A Winter Hat Formula For Stash Busting, Charity or Just Because You Love Hats

I know that I have written about hat patterns before this and have published a cabled one in my blog only, along with the couple that I have in my Ravelry store.  I find that knitting or crocheting a hat is a very soothing and rewarding process.  The project is completed in a short period of time so that the repetition does not become tiresome and the resulting hat is both functional and shows off lovely yarns.  Hats are a good way to try out new techniques and stitches without a huge investment of time and money.

Hat making is for crafters as a romance novel is for a serious reader; a way to keep your mind active without any stress because you know that the major characters are always going to live happily ever after and your hat will always fit and look great on somebody.

I cleaned out my stash in November when I was looking for a yarn for a specific project (and I was appalled at the mess my stash was in) and found a box of odd acrylic, wool and wool blend skeins, all washable, that I had forgotten about.  I have made a commitment this year to more charity crafting and here was the perfect yarn for that goal.

                   

These are knit with Acrylic yarn, Loops and Threads Facet, Lion Brand Landscape and Red Heart Unforgettable respectively.

 

Since I like to knit hats the best for the reasons above, I started with hat projects.  I have knitted six in the last week!  I plan to keep on going but do need to switch up the type of project.  I am thinking mitts next or maybe scarfs are more practical.  I also need to switch to crochet as I have a horde of hat patterns in that craft that are crying to be used.

                    

All of these hats are made with my formula except the last which is a pattern prototype (maybe next week?).

 

We will see what the next week brings but in the meantime, I thought that I would share my hat formula with you.  It is adaptable to any worsted or heavier yarn and customizable if you want to try different stitches.  I can make one of these hats in about three to three and half hours depending on how distracted I am.

Basic Adult Winter Toque:

Yarn:     Worsted weight     130m (143yds)     5.5mm or 6mm (US 9 or 10), 40cm circular needle

             Aran or Chunky     110m (121yds)     6.5mm (US 10.5), 40cm (16”) circular needle

             Bulky                      95m (105yds)       8mm (US11), 40cm (16”) circular needle

You will need DPN’s in the same size to shape the crown or a same size longer circular needle for Magic Loop.  You will also need a stitch marker and a tapestry needle for weaving in the ends.

Cast on 84, (78, 72) stitches and join to work in the round.  Place a marker at the join.  Work 18, (16, 14) rounds of ribbing.  My favourite is K2, P1 as this makes a nice stretchy ribbing like a 1 x 1 but is still a little different looking.  It also lets you twist the knit stitches for a faux cable look like the white and purple hat above.  Continue knitting in rounds until 30, (28, 26) rounds of stocking stitch have been worked.  Start decreases for the crown.  Divide your working stitches by six so 84 stitches will result in decreasing by K12, K2together six times.  You will decrease 78 stitches by K11, K2together six times and with 72 stitches you will work K10, K2together six times.  Next round, knit all stitches.  Continue decreasing every second round by working one stitch less between the K2togethers each consecutive decrease round.  Switch to DPN’s or Magic Loop when the stitches are too taut on the needle.  End at K1, K2together (12 stitches remaining) and, cutting a 15cm or 6” end, thread the end through the remaining stitches and gather them up off of the needles(s).  I like to thread the tail through to the wrong side and fasten it off securely inside.  Weave your beginning end and any ends from colour changes etc., and you are done.

Add a pompom for an up to date look or tassels to make it vintage looking.  Make it in stripes, a good way to use up part skeins, or with a self-striping yarn.  You can modify this pattern with a fancy stitch, but you will have to figure out how to work that into the decreases.  You can also adapt the pattern for finer yarn by increasing the number of cast on stitches, decreasing the needle size to suit, and keep your stitch count always divisible by six to keep the crown decrease in a nice shape.

I use this same formula for kid’s hats, decreasing the number of cast on stitches by six for 5 to 9 year olds and 12 stitches for younger.  Even smaller for babies is possible with another six less stitches.

Have fun and keep those charities in mind if you want to practice.