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Big Cuff Hat
Cast on with our luminous new Paintbrush Mohair yarn to knit the softest, fluffiest hat a head could want! Quick and easy to knit, our Big Cuff Hat is your new gifting go-to, and with 40 glorious colors to explore, you’ll just have to make one for everyone you know… And one or two for yourself, too!
Nearly every stitch of the Big Cuff Hat is a simple knit stitch, a soothing pleasure in such soft, radiant yarn! You’ll knit the cuff in the round, then turn your work inside out so the knit side shows when folded, continuing on to knit the body and finishing with four spokes of neat decreases for the crown. Fold the cuff twice for an extra plush and cozy brim, with the flexibility to wear the hat tall and slouchy or snug and close-fitting.
Knit at the denser end of its worsted-to-chunky gauge, Paintbrush Mohair gives the Big Cuff Hat just enough structure to hold its shape while keeping all its soft, irresistible squish. A cotton core adds strength and stability, while the mohair wreathes each stitch in a halo of warmth and light. This yarn and this project are the perfect introduction to mohair, if you haven’t knit with it before… We’re sure you’re going to fall in love!
With 40 colors to explore, Paintbrush Mohair is a playground of color and light, each hue seeming to glow from within. For our Big Cuff Hats, we chose Pink Grapefruit, Golden Honey, Giant Sequoia, and Golden Raisin—rich and radiant against winter’s chill. Whether you gravitate toward these toasty warm tones, quiet neutrals, or vivid jewels, you’ll have a hard time deciding which color to dip into first!
The Big Cuff Hat is pure joy to knit—and to give. Paintbrush Mohair’s captivating touch and fascinating depth make the rounds fly so pleasurably, you’ll finish one hat and be reaching for a new color before you know it!
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 55 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!
Pattern designed and written by Purl Soho designer, Hiromi Glover. See even more of Hiromi’s work on her Instagram!
Story written by Andrea Lotz for Purl Soho.
Want to print this pattern? On desktop, find the “print” icon in the right margin, and on mobile, scroll to the end of the pattern for it. Use the on-screen instructions to remove anything you don’t want to print!
Materials
- 1 (2, 2, 2, 3) ball(s) of Purl Soho’s Paintbrush Mohair, 75% kid mohair and 25% Peruvian Pima cotton. Each ball of this worsted/aran to chunky/bulky-weight yarn is 120 yards/ 50 grams; approximately 110 (155, 195, 235, 310) total yards required. We used the colors Golden Honey, Golden Raisin, Fresh Grapefruit, and Giant Sequoia.
- US 5 (3.75 mm), 12- or 16-inch circular knitting needles OR US 5, 32-inch circular needles for Magic Loop
- If using 12- or 16-inch circular needles: A set of US 5 double pointed needles
- Removable stitch markers, including one unique
GAUGE
21 stitches and 27 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
SIZES
For help choosing a hat size, check out our complete guide on How to Knit the Right Hat Size!
Baby (Toddler, Kid, Adult Small, Adult Large)
To fit head circumference of 13½–15 (15–17, 17–19½, 19½–22, 22–25) inches
- Finished Circumference: 12¼ (13¾, 15¼, 17½, 19¾) inches
- Finished Height (cuffed): 6¼ (7¼, 8½, 8¾,10½) inches tall, with 3 (3¾, 4¼, 4½, 5¼) inch cuff
- Finished Height (uncuffed): 12¼ (14¾, 17, 17¾, 21) inches
Samples: The Golden Honey hat is the Baby size; the Golden Raisin hat is the Kid size; and the Fresh Grapefruit and Giant Sequoia hats are the Adult Small size.
NOTE
S2KP (SLIP 2, KNIT 1, PSSO)
Slip 2 stitches together knitwise with yarn in back, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over knit stitch and off right needle. [2 stitches decreased]
For additional help, please visit our S2kp Tutorial.
PATTERN
CUFF
Cast on 64 (72, 80, 92, 104) stitches onto circular needles. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Place a unique stitch marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Knit every round until piece measures 7 (8½, 9½, 10, 11½) inches from cast-on edge.
BODY
SET UP
Flip piece inside out so reverse stockinette side is facing you and working yarn is on left needle. This is now the right side.
Remove stitch marker, slip 1 purlwise with yarn in front from left needle to right needle, move yarn between needles to back of work, and re-place unique stitch marker on right needle for new end of round.
