Watch Caps are the traditional choice of people who stand guard over ships, outposts, lighthouses, and other cold, lonely places. Who to trust on the question of warm and toasty more than those hearty souls?

Watch Cap + Mitts | Purl Soho

A ribbed head-topper with a rolled-up cuff and a snug fit, a Watch Cap meets all our needs: cozy, snug, and good looking, too!

Watch Cap + Mitts | Purl Soho

In this case, more is more, and so, we added matching hand warmers and mittens to the mix, all sized for the whole family!

Watch Cap + Mitts | Purl Soho

There’s more. See how incredibly soft and toasty these pieces look? The lovely halo glowing off the surface of the yarn? The depth and richness of the fiber? That’s our new Simply Yak!

Watch Cap + Mitts | Purl Soho

One hundred percent yak and one thousand percent beautiful, Simply Yak is combed from the soft and insulating undercoat of the majestic yak. Exactly as they grew it, Simply Yak comes in one color: rich, undyed Natural Brown… Gorgeous and very special, too!

Watch Cap + Mitts | Purl Soho

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Jake Canton. Click here to see even more of Jake’s designs!

Share your progress + connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoWatchCapAndMitts, and #PurlSohoSimplyYak. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

Watch Cap + Mitts | Purl Soho

Hat

Hand Warmers or Mittens

  • Hand Warmers: 1 (1, 2, 2) skein(s) of Simply Yak, 100% yak. Each skein is 109 yards and 50 grams; approximately 70 (90, 130, 160) yards required.
  • Mittens: 1 (1, 2, 2) skein(s) of Simply Yak. Each skein is 109 yards/ 50 grams; approximately 80 (100, 145, 180) yards required.
  • A set of US 3 double pointed needles
  • Stitch markers, including one unique
  • Stitch holder or scrap yarn

NOTE: To make a Hat and Hand Warmers or Mittens set, you’ll need 2 (3, 4, 5) skeins.

Gauge

40 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches in 2×2 rib, unstretched

22 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Sizes

Hat

Baby/Toddler (Kid, Adult Small, Adult Large)

To fit head circumference of 14-16 (18-20, 21-23, 24-26) inches

  • Finished Circumference: 12 (14, 16, 18) inches, unstretched
  • Finished Height: 8¼ (9¾, 11¼, 12¾), uncuffed

Hand Warmers + Mittens

Toddler (Kid, Adult Small, Adult Large)

To fit palm circumference of 4½-5¼ (5½-6¼, 6½-7¼, 7¾-8¾) inches

  • Finished Circumference At Wrist: 3½ (4½, 5¼, 6) inches unstretched
  • Finished Circumference At Palm: 4 (4¾, 5½, 6½) inches, unstretched
  • Hand Warmer’s Finished Length From Cuff To End: 5¾ (6, 7½, 8) inches
  • Mitten’s Finished Length From Cuff To End: 6¼ (6¾, 8½, 9¼)

Samples: For all our samples we made the Adult Small size.

Notes

M1Lp (make one purlwise left): Pick up the strand between the previous and next stitch from front to back (as you would to m1L), purl through the back loop. [1 stitch increased]

M1Rp (make one purlwise right): Pick up the strand between the previous and next stitch from back to front (as you would to m1R), purl through the front loop. [1 stitch increased]

For a video demonstrating how to work this technique, please visit our Make One Purlwise Tutorial.

Hat Pattern

Cuff + Body

Cast 120 (140, 160, 180) stitches onto circular needles. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.

Place unique marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.

Round 1: *P2, k2, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 5½ (6½, 7½, 8½) inches from cast-on edge.

Crown

NOTE: Change to double pointed needles when necessary.

Set-Up Round: *[P2, k2] 6 (7, 8, 9) times, place marker, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 1: [*P2, k2, repeat from * to 4 stitches before next marker, p1, k2tog, k1, slip marker] 5 times. [5 stitches decreased]                             

Round 2: [*P2, k2, repeat from * to 3 stitches before next marker, k2tog, k1] 5 times [5 stitches decreased]                                  

Round 3: [*P2, k2, repeat from * to 6 stitches before next marker, p2, k1, k2tog, k1] 5 times. [5 stitches decreased]                    

Round 4: [*P2, k2, repeat from * to 5 stitches before next marker, p2, k2tog, k1] 5 times. [5 stitches decreased]              

Repeat Rounds 1-4 four (5, 6, 7) more times. [20 stitches remain]

Next Round: *P1, k2tog, k1, repeat from * to end of round. [15 stitches remain]

Next Round: *K2tog, k1, repeat from * to end of round. [10 stitches remain]

Cut yarn and thread tail onto a tapestry needle. Thread tail through remaining stitches.

Pull taut and bring tail to inside of hat and weave in.

Weave in any remaining ends and gently block.

Hand Warmers + Mittens Pattern

Cuff

Cast 36 (44, 52, 60) stitches onto four double pointed needles. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.                                          

Evenly distribute stitches, place unique marker, and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.                                         

Round 1: *P2, k2, repeat from * to end of round.

Hand Warmers Only

Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 2½ (2½, 3, 3) inches from cast-on edge.

Mittens Only

Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 1 (1, 1½, 1½) inches from cast-on edge.

Gusset: Hand Warmers + Mittens

Set-Up Round: [P2, k2] 1 (1, 2, 2) time(s), place marker (pm), [p2, k2] 6 (8, 8, 10), p2, pm, [k2, p2] 1 (1, 2, 2) time(s), k2.      

