To Space + Beyond Hat
Filled with bits of cosmic sparkle and fun, our To Space + Beyond Hat makes an unforgettable companion on all your travels, whether you’re blasting off for the outer galaxies or just running to the corner deli on a cold winter morning!
The special sauce here is our fabulous Comet, a truly intergalactic yarn created by amazing yarn-makers Knit Collage just for Purl Soho. A wild combination of wool, mohair, silk, and other-wordly sparkle, each skein is a glorious ode to the love of fiber!
You’ll need just one skein for the Kid size and two for Adult. Plus, make a perfect pom pom topper with our Extra Large + Jumbo Pom Pom Maker Set and a skein of Super Soft Merino!
At about 1 stitch to the inch, you’ll be done with your first hat before the countdown reaches “Blast off”!
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!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Adam Aronowitz.
Share your progress + connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoToSpaceAndBeyondHat, and #PurlSohoComet. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 1 (2) skeins of Purl Soho + Knit Collage’s Comet. Each color is a unique blend of wool, silk, mohair, and a touch of Angelina sparkle. We used Deep Space (bottom right) for the Kid size and Meteor Shower (bottom left) for the Adult size. Each skein is 34 yards/115 grams; approximately 28 (30) yards required.
- Optional Pom Pom: 1 skein of Purl Soho’s Super Soft Merino, 100% merino wool. Each skein is 87 yards/100 grams; approximately 70 yards required. We used Cobalt Blue for the Kid size and Heirloom White for the Adult size.
- Optional: Purl Soho’s Pom Pom Maker Set, Extra Large + Jumbo size
- US 17 (12 mm), 16-inch circular needles
- A set of US 17 double pointed needles
- A jumbo stitch marker
Gauge
4½ stitches and 8 rounds = 4 inches stockinette stitch
Sizes
Kid (Adult)
Finished Circumference: Approximately 17 (21) inches
Finished Height: 8 (10) inches
Pattern
Cast 20 (24) stitches onto circular needles.
Place marker for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Work in stockinette stitch, knitting every round, until piece measures 5 (6½) inches from cast-on edge (unrolled).
Redistribute stitches onto 4 double pointed needles. [5 (6) stitches each needle]
Decrease Round: [Knit to last 2 stitches on double pointed needle, knit 2 together (k2tog)] 4 times. [4 stitches decreased]
Next Round: Knit to end of round.
Repeat last 2 rounds 1 (2) more time(s), then repeat Decrease Round once more. [8 (8) stitches remain]
Next Round: [K2tog] 4 times. [4 (4) stitches remain]
Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail and thread it onto a tapestry needle. Thread tail through remaining live stitches and pull tight. Pass tail through to the inside.
Weave in all ends and lightly spray block, if desired. Do not steam block, as heat will singe the Angelina sparkle fibers.
Pom Pom
If you’re using Purl Soho’s Pom Pom Maker Set, use the Extra Large size from the Extra Large + Jumbo Set and the 3½-inch Trim Guide. We used a skein of our Super Soft Merino yarn. Follow the basic instructions for a Solid Pom Pom found in our Pom Pom Tutorial.
ATTACH POM POM
Thread each pom pom tail separately through the top of the hat’s crown to inside of hat. Tie the tails into a knot, then thread the tails up through the pom pom itself and trim them flush with the pom pom.
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!
Is Comet yarn washable? Also, how itchy is it with little ends of sparkly stuff in it?
Hi Paula,
Thanks for reaching out! Comet can be hand washed and laid flat to dry, and the Angelina fiber that is used for the sparkle is surprisingly soft! It is a polyester that has a very fine micron count, so it isn’t irritating at all. We find that our hats and cowls are quite lovely to wear!
Best,
Julianna
Hi. Are you using both Cosmic Ray and Meteor Shower on the hat the the model is wearing? I want to knit up the Kaleidoscope Cowl and can’t decide between the two color ways. I am wondering if I could use a skein of each and interchange them or something like that! Lovely hat!