NOTE: There will be a slight gap between the slipped stitch and the stitch to the right of it, but it will be almost invisible once blocked and cuffed!
CONTINUE
Knit every round for 3 (3¾, 4¾, 4¾, 5¾) inches, until piece measures 10 (12¼, 14¼, 14¾, 17¼) inches from cast-on edge.
CROWN
NOTE: If using 12- or 16-inch circular needles, change to double pointed needles when necessary.
Set-Up Round: [K16 (18, 20, 23, 26), place removable stitch marker on previous stitch] 3 times, knit to end of round, remove unique marker and place it on previous stitch for new end of round.
Round 1: [Knit to 1 stitch before next marked stitch, remove stitch marker, s2kp (see Note), place stitch marker on resulting stitch] 4 times. [8 stitches decreased]
Round 2: [Knit to next marked stitch, remove stitch marker, k1, replace stitch marker on previous stitch] 4 times.
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 six (7, 8, 9, 11) more times. [8 (8, 8, 12, 8) stitches remain]
FINISHING
Cut yarn and thread tail onto a tapestry needle. Sew tail through remaining stitches, pull taut and bring tail to inside of hat to weave in.
Weave in all ends and gently wet block.
To cuff hat, fold the cast-on edge up so that about 1 inch of reverse stockinette fabric remains visible, then fold the doubled fabric up one more time.
Enjoy your Big Cuff Hat!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho. We can’t wait to see what you make!
LEARN ABOUT PAINTBRUSH MOHAIR + ALL OUR BEAUTIFUL YARNS
Paintbrush Mohair brings radiant color and soft dimension to this project! With a palette of 40 luminous shades to mix, match, or combine, this incredible worsted- to bulky-weight yarn is spun from 75% kid mohair and 25% Peruvian Pima cotton, a mix that feels soft in your hand, floaty on your needles, and warm on your skin. Fine mohair fibers bloom around a cotton core, creating an airy loft, fascinating depth, and irresistible feel… Every stitch glows with creative possibility!
More Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our collection of free Paintbrush Mohair knitting patterns and cast on!
More Worsted/Aran-Weight Yarns + Chunky/Bulky-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of worsted/aran-weight yarn (What does worsted-weight yarn mean, really? Our guide to worsted-weight yarn will answer your questions and more!)
- Shop our entire collection of chunky/bulky-weight yarns
- If you want to use a different yarn, be sure to take the time to get the correct gauge. Need help? Check our All About Gauge Tutorial, our Yarn Substitution article, and our Complete Guide To Yarn for lots of helpful information.
More Yarns With Similar Fibers
- Shop mohair yarn (Soft, warm, and glowing, learn more about this beautiful natural fiber in our guide to knitting with mohair yarn!)
- Shop cotton yarn (What helps cotton keep its cool? Learn all about this soft, natural fiber in our guide to cotton yarn!)
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our knitting patterns (including tons of 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!
Beautiful
Love to have the pattern
Can I use leftovers from my nine-note bundle for this hat?
Hi Hillary,
Thanks for reaching out! Note knits up beautifully at this gauge and has a lovely fuzzy halo. If you send us an email at [email protected] we’d be happy to help you calculate the number of grams of yarn you would need for a specific size to make sure you have enough leftovers. I hope this helps clarify but please let us know if you have any other questions!
Kindly,
Andrea
Do you hold two yarns together from the mohair? Or just single?
Hi Borsika,
Thanks so much for writing in! This pattern uses a single strand of our Paintbrush Mohair, which is quite a bit thicker than a traditional lace-weight mohair like Tussock. If you’re using a different mohair, you may need 2–3 strands to achieve a similar look. We always recommend making a quick gauge swatch to check your tension against the pattern for the best results. I hope this helps clarify things, and please feel free to reach out if any other questions come up along the way!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Hi! My question is if this yarn is itchy even a little bit? I want to knit this hat for my daughter and she is very sensitive to itchy yarns . Thank you!
Hi Irina,
Thanks so much for reaching out! This yarn isn’t itchy at all—it’s actually quite soft and lofty. It behaves like a traditional lace-weight mohair but is thicker and much sturdier. That said, if your daughter usually finds mohair itchy, you may want to substitute one of our DK-weight yarns for this pattern instead. I hope this helps you choose the best yarn for your project!
All the best,
Gavriella
I have never knitted with circular needles before but I want to learn! Is this pattern easy to do?
