Our Lovely Ribbed Hat may take its cue from the classic watchman cap, but you don’t have to be a stevedore to wear this perfectly constructed little head warmer!
Our version retains the soul of the ones worn on docks and decks since who-knows-when, but it has certainly dispensed with the itch. Knit up in our incredibly soft Season Alpaca, this simple hat is sumptuous and warm and wonderful on the head!
Wear your Lovely Ribbed Hat like Jacques Cousteau, neat and trim with a turned up rim, or leave it long for a more tossed-off look. It’s happy either way!
And in a 2 x2 rib, you’ll just be alternating a couple of knits with a couple of purls. If you can do that, you can make one for everyone in your life, from toddlers to adults. And it’s an ideal project to take with you anywhere… You’ll just need one skein for all but the largest size, which only takes 2!
Designed for Purl Soho by Laura Ferguson.
Materials
- 1 (1, 2) skeins of Purl Soho’s Season Alpaca, 100% baby alpaca. We used the colors Pink Taupe (Baby Fawn, Dove Gray).
- US 2, 16-inch circular needles (or 12-inch for Baby size)
- A set of US 2 double pointed needles
- 4 stitch markers, including one unique marker
Gauge
36 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches in stitch pattern
Sizes
Toddler/Kid Small (Kid Large/Adult Small, Adult Large)
To fit actual head size of 14 to 16¼ (19 to 22, 23½ to 27¼) inches
- Finished Circumference (unstretched): 10¾ (14¼,17¾) inches
- Finished Height: 7¾ (11, 12¼) inches
Pattern
Begin At Bottom Edge
Cast 96 (128, 160) stitches onto circular needles. We used a Long Tail Tubular Cast On, because it’s nice and stretchy, but a basic Long Tail Cast On would also do! If you use the Long Tail Tubular Cast On, don’t forget to work the three Foundation Rows before joining in the round (they are described both in our tutorial and below).
If you did a Long Tail Tubular Cast On…
Foundation Row 1: *Knit 1 through the back loop, slip one purlwise with yarn in front (wyif), repeat from * to end of row.
Foundation Row 2: *K1, slip 1 purlwise wyif, repeat from * to end of row.
Place a unique marker and join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.
Foundation Round 1: *K1, knit the second stitch on the left needle letting the first stitch temporarily fall off the left needle, place that fallen stitch back onto the left needle, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Continue to the Continue In 2 x 2 Rib section.
If you did a Long Tail Cast On or similar…
Place a unique marker and join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.
Continue to the next section, Continue In 2 x 2 Rib.
Continue In 2 x 2 Rib
Round 1: *K2, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 6½ (8¾, 9) inches from cast-on edge.
Shape Crown
NOTE: Change to double pointed needles when necessary.
Set-Up Round: Remove unique end-of-round stitch marker, k1, replace unique end-of-round stitch marker, [(k1, p2, k1) six (8, 10) times, place marker] three times, *k1, p2, k1, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 1: [(K1, p2, k1) two times, ssk, *p1, k2, p1, repeat from * to 2 stitches before next marker, k2tog] four times. [8 stitches decreased]
Round 2: [(K1, p2, k1) two times, k1, *p1, k2, p1, repeat from * to 1 stitch before next marker, k1] four times.
Round 3: [(K1, p2, k1) two times, ssk, *k2, p2, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k2, k2tog] four times. [8 stitches decreased]
Round 4: [(K1, p2, k1) two times, k3, *p2, k2, repeat from * to 1 stitch before next marker, k1] four times.
Round 5: [K1, p2, k1) two times, ssk, *k1, p2, k1, repeat from * to 2 stitches before next marker, k2tog] four times. [8 stitches decreased]
Round 6: [(K1, p2, k1) two times, *k2, p2, repeat from * to 2 stitches before next marker, k2] four times.
Round 7: [K1, p2, k1) two times, ssk, *p2, k2, repeat from * to last 4 stitches before next marker, p2, k2tog] four times. [8 stitches decreased]
Round 8: *K1, p2, k1, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Rounds 1-8 zero (1, 2) more time(s). [64 stitches]
Next Round: *Ssk, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. [32 stitches]
Repeat last round. [16 stitches]
Cut yarn and thread the tail onto a tapestry needle. Draw the needle through the remaining stitches, pull taut, and bring the tail to the inside of the hat.
