I used to prefer harder wools, because they are elastic, don't split and don't pill — they're easier to work with. But they are also itchy. Besides, it's only cold enough for wool for a few weeks where we live. I've started really liking cotton and linen yarns.
I've found two cottons that I really like. One is blue sky cotton which is fluffy and thick and the other is Rowan pima cotton, which is smooth and comes in a beautiful palette. This hat is pima cotton in millet. I used one and a half skeins.