Hi Lynn,
Ohh so excited you are taking the leap! If you already have the basic stitches down, then this pattern would be wonderful to try! Another great option to practice would be out Wool Standard hat!
Happy knitting!
Gavriella
Is the grapefruit color an Adult Small or Large?
Hi Whitney,
Thanks so much for asking! The Fresh Grapefruit and Giant Sequoia hats are the Adult Small size.
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Hi, I was looking at this pattern and wondered if it’s necessary to tack the cuff after you’ve folded it up. That’s a beautiful hat and looks so warm and cushy. Thank you.
Hi Joan,
Thank you so much for writing in — and for your kind words! We didn’t find it necessary to tack the cuff down for this pattern, as the reverse side naturally helps keep it in place. That said, you can absolutely tack it down if you prefer a more secure finish.
Happy knitting!
Gavriella
Would this pattern work with Nigh Aran? Would the yardage differ?
Thanks in Advance,
Margaret
Hi Margaret!
This pattern would definitely work with Nigh Aran and I think this sounds like a wonderful idea. I may just do the same for my next Big Cuff hat too!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Thanks so much!
Would you used the same size needles with the Nigh Aran? I absolutely love this pattern, it’s the most flattering hat I’ve ever made.
Hi Carolyn!
I’m so glad to hear you love the Big Cuff Hat! Both Paintbrush Mohair and Nigh Aran are aran-weight. So, you ought to be able to use a similar needle size. If you’re concerned, I would recommend knitting a swatch and seeing if you like the look and feel of the fabric. But, from here, you should be good!
I hope this helps! Please feel free to reach out with any other questions you might have!
Happy knitting!
Hills
Hi,
I have a question about size and blocking.
I’m halfway done with this and it seems very large and loose, will it seize up and shrink when blocked?
How do you recommend blocking it?
Thanks,
Kat
Hi Kat,
Thanks so much for reaching out! Blocking usually won’t shrink a hat as most yarns actually relax a bit after blocking. So if it’s already feeling loose, blocking likely won’t tighten it up.
If you’d like to share your gauge and needle size, I’m happy to help double-check the sizing with you.
For blocking, you can lay the hat flat or place it gently over a bowl or balloon after wet blocking, but make sure it isn’t stretched over the form.
Warmly,
Megan
Thank you for this beautiful yarn and fun pattern. I have gotten as far as the decreasing on the crown part I am having a bit of al problem. When you say move the marker to the previous stitch do you mean the one that you just knitted? Also just to be sure, the “resulting stitch” is the one that is left on right needle after you do a S2Kp.
Thanks so much for your help.
Hi Gail,
Yes, the “previous stitch” is the one you just knit, and yes, again! The resulting stitch is the s2kp on your right needle. I hope this clears things up for you, and you get to finish your Big Cuff Hat and put it on your head. I’ve made three so far and am just waiting for the yarn to make a fourth… It’s such a wonderful hat!
Please let us know if you have any more questions and happy knitting!
Best,
Whitney
Thank you. Am now on my second one❣️
What should I do if my head circumference is exactly 22 inches? Does the stitch count have to be in multiples of 12?
Hi Sol!
Thank you for your question! If your head circumference is exactly 22 inches, I’d recommend making the Adult Large size. Hats are designed with a bit of negative ease so they fit snugly, and that size should give you a comfortable, secure fit.
As for the stitch count: yes, the cast-on needs to stay in multiples of 12. This ensures that the decreases are evenly spaced around the crown so the shaping comes out smooth and symmetrical.
If you’d like help customizing the sizing further, feel free to email [email protected]!
Happy knitting,
Megan
Hi there~ I’ve got about 6′ of Fresh Honeydew going on my needles for the Big Cuff Hat pattern (a Christmas gift for my sister — shhhh….) but before I go much further, I wanted to check in about the cuff. The idea is that it’s folded twice, which means 3 layers of fabric for the cuff, right? That seems like a very thick cuff! For cold, snowy days in NYC, maybe that’s a great thing, but here in California, I’m wondering if just a double layer of this oh-so-delicous yarn is plenty thick to keep the ears warm… and so I’m wondering if you could poll all the gals in the shop who are loving the hat and ask if those 3 layers ever feel like too much? And if I did decide to just have a double layer cuff instead of a triple layer cuff, at what point would you suggest I do the turn-it-inside-out bit? I imagine that the triple layer also keeps the edge from rolling since it’s pure stockinette… hmmmm….
