat.
Weave in the rest of the ends and gently block the hat.
Roll Brim Hat
With Color A, cast on 108 stitches.
Place a marker and join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.
Knit every round until the piece measures 4 3/8 inches from the unrolled cast on edge (4 inches from it rolled).
Work the Crown section of the Garter Brim Hat (above) through Round 15. (6 stitches)
Cut the yarn, and sew it through the remaining 6 stitches.
With Color B, use a Pom Pom Maker to make a pom pom. I used the smallest Susan Bates template and made the pom pom quite sparse so it wouldn’t be too heavy on the hat.
Bring each tail of the pom pom to the inside of the hat through a different hole. Tie a knot with the tails and weave them in.
Weave in the rest of the ends and gently block.
Striped Hat
With Color A, cast on 108 stitches.
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 1 six more times.
**With Color B, knit 2 rounds.
With Color A, knit 2 rounds.
Repeat from ** until piece measures 4 inches from the cast on edge, ending with the first round of either color. (For help with knitting stripes, check out the Knitting Stripes in the Round tutorial right here.)
Maintaining the stripe pattern, work the Crown section of the Garter Brim Hat (above) through Round 15. (6 stitches)
Cut the yarn, and sew it through the remaining 6 stitches.
Weave in the ends and gently block.
LEARN ABOUT LINE WEIGHT + ALL OUR BEAUTIFUL YARNS
Line Weight is a lovely choice for this project because it is sumptuously soft with a subtle luster. A lithe single ply of 100% merino wool, this fingering-weight yarn knits up into a smooth fabric that blooms beautifully when you hand wash it. Enjoy 494 yards of beautiful knitting with every 100-gram skein and choose from nearly 20 riveting colors!
More Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our collection of (mostly free!) Line Weight patterns and cast on!
More Fingering-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of fingering-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 yarn
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!
What lovely little hats and cozy looking yarn! I must try out both of these one day.
– Nizzy
The cord hat has a knit band, but your instructions say knit row, then purl row, that is stocking stitch. Don't get instructions for these hats!
Hi Sylvia-
These hats are knit in the round so you're not dealing with rows but with rounds. The "knit band" that you refer to is actually a section of garter stitch. When knitting in the round garter stitch is created by knitting 1 round and then purling 1 round. If you give it a shot you'll see what we mean!
Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Best-
Molly
Oh I see sorry, but I've never knitted in the round before, only with two needles. Will have to give this a try & see how it works out. Is it easy to knit in the round?
Hi Sylvia-
Knitting in the round is easy but it can take some getting used to! Have someone show you the basics in person or try searching for videos online to get started.
Thank you!
Molly
how can I make this larger for a toddler
These hats are so cute. Would there be any possibility of making them for 6months or a size one. We could even use your merino,
I can't wait to use this yarn! Any suggestions on how many stitches to cast on for a pair of matching newborn leg warmers? Or would this yarn even work for them? Thanks!
Hi Angela and Carole
Thank you for the suggestion. We'll keep the idea of sizing this pattern up in mind for next year!
Thank you!
Molly
ps- In the meantime you might want to check out this previous hat pattern. It comes in baby, toddler and child sizes!: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/the-purl-bee/2013/1/24/whits-knits-soft-and-sweet-hats.html
So I clicked on the link for the #2 12" circular needles, and you don't list 12". Are they out of stock?
Hi Mary-
Yes, we out at the moment. If you'd like to be emailed when they come back in stock please drop us a line at customerservice AT purlsoho DOT com
Thanks!
Molly
I really like the look of the Line Weight colour LOAM. But I need help – what should I use as a stripe with the LOAM?
Hi Cussot-
I think dark Loam would look beautiful with, storm gray, oyster gray, or heirloom white. They would all be very classic and have a bit more contrast than the examples we made.
Thank you!
Molly
Any chance there is modification for adult sizes? I'd be proud to wear the stripe or garter rimmed.
Hi Nina-
we don't have plans to adapt this pattern to an adult size at the moment. But please check out our gallery of hat patterns… perhaps you'll find something you like! https://www.purlsoho.com/create/hats-knitting/
Thank you!
Molly
These hats are so adorable! I have completed the garter brim hat and it came out so well! I have started the cute striped hat but am running into a problem (a problem I have had before when working a pattern in the round) – my stripes do not join perfectly at the seam. They appear to be one off. Is this at all avoidable? Is there an easy way to fix this or go about it differently? I am a self taught amateur so please forgive me if this is a silly question….
These baby hats are adorable!
