Snow Day Hat in New Colors
A white backdrop of snowy streets is the perfect place to throw in a splash of color. And with over a dozen new colors in its palette, Super Soft Merino has us excited for the snow days ahead!
For our quick and fun Snow Day Hat, we used two strands of Super Soft Merino held together to create an eye-catching marled fabric. From bright and cheery Yellow Yellow to subtle Lavender Opal, a dash of color in a big, simple hat really makes a statement.
If you love the yarn used in this project, you’ll love all of our other yarn, too! Explore our 35+ lovingly created yarn collections, in nearly every natural fiber and spectacular color you can imagine… Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn shop!
Super Soft Merino was our very first Purl Soho yarn, and we love it as much today as we did four years ago. It is our go-to for winter knitting, and I can’t imagine a better companion in this year’s snowy weather than our Snow Day Hat! -Jake
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Jake Canton, based on the original design by Gina Rockenwagner. Click here to see even more of Jake’s designs!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoSnowDayHat, and #PurlSohoSuperSoftMerino. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 2 skeins of Purl Soho’s Super Soft Merino, 100% merino wool yar. Each skein of this bulky weight yarn is 87 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 144 (174) yards required, in two different colors. We used, pictured above from top to bottom…
- Heirloom White + Rose Granite, Adult size
- Heirloom White + Lavender Moon, Adult size
- Heirloom White + Ballet Pink, Kid size
- Heirloom White + Honey Pink, Kid size
- Heirloom White + Yellow Yellow, Kid size
- Heirloom White + Turmeric Yellow, Kid size
- US 15 (10mm), 16-inch circular needles
- A set of US 15 double pointed needles
- 1 stitch marker
- Purl Soho’s Pom Pom Maker Set, size Extra Large + Jumbo
Gauge
10 stitches = 4 inches in k1 x p1 rib, with yarn doubled
Sizes
Kid (Adult): To fit head sizes up to 20 (23) inches in circumference
- Finished Circumference (relaxed): 12 (16) inches
- Finished Height (not including pom pom): 9 ½ (12 ½) inches
- Pom Pom Diameter: 3 ½ (4) inches
Pattern
For the free pattern, please visit our original Snow Day Hat story.
LEARN ABOUT SUPER SOFT MERINO + ALL OUR BEAUTIFUL YARNS
The best reason to use Super Soft Merino for this project is because it is the dreamiest, cuddliest, toastiest yarn you can imagine! A single ply of 100% merino wool, Super Soft Merino has a nice, loose spin that shows off the softness of its fiber and keeps it nice and lightweight. Its gauge ranges from a chunky/bulky weight to super bulky weight (2.75-3.25 stitches per inch), making it a great choice for quick (and beautiful!) hand-knit gifts. And more… Super Soft Merino comes in over 30 amazing colors, too!
More Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our vast collection of (mostly free!) Super Soft Merino knitting patterns and cast on!
More Chunky/Bulky + Super Bulky-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of chunky/bulky weight yarns
- Shop our entire collection of super bulky 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
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!
Great and easy pattern. Thanks.
Is this hat only for kids, or is there an adult version. I saw this exact same style hat, a little bit thicker, with pom pom at Saks in wool for $210 dollars on Friday. I wore my Gradient Cowl in the linen quill yarn, going to Rockafella Center to photograph the Christmas Tree, and Angels. Then went to photograph the Saks Christmas windows, they had a Nutcracker theme this year. I always go in to look at the hats, and scarves. Sales girl really liked my cowl.
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for writing in! This pattern is written with a kid’s size and an adult’s size. You should be go to go to make your hat! We are so glad that cowl is a stunner!
Best,
Cassy
Will it take two full skeins to make an adult hat or will there be enough left over to make another?
Hi Rose,
Thanks for writing in! For the adult version of this hat, you will use almost all, if not all of the yarn. For a second hat, I would recommend purchasing another 2 skeins!
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Oh So Cute!
I am in the middle of making this hat and love it so far! This is the first hat I’ve made and I’m a little stuck on the decrease. I cast on 38 stitches and was wondering how I should decrease it. Thanks!
Hi Madeline,
Thank you for the question! The decreases are all SSK and K2tog. When and where to do these decreases are in the original pattern. Thanks!
-Adam
Cassy I love your hats one problem though could you recommend some other yarn to buy? as I am allergic to wool
Hi Arlene,
Thank you for the question! I suggest three strands of Blue Sky Worsted Cotton. Unfortunately we do not sell a non-wool yarn in this weight. Hope you like the recommendation and please let me know if you have any other questions!
-Adam
I’d love to make this hat for a baby but I’m unsure what ages the kid size is appropriate for. Any guidance would be fab!!
Hi Erica,
Thanks for the question! I think the kid size is made for toddlers and up. Since this is a ribbed hat, it fits an array of head sizes. Thanks!
-Adam
Thank you!