Thanks for your input and THANKS for offering these great patterns and these fab yarns.
Fan For LIFE
Hi Julia,
Thanks for reaching out! You are correct that this hat has three layers of fabric around the cuff and it is a toasty hat! Many of us on the team have made it and have been wearing them a lot. Paintbrush Mohair is nice and breathable, so we haven’t noticed any overheating. One of the nice details of this pattern is that the cast on edge gets hidden inside the cuff which you’ll miss out on with a single fold. If you do want to do with a single fold, at the end of the cuff section where it says, Knit every round until piece measures 7 (8½, 9½, 10, 11½) inches from cast-on edge, I would knit half as much [3.5(4.25, 4.75, 5, 5.75) inches].
I hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Warmly,
Andrea
“Knit every round for 3 (3¾, 4¾, 4¾, 5¾) inches, until piece measures 10 (12¼, 14¼, 14¾, 17¼) inches from cast-on edge.”
I’m drawing a blank on this. Help!
Hi Liz!
It’s completely normal for pattern instructions to feel a little unclear on the first read. Earlier in the pattern, right after the cast on for the cuff, it notes to “Knit every round until the piece measures 7 (8½, 9½, 10, 11½) inches from the cast-on edge.”
Then, in the next section after the Body Set Up, it continues with “Knit every round for 3 (3¾, 4¾, 4¾, 5¾) inches, until the piece measures 10 (12¼, 14¼, 14¾, 17¼) inches from the cast-on edge.” I hope that helps the sequence make a bit more sense!
Warmly,
Megan
Hello!! I have just received my two balls of paintbrush mohair in the mail and was excited to cast on today; however, I’ve just re-measured my head and realized I may need to make an adult large rather than the small as planned (22.5″ head circumference). I’m wondering if there’s a way to make this work with what I now have on hand – perhaps by adjusting the length and/or cuff size? My head length is ~8.25″, so I think there may be some wiggle room there.
Hi S!
Thank you for writing in! You do have some flexibility here, so don’t worry. With a 22.5″ head circumference, the Adult Large is the better fit circumference-wise, but since you’re working with a limited amount of yarn, you can absolutely make it work by adjusting the length. I’d recommend following the Adult Large stitch counts (cast on, crown shaping, etc.) so the fit around your head is comfortable, and then shortening the body of the hat slightly before the crown. Since your head length is about 8.25″, you’ve got a bit of wiggle room to make the hat a touch shorter and save yarn there. You can also keep the cuff a little less deep. It will be close, but you’ve got a great plan, and it sounds totally doable with what you have on hand.
Happy knitting!
Megan
I have a question about the step after the cuff is done and you switch the direction of the knitting.
Are these the same or similar instructions when doing short rows? I’m actually only familiar with German short rows- and curious if I could do a GSR instead at that point?
Hi Natalie!
Thank you for your question! This step isn’t a short row, so it’s different from German short rows. This is simply a change in knitting direction to set up the body of the hat. After you flip the piece so the reverse stockinette side is facing you, you’ll remove the marker, slip 1 stitch purlwise with the yarn in front, move the yarn to the back, and then replace the unique marker. That slipped stitch just helps create a clean transition. It’s not functioning as a wrap or double stitch, so a GSR wouldn’t be appropriate in this spot. You may notice a small gap right there, but it’s totally expected and becomes nearly invisible once the hat is blocked and the cuff is folded up. I hope this clarifies things!
Warmly,
Megan
Yes as mentioned above, I’m halfway through and it seems very loose and big. I used recommended needle. Will it get tighter when you fold it to make the cuff. I’m making a small.
Hi C!
Thanks so much for checking in! A folded cuff will definitely make the hat feel snugger, but the overall fit still depends a lot on gauge. Even with the recommended needle, if you’re not getting about 21 stitches over 4 inches (5.25 stitches per inch), the hat can come out looser than expected. The good news is that Paintbrush Mohair does bloom and relax beautifully after blocking, which can help even things out visually, but it won’t significantly shrink the circumference. If it’s already feeling quite big halfway through, I’d recommend double-checking your stitch gauge now.
If you’d like, you’re very welcome to send us a photo at [email protected]. We’re happy to take a look and help you decide the best next step!