Round 1: *P2, k2, repeat from * to next marker, slip marker (sm), make 1 left (m1L), **p2, k2, repeat from ** to 2 stitches before marker, p2, make 1 right (m1R), sm, ***k2, p2, repeat from *** to last 2 stitches, k2. [2 stitches increased]

Round 2: *P2, k2, repeat from * to next marker, sm, m1L, k1, **p2, k2, repeat from ** to 3 stitches before next marker, p2, k1, m1R, sm, ***k2, p2, repeat from *** to last 2 stitches, k2. [2 stitches increased]  

Round 3: *P2, k2, repeat from * to next marker, sm, m1Lp (see Notes), **k2, p2, repeat from ** to 2 stitches before next marker, k2, m1Rp (see Notes), sm, ***k2, p2, repeat from *** to last 2 stitches, k2. [2 stitches increased]

Round 4: *P2, k2, repeat from * to next marker, sm, m1Lp, p1, **k2, p2, repeat from ** to 3 stitches before next marker, k2, p1, m1Rp, sm, ***k2, p2, repeat from *** to last 2 stitches, k2. [2 stitches increased]  

Round 5: *P2, k2, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Rounds 1-5 one (1, 2, 2) more time(s). [52 (60, 76, 84) stitches]

Thumb Hole                                         

Set-Up Round: [P2, k2] 1 (1, 2, 2) time(s), remove marker, p1, slip previous 5 (5, 9, 9) stitches onto stitch holder or scrap yarn, p1, *k2, p2, repeat from * to 4 stitches before next marker, k2, p1, slip remaining 7 (7, 11, 11) stitches onto stitch holder or scrap yarn. [40 (48, 56, 64) stitches remain]

Palm                         

Replace unique marker and resume working in the round with stitches divided evenly on four needles.       

Round 1: P1, *k2, p2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k2, p1.               

Hand Warmers Only           

Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 1¾ (2, 2½, 3) inches from Thumb Hole, or until desired Palm length.

Bind off in stitch pattern.

Go on to Thumb section, below.                                       

Mittens Only

Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 2¾ (3, 3½, 4) inches from Thumb Hole, or until desired Palm length.

Top Of Mitten

Set-Up Round: P1, [k2, p2] 4 (5, 6, 7) times, k2, p1, pm, p1, [k2, p2] 4 (5, 6, 7) times, k2, p1.

Round 1: [P1, k1, slip slip knit (ssk), p1, *k2, p2, repeat from * to 7 stitches before next marker, k2, p1, k2tog, k1, p1] 2 times. [4 stitches decreased]

Round 2: [P1, k1, ssk, *k2, p2, repeat from * to 6 stitches before next marker, k2, k2tog, k1, p1] 2 times. [4 stitches decreased]

Round 3: [P1, k1, ssk, k1, *p2, k2, repeat from * to 7 stitches before next marker, p2, k1, k2tog, k1, p1] 2 times. [4 stitches decreased]

Round 4: [P1, k1, ssk, *p2, k2, repeat from * to 6 stitches before next marker, p2, k2tog, k1, p1] 2 times. [4 stitches decreased]

Repeat Rounds 1-4 zero (0, 1, 1) more time(s), then Rounds 1 and 2 zero (1, 0, 1) more time(s). [24 stitches remain]

Round 5: [P1, k1, ssk, p1, k2, p1, k2tog, k1, p1] 2 times. [4 stitches decreased; 20 stitches remain]

Round 6: [P1, k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1, p1] 2 times. [4 stitches decreased; 16 stitches remain]

Round 7: [P1, k1, ssk, k2tog, k1, p1] 2 times. [4 stitches decreased; 12 stitches remain]

Slip remaining 12 stitches onto 2 needles, first 6 stitches on one needle and last 6 stitches on another. 

Use Kitchener Stitch to graft Mitten Top closed.

Thumb

Place 12 (12, 20, 20) on-hold Thumb stitches onto 4 double pointed needles. [3 (3, 5, 5) stitches on each needle]

With right side facing you and beginning with right-most Thumb stitch, join yarn.

Round 1: P1, *k2, p2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k2, p1.

Hand Warmers

Repeat Round 1 until Thumb measures 1 (1, 1¼, 1½) inches.

Bind off in stitch pattern.

Go on to Finishing section, below.

Mittens

Repeat Round 1 until Thumb measures 1½ (1½, 2, 2½) inches.

Round 2: P1, k1, ssk, p1, [k2, p2] 0 (0, 2, 2) times, k2, p1, k2tog, k1, p1. [2 stitches decreased; 10 (10, 18, 18) stitches remain]

Round 3: P1, k1, ssk, [k2, p2] 0 (0, 2, 2) times, k2, k2tog, k1, p1. [2 stitches decreased; 8 (8, 16, 16) stitches remain]

Toddler and Kid sizes move on to the All Sizes section, below.

Adult Small + Adult Large Sizes Only

Round 4: P1, k1, ssk, k1, p2, k2, p2, k1, k2tog, k1, p1. [2 stitches decreased; 14 stitches remain]

Round 5: P1, k1, ssk, p2, k2, p2, k2tog, k1, p1. [2 stitches decreased; 12 stitches remain]

Round 6: P1, k1, ssk, p1, k2, p1, k2tog, k1, p1. [2 stitches decreased; 10 stitches remain]

Round 7: P1, k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1, p1. [2 stitches decreased; 8 stitches remain]

All Sizes

Cut yarn and thread tail onto a tapestry needle. Thread tail through remaining stitches.

Pull taught and bring tail to inside of mitten to weave in.

Finishing

Use Thumb tail to seam holes between Palm and Thumb.

Weave in remaining ends and wet block.

Watch Cap + Mitts | Purl Soho
Watch Cap + Mitts | Purl Soho
Watch Cap + Mitts | Purl Soho