Timeless Hat + Hand Warmers
We love a knit that you can imagine discovering in an old chest tucked deep in an attic corner. Something someone somewhere made long ago, it looks like it could have been made yesterday to wear today. Our Timeless Hat + Hand Warmers in Simply Camel didn’t come from an attic, but really, they could have!
In simple stockinette, these pieces are pared down to their bare shaping minimums, plus a delicate ring of purl stitches around the edges. The beauty is in the way they could be from anywhere anytime and also in the very special yarn we used: our brand new Simply Camel!
Simply Camel couldn’t be simpler. One hundred percent undyed baby camel, there is only one choice: yarn how it was grown by the animals who grew it. Simply Camel is also incredibly soft with a beautiful drape and a desert glow.
Pick up two or three skeins of this heirloom-quality yarn to make a Timeless Hat + Hand Warmers set for anyone from baby to big papa. Someday it may just be discovered by future knitters, as modern then as it is now!
NEW VERSION: CYGNET
FEBRUARY 2022
Like a stone-covered beach, with waves combing over piles of smooth pebbles, our Colorblock Timeless Hat in cashmere-alpaca Cygnet displays a subtle play of browns and grays glinting in the sun!
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, #PurlSohoTimlessHatAndHandWarmers, and #PurlSohoSimplyCamel. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
Hat
- 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) skein(s) of Purl Soho’s Simply Camel, 100% baby camel. Each skein is 164 yards / 50 grams; approximately 98 (128, 161, 187, 226) yards required.
- US 2 (3mm), 16-inch circular needles
- A set of US 2 double pointed needles
- Stitch markers, including one unique
Hand Warmers
- 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) skein(s) of Purl Soho’s Simply Camel, 100% baby camel. Each skein is 164 yards / 50 grams; approximately 80 (120, 160, 217, 265) yards required.
- A set of US 2 (3mm) double pointed needles
- Stitch markers, including one unique
- A stitch holder or scrap yarn
To make both the hat and hand warmers, you will need 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) skeins of Simply Camel; approximately 178 (248, 321, 404, 492) yards required.
Gauge
26 stitches and 38 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Sizes
Hat
Baby (Toddler, Kid/Junior, Adult Small, Adult Large)
- Finished Circumference: 15¾ (16½, 17½, 19¼, 21¼) inches
- Finished Height (from cast-on edge, unrolled): 6½ (8, 9½, 10, 11) inches
Sample: We made the Adult Small.
Hand Warmers
Baby (Kid, Junior, Adult Small, Adult Large)
- Finished Circumference At Wrist: 4¼ (5¼, 6¼, 7¼, 8½) inches
- Finished Circumference At Palm: 4¼ (6¾, 8, 9½, 11) inches
- Finished Height (from cast-on edge, unrolled): 8¼ (10, 11½, 13, 13½) inches
Sample: We made the Adult Small.
Hat Pattern
Cast 102 (108, 114, 126, 138) 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.
Knit 3 rounds.
Next Round: Purl to end of round.
Knit every round until piece measures 4¼ (5½, 6¾, 7, 7¾) inches from cast-on edge, unrolled.
Crown
NOTE: Change to double pointed needles when necessary.
Set-Up Round: *K17 (18, 19, 21, 23), place marker, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 1: *Knit to 2 stitches before next marker, knit 2 together (k2tog), slip marker, repeat from * to end of round. [6 stitches decreased]
Round 2: Knit to end of round.
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 four (5, 6, 7, 8) more times. [72 (72, 72, 78, 84) stitches remain]
Repeat Round 1 eleven (11, 11, 12, 13) more times. [6 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 to weave in.
Weave in remaining ends and gently block.
Hand Warmers Pattern
Cast 28 (34, 40, 48, 56) stitches onto 4 double pointed needles. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Distribute stitches evenly on needles. Place unique marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Knit for 3 rounds.
Next Round: Purl to end of round.
Knit every round until piece measures 8 (6, 6½, 7, 7½) inches from cast-on edge, unrolled.
