Molly's Sketchbook: Super Simple Super Soft Merino Baby Hat

Although I know how to knit, I tend to be all talk and no action. I’m great at buying yarn and casting on, but I’m also quite good at abandoning my projects before they’re done. But with everyone at the Purl Bee creating such amazing projects with our new Super Soft Merino (like these great hats and this awesome cowl), I was beginning to feel a little left out!

I knew I wanted to get in on the Super Soft Merino action, but I certainly didn’t want another partnerless mitten or half-finished sweater. With winter here and a new baby to keep warm, I decided I could probably manage a simple baby hat, as long as it was really easy. This pattern fits the bill!

The Super Simple Super Soft Merino Baby Hat is truly the easiest hat you will ever knit. The yarn’s chunky weight makes it quick, and its vivid range of colors makes it fun. It also happens to make the softest, fluffiest pom poms so I added one to the top! I had such a good time making mine that I ended up knitting two versions in as many nights. I was so proud of myself! The short version just covers the ears, while the tall version can be worn cuffed up and trim or unfolded and a little floppy. -Molly

The Materials

• 2 skeins of Super Soft Merino, 100% merino. I used Oyster Gray and Super Pink. This is enough yarn to make two hats in reverse colorways. (One skein is enough to make one hat in one color. )
• A small pom pom maker
• A US #11, 16-inch circular needle

The Pattern

Gauge

4 stitches = 1 inch in 1 X 1 rib (unstretched)

Finished Sizes

16 inches in circumference (stretched) and 6 1/2 (8 ¼) inches tall to fit babies up to 1 year 

Begin

With the Main Color, loosely cast on 44 stitches.

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

Round 1: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Round 1 until hat measures 6 ½ (8 ¼) inches from cast on edge.

Cut the yarn leaving an 8-inch tail. Thread the tail through the remaining stitches. Pull the tail firmly and bring it to the inside of the hat..

With the Contrast Color, make the pom pom maker’s larger size pom pom (1 5/8-inches). Need help? Check out our Pom Pom Tutorial here! 

Now bring the pom pom tails to the inside of the hat, tie a knot and weave in the ends.

Weave in the rest of your ends and you’re done!

Comments

[Josie]

What a treat to see this beautiful baby wearing these adorable hats. I think I can even manage this project once I stop smiling over the pictures.

[ramona]

the hate is cute, the baby ADORABLE, but where did you find that supercool sweater?

[cheryl]

Did you do any decreasing? Very cute btw!

[{gemmifer}]

I love knitting in the round on circular needles, and have a sweet baby niece who would look adorable in one of these easy-to-make hats. Thanks for the project!

[Isa]

There is something missing in the patern... After knitting for6 1/2 inches what isthe decrease ... ??

Thanks

[purl bee]

Hi Isa-

There are no decreases! You just pull the stitches together after threading the tail through them.

Please let us know if you have any more questions!

Molly

[purl bee]

Hi Cheryl-

No decreases- it really is as easy as pie!

Thanks!

Molly

[purl bee]

Hi Ramona-

The jacket is from Makie: http://www.makieclothier.com/catalog.php?cat=clothing

Thanks!

Molly

[Kim]

Is the Oyster Gray available in the NYC store??
It doesn't appear to be listed on the website.

Thanks in advance!

[purl bee]

Hi Kim-

Unfortunately it's sold out at the store as well. We are expecting a shipment in early January. If you'd like to be informed when it comes in please drop us a line at customerservice AT purlsoho DOT com

Thank you!

Molly

[Dona]

What a great pattern! Quick question, is there enough yarn in the one skein to do the hat and the pom pom in the same color?

Thank You!~Dona

[purl bee]

Hi Dona-

Yes one skein is enough for an entire hat (of either length) and pom pom.

Thanks!

Molly

[Amy]

Hi! Do you pull out the needle before you thread it or thread while needle is on? Thanks!

[purl bee]

Hi Amy-

You thread the needle through the stitches one by one as you take them off the needle.

Thank you for your question!

Molly

[Sam]

Hello! It says to follow pattern until it measures 6 1/2 (8 1/4) inches from cast on edge...what does the 8 1/4 mean? Thanks!

[purl bee]

Hi Sam-

The numbers inside of the parenthesis are for the larger size. If you'd like to knit the shorter version you'll knit until it measures 6 1/2-inches or if you want the longer hat you will knit until it measures 8 1/4-inches.

Thank you for your question!

Molly

[Lyndsay]

This was a perfect project. I haven't had time to get back to my creative pursuits since my son was born. This was just what I needed. I was able to make this adorable hat for our trip North in about a day. Thanks for such a lovely project!

[Risa]

I knitted this, but perhaps the yarn was too thick and it will not close at the top like a drawstring, there is still a gap, no matter how tight I pull the yarn. Any suggestions for decrease? Thank you!

