Basic Hats For Everyone
I love to knit objects that are direct and unfussy and that I can accomplish no matter how many times I am distracted by my busy schedule. Designed to be worked up in our new Worsted Twist, a classic, plied yarn in 100% incredibly soft merino, this pattern is my new project of choice.
The Basic Hats for Everyone Pattern is definitely a desert-island choice, the kind of pattern that you turn to again and again, year after year. It covers four hat styles: rolled brim, garter stitch brim, ribbed brim and ear flap; and is sized to fit just about everyone: babies, uncles and grandmas!
Since these hats are, in fact, so basic, they’re ripe for personal touches: pom poms, stripes, tassels, duplicate stitch designs, you name it. Super simple with the opportunity to customize? Think this season’s perfect hand knit gift, and whip up a stack for everyone you know!
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!
Here are all the pertinents… And happy knitting! -Joelle
Update: New Pom Poms
November 2019
We’re having a party and you’re invited! We’ve topped a few of our favorite hat patterns with festive pom poms including our Basic Hats For Everyone! Using our Pom Pom Maker Set in the Small + Large and Extra Large + Jumbo sizes, adorn your Hats and join in on the party here!
Update: New Colors!
September 2020
Thanks to a fresh new palette of Worsted Twist colors, our Basic Hats For Everyone are back in a whole new world of velvet blues and teacake pinks. Like a hydrangea forest, we love the vibe!
UPDATE: NOW IN NIGH DK!
NOVEMBER 2023
Our exquisitely soft and lovely Nigh DK cashmere guarantees this new version of our Basic Hats For Everyone pattern will be anything but basic! Nigh DK is made of 100% cashmere from the downy undercoat of goats roaming the Mongolian steppe… It’s nature’s very special answer to harsh winters, perfect for the goats and for us, too! It takes only one skein for most sizes and options, but you’ll want to pick up several so you can mix and match!
UPDATE: NOW IN PLENTY
OCTOBER 2024
Enjoy a new version of this super popular pattern, now in worsted-weight Plenty, the softest 100% extra fine merino in the world. All the options you love are still there, but at a thicker gauge. The Basic Hats For Everyone In Plenty knit up super quickly, and Plenty’s distinctive high twist gives the yarn a soft, smooth surface, keeps pills at bay, and adds a very lively bounce that feels amazing in your hands and on your needles!
Designed by Purl Soho founder and co-owner, Joelle Hoverson.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoBasicHatsForEveryone, and #PurlSohoWorstedTwist. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
In addition to a Basic Hats for Everyone pattern (Please Note: The Basic Hats for Everyone Pattern is no longer available for purchase. For assistance, please contact us at customerservice@purlsoho.com.) you’ll need…
- 1 (1, 2, 2) skein(s) of Purl Soho’s Worsted Twist, 100% merino. Each skein is 164 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 165 (165, 330, 330) yards required.
- US 7 (4.5 mm), 16-inch circular needle
- US 7 double pointed needles
Gauge
- 5 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch
Sizes
Baby (Child, Woman, Man)
- 14 (16, 18, 20) inches in circumference
Pattern
(Please Note: The Basic Hats for Everyone Pattern is no longer available for purchase. For assistance, please contact us at customerservice@purlsoho.com.)
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!
Have you guys considered making this a digital booklet? I was going to purchase it and then realized it cost as much to ship it as the book! I'd definitely download a digital copy.
Your yarn looks so beautiful! I think I need to buy some soon! I am new to crocheting so maybe a bit more practice first. ;P
I have seen the learn to knit and knit a hat and handwarmer kits and they look so fabulous! Would you ever make crocheting kits of the same nature?
any chance you might make purl patterns in downloadable PDFs? I LOVE so many of your patterns but live in the UK and shipping is a bit prohibitive (and a bit of a drag…)
OMG…I have a near identical cap to the first image. Actually, I have it on now…wear it ALL the time. I guess this is a kick in the pants and knock out another.
Hi Brie-
Thanks for getting in touch about this! We are working on having PDFs available and we will hopefully work it out soon.