Finishing: Baby Size Only
Next Round: Purl to end of round.
Knit 3 rounds.
Bind off knitwise.
Weave in ends.
Make another identical hand warmer, and gently block both.
Gusset: All Sizes Except Baby
Set-Up Round: K- (5, 6, 7, 8) place marker (pm), knit to last – (5, 6, 7, 8) stitches, pm, knit to end of round.
Round 1: Knit to next marker, slip marker (sm), make 1 left (m1L), knit to next marker, make 1 right (m1R), sm, knit to end of round. [2 stitches increased]
Round 2-4: Knit to end of round.
Repeat Rounds 1-4 – (4, 5, 6, 7) more times. [- (44, 52, 62, 72) stitches]
Thumb Hole
Knit to next marker, place previous – (5, 6, 7, 8) stitches onto stitch holder or scrap yarn, knit to next marker, place remaining – (5, 6, 7, 8) stitches onto stitch holder or scrap yarn. [- (34, 40, 48, 56) stitches remain]
Palm
Resume working in the round and knit every round until Palm measures – (1¾, 2¼, 2¾, 3) inches from Thumb Hole, or to ¼ inch less than desired Palm length.
Next Round: Purl to end of round.
Knit 3 rounds.
Bind off knitwise.
Thumb
Place the – (10, 12, 14, 16) on-hold Thumb stitches onto three double pointed needles. Distribute stitches as evenly as possible on needles.
With right side facing you and beginning with the right-most Thumb stitch, join yarn and resume working in the round. Knit every round until Thumb measures – (¾, 1, 1¼, 1½) inches from Thumb Hole, or to ¼ inch less than desired Thumb length.
Next Round: Purl to end of round.
Knit 3 rounds.
Weave in ends.
Make another identical hand warmer, and gently block both.
Thank you for my Free Pattern.
Dear Purl,
Would this pattern work with Mulberry Merino? If so, what size needles and would one skein be enough for adult small? Also–what is a unique marker?
Thanks!
Liz
Hi Liz,
Thanks for reaching out! Since Mulberry Merino is sport weight yarn and our new Simply Camel is a fingering weight the gauge would be quite different so you would need to make some adjustments to the pattern (gauge, needle size, cast on) If you are up for a bit of a challenge you can certainly make these adjustments, and in that case I would recommend working a gauge swatch with an appropriate needle size (US 4 for Mulberry Merino) You can then adjust the cast on from there!
Alternatively, I would recommend checking out our Pigment Hat + Hand Warmers pattern! It is knit with one of our new yarns, Coorie! This pattern is very similar and would be a bit more easy to substitute Mulberry Merino since Coorie is also a sport weight yarn! Whenever changing yarns I always recommend staring with a gauge swatch to insure you are consistent with the pattern!
Finally, the unique stitch marker is simply a stitch marker you will use to mark where you join the work in the round (the beginning of the row!) You will want this one to be “unique” so that when you begin the crown shaping of the hat and place additional stitch markers you wont get confused which is the beginning of the round marker! I recommend using a stitch marker that is a different shape, color or size from the rest for your unique marker!
I hope this all helps and please let me know if you have any additional questions!
warmly,
Gianna
Could you knit 2 strands together and make it 4 ply? I haven’t the patience to knit 2!
Hi Mary,
Thanks for reaching out! You could certainly use 2 strands to create a thicker yarn but that would change the gauge a bit so you may need to make some adjustments! I would recommend working a gauge swatch to compare to the written gauge of the pattern!
Alternatively we have a few similar pattern that use different weight of yarn that I suggest checking out! Our Pigment Hat + Hand Warmers uses a sport weight yarn, our Watch Cap + Mitts uses a dk/light worsted weight yarn and lastly our Essential Hat, Mitten + Hand Warmer Set uses a worsted weight yarn!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Warmly,
Gianna
Beautiful ordering now, however, calls for US2, (3mm) dbl pointed needles. When I went to order needles the size US2 was 2.75mm and the US2.5 was (3mm) is there a big difference ? Also the US2 is 6″ or 8″ and the US2.5 is only in 6″. How long a needle to I need?