Warmly,
Megan
Hi,
I am wondering if you could recommend an easy hat pattern for making a first time hat in this amazing yarn. I have made wraps with this yarn and absolutely love it and the colors are so beautiful it’s hard to choose. I would love to make a matching hat to go with my wrap. Thank you for this wonderful yarn, the free patterns and questions answered are very much appreciated. Thank you.
Hi Pam!
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled you’re loving the yarn and colors! For a first hat, this pattern is a great choice and pairs beautifully with a wrap made from the same yarn. Hats are very approachable projects, and if you take it one step at a time, you should feel right at home. The setup is often the part that feels new, but the pattern walks you through it clearly, and we’ve linked helpful tutorials (including for the crown decreases) if you want a visual boost.
And of course, if you get stuck or just want reassurance along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] —we’re always happy to help.
Happy knitting,
Megan
I just finished my first Big Cuff hat with this yarn & pattern. I find that the cast-on edge curls to the right side (as expected with stockinette) and creates a bump in the cuff. Might it be a good idea to do the first 1/2″ or so in something that will lie flatter? Or will the curling (& bump) gradually go away as the mohair attaches itself to the adjacent layer? What would you suggest?
Although this yarn is very pretty, I admit I found it a bear to work with.
Thanks for your help!
Hi Joanie!
Thank you for writing in, and congratulations on finishing your first Big Cuff Hat — that’s a big win, especially with mohair! It can definitely be a bit of a challenge to work with, so you’re not alone there.
You’re absolutely right that a stockinette cast-on edge wants to curl, and that little bump in the cuff is a common result. Blocking can help a lot here: try re-blocking with extra attention to keeping the cast-on edge flat, then fold the cuff once it’s fully dry so it settles smoothly between the layers. Mohair does tend to relax and lightly “cling” to itself over time, which can also soften that bump.
If you make another one, your instinct is spot-on: working the first 1/2″ or so in something that won’t curl as much, like a few rounds of garter stitch in the round, can really help prevent curling from the start while still keeping the look clean. I hope this helps!
Warmly,
Megan
Hi All – Thank you for generously sharing your beautiful hat pattern. I have a request, is there any chance you can include a picture of the hat unfolded? I’d like to see what the pattern looks like when you make the change to knit from the inside out. I’m having difficulty understanding how when you fold the hat you don’t see the inside of the hat pattern? Does the pattern also end up having stockinette on the inside? Thank you so much for helping with my confusion!
Hi Sandra!
Thank you so much for your kind words! Great question, this part is a little mind-bending at first. When you reach the set-up after the cuff and flip the hat inside out, you’re essentially changing which side is considered the “right side” of the fabric. From that point on, you’re knitting so that when the hat is folded, the stockinette side of the cuff ends up on the outside.
If it’s still hard to visualize, you’re always welcome to email us at [email protected] and we’re happy to help further!
Warmly,
Megan
Hi I am knitting on size 5 needles with the paintbrush mohair and I noticed during my gauge swatch that my width is way off. It’s measuring 5 1/2 inches per 21 stitches and I was about a half inch longer vertically. The head circumference I’m knitting for is 20.5″. I’m considering knitting a kid size. Would this be appropriate or still trying for the size adult small?
Hi Cara!
Thanks for writing in! Since you’re getting 21 stitches over 5½ inches, your stitches are quite a bit looser than the pattern gauge (which should be 21 stitches = 4 inches). That means your hat will come out significantly larger than intended if you follow the pattern as written.
Before changing sizes, I’d actually recommend trying a smaller needle (maybe a US 3 or 4) and re-swatching if possible. Mohair can really bloom and loosen up, so this is super common! Getting closer to gauge will give you the best fit and fabric.
That said, for a 20.5″ head circumference, if you keep your current gauge, a Kid size may be the better choice. If you adjust your needles and hit gauge, Adult Small would be perfect.
If you’d like, you can send us a photo of your swatch to [email protected] and we can help you dial it in exactly. Happy to be your second set of eyes!
Warmly,
Megan
I am interested in knitting big cuff hat in paintbrush mohair in pink. I need to see the
colors of pink. Pink is not my color but that is what my grandmother wants. Is there any to see the colors together? Thanks
Hi Sharon!
Thank you for your question! Paintbrush Mohair does come in several beautiful pink shades, and since pink can vary so much in tone, it totally makes sense to want to compare them side by side.
The best way to see them together is to email us at [email protected]
— we’d be happy to send you comparison photos so you can find the perfect shade for your grandmother. That way you can choose something she’ll truly love.
Warmly,
Megan
Hi! If I didn’t want the cuff to be as big on the adult large, could I knit 8 Inches instead of 11.5IN or will I ruin the pattern?
Hi Elle!
Thank you for your question! You absolutely can knit a shorter cuff — making it 8 inches instead of 11.5 inches won’t ruin the pattern at all if you’d prefer that look. Everything else in the pattern will work exactly the same. You may want to add a little more length for the body of the hat since we measured from the cuff for the pattern originally.
Happy knitting!
Megan
What is the best way to wet block this hat? All the suggestions and how-to details, please.
And is it best to dry it flat or on a balloon?
Thanks, it was fun to knit and my first experience knitting with mohair by itself.
Hi Jennifer!
Thank you for your question, and welcome to mohair! Both blocking methods work well — drying on a balloon will give the hat a bit more structure, while flat drying keeps it softer. We’d just recommend avoiding heat and being gentle when handling. I hope this helps!
Warmly,
Megan
Hi there! I’m trying to visualize how the cuff works, and wanted to ask: can the cuff be adjusted in height once finished? I would like the option of folding the cuff deeper or more shallow, and am having trouble imagining if that would work without revealing reverse stockinette.
Hi Carolyn!
Thank you for your question! Once the cuff is established, its height isn’t really adjustable in the way a traditional folded brim is. You can roll it a bit more or less, but doing so won’t change the overall fit of the hat, and folding it beyond the intended cuff depth may reveal reverse stockinette on the inside. If having a more flexible cuff depth is important to you, the best option would be to adjust the cuff height while knitting rather than after it’s finished. I hope this helps!
Warmly,
Megan
I am allergic to mohair. What other soft, non-itchy yarn can be substituted that has the same gauge?
Hi Gail!
Thank you for your question! If you’re allergic to mohair, there are some lovely soft, non-itchy alternatives that can work well at a similar gauge. While nothing behaves exactly like Paintbrush Mohair, yarns such as Goldenberry Alpaca, Nigh DK, Note, and Cashmere Merino Bloom are all great options to consider. They’re smooth against the skin and don’t have the halo that mohair does, but they will still give you a beautiful fabric. I’d strongly recommend knitting a gauge swatch with your chosen substitute to make sure you’re happy with both the feel and the drape before starting your project. I hope this helps!
Warmly,
Megan
Hello, this is my second time trying to comment on this pattern. I believe that the gauge of 21 stitches on US 5 needles does not come near 4”. Like a few others have posted, it’s well over 5”. This is not a fun yarn to keep frogging each time I try to redo the gauge swatch on smaller needles. I have tried both US 3 and US 1 and even with US 1 needles I am getting at least 4.5”. Confirming that I am only using a single strand of the Paintbrush Mohair, and am confused as the yarn card states that 13-17 stitches = 4”. I am also a tight knitter and have never had issues with your patterns in the past. Could it be possible that the project gauge is incorrect or that this yarns yields vast inconsistencies in thickness?
Hi Reba!
Thank you so much for writing in, and I’m really sorry this has been such a frustrating experience, especially with a yarn that isn’t fun to frog.
A couple of important things to check and keep in mind: First, blocking is essential for this yarn. Paintbrush Mohair changes dramatically once it’s been wet blocked and allowed to relax and bloom. An unblocked swatch can easily measure much larger than the final fabric, even for tight knitters. If you haven’t already, we strongly recommend wet blocking the swatch exactly as you would the finished piece before measuring.
Second, the gauge listed on the yarn card (13–17 stitches = 4”) reflects a general knitting range, not the gauge used for this specific pattern. This project is intentionally knit at a much tighter gauge to create structure and control the halo, which is why the stitch count is higher.
That said, if you’ve blocked your swatches and are still consistently measuring 4.5–5 inches on US 1 needles with a single strand, that’s definitely worth a closer look. Mohair can vary slightly in loft and thickness, and personal tension can amplify that.
At this point, the most helpful next step would be to email us a photo of your blocked swatch (with a ruler in the frame) to [email protected]. Seeing the fabric will let us assess whether the gauge issue is coming from stitch structure, blocking behavior, or something else entirely, and we can advise you more precisely without asking you to frog again unnecessarily. We really appreciate you taking the time to write in, and we’ll do our best to help you get this sorted with minimal frustration.
Warmly,
Megan
Knitting the Big Cuff Hat with a 3.75mm needle is creating a very dense fabric…just wondering whether to go up to a 4.5mm needle and size down from a large size to a medium size to create a more pliable fabric. Am using your Paintbrush Mohair in Stormy Sea.
How does mohair react to blocking? Does it grow, thereby becoming softer?
Hi Linda!
Thank you for your question! The best guide here is gauge. If you’re getting more than 21 stitches over 4 inches, your fabric will feel denser, so going up a needle size is a good idea, but you shouldn’t have to change hat sizes. With mohair, you generally want a fabric that feels light and airy rather than dense, so it’s okay (and often preferable) to knit it a bit more loosely.
As for blocking, Paintbrush Mohair will soften and bloom after blocking. It doesn’t typically grow dramatically, but it will relax and feel more supple. A gentle wet block will help the stitches even out and enhance that soft halo.
If you’re unsure, knitting a small swatch, blocking it, and then checking the feel is the best way to find your ideal needle size. I hope this helps!
Warmly,
Megan
Hi, I had a question about the crown decreases. So you basically decrease for four rows, then you knit four rows without decreasing, and keep repeating that? The decreases are look a bit puffed up if that makes sense. I did four rows of just knitting as I understood to be right but I’m afraid I will have another few rows of puffing.
Hi Claudia!
Thank you so much for writing in! You’ll actually be alternating between a decrease round and a plain knit round. So Round 1 is your decrease round, and Round 2 is worked even. Then you simply repeat those two rounds, decreasing every other round rather than working several decrease rounds in a row.
I hope that helps clarify things, and please feel free to reach out if anything else comes up. We’re always happy to help!
Warmly,
Megan
Hello,
After reading all of the questions on the sizing of the hats, I would greatly appreciate directions or suggestions on measuring a person’s head for the correct circumference before I get started on the project. Thanks so much for your help!
Hi Melanie!
Thanks so much for reaching out! You’ll need either a soft measuring tape or a piece of scrap yarn/twine long enough to wrap around the person’s head. You’ll want to measure the widest point. If you don’t have a soft tape measure, you can use the scrap yarn by marking it and measuring it against a hard tape measure.
For this pattern, I’d suggest choosing a hat size that closely aligns to the size of the circumference of the head since there is no ribbing in the cuff. I hope this helps! Please reach out with any other questions you might have!
Happy knitting!
Hills
Help! I am about 7 rows into this hat and because there is no ribbing at the bottom the bottom edge is curling up. Won’t this make the brim odd?
Hi Sherryl!
Thanks so much for reaching out with your question! Great work starting your Big Cuff Hat, I totally understand your reservations on the curling, its quite typical for stockinette, especially as you get started on a project.
As you continue to work, the project will curl less as the fabric takes shape. It will also curl less as it’s blocked. By the time the hat is finished, the folded brim will work up beautifully (and flat!). However, if you would like to stop the curling, you could knit a few rows in garter stitch at the cast on. (This will show on the brim, as a heads-up!).
I hope this helps! Please feel free to reach out with any other questions you might have!
Happy knitting!
Hills
Hi! Is there a way to adjust this pattern so that it will work with 1 ball of the mohair paintbrush instead of two, by making the cuff shorter? *or is one of your other hat patterns compatible with using 1 ball of this yarn? 🙂
Hi Rebecca!
Thanks so much for reaching out with your question about the Big Cuff Hat! I’m really glad you’re excited about this pattern, and I’m happy to help out.
You could try knitting the hat without a brim, but I can’t promise you’ll have enough yarn for it, and sadly, it’s a bit outside what I can easily adjust for you.
I always recommend knitting a gauge swatch for whatever pattern you choose. It’s a great way to make sure you’re getting the right gauge and that you like how the fabric looks and feels.
If you hold Paintbrush Mohair double and try the Easy Hat pattern, you might be able to get gauge…though you may still need extra yarn, so it’s not a guarantee.
For the Essential Hat, you probably can get gauge too, but just like with the others, you might run short on yarn.
You might need to grab an extra skein just to be safe. And if a certain shade is out of stock, no worries…we’d be happy to help look into that! Feel free to send us an email anytime at [email protected].
I hope this helps! Please feel free to reach out with any other questions you might have!
Happy knitting!