Finish
Weave in the ends and block as desired.
PRINT
Can I do this on straight needles ?
Hi Dienie,
Thanks for reaching out! The instructions for this hat are only available written in the round. However, we do have another hat that uses this lovely yarn that is knit flat and can be made on straight needles. Our Four Spokes Hat may work well for you!
Best,
Cassy
It seems to me that any pattern in the round can be knitted with straight double-point needles. But, maybe there is fiddliness when using them over the circular needles.
Hi Jayne,
You are correct! Just about any pattern written in the round can be knit using double pointed needles instead! For this pattern and for most hat patterns, DPNs work well just so long as they are long enough! Generally speaking, we find that straight needles refer to straight single pointed needles and the pattern being knit flat and seemed. While you certainly can alter a hat pattern to be knit flat, it does take a fair bit of work!
Best,
Cassy
Hi Dienie,
Thanks for your question! It is possible to knit this hat on straight needles but it will require some slight pattern adjusting! I would recommend casting on 2 extra stitches, 1 at each edge, to have as a selvedge to be seamed up later. The only difference is that there is a right side and a wrong side when knitting flat.
I hope this helps!
Carly
Hello! What size yarn is this? Could I use “A Touch of Alpaca” from LionBrandYarn? http://www.lionbrand.com/touch-of-alpaca.html
Thanks
Hi Sophie,
Thanks for reaching out! The Season Alpaca that we used for this lovely hat has a gauge of 6-7 stitches per inch and it looks as though the yarn that you are hoping to use has a gauge of 4.75 which is a good deal thicker. I think that, with this in mind, it would not make a good substitute here. If you would like to use an alternate yarn, I would suggest looking for a yarn with a gauge of 6-7 inches per inch!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Very helpful! Thank you for responding 🙂
Hi
Question. Doesn’t the pattern say that the gauge is 36 st=9 per inch? but just above in this comment it says 6-7 st per inch? I tool was looking to use up some worsted twist I have from purl soho to make a cute pompom hat. I better wait until I hear back! Thanks.
Hi abbe,
Thanks for writing in! I can help! For this lovely pattern, the gauge is 36 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches in stitch pattern. The ribbed pattern pulls in quite a bit and the given gauge (which is in stockinette) of a yarn will differ quite a bit from the gauge in pattern. So here, Season Alpaca has a stated gauge of 6 to 7 stitches per inch but in the ribbed pattern, it has a gauge of 9 stitches per inch. With that in mind, if you would like to use an alternate yarn you will be looking for a yarn with a stated gauge of 6 to 7 stitches per inch.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
This pattern ticks all boxes and the colours used are very different – and I just LOVE that 🙂
This looks like a perfect hospital hat for a newborn! If I wanted to make it a bit smaller than the toddler size what cast on number would you suggest?
Hi Kiomi,
I agree, our Season Alpaca would be so snuggly and soft for a newborn! The next smallest cast on that the pattern would work with is 80 stitches which is a big jump down; however, I think the toddler size could fit a newborn with plenty of room to grow. Ribbing is very stretchy by nature, and the toddler size unstretched measures 10 3/4″ which is not too far off from an average newborn’s head. You could also try working the hat on US 1 needles for a bit tighter gauge to shrink the hat a bit.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Can this hat be knit up in understory? I realize understory is thicker, but would you happen to know how many stitches of understory would be needed to cast on for an adult small hat ? I have 3/4 or more of a skein left over from another project.
Thanks!
Hi Alice,
Thanks for writing in! Unfortunately that is quite a big jump in gauge, and we are not able to alter patterns that require gauge for fit in the comment section. We don’t have any hats quite like the Lovely Ribbed Hat written in the correct gauge for Understory, but I would recommend taking a look at our Travelling Cable Hat, either as an option to use up your yarn, or as a jumping off point for modifying the Lovely Ribbed Hat pattern!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Hello, I love all your patterns. I don’t understand, why is there two different instructions for foundation row 1? Thank you,
Hello Emilsen,
Thank you for reaching out! This lovely hat pattern has to options for casting on so the foundation row correspond to whichever cast on method you choose to use, the long tail tubular cast, or the long tail cast on.
I hope this clears things up for you and happy knitting!
Marilla
Hi guys thanks for your neverending inspirations!
I’m having some trouble understanding this part – could you possibly clarify?? THANKS!!
Foundation Round 1: *K1, knit the second stitch on the left needle letting the first stitch temporarily fall off the left needle, place that fallen stitch back onto the left needle, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Hi Judy,
Great question! A Tubular Cast On creates a Knit 1, Purl 1 ribbed edging. The Lovely Ribbed Hat, however, is worked in Knit 2, Purl 2 ribbing, and this extra step moves the knit and purl stitches to be next to each other so that the cast on edge will line up with the ribbing. It is a bit confusing to read, but I think if you tried it out and kept in mind that the goal is to rearrange the stitches into a Knit 2, Purl 2 configuration, this round would start to make sense while you are knitting it!
Best of luck and happy knitting!
Julianna
Please help me on this ribbed cap.Shape Crown. Instructions, set up round.
[ ( k1,p2,k1,) 10 times place a marker ]) 3 times,*k1,p2,k1,repeat from* to end of round
Carmen
,
Hello Carmen,
Thank you for reaching out! The pattern reads “Remove unique end-of-round stitch marker, k1, replace unique end-of-round stitch marker, [(k1, p2, k1) six (8, 10) times, place marker] three times, *k1, p2, k1, repeat from * to end of round.” This means that after you have replaced you end of round marker you will repeat the whole sequence of [(k1, p2, k1) 10 times, place a marker ] three times and then you will repeat k1,p2,k1, until you get back to your end of round marker. I hope this answers your question and just let us know if you have any more questions!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
Dear Marilla, thanks for your reply. I have read it over and over and hope that I can do this correctly. I am not quite to Shaping Crown. I will let you know how I make out. THANKYOU again
Carmen
Dear Marilla, sad to say that I am still in the dark with these instructions.!! Can you give me MORE EXPLICIT STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS. ? I am embarrassed to ask you for help so many times,I just can’t seem to get it. FYI I am a experienced knitter, so I am perplexed at my trouble. I THANK you in advance.
Carmen
Hello Carmen,
I’m always happy to further explain- never be embarrassed to ask for more details! I’m just going to write out this row step by step.
– Remove unique end-of-round stitch marker, k1, replace unique end-of-round stitch marker –
-(k1, p2, k1) 10 times, place marker
-(k1, p2, k1) 10 times, place marker
-(k1, p2, k1) 10 times, place marker
-(k1, p2, k1) repeat until you get to your end of round marker.
Also if there is a specific part of this row that is tripping you up let us know and we can go into further detail about that specific step.
I hope this helps and let us know how it goes!
Happy knitting,
-Marilla
Marilla
Thankyou so much I have am going to try it out now, Thankyou again
Carmen
I want to knit this hat but will be using Magic Loop. Two questions: do I need to include the “set up round” and are there any adjustments I need to make?
I’m really looking forward to this project.
Thank you
Sasha
Hi Sasha,
Thanks for writing in! You won’t have to make any adjustments during the body of the hat or for most of the decreases; however, you will still need to work the Set-Up Round for the crown shaping, as this moves the beginning of the round to the left by one stitch and places the markers which will indicate where to work decreases for the rest of the crown shaping. Instead of placing a marker to indicate the new beginning of the round, I would move the “loops” of the needle each over by one stitch to the left during this round to make the next round of decreases go smoothly, but after that everything should work just fine on magic loop!
Best of luck and happy knitting!
Julianna
I am having a bit of difficulty in the second round of the shaping. I just finished the (4) ktog in Round 1 and I’m at k1, p2, k1. There are 3 ktog after my marker and the next stitch is a purl not a knit. What did I mess up ? Thanks!