Thanks again for all of your help.
Hi Gail,
Thanks for reaching out! I would recommend sticking with the US 2 needle to insure you are consistent with the pattern! I would also recommend the 6″ version, they are perfect length for closing the top of a hat or making the hand warmers in the round!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
I love this! Will make this and the scarf for my two daughters and granddaughter for Christmas! Can I do it using magic loop?
Hi Gina,
Thanks for reaching out! That is such a sweet and thoughtful gift! I think you can certainly use magic loop!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hi!
I’m planning a road trip and need a smaller project to take with me. Would this hat pattern be pretty simple for a novice hat knitter?
If there’s one more beginner status, could you recommend? I would appreciate comment so I can order as soon as possible.
Thank you,
Brenda
Hi Brenda,
Thanks for reaching out! I think this hat is a perfect project for a novice hat knitter and would be great for a lap project while on the road!
Warmly,
Gianna
Thanks for your response. My head circumference measures 22 in. That’s the adult large. Could that be correct? I’m petite and small but I don’t want a really tightly fitted hat. Also, the camel yarn is currently out of stock. Do you have any idea when it might return? If too long out, what would a suitable alternative be?
Thanks,
Brenda
Hi Brenda,
Thanks for your response! If your circumference is 22″ I would suggest making the Adult Small size, the hats stretch quite a bit so that should fit comfortably without being too tight or too loose! Unfortunately I don’t have an exact ETA for when Simply Camel will be back in stock but it looks like it won’t be back for some time.
A few of my favorite patterns that are beginner friendly and great for travel are the Classic Ribbed Hat and the Simple Pleasures Hat!
Alternatively if you like the design of this hat better you could use a different yarn in place of the camel, I would suggest our yarn Posy!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hi, love this hat pattern and I just finished making your lightweight raglan pullover for my daughter and have some linen quill yarn left. Could I substitute the camel with the linen quill? (Love all of your tutorials on line- short rows, Kitchener, etc.)
Hi Kim,
Thanks for reaching out and for your kind words! You can certainly use Linen Quill for this pattern! Since both are fingering weight yarns you should be good to go, but I do recommend working a gauge swatch prior to beginning to ensure you are consistent with the pattern!
I hope this helps and please let us know how this turns out!
Gianna
Will one skein be enough for the hat?
Thank you. Kathleen
Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for reaching out! 1 skein is plenty for the Baby, Toddler, and Kid/Junior sizes but if you are planning on making the Adult Small or Adult Large size you will need 2 skeins!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Would this work in your cashmere yarn? Do I need to use more then one end?
Hi Molly,
Thanks for writing in! The Simply Yak we originally used is a fingering weight so it depends on which cashmere yarn we carry that you’re thinking of. Were you referring to Jade Sapphire’s 2-ply cashmere? If so, that should work, but when making substitutions we always recommend making a gauge swatch to be sure you’re using the right needles. We have a tutorial with more details on how to do that right here: All About Gauge
That yarn also has much more yardage per skein than Simply Yak so you should be able to make this set with one skein and will only need one end.
I hope that helps clear things up but please let us know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Zha Zha
Would this pattern work with Berroco, Modern Cotton DK?
Hi Marta,
Thanks for reaching out! For this pattern, we used our Simply Camel which is a fingering weight yarn, so a dk weight yarn would be too thick for this pattern. I would suggest looking for a fingering weight yarn so you don’t need to make any adjustments! If you would like to work with Cotton, I suggest using our Buttercup Cotton or Santolina! Both are fingering weight yarns and one skein of either should be plenty to make both the hat and hand warmers depending on the size you choose (if you are planning on making both hat and hand warmers the larger sizes would require two skeins to complete both.) I would also suggest working a gauge swatch with either yarn prior to beginning to ensure you are consistent with the pattern.
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Will it be possible to knit the hat with just the US 2 dpns? I can’t find size 2 circular 16″ needles. I was thinking of trying to use knitting needle stoppers in order to keep the stitches from slipping off of the double points.