Coudl I make them with two neeldes instead of cicular ones?? following the same instructions ???
Thanks,
D
Hi Kat,
Not a silly question at all! The basic answer is that you're not doing anything wrong. Stripes in the round do naturally create a "jog" at the "seam" because you're actually knitting in a spiral.
There is a common solution to this what-some-consider problem called the "jogless jog", a term that is very searchable on the internet. I choose to just accept the jog as a thing that happens when you knit stripes in the round!
By the way, here is a link to our Stripes in the Round Tutorial, in case you have more questions on the subject: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/knitting-tutorials-working-rnd/2013/2/19/stripes-in-the-round.html
Thanks so much for your question and please let us know if you have more!
Whitney
Hi Diana,
Sure, if you have a technique that you're comfortable with that uses two circular to knit in the round instead of one, then go for it!
Thanks for asking and good luck!
Whitney
Whitney I just love all of the newborn knitted hats you do, however unfortunately I only crochet. Is there any chance you could look at doing a crochet version for us? Just adore your work and thank you for sharing it.
Hi there,
I'd like to start on this hat, but have #2 circular needles with a 16-inch cord. This is my first hat, so I'm not sure if this will work with the 16-inch instead of the suggested 12-inch.
Also, I'm used to working with much bulkier yarn weights. Do you have any suggestions for working with the line weight?
Thanks!
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer-
Unfortunately this will not work with the 16-inch long needle because the hat is too small to fit around that length. You could do the entire hat on double pointed needles, which you need in addition to the 12-inch circular needles anyway.
The line weight is certainly a lot thinner than what it sounds like you're used to but it's very easy to work with. My only advice would be to make sure you're getting the correct gauge before you get started.
Please let us know if you have any more questions!
Molly
Hi there,
So, first of all, I love your line weight. It's beautiful. I'm excited to be knitting with it, but here's the thing– I've tried using it for both the Boyfriend Hat (I think that's what its called) and the baby hat and my gauge is off every time (I keep trying). Right now I've cast on for the striped baby hat and, with a US2 needle, both the ribbing and the stockinette are super open, not nice and tight like the one in your picture. Similar problem with the grownup hat. Help? What am I doing wrong?
Thank you,
Em
Hi Emily-
It doesn't sound like you're doing any thing wrong, The needle size listed in any pattern is always just a suggestion. You should use whatever size needles you need to achieve the correct gauge. I (Molly) am a very loose knitter so I usually go down two needle sizes to get the correct gauge.
(Also, be sure that you are measuring how many stitches you are getting per inch and not just going by the look of the stitches. The correct gauge for this pattern is 8 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch.)
It sounds like you should try using smaller needles (like a US 1), and if that doesn't work you might try wrapping your working yarn around your index finger to keep a tighter gauge as you go.
Thanks for getting in touch and good luck with the project!
Molly
These hats are precious and this yarn is delightful! I just finished the garter brim hat in oyster gray and ice blue. It knits up quickly and easily with great instructions. The link to the i-cord is also very helpful! The pattern and yarn were suggested to me during a recent trip to your shop. I'll be using the remaining yarn to make a newborn sweater. Thank you for your guidance and help!
Hi,
I just finished the striped hat for my newborn nephew, but now am dying to make a matching one for my 2 yr old. Could you suggest how to modify the size to fit her?
Thanks,
Courtney
Hi Courtney,
You should measure your two year old’s head and subtract an inch or two from that measurement, giving you x. Multiply x by your gauge (in this pattern, the gauge is 8), giving you y. Round y up or down to the nearest multiple of 9 and cast on that number.
You will also need to knit the body of hat a couple of more inches before you start the crown.
That’s it! Please let us know if you run into any problems along the way and thank you for your question!
Whitney
Hi! I am about halfway through the garter brim hat… It looks beautiful, except the brim is curling up on itself… Is that something I’ll fix with blocking once it’s off the needles, or am I doing something wrong??
Thanks!
Hi Anigayle-
The Garter Brim hat should not be curling (the Roll Brim hat will curl however). Please make sure that you are knitting one round and then purling one round for the garter section of the hat. If I am misunderstanding your question please feel free to send us a snapshot of the hat and we can try to figure out what’s going on: purlbee AT purlsoho DOT com.
Thank you!
Molly
Were these Garter Brim Hat & Striped Hat toddler patterns made available? I need instructions for a 6 month old and his 3 year old brother.
I also love the yarn, but must I purchase the the almost 500 yard skeins? I just need to make 2 hats.