Thanks,
Nadia
Hi Nadia,
Thanks for reaching out! Each hat sample is knit in a single color of Comet. The lighter colored hat is knit in Meteor Shower, and the darker colored hat is knit in Deep Space, while our Kaleidoscope Cowl is knit in Cosmic Rays. Hopefully that gives you a good idea of how each beautifully unique color of Comet turns out!
Best,
Julianna
I am trying to figure out the pattern for the hat and I am a bit confused.
The gauge states 4 stitches and 8 rows = 4 inches.
The pattern calls for 24 stitches for the adult size hat and the finished measurement of the adult hat is 20 inches.
I am confused for the following reason – based on the gauge which breaks down to 1 stitch yields 1 inch in width, however, the pattern calls for 24 stitches and based on a gauge of 1 stitch = 1 inch than 24 stitches would yield a finished width of 24 inches but the finished width stated is 20 inches.
I would love to order the “Comet” wool to make this hat but at $47.00 per ball and the adult hat requiring 2 balls plus wool to make the pom pom I don’t want to have any problems with the finished size of the hat.
Just want to know if my math is off or will 24 stitches actually knit up to the 20 inch finished size.
I will look forward to your comments in the near future.
Hi Nancy,
Thank you so much for reaching out and for bringing this to our attention! With the thick and thin nature of Comet, gauge can be a bit of a challenge but your math is certainly correct. We have remeasured the sample hats and have updated the noted gauge to approximately 4 1/2 stitches per 4 inches. We apologize for any confusion and for the mistake and thank you for letting us know!
Happy knitting,
Cassy
I am very interested in this yarn but would like to use size 15 needs rather than size 17. Should I get another skein to complete this pattern in an adult size hat? Thank you.
Hi Margaret,
Thanks for reaching out! Changing the needle size will affect the gauge and therefore the fit of the hat, so it is possible that you will need a third skein for the adult hat, but I can’t really say for sure. Comet is quite bulky, so we found that the US 17 needles created the most pleasing fabric, but if you would like to use US 15s, I would recommend knitting a large gauge swatch first, since it can be difficult to get an accurate gauge measurement in a thick and thin yarn. You can then multiply your stitches per inch by 20 inches and round to the nearest multiple of 4 to determine how many stitches to cast on. It would probably be a good idea to order an extra skein, but as long as it isn’t wound, if it turns out you don’t need it, you can return it for store credit.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
The pattern says the adult hat requires two skeins of yarn, but then lists a total of 30 yards needed. The product description says a skein is 34 yards, so wouldn’t only one skein be required for the adult size hat?
Hi Laura,
Thanks for reaching out! While you may be able to get away with 1 skein for the adult size hat, we recommend buying a second skein to insure you have enough to complete the hat since the yardage required is so close to a full skein. If you don’t end up using any of the 2nd skein and leave it unwound you can exchange it for store credit within 6 months!
All the best,
Gianna
Has anyone crocheted with this beautiful yarn?
This is a super easy very fun pattern…Thank you so much !!
I’d like to make hats for a 5 year old and a 9 year old with Comet. That’s a big age range. Do you recommend sticking with 20 stitches for the cast-on for both hats?
Hi Laurie,
Thanks for reaching out! I would recommend double checking the circumference of their heads and definitely doing the 20 stitch cast on for the 5 year old but possibly going up to the next size for the 9 year old!
All the best,
Gianna
Also, which cast-on do you recommend for making a hat with Comet yarn?
Hi Laurie,
Thanks for reaching out! Whichever method you prefer will work but we used log tail cast on for this!
All the best,
Gianna
Thanks so much, Gianna! Can’t wait to start these adorable hats!
This hat at 24 stitches for adult is super small…pic of hat looks loose…could you add stitches for a larger finished circumference…
Hi Mary,
Thanks for reaching out! The model is wearing the adult size to give you an idea of how it fits! If you would like to make a larger circumference you can cast on more stitches in multiples of 4!
All the best,
Gianna
Thanks for response… I started this hat ….size 17 needles and 24 stitches after several rows …it looked very small it didn’t fit my head…very tight…wondering if anyone else that made it had same result. The best!
I had the same result. I am frogging and doing it again adding more stitches. I am also going to swatch with 19 needles and see how that looks.