[purl bee]

Hi Risa-

There will be a small gap, a little open circle, but it gets covered up by the pom pom.

Thanks!

Molly

[Mel]

Hi there,

Gorgeous little hat! What cast on method do you use for this particular project? Thanks :-)

Mel

[purl bee]

Hi Mel-

I used a long tail cast on.

Thanks for your question!

Molly

[Jeannine]

I LOVE this little hat! I made one in 2 hours with the left over yarn to match the bulky baby blanket i just finished!
you rock Molly! HAPPY MAKING IN THE NEW YEAR!

[Stacie]

Hi - this is adorable - both your model and the hat! I'm a super-novice, so this may be a silly question... If I want to make a larger hat for my almost three year old, any chance you know if one skein would still be enough? I've never knit in the round before, but this is worth trying!

[purl bee]

Hi Stacie-

One skien will still be enough! I just made one for myself and I just barely went into a second skein (and I'm a lot bigger than a 3 year old.)

This will be a perfect first knitting in the round project!

Thanks for your question.

Molly

[Kelly]

I love this hat and would like to make it for my son, he's 10 so how many stitches should I cast on?
Thanks!
Kelly

[Sze Sze]

Will super pink available in the near future online?

[purl bee]

Hi Sze Sze-

Yes, the pink is on order. If you'd like to be emailed when it comes in please email us at customerservice AT purlsoho DOT com.

Thank you!

Molly

[purl bee]

Hi Kelly-

I would try casting on 54 stitches for a child size.

Thank you for your question!

Molly

[Erika]

You said you made one for yourself---how many stitches did you cast on?

Thank you!

[purl bee]

Hi Erika-

I cast on 66 stitches.

Thanks for the question!

Molly

[monica]

is the gauge really 4.5 st=1 in? The math seems wonky.

[purl bee]

Hi monica-

You're right! I have changed the gauge in the pattern above. Thanks so much for pointing it out and sorry for the confusion!

Molly

[Hailey]

What a cute, simple hat! I'm not great at knitting (I'm more of a crocheter), but I'd love to tackle one of these. A friend of mine is going through a difficult pregnancy and her baby girl is likely going to only be around 4 or 5 pound when she leaves the NICU. I want to make her a couple of these hats, but I'm not sure how to adjust the pattern accordingly. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[purl bee]

Hi Halley-


You just need to cast on fewer stitches and knit the hat shorter. Perhaps try casting on 38 stitches? The hat is pretty stretchy and flexible so it doesn't have to be exact.

Thank you for your question!

Molly

[Claire]

This is such a cute hat! I don't know any babies (or pregnant women), so I think I'd like to try this for myself, even if winter is (hopefully) on its way out! I saw that you cast on 66 stitches to make yours, but I have a big head and wonder if there's an easy way to determine how many stitches to cast on based on the size (in cm/in) of my head. Also, do you know how the length would change?

(For reference: I just knit my first hat, the Super Soft Merino Hats for Everyone, using the women's size — 54 stitches cast on. As is, it's a tad snugger and a couple inches shorter than I'd like. Since that hat's cuff is K3, P3, I figured it would have a different amount of stretch from this K1, P1 hat.)

Thank you!

[Eva]

Hi,
I live in London (UK) and Im a big fan of the simplicity and beauty of your thinking. Unfortunately I dont have access to your fantastic wool so thistime I used something similar. Can you please clarify what's the correct gauge for this pattern? I've used 3 stiches per 1" but the hat is quite wide at the end. Thanks,
e.

[purl bee]

Hi Eva-

The gauge is actually 4 stitches per inch! So sorry about that. It has been changed in the pattern above.

Best-

Molly

[purl bee]

Hi Claire-

I think 66 stitches should be fine even for a big head- it's pretty forgiving. You can just try it on as your knitting to figure out the length. I made mine 10-inches tall.

Thank you!

Molly

[Claire]

Thanks, Molly. I actually realized shortly after posting my question that I had one more. With 66 (or, in my case, 68 — it may end up being too big, but I did some research and found a chart that suggested I should do between 66 and 70, and I was desperate to start knitting!) stitches cast on, can you still avoid decreasing and just end the hat by threading the tail through? I saw above a comment about the pom-pom covering any holes, but that was when the hat used many fewer stitches. Thanks!

[purl bee]

Hi Claire-

You still should be fine. The hat I made for myself actually doesn't have a pom pom on it (I couldn't decide on a color!) and you don't notice the hole at all. I don't think a few more stitches wil make a difference- it's remarkably forgiving!

Thanks for getting in touch!

Molly

[Noemi]

Can I attach an i cord so the kid doesn't pull off? How would I do that?

[purl bee]

Hi Noemi-

Sure! You could do an attached i-cord. We have a tutorial here: http://www.purlbee.com/attached-i-cord-tutorial/

Thanks for your question!

Molly