Should I use a different weight yarn for toddlers vs newborns?
I love your site, just found it and looking forward to knitting your designs.
Thank you.
Hi Sylvia,
No, we have not written this pattern for other sizes, but I have advised readers to measure the recipient’s head and subtract an inch or two from that measurement, giving you x. Multiply x by your gauge (in this pattern, the gauge is 8), giving you y. Round y up or down to the nearest multiple of 9 and cast on that number.
For bigger size hats, be sure to also knit the body of hat longer before you start the crown.
As far as yarn goes, this fingering weight is nice for any age, but it is not the warmest option, better for fall and spring than winter! Most fingering weight yarns come in very generous skeins, so there aren’t options for significantly shorter skeins, but we do have several Line Weight projects that you could make with your leftovers: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/category/knit/projects-knit/purl-soho-yarn-projects-knit/line-weight-projects-knit/
Please let us know if you have any more questions and thank you for these!
Whitney
Hello, Purl Bee.
I was wondering if it is possible to knit this hat on 16-inch circulars. I’m just trying to avoid buying another set of needles if I don’t have to. I have #2 16-inch needles, but I don’t have the 12-inch ones called for in the pattern. I assume I probably could do it and switch to DPNs sooner. I suppose I could knit the whole hat on 8-inch DPNs, but I really don’t want to have to do that!
Thank you – these are super adorable and I imagine knit up quickly, which is what I’m looking for.
Pilar
Hi Pilar,
I think a 16-inch needle would be a tight squeeze, but try it! If it doesn’t work out, yes, you can always switch to double pointed needles.
Good luck with your little hats and thanks for your question!
Whitney
What size length US#2 double pointed needles?
Hi Lauretta-
Either 6 or 8 inch long double pointed needles will work here but we’d recommend the 6-inch ones since they will be less bulky.
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
Will 6″ long DPNs be long enough to knit an entire adult-sized hat from brim to top? I have very small hands so I’m trying to purchase the shortest DPNs possible for knitting adult hats and berets. Thank you!
Hi Laura!
I have a hard time imagining that 6″ double points will be comfortable at all for an adult hat. Using 3 needles with a 4th working needle, you get only 18″ total of space to hold the stitches on. I think you’d find that stitches would fall off the needles a lot! You could possibly fit the hat on four 6″ DPNs and use a 5th as your working needle, but I usually find that a little harder to control.
I would suggest 8″ DPNs if you want to make the whole hat on them!
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
Love this hat as pictured on Ravelry, but could not find Purl Soho line weight in what I thought was the multicolored yarn seen there. Did you use several different colors in intarsia technique? Please advise! Many thanks…
.
Hi Kate-
All of the materials for the hats pictured here are listed in the “Materials” section of the pattern, and they are all solid colors. It sounds like you saw a photo that someone else posted to Ravelry of this pattern made with a different yarn. The line weight doesn’t come in any multi colors. But if you want to send me the photo in question we would be happy to try and figure out what yarn was used. You can email us directly at purlbee AT purlsoho DOT com
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
Hi Molly, two quick questions, why increase by multiples of 9? I’ve increased 24 stitches to give me an extra 3 inches and plan on reducing 12 on two rounds [with a K row between] (K9, k2tog and then K8 k2tog) to get me back to the start of your crown section? Is there enough yarn on a Madelinetosh unicorn tail for colour b? The pattern doesn’t say yarn weight. Thanks Hannah
Hi Hannah!
Your plan might work, but I’m unsure if the k2togs from your extra decrease rounds will line up with the crown decreases. By using a multiple of 9 it is very easy to make the decreases line up to the decreases we have written for the crown. For every 9 stitches you’ve added, simply add one to the “K7” in the first of your decreases. E.g. If you have increased the hat by 18, then your first decrease round will be *K9, k2tog*.
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
If I increase to cast on 135 sts would I still do *K9, k2tog* ? What about 144 sts?
Hi Omi,
Thanks for writing us! Both these cast on numbers work for K9, K2tog because they are both divisible by nine. Best of luck!
-Adam
I know this isn’t going to make a big difference size-wise, but when you say knit 4 inches from the cast on edge, do you include the stitches on the needle (ie: include the needle in the measurement) or do you measure from right below the needle?
Hi Tamar!
I usually include the stitches on the needles. To be honest, 1 row difference in the measurement isn’t terribly significant, so you can choose whether or not to include that row!
