Men's Winter Hat

Skill Level: Easy

Finished Size:

This pattern is sized for adult men. This is approximately 11" long and 22" in circumference acround the lower edge; it measures 11" across when laid flat.

If you'd like to make your hat longer than the sample, increase the number of chain stitches in your starting chain.

To make your hat shorter, decrease the number of chains in your starting chain.
If you'd like your hat to fit looser, crochet more rows.
To make it fit tighter, crochet fewer rows.

Materials:

• About 4 oz DK / (#3) light worsted weight wool yarn.
• Crochet Hooks: K / 6.5 mm & H / 5.0 mm
  Larger size ofr the hat and the smaller size for the ribbed border.
• Tapestry needle

Gauge: 4 sts = 1 inch; row gauge is not important.
Please be sure to make a gauge swatch prior to crocheting this hat.

If you don't want to hassle with matching this gauge, or if you need a hat in a different size, the alternative is to work out the math to ensure a correct fit. The math for this particular design is very easy, so please don't be afraid to make size adjustments. Either way, you will need your gauge swatch to do this correctly.

Abbreviations:

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• sl st = slip stitch

Understanding the Project:
This hat is constructed in two pieces: a large crocheted rectangle and a small crocheted circle.

The body of the hat is made from the rectangle, which you will use to create a tube shape. Then you gather the top of the tube, using the same type of stitch that you would use for basting � only you want the sewing here to be permanent.

Then you sew the circle to the top to secure the gathers. This process has similarities to the technique of setting in a sleeve, but is much easier. Don't worry if you aren't familiar with these sewing terms; it's all described clearly for you here.

Instructions:

Foundation: Ch 45.
• Row 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across the row. (44 sl sts.)/li>
• Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Work entire row in sl st. (44 sl st)
• Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Work entire row in sl st. (44 sl st)
• Row 4: Ch 1, turn. Work entire row in sc. (44 sc)
• Rows 5 and Up: The pattern repeats from here on. 3 rows of sl st followed by 1 row of sc, with the following minor change: row 5 will be a sl st row; Work your sl sts into the front loops of the sc in the previous row. Continue working in pattern repeat until the length of the piece is the desired circumfrence of the hat.

A good gauge is to crochet 100 rows total, but you should crochet as many rows as necessary to achieve a comfortable fit for the intended wearer. You can do a quick fitting by using safety pins to temporarily pin up the sides of the hat and try it on.

End off; weave in ends. Block and let dry. Crochet the Seam:
Hold (or pin) the first and last row together to form a tube. Work one slip stitch through both loops of stitches in the first and last rows. Gathering the top of the Hat:
Thread your yarn needle and hand stitch a straight basting-type stitch loosely all the way around the upper perimeter of the hat. Make your stitches as even as possible, and keep them as close to the edge as you comfortably can.

Your next goal is to transform the tube into a hat shape that's open at the bottom and closed at the top.

To do so, you're going to use your basting stitch as the mechanism for gathering the top of the tube.

After the top has been gathered, make a few extra stitches as needed to secure the gathers and then set the piece aside while you crochet the circle.

Apply a pom pom at the point where all gathers together.

Circle Instructions:
Ch 5, sl st to form a ring. Do a Magic Circle.

• Rnd 1: 10 sc in ring; sl st to join. (10 sc)
• Rnd 2: Ch 1. Working through both loops, 2 sc in each sc. Sl st to join. (20 sc)
• Rnd 3: Ch 1, 1 sc in each sc. Sl st to join. (20 sc)

This cricle measures about 2¼", and it is big enough to successfully cover the gathers at the top of the hat. However, here are some optional rounds in case you need them, which may happen if the circle is smaller than 2¼" or otherwise doesn't cover the gathers completely. Don't use the extra rounds unless you need them. Do your best to gather the top of the hat as tightly as possible so you will not need them.

• Optional Round 4: Ch 1, *sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * to end. (30 sc)
• Optional Round 5: Ch 1, sc in each st around. (30 sc total)

When breaking off, leave a long tail of yarn to be used to stitch the circle to the top of the hat.

Finishing:
Stitch the circle to the hat so that it hides the basting stitch and all the gathers. You want this to be permanent, so stitch around the circle several times until you are confident that it won't work its way loose. When you are finished, turn the hat inside out and weave in any remaining loose ends.