Best-
Molly
Hi FK-
We don't have plans for a crochet kit right now but it's a great suggestion! Thanks, for getting in touch!
Molly
Hi Dana-
Thanks for getting in touch about this! Yes, we are working on having downloadable patterns and hope to have them available soon.
Best-
Molly
I agree on the PDF. I was on my way to purchase this when I realized I would need an actual pattern to be shipped to me. If this comes in PDF I would definitely buy!
I thought I was printing out a pattern, but found I had five pages of description, etc., but no pattern. I don't find it today.
I agree-it would be great to be able to obtain these patterns in .pdf form as the shipping to Singapore makes it a no go for me. I am in the midst of knitting hats for presents and for charity and this pattern would be awesome to have.
Hi Joan-
This pattern is available for sale here: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/9274
Thank you for getting in touch!
Molly
Can you make a digital copy. Happy to pay for it, but I live in Australia and it would cost a fortune to send via post. Even if you sent me a payment form – happy to pay, and then a dropbox link that would be fab. Thanks
HI Katie-
We are working on getting downloadable PDFs up and running. They should be ready soon!
Thanks for getting in touch about this!
Molly
Hi, as some of the comments above, i really love all your projects, designs and knits.
The prices to transport to Europe-portugal are really a no no to buy yarns and patterns, ill wait for the downloadable patterns 🙂
Thank you for all the great inspirations 🙂
I am so happy that PDF patterns are coming to Purl Soho! Made my day! 🙂
Hi, really love your patterns. But I live in Turkey and shipping cost is a bit prohibitive. !!
I agree it would be great to be able to obtain these patterns in PDF.
I I'll wait for your patterns in downloadable PDFs.
Rgds
Nesli,
Hi Nesli-
This pattern IS available for download! You can purchase the PDF here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/the-purl-bee/2013/10/10/purl-soho-basic-hats-for-everyone.html
Thank you!
Molly
What is the child sizing? I have a 2 year old and wonder if it would fit. Would like to know before I buy the pattern
Hi Annie-
The child sizing is 16-inches in circumference. All of the info on this pattern, including the sizing can be found here: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/9274
Thanks for writing in!
Molly
hi wondering how to get this pattern? i am clicking on the link and it is not taking me to the full spread. Is it still available?
Thanks!
Hi Johanna-
You can purchase the pattern here: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/9274
Thanks so much for getting in touch!
Molly
I have made a couple of these hats in the Worsted Twist in child size and men’s size. Love the patterns. Was thinking of making a womes’s size with ribbed brim in the Jade Saphire 8 ply cashmere. Do you think it would be close in gauge and would I need more than 1 skein? (100 yards) Thanks!
Hi Stacy-
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you!
The gauge would work well in the 8 ply cashmere and you would need approximately 115 yards, so I do think you would need to buy two skeins! But you’d probably have enough of the second skein left over to make a baby or kids hat!
Thanks so much for getting in touch about this and please let us know if you need any more help!
Molly
Hi Molly,
Would this pattern work well in Annuals for better or worsted?
Thanks a lot,
Viviane
Hi Viviane-
Yes, For Better or Worsted would be a great choice for this hat!
Please let us know if you have any more questions!
Best-
Molly
Hi! I recently purchased this pattern, and I just completed the earflap hat. It turned out nicely, with the exception of the earflaps, which are really curling up. I followed the pattern’s instructions to slip the first stitch on the earflap rows, but there is still serious curling. Is there anything I can do to fix this the next time? Is there a different selvedge you recommend?
Thanks!
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer-
I’m so sorry to hear that you are having problems with the ear flaps. It sounds like you accidentally knit them in stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row) instead of garter stitch (knit every row).
I imagine the confusion is because, for the rest of the hat, you are knitting in the round. To create garter stitch in the round you knit one round, purl one round. But if you are knitting flat, as you are for the garter flaps, garter stitch is created by knitting every row. So next time, just make sure to knit every row of the garter flap section and you should be OK!
If this doesn’t answer your questions please let me know! You can also feel free to email us a photo of the ear flap section if I misunderstood your question! [email protected]
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
Hi, i’m not able to purchase the downloaded copy, only….it’s still available? I live in Italy and the hard copy would cost too much with shipping expenses….
