Knitted hats tend to stretch out, and no one likes a hat that slips or loses its shape. The fibre you choose makes a big difference: sheep’s wool, particularly merino, is elastic and holds its shape well, while silk mohair and alpaca yarn may stretch over time. Keep this in mind when deciding how many stitches to cast on for your handmade hat. We’ve knitted a high pile of these Softie hats in every colour of the rainbow (and beyond) to find the perfect fit. The fabric is firm enough to create a long-lasting, wearable knitted hat, yet soft and comfortable so it doesn’t itch. Softie Hat is a beginner-friendly knitting pattern, suitable for bulky-weight yarns like Sandnes Garn Børstet Alpakka. Use US 8 / 5 mm circular needles (16″ / 40 cm recommended) or DPNs to create a cosy, quick-to-knit winter hat. Designed by Jonna Helin, the pattern is available in English and Finnish and comes as a free PDF download.