Hello I just started knitting, please can you tell me what does, Ssk stand for in the pattern. Sorry if it is a funny question. Tks
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for writing in and welcome to knitting! Ssk stands for slip slip knit and is a way to decrease a stitch. We have a tutorial on how to work a ssk and it can be found here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2013/08/13/slip-slip-knit-ssk/
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hi!
I’d like to make this for two different people. I’m curious if this pattern uses the full skeins of yarn or if I could get two adult hats out of the two skeins combined (Does that make sense)? Essentially, should I order one of each color or two of each color for two hats?
Thanks!
Hi Kelsey,
Thanks for writing in! The adult size of this hat uses almost all of the two skeins of Super Soft Merino. For two adult hats, you will need 4 skeins of the yarn.
Happy knitting!
Cassy
When I try to knit using two strands like with this pattern, my two strands twist up relentlessly and it drives me crazy. Am I doing something wrong?
Hi Suzanna,
Thanks for writing in! There is some yarn management to do when you knit with 2 strands. I find that it can be helpful to wind the two strands together so that they are already together while you are knitting. That said, if they twist around each other, that should not seriously effect the end look of the hat!
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
I’d love to make this hat for a baby. Can you tell me what ages the “kid” size typically fits? Any advice for adapting to a baby size?
Hi Erica,
Thanks for writing us! The kid’s size is for a toddler or a young kid, but you can easily adapt the pattern for a baby by casting on less stitches. Since there isn’t any difficult decreasing in this pattern you can adjust the cast on in multiples of two. Best of luck!
-Adam
I just made this hat and I LOVE it! I used the Heirloom White with Sea Salt – gorgeous! So soft and warm too. Both of my daughters now want one :0)
Love this hat pattern! Fast and easy. Makes great gifts because the adult size fits everyone.
Hi! My head circumference measures 21 inches. How many stitches should I cast on for the snow day hat pattern? I fear the 23 inch adult size might be too big. I just bought the yarn you recommended in the pattern. Thank you!I
Hi Alexandra,
Thanks for the question. The Kid size hat will do. You definitely want the circumference to be at least an inch or two smaller than your actual head measurement. Happy knitting!
All the best,
Adam
Hello, I’m about to put in an order of super soft merino to make a hat for each of my kids but I am confused about the pom pom. The material list calls for the extra large pom pom maker, but in the pattern there seem to be two pom pom sizes – which clover pom pom should I order? The large that seems to come with two sizes, or the extra large? I will make three kids hats and possible one adult hat. Thank you so much in advance!
Hi Pastille,
It really is a matter of preference on what size Pom Pom you would like to do, I personally would do the large you would have more to play with and the option of going smaller if you would like.
I hope this helps,
Melissa
Can two skeins make more than one kid size hat?
Hi Betsy,
After knitting one kid sized hat there won’t be much Super Soft Merino left over, especially if you are adding a pompom. I would recommend buying extra yarn for your second hat!
Best,
Carly
Hi Purl Bee,
What a great pattern – I’ve already made your boyfriend hat but love the pom pom on this so want to give it a try! Is there a substitute yarn that you would recommend if I wanted to go for a (just slightly) less bulky take on this in an equally warm and soft material? I’m perfectly happy to go monochrome if it makes a difference.
If there is, how would this effect the pattern?
Many thanks for any advice you have!
Kate
Hello Kate,
Thank you for reaching out and your kind words! If you go with a less bulky yarn and stick with the same needles the hat will be a bit smaller and the stitches will be a bit looser. If you go down in needle size the texture will be closer but the hat will come out even smaller. You can definitely experiment with this to get the fit and look you want.
If you would like to go slightly smaller with a yarn that is even softer the best option, in my opinion, would be 12 ply Cashmere by Jade Sapphire. Another option could be to just knit our Super Soft Merino held single strand rather than double and use this Hat Pattern as a guide for cast on numbers.
I hope this helps!
Warmly,
Marilla
Does this need tp be done with double pointed needles. I have trouble working with them.
Hi Ruth,
Thanks for writing in! Towards the top, it will be necessary to switch to double points as the number of stitches and the circumference reduce. There is a method called magic loop that lets you knit a small circumference with longer needles. At present we do not have a tutorial for this technique but there are quite a few on YouTube. Additionally, you will be using DPNs for a rather short amount of time at the top of the hat. This may make using them a bit easier as it is just for a few rows.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hello,
I’m just wondering if instead of using 2 strands of the super soft merino, if you could just use one strand of the gentle giant yarn? Would the hat end up being the same bulkiness?
Hi Elyse,
Yes using gentle giant for the Snow Day hat should get you the same bulkiest, I would try a gauge swatch first to see if you like the heaviness of the yarn.
I hope this helps,
Melissa
Hi Do you recommend wet blocking this hat after it’s completed?
Thanks
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for writing in! This hat may not require blocking as it generally looks pretty lovely fresh off the needles. If you would like to block it, I would suggest steam blocking rather than wet blocking it. Given the density and twist of the yarn, wet blocking may take away some of the loft of the finished yarn and it would take a good long time to dry out. Giving the hat a good steam will even out your stitches while maintaining the look and drying far more swiftly!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I knitted this toque as per the instructions however it did not have a ribbed brim at the bottom like your photo does. I’m wondering what my error may have been or if I’m missing a step?