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
I just finished knitting the garter brim hat & the instructions say to gently block. I’m a pretty new knitter & have never blocked before. I googled blocking & it seems like there are several types – wet, steam, etc. What do you recommend for this hat?
Thanks!
Hi Tamar,
There are indeed many different ways of blocking! Since we say to “gently” block, you can probably just do a little hand blocking, or lay the project flat and spritz it with water. Check out the options we mention at this tutorial.
Thanks for your question!
Thomas
What is the finished height of the garter brim hat? I’m using a heavier weight yarn (5 rows=1″) and if the hat will be too tall if I start shaping the crown after 4″. I think I’d end up with a hat that’s 7″ tall. Is that too tall for a newborn?
Hello Elise!
You’re correct! The hat will be too tall for a newborn sized head. The entire hat is only 5″ from the cast on edge to the top of the crown. I would recommend starting the decreasing much earlier than 4″ from the cast on. Let us know if you have more questions, you’re definitely on the right track!
Happy knitting!
-Alyson
I just finished the striped hat and added an I-loop to the top. Looks really cute if anyone else was thinking about it! I just combined both hat colors into my I-loop–really easy to do and makes it easier for weaving too.
Is there a PDF version of these lovely hats?
Hi Kathryn,
Thank you for the comment! You can download the PDF of the pattern if you click the print icon on the right hand side of the screen. It will prompt you to print the pattern but you can save it to your computer by clicking the PDF icon as well.
Happy Knitting!
Jake
I am making the newborn hats but wanted to make them in slightly different sizes for the baby as he?she grows. The patten says to cast on 108; can you tell me how to increase for a slightly larger hat?
Thanks!
Hi Eileen,
Thank you for the comment! If you want to make this hat slightly larger I would cast on an additional multiple of 12 stitches. So to smallest increase in size I would recommend doing would be to cast on 120 stitches and then do an extra repeat of the crown decreases [which is one round *k7, k2tog repeat from * to end of round and then one knit round]. For every additional set of 12 stitches casted on you will do that many repeats of the 2 decrease rounds. I think that should work out well to accommodate the shaping.
I hope this helps and feel free to respond if you have anymore questions!
Good Luck!
Jake
Thank you for the beautiful patterns, can’t wait to knit.
Dear Purl Bee,
Thank you for the free pattern. I have a new grandchild arriving in January and I think that sweet doggie will make a nice addition to the nursery.
Happy Autumn!
I am super new to knitting. I am doing the Garter hat. I CO 108 stitches and have done the next three steps.. I just feel like it looks way too big for a newborn? Maybe I’m just assuming too soon and should keep going?
Hello Cortney!
It sounds like you have been doing everything correctly! Have you had a chance to check your gauge? The hat is meant to be a finished size of 13.5 inches in circumference–which is the average size of a newborn head, but you’re right, it may be too large for some newborn heads. Hopefully, even if its a little too big they can grow into it!
Happy knitting! -Alyson
I just want to thank you for these patterns. They are wonderful! I’ve made four of the striped hat (two with 4-row stripes that are so fun) and one of the garter brim hat. They have fit the babies perfectly with just the right amount of stretch. One baby did have a teeny head, but grew into it quickly–as babies do. Can’t stop knitting these. I love them, and I am a sucker for this Line Weight yarn. Next up on my list is Giacomo’s Baby Hat. Can’t wait. Thank you!
We’re so happy these patterns have worked so well for you! Enjoy! -Alyson
Hello Kylie!
Thanks so much for the kind words! We’re so glad that you enjoyed this pattern. Keep up the great work! -Alyson
This pattern calls for a 12″ size 2 circular needle but I am only able to find one in a 16″ length which doesn’t seem to work Any suggestions? Thanks
Hi Margo,
Thanks for your question! We carry 12″ US 2 needles. They can be found here: https://www.purlsoho.com/addi-turbo-circular-needles.html
You can also use US 2 double pointed needles for the entire hat if you would prefer. They can be found here: https://www.purlsoho.com/tools/knitting-needles/double-pointed-bamboo-knitting-needles.html
If you are unfamiliar with working with double pointed needles, we have a tutorial to help you along.
Happy knitting!
-Cassy
Such a cute pattern. I’ll be making the trio in a dark and light pink colour for a coworker who is having a daughter in April. I’m buying yarn outside of Purl Soho (sorry!) and I’m wondering what the approximate yardage used is so I make sure to buy enough.
Thank you!
Hi Marnie,
Thanks for writing in! Each hat uses between 115 and 120 yards of our Line Weight.
Happy knitting!