Hi Liz,
Thanks for reaching out! I think that I see what might be happening! For round 1 of the shaping section, the 4 times refers to everything inside the brackets. I find that sometimes, writing the row out long form can help here!
Round 1 reads: [(K1, p2, k1) two times, ssk, *p1, k2, p1, repeat from * to 2 stitches before next marker, k2tog] four times. [8 stitches decreased]
Round 1 EXPANDED reads: [(K1, p2, k1) two times, ssk, *p1, k2, p1, repeat from * to 2 stitches before next marker, k2tog] [(K1, p2, k1) two times, ssk, *p1, k2, p1, repeat from * to 2 stitches before next marker, k2tog] [(K1, p2, k1) two times, ssk, *p1, k2, p1, repeat from * to 2 stitches before next marker, k2tog] [(K1, p2, k1) two times, ssk, *p1, k2, p1, repeat from * to 2 stitches before next marker, k2tog]. [8 stitches decreased]
I hope that this clears things up!
Cassy
Can you tell me please why the hat is knitted on size 2 needle when the recommended size for this yarn is 3.5 mm? Thanks!
Hello Pam,
This is a great question! This hat is knit at a tight gauge in order to maintain the stretch of the rib stitch.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
If I am using a size US 5 needle, would I need to adjust the pattern? Or would it just be better to stick with the US 2? Thanks!
Hello Virginia,
Thank you for reaching out! Are you using our Season Alpaca to knit this hat up? If so I would stick with the US2 needle as it will keep your rib stitch tight enough. If you are thinking of using a thicker yarn you would need to adjust the pattern quite a bit if you are using a US5 needle. The first think you would need to do is knit up a gauge swatch to find out how many stitches per inch you are getting. You will be able to use this number to estimate a cast on number.
I hope this helps and let me know if you have any further questions!
-Marilla
My boyfriend has a very round head. Hats are often too long for him. I am making this hat and am doing adult large size but wonder how long it will be. It says finished height would be 12.25″. Does that mean from the top of the hat and drop straight down to the bottom edge or does that mean if you measure along the outer curved edge of the hat? That would help me know how to make it fit him. Thank you!
Hello Kate,
Thank you for reaching out! When measuring the height of this hat we would put the hat flat on a surface and measure from the edge of the brim to the tallest point.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Just wondering how tight this would be on a woman’s head that is exactly 22 inches. Would it be better to make the larger size or would making sure that the yarn I get has a bit of stretch be sufficient in making sure it would not be too tight? Thanks so much!!
Hello Claire,
Thank you for reaching out! Because this hat will stretch over time I would go smaller rather than larger. As long as you do a stretchy cast you should be in good shape!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
Hi! I’m curious about the total yardage used for the projects. If I make an adult small do I need a second skein if the skein is 200Yd?
Hi Kaylyn,
Thanks for reaching out! We used about 190 yards for the adult small, so it will be close, but you should be fine with 200 yards!
Best of luck and happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi,
Can this pattern be knitted with a DK weight wool? Or will only sport weight work?
Thanks for your help,
Tash
Hi Tash,
Thanks for reaching out! You may be able to knit this pattern with a DK weight yarn; however, you will definitely need to knit a gauge swatch to see if your selected yarn can match the gauge the pattern is written for. You may find, after knitting the swatch, that even if you are able to match the gauge, you might not be happy with the resulting fabric, since knitting at that tight of a gauge will create a dense, stiff fabric. You might want to consider a different pattern, such as our Fluffy Brioche Hat, that is written for a DK weight yarn.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Hi there,
I’m really stuck on the shaping crown bit! I’ve done the set-up row, but now stuck!
I used double pointed needles the whole way through – as I’m making the large, I’ve got 40 stitches on each needle. So if I’ve understood it right, the set-up row essentially moves the “round” along by one stitch?
Then for round 1, instructions expanded for the first 40 stitches:
K1, p2, k1
K1, p2, k1
ssk
p1, k2, p1
p1, k2, p1
p1, k2, p1
p1, k2, p1
p1, k2, p1
p1, k2, p1
p1, k2, p1
k2
Just feeling nervous because I feel like I’m purling some stitches which were previously knit on the row beneath it, and vice-versa. Thank you in advance for your help!
