Fulfilling Curt’s Christmas wish for his dad, I eagerly delved into my yarn stash, presenting him with a spectrum of blues to choose from. Amidst the hues, he gravitated toward a skein named “That Blue” from SmallFishYarns, a local dyer just north of Edmonton, echoing Curt’s hometown roots in St. Albert. Serendipity struck as if the cosmos conspired for this perfect match. Crafting a hat for Phil with this exquisite yarn is more than a gift; it’s a tale woven with familial ties and the essence of home. Join the narrative—gift a piece of heartfelt craftsmanship that transcends mere warmth.
Worked from the bottom up, this versatile hat pattern allows you to craft a perfectly fitting hat seamlessly in the round. The construction involves starting with the brim, progressing to the body, and culminating with shaping the crown. As you approach the final stages of the crown, you’ll need to switch from using 16” / 40 cm circular needles to either the magic loop method or double-pointed needles, depending on your preference for tackling smaller circumferences.
TIPS & TRICKS
For useful resources on knitting hats, please visit: https://rhyflowerknits.com/hats/
PATTERN SUPPORT
Please see our Pattern Support page regarding pattern support for our freebie patterns; https://rhyflowerknits.com/pattern-support/
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate
SIZE INFORMATION
Child/Teen [Adult, Large Adult]
20 [22, 24]” / 51 [56, 61] cm
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
17.5 [20.25, 23]” / 44.5 [51.5, 58.5] cm circumference — select a size from the finished measurements that is 1-3” / 2.5-7.5 cm smaller than your head circumference. This hat is worn with negative ease. 8.75 [8.75, 10.25]” / 22 [22, 26] cm in height.
NOTIONS
Tapestry needle, scissors, cable needle, stitch marker (1), pompom (optional)
SUGGESTED NEEDLES
Brim: US6 (4 mm) 16” (40 cm) circular needles, or one size smaller than needles used for gauge
Body: US7 (4.5 mm) 16” (40 cm) circular needles, or the size required to get gauge
Crown: Same needle size as the body using preferred needles for a small circumference (magic loop or double-pointed needles)
YARN REQUIREMENTS
119 [139, 158] yds / 109 [127, 144] m worsted weight yarn
SUGGESTED YARN
Small Fish Yarns – Worsted
100% Superwash Merino
210 yds (192 m) / 4 oz (115 g)
Colour: That Blue!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SmallFishYarns
GAUGE
22 stitches by 29 rounds in pattern motif (body of hat) on larger needles = 4” / 10 cm, after blocking. Gauge is crucial in obtaining the correct fit. Changes in gauge will cause a size difference for both your finished hat and the yardage requirements for your project.
ABBREVIATIONS
( ): Work instructions within parentheses as many times as directed.
*: Repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed.
”: Inch(es).
1/1 LPC: Slip the next stitch to the cable needle and place it at the front of the work, p1, then k1 from the cable needle.
1/1 RC: Slip the next stitch to the cable needle and place it at the back of the work, k1, then k1 from the cable needle.
1/1 RPC: Slip the next stitch to the cable needle and place it at the back of the work, k1, then p1 from the cable needle.
BOR: Beginning of round.
Cm: Centimetre(s).
Dec: Decrease.
G: Gram(s).
K2tog: Insert the right needle into 2 stitches simultaneously and knit the 2 stitches together. (1 st dec.)
K: Knit.
M: Metre(s).
Mm: Millimetre(s).
P: Purl.
Oz: Ounce(s).
Rep: Repeat.
Ssk: Slip 2 stitches, one at a time, knitwise. Knit the slipped stitches together through the back loops. (1 st dec.)
St (Sts): Stitch(es).
Yds: Yards.
DIRECTIONS
Using the Old Norwegian Cast-on and your smaller needles, cast on 96 [112, 128] stitches. Place a stitch marker to denote the BOR and join to work in the round, ensuring not to twist.
BRIM
Continue with smaller needles.
Rounds 1-2: *P1, k2, p1; rep from * across round.
Round 3: *1/1 RPC, 1/1 LPC; rep from * across round.
Rounds 4-5: *K1, p2, k1; rep from * across round.
Round 6: *1/1 LPC, 1/1 RPC; rep from * across round.