Thanks.
Hello Chelsea,
Thank you for writing in! This whole hat is knit in a rib so if you would like a brim you simply fold the brim of the hat to create a cuff. I hope this clears things up and please let know if you have any further questions.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I really want to try this pattern but the Heirloom White color is out of stock! Can you suggest another color to go with the Artemisia Green? Thank you!
Hello Noelle,
Thank you for reaching out! I think that this hat would be lovely in Artemisia Green and Timeless Navy for a high contrast look or with oatmeal gray for a more subtle look. I hope this helps and let us know if you have any further questions!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
So adorable I’m up to 6 grand kids and can’t wait to surprise them with them..
If I was going to make this hat using other yarns and want to keep the look and weight consistent, what weight class is the Super Soft Merino yarn used here? Is it a weight 5 Bulky Yarn or 6 Super Bulky?
Hi jessica,
Thanks for reaching out! Super Soft Merino knits up to 11-13 stitches over 4 inches which makes it a bulky yarn. On the Craft Yarn Council’s weight system it would be between a 5 and a 6.
Best,
Cassy
Hi there!
Greate pattern :)… I want to ask you: have you used all yarn on one hat? I want to knit two hats, this is why I’m asking 🙂
Thanks!
Hi Ana,
Thanks for writing in! For this hat for the adult size, we used pretty much all of the two skeins of yarn to make the hat along with the pom pom. With that in mind, for two hats you will need 2 skeins for each hat for a total of 4 skeins!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Thank you very much! 🙂
Happy knitting to you too!
J’aimerais tricoter une tuque au point côte
Hello
I’m making the snowy day hat and would love a bulky mitten to go along with it, can you suggest a pattern ?
Thanks
Karen
Hi Karen,
Thanks for reaching out! Although we don’t have a pattern that would work with two strands of Super Soft Merino held together, our Ancient Stitch Mittens are written for a single strand of Super Soft Merino and would look lovely with the Snow Day Hat worked either in Heirloom White or your chosen contrast color.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
I made this hat for my daughter several years ago and she loves it, but recently it looks a bit bedraggled – especially the pompon. How can I revitalize the yarn in this hat?
Hi Julia,
Great question! Single ply yarns like Super Soft Merino are a bit delicate and show signs of wear easily, but removing the surface pills and fuzz with a tool like a Gleener can improve the appearance of the hat significantly. For the pom pom, I would try trimmming it all around with a pair of sharp scissors, but if it still looks worn, you can always carefully remove the pom pom and replace it with a new one.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Hi,
Can you tell me if the Pom Pom maker that I just purchased in the Pom Pom kit is the right size for this pattern? I am not seeing the measurements for “extra large Pom Pom maker” . Sorry if I missed it. Also I do not think the maker is so optional. I LOVE it!! It makes such a perfect pompom(s)!!!
Thanks 🙂
Hi Robin,
Thanks so much for the kind words and for writing in – we’re so glad you love your pom pom maker! Our Pom Pom Kit only includes our Small + Large set, which goes up to a 2.5″ diameter. For this hat, we used our new Jumbo maker, from our Extra Large + Jumbo set, which goes up to a 4″ diameter. You can pick up the new size of our pom pom makers by clicking right here!
Best,
Julianna
Should the cast-on be just like any other cast-on for a hat? Not too loose, not too tight? Or is it ok if it’s slightly on the tighter side?
Thanks for the help!
Hello Natalie,
Thanks for reaching out! If your cast on is to tight it will take away stretch in your brim. Keeping this in mind, I recommend not casting on to tight.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Do you have any yarn types with a color similar to ‘Rose Granite?’ I see that Rose Granite is not available anymore in super soft merino, but I love the color so much.
Hi Andrea!
Thank you for your comment! The only other yarn type we have in Rose Granite specifically is Linen Quill. Keep in mind this is a fingering weight yarn, so it’s much too thin to use as a substitute for this pattern, but the color is available there if you want to add it into your stash somehow!
If you are looking to stay in the pattern yarn, our Super Soft Merino in Sea Salt or Ballet Pink are the closest matches we currently carry. Hope this is useful!
Kindly,
Margaret
Hi there, friends at Purl Soho! I am just about finished making this hat in the adult size… and can barely get it on my head. I did get gauge, so that possibility is sorted; it is even quite tight on my 11- and 8-year olds’ heads. Perhaps it stretches over time? Mostly I am writing in the hopes that, if others have experienced this issue, you might consider regrading the sizes so other knitters might be saved the disappointment. I don’t think the merino will survive frogging… I am open to other ideas though.
Thanks,
Katie
Hi Katie,
Thank you for writing in although we are sorry to hear your hat did not fit! Could you please share the gauge of your hat after you finished and tried it on? This could help us visualize what might have gone wrong.
I will keep an eye out for your reply!
All the best,
Gavriella