Where there are knits, there are purls! Our so-called Inside Out Knit Hat relegates the knits to the inside and brings the purls into the light. Inside out, knit side in, tomato, to-mah-to!

Inside Out Knit Hat | Purl Soho

Reverse stockinette, in this case, is a wonderfully nubby field of color, like a bowlful of jelly beans, so incredibly tactile and interesting. We love it, but like most knitters, we prefer knitting to purling… So don’t worry, you knit this one, then turn it inside out!

Inside Out Knit Hat | Purl Soho

The beauty, of course, is in the yarn. That’s our new Lovebird! Created in partnership with Manos Del Uruguay, one of everyone’s favorite spinners and dyers, Lovebird is full of spunk and adventure, beauty and joy!

Inside Out Knit Hat | Purl Soho

Handspun by Manos Del Uruguay’s artisan-owned cooperatives, Lovebird is 100% superwash merino, loosely plied in a bulky weight. Nice and plump, it is bursting with snuggly softness!

Inside Out Knit Hat | Purl Soho

Once spun, Manos’s artisans dip Lovebird into kettles of mind-boggling color. Bouquets of cherry red and hot pink, chartreuse and violet, they harness the rainbow in each and every skein!

Inside Out Knit Hat | Purl Soho

Choose from a dozen extraordinary colors, plus un-dyed Heirloom White. From rollicking Firecracker to mellow Licorice, thank you, Manos Del Uruguay, for igniting our imaginations and for taking us on your joy ride!

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!

Inside Out Knit Hat | 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, #PurlSohoInsideOutKnitHat, and #PurlSohoLovebird. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

Inside Out Knit Hat | Purl Soho
  • 1 (1, 1-2, 2, 2, 2) skein(s) of Purl Soho’s Lovebird, 100% superwash merino wool. Each skein is approximately 75-85 yards/ 100-110 grams; approximately 53 (66, 95, 116, 136, 154) yards required.
  • US 10½ (6.5 mm), 16-inch circular needles
  • A set of US 10½ double pointed needles
  • A stitch marker

PLEASE NOTE: Because this yarn is hand spun in small batches, yardages may vary between skeins. Our yardage requirements err on the side of caution. In particular, the Kid-size hat may not require both skeins. If you don’t end up needing it, you can return unwound yarn for a refund within 30 days of purchase, or within 6 months, for store credit. Our Return Policy has all the details!

For Pom Pom (Optional)

  • 1 skein of Purl Soho’s Super Soft Merino, 100% merino wool. Each skein is approximately 84 yards; approximately 20 (20, 35, 50, 50, 50) yards required.
  • Purl Soho’s Pom Pom Maker Set, Small + Large size (for Baby and Toddler sizes) or Extra Large + Jumbo size (for Kid, Adult Small, Adult Medium and Adult Large sizes)

We made our samples in the following colors and sizes (NOTE: some palettes are no longer available)…

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Hat: Baby size, Lovebird in Inchworm

Pom Pom: Super Soft Merino in Heirloom White, Large Pom Pom Maker with 2½-inch Trim Guide

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Hat: Baby size, Lovebird in Geranium

Pom Pom: Super Soft Merino in Yellow Yellow, Large Pom Pom Maker with 2½-inch Trim Guide

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Hat: Baby size, Lovebird in Firecracker

Pom Pom: Super Soft Merino in Super Pink, Large Pom Pom Maker with 2½-inch Trim Guide

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Hat: Toddler size, Lovebird in Paper + Ink

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Hat: Toddler size, Lovebird in Point Break

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Hat: Toddler size, Lovebird in Hibiscus

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Hat: Kid size, Lovebird in Rivulet

Pom Pom: Super Soft Merino in Cobalt Blue, Extra Large Pom Pom Maker with 3-inch Trim Guide

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Hat: Adult Small size, Lovebird in Candy Shop

Pom Pom: Super Soft Merino in Ballet Pink, Jumbo Pom Pom Maker with 4-inch Trim Guide

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Hat: Adult Medium size, Lovebird in Licorice

Gauge

10½ stitches and 18 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Sizes

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

  • Finished Circumference: 13¼ (15¼, 17¼, 19, 21, 22¾) inches
  • Finished Height: 6½ (7½, 8½, 9½, 10½, 11) inches

Notes

Construction

You knit this hat inside out, starting with a short reverse stockinette brim, then continuing in stockinette stitch. At the end, turn it purl-side out to add a pom pom and to wear!

Pattern

Brim

Cast on 35 (40, 45, 50, 55, 60) stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.

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

Work reverse stockinette stitch, purling every round, for 3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4) rounds.

Body

Knit every round for 5½ (6, 6½, 7, 7½, 8) inches from cast-on edge, unrolled.

Crown

  • Baby: Start with Decrease Round 6.
  • Toddler: Start with Decrease Round 5.
  • Kid: Start with Decrease Round 4.
  • Adult Small: Start with Decrease Round 3.
  • Adult Medium: Start with Decrease Round 2.
  • Adult Large: Start with Decrease Round 1.

Decrease Round 1: *K2tog, k10, repeat from * to end of round. [55 stitches remain]

Knit 2 rounds.

Decrease Round 2: *K3, k2tog, k6, repeat from * to end of round. [50 stitches remain]

Knit 2 rounds.

Decrease Round 3: *K6, k2tog, k2, repeat from * to end of round. [45 stitches remain]

Knit 2 rounds

Decrease Round 4: *K2tog, k7, repeat from * to end of round. [40 stitches remain]

Knit 1 round.

Decrease Round 5: *K2, k2tog, k4, repeat from * to end of round. [35 stitches remain]

Knit 1 round.

Decrease Round 6: *K4, k2tog, k1, repeat from * to end of round. [30 stitches remain]

Knit 1 round.

Decrease Round 7: *K2tog, k4, repeat from * to end of round. [25 stitches remain]

Knit 1 round.

Decrease Round 8: *K2, k2tog, k1, repeat from * to end of round. [20 stitches remain]

Knit 1 round.

Decrease Round 9: *K2tog, k2, repeat from * to end of round. [15 stitches remain]

Knit 1 round.

Decrease Round 10: *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. [10 stitches remain]

Decrease Round 11: *K2tog, repeat from * to end of round. [5 stitches remain]

Cut yarn and pull tail through remaining stitches.

Weave the ends into the knit side, turn piece purl-side out, and wet block before attaching the pom pom.

Pom Pom (optional)

If you’re using Purl Soho’s Pom Pom Maker Set, use the Large (Large, Extra Large, Jumbo, Jumbo, Jumbo) Pom Pom Maker, the 2½ (2½, 3, 4, 4, 4)-inch Trim Guide, and a skein of Super Soft Merino. Follow the instructions in our Pom Pom Tutorial.

Attach Pom Pom

Thread each pom pom tail separately through the top of the crown to the inside of the 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.

Inside Out Knit Hat | Purl Soho
Inside Out Knit Hat | Purl Soho
Inside Out Knit Hat | Purl Soho
Inside Out Knit Hat | Purl Soho

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!