Hi Lee,
I’m afraid that it would be pretty difficult to knit this pattern using just 2 DPNs, but I’m happy to say that we do carry size US2 16″ circular needles right here! Another option you might consider would be to use a longer US2 circular needle and work the Magic Loop technique! It’s a great solution for working on small circumference projects when you don’t want to use DPNs, and it will allow you to avoid having to use needle stoppers to keep the stitches on your needles.
I hope this helps!
Warmly,
Kelsey
Hi, and thanks for yet another wonderfully elegant free! pattern. I’ve started this hat and I’m a bit concerned that it is rolling up as I knit. Never had this happen before and I’m hoping that it won’t be a problem when actually finished and on someone’s head. Cast on is plenty loose so I don’t think that is a concern.
Hi yarnvixen,
Thanks for reaching out! since this is knit in stockinette rolling can happen, but blocking your finished hat should solve this issue! I recommend checking out our lovely Blocking tutorial for more tips!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
Hi,
My daughter wanted to knit the hand warmer with a thumb and thought but looking at reviews I bought coorie. I must have read it wrong and thought coorie was a fingering weight. Is there a hand warmer patter with a thumb that she can use the coorie yarn with?
Thank you!
Hannah
Hi Hannah,
Thanks for writing in. I actually think that your daughter could make Coorie work for this pattern! The gauge for the hand warmers comes to 6.5 stitches per inch, and Coorie typically has a gauge of 6-6.5 stitches per inch. I would recommend she make a gauge swatch with Coorie to see how many stitches per inch she’s getting naturally, and then possibly change to a smaller needle size if need be. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
For the hat, what sort of cast on do you recommend? I was going to use the super stretchy German twisted cast on since it’s a hat, but one of the comments here says that the hat pattern is already pretty stretchy. Should I use a less stretchy cast on like the Double Start cast on or the standard Long Tail Cast on?
Hi Lee,
Thanks so much for your question!
I would recommend using the standard Long Tail Cast On for this pattern. It works beautifully with all the stockinette and is stretchy, but not too much!
I hope this was helpful! Have a wonderful day!
All the best,
Cat
First of all I love the baby camel. It’s gorgeous and a pleasure to knit and the finished fabric looks amazing. I ended up using magic loop to knit the hand warmers. I’m not a fan of DPNs and four was too much equipment for me to handle. Also, I had to adjust the pattern to allow for my wider forearms then a did a series of decreases to taper in to the wrist. And the thumb was really small and I had to adjust there as well.
I am not sure I understand one part of the Gusset for the hand warmers. Should the Thumb stitches be the central 12 sts out of the 16 that are added when increasing for the Kid/Junior size? When it states to knit to the next marker and then put the previous 6 sts on the holder then continue knitting to the next marker and put the remaining 6 sts, I end up having several sts after my marker and if I go to the end of the round and take the last 6 sts back I will have 4 sts after the maker left. This will leave me with 6 sts and 4 sts making 10. Is this making sense? Please help! Thank you so much for the pattern and your willingness to help.
Hi Kristie,
Thanks for reaching out. I’d be happy to help answer your question, but first would you be able to clarify which size you’re working on? Are you knitting the Kid size (with a cast-on of 34 stitches) or the Junior size (with a cast-on of 40 stitches)?
But in general, the stitch count for the thumb (the area between the two added stitch markers and surrounding the end-of-round marker) should stay consistent throughout the GUSSET section! If you’re knitting the Kid size, then the thumb should always have 10 stitches, and if you’re knitting the Junior size, then the thumb should always have 12 stitches. When it comes time to create the thumb hole, you will knit to the first marker (halfway across the thumb), put these first 5 or 6 stitches onto a holder, then knit to the second marker, after which the remaining 5 or 6 stitches should be present (the other half of the thumb).
I also wanted to mention that during the GUSSET increases, you will increase by either 10 stitches (if you’re knitting the Kid size) or by 12 stitches (if you’re knitting the Junior size). You would only increase by 16 stitches if you were knitting the Adult Large size, and all of these stitches will be added to the palm and not the thumb!