Hi Seelin,
Thanks for writing in! I am happy to help! Fear not! I think you have it mostly right! From the set-up round you have moved the pattern ahead one stitch, maintaining the k2, p2 rib but just beginning and end with a single knit stitch. Then in Round 1, you begin by
k1, p2, k1
k1, p2, k1
ssk (this will be a knit and a purl)
p1, k2, p1
p1, k2, p1
p1, k2, p1
p1, k2, p1
p1, k2, p1
p1, k2, p1
p1, k2, p1
k2tog (this will be a purl and a knit stitch)
Essentially, you will be knitting the knits and purling the purls aside from the decrease stitches which will be over a purl and a knit stitch or a knit and a purl stitch!
I hope that this clears things up!
Cassy
I’m new to reading patterns! If I buy the yarn used for the pattern, do I need one or two skeins? OI’m confused by the “1 (1,2) skeins”, Thanks!
Hi Jessica,
Great question! The number of skeins listed here represent the 3 sizes that hat comes in! So for the Toddler/Kid Small or the Kid Large/Adult Small, you will need just one skein and for the Adult Large, you will need 2 skeins! You will see a similar notation as you continue on in the pattern when referring to directions for each size. For example, the cast on number is noted as 96 (128, 160). This will be 96 stitches for the Toddle/Kid Small size, 128 stitches for the Kid Large/Adult Small size and 160 stitches for the Adult Large.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hello!
If I wanted to make this a 1×1 ribbing, would anything else need to change within the pattern? Thanks!
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for reaching out! Since 1×1 ribbing is a bit stretchier than 2×2 ribbing, it’s hard to say how it would affect the fit of the hat. I would suggest knitting a swatch in 1×1 ribbing to see how it compares to the gauge of 2×2 ribbing. If they are fairly similar, then you can go right ahead with the pattern! You may also want to compare your swatch to our Boyfriend Hat pattern, which is already written in 1×1 ribbing, to see if that suits your needs.
Best of luck and happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi! I just knit this hat for my brother and while it is beautiful and soft, it quickly stretched out to an unmanageable size. Do you think it would felt well?
Hi Liz,
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear the hat stretched out so much! Season Alpaca will felt, but I would be concerned that it might felt too well – Alpaca felts very easily and tightly, so if you don’t watch the process carefully, it could very quickly overfelt into a far too small hat. Also, felting shrinks about a third more lengthwise than knitwise, so you may find that in order to shrink to the correct circumference, the hat would then be much too short. Since felting is permanent and a bit unpredictable, I would consider unraveling the hat and starting over with needles a size or two smaller than you used before. Either way, I hope you are able to salvage the hat!
Best,
Julianna
Thanks so much for the pattern and the brilliant tutorial for the tubular cast on. I have ignored this cast on for years, thinking it was too fiddley to be bothered with. I do a modified long tail that actually produces the first round of knitting and is very stretchy. I decided to give the tubular a try and I love the look! I’m a convert and very happy to add this to my skill set.
I’m just learning about knitting gauge swatches in the round.
I’m sure you are recommending we knit a swatch in the round, and in pattern? (More preparation than I have ever done.)
(Or not make a swatch, just dive in and hope for the best?)
Hi Natalie,
Great question! For best results, yes, you should knit your swatch in the round and in pattern. Swatching in the round is really not too difficult, even with a stitch pattern thrown in, and we have full instructions in our tutorial!
Best of luck and happy knitting!
Julianna
I am finishing up the lovely ribbed scarf and loving it! I saw this hat pattern as a suggested matching hat. Is it possible to use the same yarn (Good Wool) that I used for the scarf, in order to match colors? I used the color Hickory Nut for the scarf.
Hello Chloe,
Thank you for reaching out! Unfortunately Good Wool has a gauge that is to large for this hat pattern. You could try adjusting the pattern by knitting one size smaller and going up in needle size. This would take a bit of trial and error and you would need to be will to do some experimentation and math to get it right. I would also suggest that you might be able to find a ribbed hat with the appropriate gauge with a quick Raverly search.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla