Your basket is empty.
Continue Shopping
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 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!
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 and our Yarn Substitution article for lots of helpful information.
More Yarns With Similar Fibers
- Shop cotton yarn (What helps cotton keep its cool? Learn all about this soft, natural fiber in our guide to cotton yarn!)
- Shop mohair 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!
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