I hope this helps clarify things, and please let me know if you have any other questions.
All the best,
Lili
When the hat says round 1 and Round 2 four more times, does that mean round 1 four times and round 2 four more times.
Sorry for not understanding.
Hi Katherine,
Thanks for reaching out. The instructions to repeat Rounds 1 and 2 four more times mean to repeat both of these rounds four times! That means you’ll have a total of 8 rounds that alternate back-and-forth between Round 1 and Round 2. Hope this helps clarify things!
All the best,
Lili
I would like to make this hat with a 2″ ribbed brim (not folded over) rather than the simple knit/purl beginning rows. Do you think this yarn will work well for ribbing on this pattern?
Hi Karen,
Thanks for reaching out. I think that your idea for this hat in Simply Camel will work perfectly!
All the best,
Lili
Can you tell me if the camel yarn “grows” like superwash yarn or does it retain its shape like wool. I am concerned that the hat will stretch out overtime. Thank you
Hi Donna,
That’s a great question! The camel yarn does tend to grow over time since it’s a fairly inelastic fiber, so we’d recommend knitting up a swatch and then washing and blocking the swatch how you would your finished project to get a sense for how the fabric will behave. If you’re interested in wet blocking your project, you can mitigate stretching by removing it carefully from the water and, when laying it flat to dry, you can measure the dimensions of your project to make sure they are correct. If there’s any variation, you can shape the project to the original measurements and it will dry to these specifications. I hope this helps with your project planning!
All the best,
Cat
I’m a left handed knitter. For the thumb on the arm warmers, when the pattern says m1r, should I make it left instead and vice versa?
Hi Jo,
Thanks for writing in! We recommend knitting the increases in the direction of the thumb so that the stitches flow seamlessly into the thumb. If you intend to switch the direction of the pattern instructions then you would also switch the direction of the increases. So M1R would become M1L and M1L would become M1R.
I hope this helps but if you need additional help, please let us know!
Happy making,
Gavriella
Does anyone on your staff watch BBC Shetland? This month, Season 8 Episode 4, DI Ruth Calder wears a lovely beanie much like the Timeless Hat shown above. Not only is this a similar/same shape, but the drape is striking, making me think it must be made of cashmere. At any rate, I would love to know if some Shetland aficionado might confirm that that I may proceed w/o caution on this path. Otherwise, I’ll just have to wing it on my own. Thanks for thinking about this.
Hi Laurel!
Thanks for sharing this with us! We are going to have to check it out! I believe the similarity is pure luck! This hat is actually knit in our Simply Camel yarn which is 100% baby camel but truly does have an amazing drape and softness! I hope this helps but feel free to let us know if you have anymore questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Hello, loved knitting the gloves but i am left with a hole between the thumb and mitten when continuing with the thumb knitting. Do you have a tutorial explaining how to continue with the thumb knitting to avoid a gap please?
Hi Catherine,
Thanks for your question! We do not currently have a tutorial on this specific technique but one thing you could try on the next mitten is picking up an extra stitch (just somewhere in the gaps) and then knitting it together with an existing stitch in that round. I occasionally do this when working underarm stitches for my sweaters but it could work in this pattern as well. Another option that could work is using your tail to weave together that small gap making it nearly invisible after blocking!
I hope this helps but please let me know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Gavriella
Many thanks for your reply. Picking up an extra stitch is a good suggestion for the next mitten.
BTW I love purl soho and the beautiful knitting and sewing projects you have.
No problem at all! Let us know if you ever need anything else, we are always happy to help!
Thank you so much for this beautiful pattern! I’d love to make mittens instead of fingerless gloves with this yarn. Is there another glove pattern, or a way to covert this pattern to make mittens instead of fingerless gloves?
Hi Lindsey,
Thanks for writing in! I think you would really enjoy knitting either our Arched Gusset Mittens or our Long Lovely Mittens. These are both super simple and elegant mitten patterns!
All the best,
Lili