Thanks in adavance…have a nice day!
Val
Hello Valeria!
You can purchase the pattern here: https://www.purlsoho.com/basic-hats-for-everyone-pattern-1.html
There will be a drop down menu with the option to just purchase and download the PDF. Please let us know if you have any other issues! We’re glad you like this pattern! -Alyson
Hi! I’m knitting the earflap hat for a 17-month old with a 19″ head (using Anzula’s For Better or Worsted yarn). Would you recommend the baby or child size?
Hello, Tamar!
Thank you so much for writing in! Since the child has a 19″ head circumference, I recommend making the child size. The child size in this pattern is for a 16″ head circumference and since hats tend to stretch out a bit after some wear I think the child size would be perfect! If you have any further questions, please let us know! Happy knitting!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Help! I’m having trouble with the earflaps on the earflap hat. I can’t get the earflaps to join seamlessly. It’s looks like there’s an extra row or two of stockinette stitch at the start of the earflap. To start the earflaps, I picked up the legs of the cast-on stitches closer to the outside of the hat and knit them. What am I doing wrong?
Hello, Tamar!
Thank you very much for writing in and sorry for the delayed response. There is a visible seam from picking up the stitches. To make them less visible you could try picking up the stitches and purl them instead of knit them. If you have further questions please let us know! Again, thank you for your question.
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Is it okay to use a long tail cast on for these hats? I read elsewhere on your site that the long tail tubular cast on is better and stretchier, but I don’t think I’m skilled enough yet for it. I still want to make some hats, though!
Hi Patty,
Great question! While the tubular cast on is stretchier, a standard long tail cast-on will work well for this pattern. Perhaps after you knit one of these lovely hats using a long tail cast-on, you will be ready to tackle the tubular cast-on!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi,
I bought the alpaca pure to make a child’s hat. Am I reading it right that I should use a size 6 needle for this guage? 20st -4″
Hi June,
Thanks for writing in! For this hat, using Alpaca Pure, you should get a gauge of 5 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch on US 7 as written in the pattern. Although we originally used Worsted Twist for this pattern, Worsted Twist and Alpaca Pure have similar gauges so you can follow the pattern as written and get a great hat!
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi,
Is this pattern recommended for a complete beginner?
Thanks!
Hi, Janet!
Thank you for writing in! These patterns are excellent for a complete beginner! We’ve got some great tutorials here for knitting in the round. Please let us know if you have any questions, we are happy to help!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
This page is listed under the “Free Patterns” section, but it seems like the pattern is only available for purchase. Is it incorrectly listed for free, or am I somewhere missing the free pattern available here? Thanks!
Hi Emily,
Thank you for the heads up. We have edited the post to reflect this is not a free pattern.
Kindly,
Anna
Hello,
Are the finished sizes correct? Isn’t a woman/man/adult head size 19”-21”?
Thanks
Hi Mila,
Thanks for reaching out! In order for a knitted hat to fit properly, it has to have two to four inches of negative ease – in other words, it needs to be two to four inches smaller than the wearer’s head measurement, or else it will be quite floppy and not stay on very well. The circumferences we give are the finished measurements of the hat, so the mens’ size, for instance, which measures 20 inches when completed, will actually fit up to a 24 inch head.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
I’ve made the garter brim hat with ear flaps and love it! I’d like to make another one as a gift but it needs to be 24″ circumference. Using the gauge, I’ll need to cast on 120 stitches but I’m not sure how to calculate and adjust the crown decreases. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Hi Alissa,
Great question! The decreases work for any multiple of 10 stitches, so you should be able to follow the pattern as written! You will have two more stitches left at the end, but you can still finish the hat by pulling your yarn through all the remaining stitches.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
I love the new colors. I’ve made many of the hats from the book you published with the pattern in it. If you haven’t made changes to the pattern, I won’t need to get the new pattern. Is this the right assumption.
Hi Bette,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, that is correct, if you have an older version of this pattern that is totally fine! I do always recommend checking out our Knitting Errata pages just to check if we ever make any adjustments!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna