This is a modification of the baby hat pattern that used to be posted on the IWK website. Here is a print version of the pattern in .pdf format.
This hat is favoured by the hospital nurses because of the foldable brim that gently hugs a baby’s head. The pattern is published to raise awareness about the Period of Purple Crying Program at the IWK Health Centre. The PURPLE program educates parents about normal infant crying and teaches coping skills in order to prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome.
The striped (not-all-purple) hat sends a message that the ‘purple period’ is a part of baby’s normal development and will pass. Both hats are made with the same pattern. For a plain hat, see a purple note at the end.
Click here for the IWK Health Centre address, or check the implementation map (scroll down the page) to find your local PURPLE program. 
Photography: Shannon Bower. Photos used with permission.
Technical editing: Charlotte Quiggle.
Materials: DK weight (Light #3) soft acrylic yarn in purple (MC), 43m (47 yrds), and green (CC) 6m (7 yrds); 3.25 mm (US#3) and 4 mm (US#6) double-pointed needles, tapestry needle, 1 stitch marker
Abbreviations:
k = knit
p = purl
p1-tbl = purl through the back loop
k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
sl (slip)= transfer a stitch purlwise from the left needle to the right without knitting
sts = stitches
MC = main colour
CC = contrast colour
Gauge: 23 sts and 32 rnds over 10 cm (4″) in stockinette st on larger needles.
Head circumference: 37 cm (14.5 inches), average newborn size.
PLEASE NOTE: the hat’s cast-on edge must be very stretchy to fit comfortably over a baby’s head. Please follow cast-on instructions.
Pattern Note: This pattern is written for a smooth, ‘jogless’ colour change. Do not cut the contrasting color between stripes; carry up the inside.
With two smaller needles held together, cast on 60 sts using MC yarn. Pull one needle out. Distribute sts evenly on 3 double-pointed needles (20 on each); mark beginning of round and join, being careful not to twist.
Rnds 1-22: K1, p1-tbl.
Switch to larger needles.
Rnds 23-28: MC. Knit.
Rnd 29: CC. Knit.
Rnd 30: Sl 1, knit to end.
Rnd 31: MC. Knit.
Rnd 32: Sl 1, knit to end.
Rnds 33-34: Knit.
Rnd 35: CC. Knit.
Rnd 36: Sl 1, knit to end.
Rnd 37: MC. Knit.
Rnd 38: Sl 1, knit to end.
Rnds 39-42: Knit.
Shape Crown
Rnd 43: (K8, k2tog) 6 times. (54 sts)
Rnd 44: Knit.
Rnd 45: (K7, k2tog) 6 times. (48 sts)
Rnd 46: Knit.
Rnd 47: (K6, k2tog) 6 times. (42 sts)
Rnd 48: Knit.
Rnd 49: (K5, k2tog) 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnd 50: (K4, k2tog) 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 51: (K3, k2tog) 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 52: (K2, k2tog) 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 53: (K1, k2tog) 6 times. (12 sts)
Rnd 54: (K2tog) 6 times. (6 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving a 15 cm (6″) tail. Using tapestry needle, thread tail through remaining sts and pull tight. Weave in ends.
To knit a hat in one colour, read the pattern as follows: Rnds 23-42: Knit.
Sizing tip: change the size by adjusting the cast-on number by 6 sts. The decreases are worked over 6 sections (2 sections on each of 3 needles). Calculate the number of stitches in each section when you start decreasing (Rnd43) and work knit to last 2 sts of section, k2tog, in each section, alternating decrease and knit rounds until you have 42 sts left. Then follow the pattern as given, starting from Rnd48.
I have knitted a few of these baby hats in the last two years, but nearly went crazy with all those little needles (!!!)…so simply use 4mm needles. However, my problem is that I’m a loose knitter, so I hope, as I start this year’s hats, that 60 stitches won’t make it too loose. (Before checking this out, I did start, using another baby pattern, that called for 78 stitches…I only put on 74, and started the ribbing but too huge, so am starting from scratch!
Do you know where I can get the patterns to crochet them?
Can you make this hat without double pointed needles? Could you use regular round needles?
Sure!
Thanks – would you use same size needles with cord of 16 inch?
this is sooo wonderful for these people to do this for a good cause.
Will they take crocheted caps too?
Yes, they do!
What a great cause. I just found out about this and wish I had known sooner. I will make as many as I can and will definitely tell all my friends. Was wondering if I can knit the hats in the round. I seem to work faster when I knit in the round.
Where can I get get instructions and patterns for crocheting?
Is there a program at Legacy Hospital in Vancouver,WA. ?
Hi Arvy,
I don’t know but I know that the idea of donating purple hats originated in Vancouver, BC. Can you check with the hospital directly?
Is there a program at Legacy Hospital in Vancouver?
What’s the purpose of a slip stitch in rnd 30 & 32?
Hello,
If you choose a striped version, it eliminates the ‘jog’ when you change colours. Please see more here http://techknitting.blogspot.ca/2007/01/jogless-stripes.html
The pattern has a note that all stitches should be knit if you only use one colours. Cheers!
I was getting an open space, though – what am I doing wrong?
Honestly, I don’t know. The idea is to make only one ‘tall’ stitch when you change the colours, so you knit it on the first rnd, and then slip it on the second rnd. Maybe this stitch becomes too loose for some reason? If it doesn’t work for you, you can either ignore it, knit all stitches and have a little ‘step’ or maybe use just one colour and don’t bother with stripes. Best of luck!
Can I use a knitting hoop as long as the style and measurements are correct?
I don’t see why not… What’s the worst that can happen? 🙂
I think this is a wonderful thing!!! I just learned of it today and plan on making some hats for these little angels!!
Can you do them on two needles?
Yes, you can. The original pattern was written for two needles, but unfortunately it’s been removed from the IWK website and I can’t provide a direct link.
I just found out about this project a couple of weeks ago. I have shown it to my Sunday School class and my Bible study group. I have made 9 hats so far.
I’m using a loom knitter and they are going fast. I hope they are good.
we have a beautiful new yarn shop here and I purchased my skein of purple yarn,,My group of older ladies we are,,, made hats last year for this same purpose,,,,, I think it is a wonderful idea…and a JUST cause,, Thank You,,
Mary
Does it have to be purple? Or can I use any Colorado?
It has to be at least 50% purple if you wish to donate your hat for the Period of PURPLE Crying Program.
My long-tail cast on seems to make a nice, stretchy edge – I used this cast-on for hats for the Troops. Is there any problem with this cast-on method?
The long tail cast on with two needles ensures that the cast-on edge is not too tight. My friend is a nurse at the IWK and she said that many beanie-type hats simply don’t go over baby’s head because of the tight cast-on. Of course, it’s up to you what cast on method to use, as long as you can stretch the hat with both hands as if ‘hugging’ baby’s head. So as long as your method provides a really stretchy edge (say, if you place your stitches a bit apart from each other), go ahead. Using both needles creates the same effect — it doesn’t change the look of a long tail cast on, and you don’t need to learn another method (like German cast on) but it ensures that the result is not depending on individual knitter’s tension or interpretation of the phrase ‘cast on loosely’. Thanks!
I like it. So adorable. Almost done with one of them.
Count me in. Does this need to be baby yarn or just soft yarn. I purchased Carol Simply soft yarn in “grape” and lavender and am ready to put my circular needles to the test!
Great. It should be soft but not necessarily baby yarn, as long as it’s DK (#3) weight that this pattern is based on.
I think I’ll let the gals on my favorite knitters site know about this project. Purple is also the color for the epilepsy Purple Stitch Project. Purple Stitch Project (PSP), a web-based charitable organization to benefit babies, children and teens with epilepsy. The 1st goal of this initiative is a call to action for people who knit, crochet, or sew to make purple (the epilepsy awareness color) gifts for kids with seizure disorders. These gifts will serve as a reminder that they are not alone — that they have community support. To do this, Purple Stitch Project has teamed up with Craftsy to be able to offer free patterns and project ideas for volunteers to work from.
For further info, click here: http://purplestitchproject.org/ awareness group, that helps babies, children, teens and adults (male and female) for need awareness support.
Great!! Is it possible to find out how many hats have been donated so far, even an estimate. The knitting group down here in Shelburne is wondering. We have 40 hats on their way to the IWK tomorrow. No finger puppets this trip … but 800 waiting to go at some point 🙂
When the program just started on April 25, 2012 , they had about 400 hats collected. If you take into consideration that they need about 5000 a year, it’s about a month’s supply. If we manage to collect some more soon, I will post an update after getting some numbers from the Auxiliary.
Great job on the hats and puppets!
They are so precious and so are the hats!!!