Rounds 7-8: Repeat Rounds 1-2 once more.
Round 9: *1/1 RPC, 1/1 LPC; rep from * across round.
Round 10: Repeat Round 4.
BODY
Switch to your larger needles.
Round 1: *1/1 LPC, p1, 1/1 LPC, p2, 1/1 RC, p2, 1/1 RPC, p1, 1/1 RPC; rep from * across round.
Round 2: *P1, (k1, p2) twice, k2, (p2, k1) twice, p1; rep from * across round.
Round 3: *(P1, 1/1 LPC) twice, p1, 1/1 RC, (p1, 1/1 RPC) twice, p1; rep from * across round.
Round 4: *(P2, k1) twice, p1, k2, p1, (k1, p2) twice; rep from * across round.
Round 5: *P2, 1/1 LPC, p1, 1/1 LPC, 1/1 RC, 1/1 RPC, p1, 1/1 RPC, p2; rep from * across round.
Round 6: *P3, k1, p2, k4, p2, k1, p3; rep from * across round.
Round 7: *P2, 1/1 RPC, p1, 1/1 RPC, 1/1 RC, 1/1 LPC, p1, 1/1 LPC, p2; rep from * across round.
Round 8: Repeat Round 6.
Round 9: *(P1, 1/1 RPC) twice, p1, 1/1 RC, (p1, 1/1 LPC) twice, p1; rep from * across round.
Round 10: Repeat Round 4.
Round 11: *1/1 RPC, p1, 1/1 RPC, p2, 1/1 RC, p2, 1/1 LPC, p1, 1/1 LPC; rep from * across round.
Round 12: *K1, p2, k1, p3, k2, p3, k1, p2, k1; rep from * across round.
Repeat Rounds 1-12 two [two, three] more times.
CROWN
When the crown becomes too challenging to work on circular needles, switch to magic loop or double-pointed needles.
Round 1: *K1, p2, 1/1 LPC, p2, 1/1 RC, p2, 1/1 RPC, p1, k2tog; rep from * across round. 90 [105, 120] sts
Round 2: *K1, p3, k1, p2, k2, (p2, k1) twice; rep from * across round.
Round 3: *Ssk, p2, 1/1 LPC, p1, 1/1 RC, p1, 1/1 RPC, p2, k1; rep from * across round. 84 [98, 112] sts
Round 4: *K1, p3, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1, p3, k1; rep from * across round.
Round 5: *K1, p3, 1/1 LPC, 1/1 RC, 1/1 RPC, p2, k2tog; rep from * across round. 78 [91, 104] sts
Round 6: *K1, p4, k4, p3, k1; rep from * across round.
Round 7: *Ssk, p3, 1/1 LPC, 1/1 RPC, p3, k1; rep from * across round. 72 [84, 96] sts
Round 8: *K1, p4, k2, p4, k1; rep from * across round.
Round 9: *Ssk, p3, 1/1 RC, p3, k2tog; rep from * across round. 60 [70, 80] sts
Round 10: *P4, k2, p4; rep from * across round.
Round 11: *Ssk, p2, k2, p2, k2tog; rep from * across round. 48 [56, 64] sts
Round 12: *P3, k2, p3; rep from * across round.
Round 13: *Ssk, p1, 1/1 RC, p1, k2tog; rep from * across round. 36 [42, 48] sts
Round 14: *P2, k2, p2; rep from * across round.
Round 15: *Ssk, k2, k2tog; rep from * across round. 24 [28, 32] sts
Round 16: *P1, k2, p1; rep from * across round.
Round 17: *Ssk, k2tog; rep from * across round. 12 [14, 16] sts
Round 18: Knit across round.
Round 19: *K2tog; rep from * across round. 6 [7, 8] sts
CINCHING THE CROWN
Cut the yarn, but leave a 6″ / 15 cm tail for closing the crown and weaving in. With your tapestry needle, run the yarn through your remaining stitches and pull gently to cinch the crown of your hat.
FINISHING
Weave in all your ends, then soak your hat in water for 20 minutes using a gentle soap or wool wash. Use a balloon, mannequin head, or lay your hat flat to block it while drying. Allow the hat to fully air dry. Once dry, attach a pompom if desired.
Now, with your beautiful new hat, go forth and make a stylish statement! ♥