This hat is so easy, no purl stitches, no decreases, just straight knitting.
AND, its super thick, and warm!
So, I usually make my kids hats each year for winter, and a few weeks ago, my daughter came home and she told me that when it got really cold here she was still cold with her hat on while playing outside at school (They only go outside if its above -15C, and stay inside if below) Now, I've been experimenting with double thick hat brim, but when I showed her my example, I also offered her the choice of being the full length double thick, or just the bottom, over her ears. Well, I'm sure you can see based on the pic above, she wanted the full length double thick. So, that is the story of the beginning of this hat tutorial and pattern. I hope you enjoy it as much as she is!
Materials and Tools
We are using a medium weight yarn(4) and I found this fun ombre/tweed in the Red Heart Roll with it, in this fun violet ombre. This one is also a favourite of mine and is much less expensive through Michael's.
We're also using a 5mm round knitting needle, a darning needle and a stitch marker.
Side Note: I usually buy tools, like needles and hooks, etc. from Amazon, but I usually buy yarn from Michael's, and sometimes Walmart.
Tutorial
To begin, we're going use our Long Tail Cast On, and start with an extra long tail so you have enough to sew along the bottom, once our hat is finished. With our medium weight yarn, and 5mm needles, we casted on 80 stitches. This worked out to be a good size for my daughter, who is almost 8 years old, and has a 21" head circumference, but you can adjust for an adult, probably 90-100 stitches, or a smaller child 50-70 stitches. I also liked using the round needle because it was so fast to knit a row, and no extra needles to worry about and work around, if we used double-pointed needles.
I bought the set above awhile back, and its perfect for all my hat patterns and I've made so many with it. I've also worked things as if I was using straight needles on them too, like a scarf, or dishcloth.
Bring the first stitches around to begin knitting them, but be sure you don't twist them. Place your stitch marker at the end of your row.
Secret Tip: Add 1 extra stitch when casting on. Then, when you get around to start your first row, knit the first stitch, and then loop your last stitch off (as if your casting it off), and it will help keep you from getting that long strand between the last stitch and the next one.
Knit each row around, until your tube measures a little more than double the appropriate length needed for the size you're making. Not sure how long it should be, check out our crochet hat size guide, here, (the password is Purple) and use double the length shown, and add 1 more inch to your total length. For mine, I went 15.5" long. (It still turned out a touch short, but we only had an extra 0.5")
Do NOT cast off, but cut your yarn about 12-15" from your needles when you're at your desired length.
Use your darning needle, and sew around the bottom edge, about every 2nd or 3rd stitch is fine, you don't need to do every one. If you have trouble threading darning needles because of all the strands, watch the video below. There's a quick tip in it for making it easier!
Use your darning needle, sew through each loop stitch on your needle, looping them off your needle as you go. (Sewn Cast off)
Now using your bottom yarn, pull on it to tighten the bottom, and repeat again with the top. Pass your top tail through the center and bring it out the bottom. In the video below, I tied my 2 tails together, and matched up the centers, making the bottom section become the inside, and the top, the outside. If you weave your tails in well, or tuck them between your layers of your hat and you don't add a pom pom, your hat could easily be reversible!
So, to recap, cast on, and knit in the round until your hat is double the required length, plus a little, sew around the top and bottom so you can cinch your circle closed, fold in half and tie the top and bottom centers together.
I have made many many knit and crochet hats, and this is by far the easiest. Definitely not the fastest, but so simple, even beginners are capable.
This one is even suitable as a first project. You'll get lots of practice with straight knitting, you'll be a pro, ready for lace and cables by the end. ok, maybe not, but its still a great first project. Watch the video below for additional tips and tricks for putting this hat together.
As always, tag us on Instagram with your makes from our videos and blog posts. I can't wait to see them!
Much Love,
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