For as long as I can remember, every Sunday my grandmother makes fresh pasta from scratch, and every Sunday she uses the same metal pasta maker she got as a wedding anniversary gift from my grandfather in 1961. When we press her to upgrade to a new machine, she always responds, “It’s hard to improve on a classic!”

Classic Cuffed Hat | Purl Soho

I revisited the truth in my grandmother’s words when I set out to make this winter’s hat. How could I improve on a classic winter hat? Very little, and so my pondering ended with these Classic Cuffed Hats, as reliable and perfectly timeless as a 1961 pasta maker!

Classic Cuffed Hat | Purl Soho

To ensure a design that would last a half a century, I made a couple of important decisions. First, I used a Long Tail Tubular Cast On, a simple technique that makes a magically clean and elastic foundation for the ribbed cuff. My new Long Tail Tubular Cast On Tutorial walks you through this method, step by step.

Classic Cuffed Hat | Purl Soho

Second, I chose a yarn that I think of as an instant classic, Purl Soho’s 100% merino Worsted Twist. With 12 gorgeous new colors joining our palette, we couldn’t pick just one, so we made a hat in every new color! What color will you choose for your Classic Cuffed Hat? – Gina

Update: October 2014

Classic Cuffed Hat | Purl Soho

We gave our recent Classic Cuffed Hats a dash of pepper with our Worsted Twist Heather! The colors, above, for the adult size are Ash Gray with a Dijon Yellow pom pom; and for the baby size are Dijon Yellow with an Oyster Gray pom pom (which is a regular Worsted Twist color).

Update: January 2015

This pattern continues to impress us. We’ve now tried it out in our Merino Script! For the full story and additional photos, you can check out the post by clicking here!

Materials

Classic Cuffed Hat | Purl Soho

Classic Cuffed Hat | Purl Soho

Baby Size, left, from top to bottom: Paprika Red, Pink Grapefruit, Ochre Yellow and Yellow Zest

Kid Size, center, from top to bottom: Lichen Green, Green Turquoise, Pistachio Green, and Cardamom Green

Adult Size, right, from top to bottom: Gray Fig, Green Gray, Moody Green, and Black Green

Gauge

Body: 20 stitches x 28 rounds = 4 x 4 inches in stockinette stitch on larger needle

Ribbing: 24 stitches x 32 rounds = 4 x 4 inches in 1 x 1 rib (unstretched) on smaller needle

Sizes

Baby (Kid, Adult)

  • Finished Body Circumference: 15 (17, 18 1/2) inches
  • Finished Ribbing Circumference (unstretched): 12 (13, 14) inches
  • Finished Height (not including pom pom): 9 ½ (11, 12 ¼) inches

Notes

For this hat I used the nice and stretchy Long Tail Tubular Cast On. For our Long Tail Tubular Cast On Tutorial click here.

If you find yourself overwhelmed or intimidated by the Long Tail Tubular Cast On, just use a regular Long Tail Cast On (or whatever elastic cast-on method you feel comfortable with). Your hat will be just as classic and functional! If you do use a regular Long Tail Cast On, join to work in the round and proceed directly from the Ribbing section of the pattern.

Pattern

Begin

With the straight needle (or the larger circular needles, if you wish), use a Tubular Cast On to cast on 72 (80, 88) stitches. The first stitch you cast on, after the beginning slipknot, should be a purl stitch. Turn the work and do not join.

With the same needle, work two Foundation Rows, as explained in our Long Tail Tubular Cast On Tutorial:

Row 1: *K1 through the back loop, slip 1 with yarn in front, repeat from * to end of row. Turn.

Row 2: *K1, slip 1 with yarn in front, repeat from * to end of row. Do not turn.

Rib the Cuff

Using the smaller  circular needles, place a marker and join to work in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.

Round 1: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 3 (3 1/2, 4) inches from cast on edge.

Work the Body

Continuing with larger circular needles, work in stockinette stitch (knit every stitch) until piece measures 8 (8 ¾, 9 ¾) from cast on edge.

Shape the Crown

NOTE: Change to double pointed needles when necessary.

Round 1: [k1, ssk, k13 (15, 17), k2tog, place a marker that is a different color than the end-of-round marker] three times, k1, ssk, k13 (15, 17), k2tog. [64 (72, 80) stitches]

Round 2: Knit.

Round 3: [K1, ssk, knit to 2 stitches before marker, k2tog, slip marker] four times. [8 stitches decreased]

Repeat Rounds 2 and 3 until 16 (16, 16) stitches remain.

Final Round: [K2tog] 8 times. [8 (8, 8) stitches]

Finish

Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail. Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle, sew it through the remaining stitches and pull tight. Bring the tail to the inside of the hat and weave it in. Weave in any remaining ends.

Pom Pom

Using the Medium (Large, Large) pom pom maker, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to make 1 pom pom. Use sharp scissors to trim the pom pom to 2 (2 ½, 3) inches diameter. Attach securely at crown. Here’s how…

You should have 2 long tails coming from the pom pom. Thread 1 tail through a tapestry needle. Insert the tapestry needle through the very top of the hat, directly to one side of the closure at the crown. Pull the tail through to the inside. Repeat with the other tail, this time inserting the needle on the opposite side of the closure at the crown. Turn the hat inside out. Firmly tie the two tails together in a tight double knot. Thread both tails onto the tapestry needle and bring the needle through the crown and up through the center of the pom pom. Trim the tails to the same length as the rest of the pom pom.

Now enjoy your Classic Cuffed Hat!

Classic Cuffed Hat | Purl Soho