The pattern states circular and DPNs in US17. I currently own an ADDI 16 inch circular needle in US17 (12mm). Other brands of needles such as Chiaogoo state that their US17 is equivalent to 12.75mm. How important is it to use DPNs 12mm in size given the style of yarn in question?
Hi Anne,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately there are some needle size differences from brand to brand and when translating mm to US sizing. However, for the most part the needles are similar enough there shouldn’t be big differences in your overall knitting! For example all US 17 labeled needles should virtually work up to a similar gauge even if they have slight mm differences.
This pattern should work with any US 17 needle, and we typically use Addi needles with our samples (so that is what the gauge is based off of) but if you would like to be sure you can work a gauge swatch and compare that to the gauge of the pattern!
I hope this helps!
Gianna
hi, the hat looks lovely and i appreciate a fast knit. The photo looks like the hat is barely covering the ears of the model. Is it too big on her? I hate to be so practical but i need a hat to cover my head and ears. I have an average to L adult head. how big to make it? thanks.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for reaching out. I believe that this model is wearing the hat slightly slouched back on their head! You could certainly pull the hat down further and it would cover your ears. If you’re knitting along and feel that it may come out too short though, you could add an inch or two to the body (so, 7.5 or 8.5 inches) in order to make sure it fits how you like. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Hi Lili
This hat looks lovely and I’d like to knit it but I am new to knitting and wondered if you had a video of you knitting it to help me?
Many thanks, Sarah
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for reaching out. I’m afraid that we don’t have a tutorial specific to this hat, but you might find our Learn To Knit tutorial very helpful! I’d also recommend searching on YouTube for video tutorials, because I guarantee you’ll also find some useful ones there. And as always, we’re happy to answer any questions you have as you work your way through the pattern, either here, by email, or over Zoom in a 1-On-1 Project Help session!
All the best,
Lili
hi i am struggling with this yarn, the cast on is so bulky and the circumference is small. Any Suggestions? could i be knitting too tight? I am not a tight knitter.
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
I’m sorry to hear that you’re struggling to work with Comet! It’s definitely a tricky yarn to use. Have you knit a gauge swatch yet? That’s a surefire way to tell if you’re knitting too tightly or not! And if you are knitting too tightly, then I’d recommend sizing up your needles to achieve the correct gauge.
All the best,
Lili
another question about. the to space and beyond hat, My cast on edge is rolling and LARGE. I feel like it looks nothing like the picture on your site?? help
Hi Nancy,
The photos of the hats on our website were taken after blocking! It’s likely that the cast-on edge will uncurl a bit once you block the hat, and also once it’s worn. If you’re still worried though, feel free to send us a photo of your work at [email protected], so we can visualize what’s going on!
All the best,
Lili
Can I use this yarn on the Home Stretch Hat?
Hi Dale,
Thanks for writing in! Comet would make for an awesome Homestretch Hat! I would recommend using the cast-on amount of stitches from the To Space + Beyond Hat, though, as Comet is much thicker than Gentle Giant. We recommend knitting the very last round loosely so that when you thread the yarn through all the live stitches to cinch them inwards at the final step, those stitches aren’t too tight! Also, Comet might be too thick for most tapestry needles so you can thread the yarn through with your fingers. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Cat
Hello – I added 4 stitches to the adult size cast on for a total of 28. Now that I’m decreasing I have an extra stitch on each of the 4 dpn; should I follow the instructions and add an additional decrease round followed by a knit round or should I add an extra decrease in one of the decrease rounds or knit rounds so that I keep the same number of rows? I hope my question makes sense – l 🙂
Thanks, zoie from kansas
Hi Zoie,
That’s a great question! Both of those suggestions are great options and either should work fine to help get those stitches back down to count. That should get you back on your way to finishing your hat. I hope this helps!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Thank you so much for the quick response – I’m making 2 hats so I might try one each way and see if one looks better than the other for future reference.
Happy New Years!
Hello, will this lovely Comet yarn become available again soon?
Hi Lindsey,
I’m so sorry to say that we’ve discontinued Comet! While we loved this yarn, not everybody else felt the same way, so we’ve had to make the sad decision to stop producing it. We hope you can understand!
All the best,
Lili