-Cassy
I have half a skein leftover of your worsted twist I’d love to use to make a newborn hat. Would it be possible for the brimmed hat? Do you have a modified cast on for with worsted twist?
Hi, Laura!
Thank you very much for writing in! Sorry about the delayed response! To make a newborn hat with your Worsted Twist, I recommend following our pattern for our Classic Cuffed Hat (https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2014/10/22/classic-cuffed-hat/). I think the ribbing on the cuff of this hat will form better to the baby’s head than doing the garter brim from the Hats for Newborns pattern. I think if you did a garter brim in the Worsted Twist the brim might be loose.
Please let us know if you have further questions!
Best,
Kumeko
If I want to make these hats for an older baby, I guess I should do it in increments of 12? I see the comments that the hat is too big for a newborn, but it’s for my niece’s baby and they live overseas, and I would hate to go to all the expense of mailing it only to find it’s too small. I would like her to be able to wear the hat when she is 10-12 months. If 13.5 inches is the average size of a newborn, do you have corresponding measurements for older babies?
Hello, Alia!
Thank you for writing in! The best way to modify this pattern would be to measure the recipient’s head and subtract an inch or two from that measurement, giving you x. Multiply x by your gauge (in this pattern, the gauge is 8), giving you y. Round y up or down to the nearest multiple of 9 and cast on that number. You will also need to knit the body of hat a couple of more inches before you start the crown.
Since you are not sure what sized head you’ll be knitting for I would aim for 16.5-inches (which is the circumference of my 6 month old’s head) to 17-inches.
Please let us know if you have further questions!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Hello,
I just completed the “Stripe Hat” and the instructions now say to gently block it. This is my first time making this hat, and I am not familiar with blocking a hat. What is involved with gentle blocking?
Thank you.
Cynthia
Hello, Cynthia!
Thank you for writing in! We have a wonderful tutorial on blocking, you can find it here. If you have further questions please let us know!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Hello!
I have cast on the garter trim hat twice with size 2 7″ dpns. My circumference is closer to 17 inches rather than the 13 1/2 inches the pattern says it should be. I am using a sport weight yarn rather than the fingering weight the pattern calls for. Should I decrease the amount of cast on stitches, and if so, is there a quick formula for figuring out how to change the decreases and when? Thank you! Noell
Hi Noelle,
Thanks for writing us. Because you are using a thicker yarn your stitches per inch will be less, even on a US 2. I think you should do a gauge swatch in the round in order to determine your stitches per inch and then multiply your stitches per inch by the desired finished bottom edge circumference. This take a little more time but is worth it in the end!
Good luck!
Adam
Thank you, Adam, I will try that!
Noell
You are all so very clever
I`m look for a free pattern for a new born in a knitted hat that is easy and two needs and ties under the chin. Can any one help me. I`m senior and don`t knit that well lol
Hi Diann,
Thanks for writing in! We do have a baby bonnet pattern that is knit flat (although we did use circular needles to knit it flat) that also has under the chin ties. It may be a little tricky to accomplish on straight needles as there are a lot of stitches on the needles but it is doable. It is called Baby Bonnet and the pattern can be found here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2012/03/25/whits-knits-baby-bonnet/
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi- could I use the 2ply jade sapphire cashmere for this project? Thanks!!
Hi Christine,
Thanks for the question! You certainly can and it would make such a lovely hat! Best of luck!
-Adam
Hi,
These hats look lovely. I have some left over lovely soft alpaca wool that I’ve used with US size 6 needles before. Would it work to follow the pattern but with this chunkier wool & larger needle size? Will it just turn out a bit bigger?! (which would be fine the baby is 3 months old)… Sorry for my ignorance here …. 😉 Many thanks, L
Hi Layla,
Thanks for writing us. If you followed the pattern with your yarn, you’d get more of an adult size hat. I suggest you take 20-30 stitches off the cast on based on your stitch gauge. If you are at six stitches per inch, take off 20 and at five stitches per inch you should take off 30. Your decreases will differ from the pattern, but as long as you divide them up equally you should be fine! Best of luck and happy knitting!
-Adam
Just wanting to know if this is for a 4 ply pattern?
Thanks.
Hi Kaye,
Thanks for writing in! Our Line Weight is a light fingering weight with a gauge of 7 – 8.5 stitches per inches. On the UK scale, this would make it a 2 or 3 ply yarn. You may be able to use a 4 ply but I would certainly knit a gauge swatch to be sure that you can get the 8 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch required for these lovely little hats!
Best,
Cassy
Hi!