Hills
I’m knitting this on the long version of Flexiflip needles; SO much easier than Magic Loop (which I like, but I prefer Flexiflips where possible!). It’s a bit cramped up till the decreases start, but for me is totally worth it. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out – it’s not my favourite yarn to knit with (though better than awful bouclé!) but feels so soft and I hope will look as good as your photos in the end!
Hi Lalla!
Thanks so much for writing in with your comment! I’m sure this will be really helpful to someone who might be looking for a change from Magic Loop. I’m really glad you love the Flexiflips for this project. I’m sure your hat will be beautiful in the end, and we’d love to see the results!
Happy knitting!
Hills
Update: I began to find the real flexiflips too cramped, so made my own with three 14 inch cables that I had. I’m still using the brilliantly easy flexiflip technique (three pairs of needles) but with more room, and now I can use my Chiaogoo needles that are sharper and easier with mohair than the flexiflip bumpy and blunter ones. Necessity (or at least preference) being the mother of invention? You can get tiny little 5 inch cables too, so even when the going gets smaller I can still use my Chaiogoos.
Hi Lalla!
Great work! Thank you for sharing your experience with the community!
Happy knitting,
Hills
My decreases are diagonal right leaning. Not sure what I did wrong? Thanks for help. Is there a video of this decrease I can use?
Hi Melinda!
Thanks so much for writing in with your question! Great work so far on your Big Cuff Hat! I can understand this might be a frustrating hiccup, and I’m happy to help!
Your instinct is spot on, the “slip knit two together pass” decrease should not be leaning in any direction, as it’s a center style double decrease. I’m including a link to a tutorial for sk2p and hopefully this might help find where you’re getting stuck.
I hope this helps, but please feel free to email us a photo of your work to [email protected] if you’re still running into trouble. We also offer 1-on-1 Help and we’d be happy to work through this with you!
Happy knitting!
Hills
Thank you! Also for small adult hat should there be a total of 12 stitches remaining or 12 in each quarterly section? Will work on it and if an issue will reach out for 1 on 1 help.
Hi Melinda!
Thanks so much for your reply… Always happy to help!
When you finish your decreases, 12 stitches should remain total.
You’ll decrease 8 stitches everytime you repeat Round 1, which is done 10 times total. Your original stitch count was 92, so you should be left with 12 total.
I hope this helps! Of course, please feel free to reach back out with any other questions!
Happy knitting!
Hills
Hi there!
I’m a bit confused on the flip after the cuff is finished. I flipped it so that the reverse stockinette is in the outside, s1p with yarn in front, and continued knitting but the direction didn’t change. It seems my purls are still on the same side and so are my knits?
I’m a newer knitter so apologies if this doesn’t make sense but appreciate any feedback!
Hi Kelsey!
Thanks so much for writing in with your question! I’m so glad the Big Cuff Hat caught your eye, and I’m sorry to hear you’re running into some trouble! I understand how this can be frustrating, and we’re happy to help you get back to smooth sailing.
I wonder if you returned the yarn to the back of the work after slipping your stitch? It’s difficult to assess the hiccup with words alone, so I think it might be best if you send a picture to [email protected] (with a little note), and we’d be happy to take a look and help you get back on track!
I hope this helps! Please feel free tor each out with any other questions you might have!
Happy knitting!
Hills
Hello Purl Soho,
I have been knitting The Big Cuff Hat and switched from the Paintbrush Mohair to working in Cashmere Merino Bloom instead. Such beautiful yarn, but is this pattern going to work in a similar way? It seems so different as I am knitting it. Wonder if I should continue to 14 3/4inchs from cast on edge before I start the crown? Or modify to another Purl Hat pattern to shape the crown that is not so long in length? The Cashmere Merino is absolutely lushest by the way!
Any advise is thankful!
Hi Nikki!
Thanks so much for reaching out! I’m so glad the Big Cuff Hat caught your eye!
I’m also really happy to hear you love Cashmere Merino Bloom! It is a thinner yarn than the Paintbrush Mohair and I wonder if you’re able to achieve gauge with this yarn?
I would suggest checking out the Simply Hemmed Hat for a hat pattern in the gauge range for Cashmere Merino Bloom as I’m unable to adapt the Big Cuff Hat for Cashmere Merino Bloom’s gauge, sadly. I’d also recommend checking out this handy article on yarn substitution for some more information on selecting alternative yarns for a pattern.
I hope this helps, and happy knitting!
Hills