YarnScout Hat
After numerous requests from customers in the shop for “just a basic hat", I decided to design a pattern that can be customized for just about anyone's idea of a basic hat! A wide ribbed brim can be made longer or shorter depending on how much you want to fold up the cuff, and the body of the hat can be made longer or shorter too, depending on how much extra slouch is needed. Want a few stripes? Go ahead! No matter what you choose to do, you'll have a warm hat with a double ribbed brim and as much slouch as you need. 2x2 ribbing provides plenty of stretch to accommodate a wide variety of head sizes. Unstretched, ribbing is 17 inches and will easily stretch to 22 inches.
Sample pictured was made with one 100gm skein of Wonderland Mad Hatter Worsted. Scraps of other worsted weight yarn were used for stripes. Feel free to substitute any worsted weight yarn that knits to 4.5-5 stitches per inch on a US size 8. (If the overall length of your hat is greater than 14 inches, you may need more thanoneskein.) Needle sizes US 6 and US 8, 16 circular, US8 dpns for top of hat. Stitch marker, darning needle for weaving in ends. Gauge: 4.5-5 sts per inch in stockinette with larger needle
Begin ribbing:
Using smaller needle, cast on 88 stitches loosely. Join for working in the round, place marker. Work in K2 P2 ribbing until work measures 4-6 inches from cast on edge. (Sample has 4.5 inches of ribbing).
Body of hat:
Changing to larger needle, knit all stitches every round until hat measures 9-12 inches from cast on edge. Customize with stripes - sample shown has stripes starting at 7 inches from cast on edge Decrease for crown of hat (sample shown has decreases starting at 9 inches from cast on edge): Switchtodpnswhenthestitchesaretoofewtoreacharoundthe16"circular Round 1: K6, K2tog - repeat to end of round. Rounds 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12: Knit around. Round 3: K5, K2tog - repeat to end of round. Round 5: K4, K2tog - repeat to end of round. Round 7: K3, K2tog - repeat to end of round. Round 9: K2, K2tog - repeat to end of round. Round 11: K1, K2tog - repeat to end of round. Abbreviations: K = knit P = purl K2tog = knit two stitches together Round 13: K2tog. 11 stitches remain, break off yarn, thread onto darning needle and draw through remaining stitches, weave in ends to secure. Block and wear!