Wondering what type of cast on you used for the garter edge on the striped hat. I’ve tried two types and they don’t resemble your version. Thanks!
Lee
Hi Lee,
Thanks for writing in! Unless otherwise notes, we use the Long Tail Cast On for most of our projects! We think that it makes a tidy and elastic cast on!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Eager to try these–have a new great-nephew!
Eager to try a few of these patterns. Have a new great-nephew!
I love the neutral color combination you show here – Oyster Gray and Storm Gray. But you don’t seem to have the Storm Gray any more. What would your recommend instead?
Thanks!
Laraine
Hi Laraine,
Thanks for writing in! I think that good replacement for Storm Gray would be Fieldstone Gray!
Best,
Cassy
Hello,
I’m interested in making the Garter Brim Hat, but I was wondering if you could help me size it down for a preemie?
Thank you,
Nicole
Hi Nicole,
Thanks for writing in! What a lovely project! I did a touch of research and I see that preemie heads can vary pretty dramatically in size from as small as 5 inches up to 11-13 inches. Unfortunately we don’t have the resources to customize patterns, but this pattern is quite easy to manipulate. I can suggest that you can subtract multiples of 9 stitches to get a smaller circumference hat. I am not sure what the best measurements for a preemie hat would be but I do know that there is a lot of information out there about preemie hats and projects that could be helpful for sizing!
Best of luck to you!
Cassy
I would like to make this pattern in a 6-9month
Do you have a pattern
Thanks
Hello Therese,
Thank you for reaching out! No, we have not written this pattern for other sizes, but you could measure the recipient’s head and subtract an inch or two from that measurement, giving you x. Multiply x by your gauge (in this pattern, the gauge is 8), giving you y. Round y up or down to the nearest multiple of 9 and cast on that number.
For bigger size hats, be sure to also knit the body of hat longer before you start the crown.
I hope this helps and let us know if you have any further questions!
-Marilla
Does anyone have any experience or advice about sizing this down for a premature baby? I’ve been asked to knit some hats for a baby in the NICU.
Thanks!
Kelly
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for writing in, and what a lovely gift to knit! These hats work with any multiple of 9 stitches, so for a preemie, you could start with 82 or 90 stitches and work to one inch or a half inch less before beginning the crown shaping.
Best of luck and happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi there, I have attempted to start this project an embarrassing amount of times! My biggest problem is issues with the yarn falling off the needles constantly, dropping stitches, etc. I find the yarn really hard to pick up with the Turbos I’m using, which is a problem I’ve not ever had with the bamboo needles. I’ve done an adult size hat with sport weight yarn and didn’t have this issue, so I’m stumped… do you have any suggestions for troubleshooting?
Hello Amelia,
This sounds incredibly frustrating- we have all been there! Are you knitting with circular knitting needles or dpns? If you are using circular needles what cord length are you using? Bamboo needles are less slippery than metal needles so this could also be a factor. I will also say that with such small yarn the first few rows are always the most difficult to control.
I hope this helpful and I hope I can help further! Let us know how you progress.
Warmly,
Marilla
Is it possible to use your posy yarn for this project? I would like a yarn that is machine washable.
Thanks,
Jan
Hi Jan
Thanks for writing in! Posy would be a great substitute for this project! I would still recommend doing a gauge swatch just to make sure, but I think you will be fine!
Happy knitting
Jessica
I’m having a hard time finding a size 2 circular needle in 12″. Any suggestions? The link in the pattern is Page Not Found and the shortest length you have online is 16″
Thanks!!
Hi Karen,
Unfortunately, it looks like we don’t carry size 2 needles in 12″ anymore but I have a couple of suggestions for you. You could work with two circular needles to accommodate the smaller circumference. I would also recommend taking a look at our Addi FlexFlips. With these needles, you will divide the stitches evenly between two needles and knit with the third, similar to how you would use DPNs.
I hope this helps.
Happy knitting,
Oscar
Could you recommend a needle size for this hat if using Good Wool yarn?
Hi Jen,
Thanks for writing in! This hat was written for a fingering weight yarn, so I’m afraid that Good Wool isn’t the best choice for it. The gauge is quite small (8 stitches per inch), so if knit up in Good Wool, the resulting knit fabric will be very, very dense. If you’re still interested in aiming for a small gauge, then I’d recommend knitting up a gauge swatch with Good Wool to determine which needle size you should use! Alternatively, you could consider knitting one of our hat patterns designed for sportweight yarn instead.
All the best,
Lili