Here is an easy one-skein stylish hat pattern. This hat is worked in the round and is a great pattern for the beginning knitter wanting to learn to knit in the round. Or, for the experienced knitter, it’s a quick one-day project for some easy knitting gratification. It’s a great gift for someone or a treat for yourself!
The yarn is the star of this project. Choose a beautiful skein of your favourite colour. This pattern is perfect for hand-dyed yarns. The stockinette body of the hat will show off tonal and variegated yarns beautifully. And a soft, drapey yarn will work well with the scrunchy slouchy style of this hat.
You will need one skein of worsted weight yarn. The yarn used here is Malabrigo Rios in Teal Feather. Rios is a superwash merino wool and comes in a variety of gorgeous colours. This hat used about 140 yards [128 m], or about three-quarters of the skein. You could even make a pom-pom with the remaining yarn if you wish. Check out my Making Pom-Poms 101 tutorial!
Two inches of k2, p2 ribbing worked with a smaller needle creates a nice tight brim for this hat, keeping it in place on your head. There’s nothing worse than a slouchy hat that keeps sliding off! This hat doesn’t slide. An even number of stitches that are divisible by 4 (to accommodate the k2, p2 rib) are cast on in the round. The ribbing is worked this way: *K2, p2; rep from * to the end of the round. Work the ribbing somewhat tightly to get a nice finished look. I always pull my yarn tight after the knit stitch and before the first purl stitch. This prevents gaps from forming between the ribs and makes the ribbing look tight and neat instead of loose and sloppy. Then, to work the stockinette section in the round, simply knit every stitch. This section is worked with the larger needle and it goes really quickly.
The body of the hat is worked until the total length of the hat is 9 inches. The longer the hat, the slouchier it will be. This is the perfect length for just the right amount of slouch. But if you want even more slouch, keep knitting until the length is where you want it. The crown is worked with evenly spaced decreases and adds about 2 inches [5 cm] to the total length of the hat. The decrease stitch used here is k2tog (knit two stitches together). Easy peasy!
This pattern is written for one size only. It easily fits a head circumference of 21 – 24 inches [53 – 61 cm]. The brim is stretchy. The total length is 11 inches [28 cm]. The width at the widest point when the hat is laid flat is 10 inches [25 cm], for a circumference of approximately 20 inches [51 cm]. The brim, when laid flat, is 7 inches [18 cm] wide, for a circumference of approximately 14 inches [36 cm] unstretched.
Effortless Slouch Instructions
Materials
- 1 skein of Malabrigo Rios (100% superwash merino wool; 210 yd [192 m]/3.53 oz [100 g]). Shown here in # 412 Teal Feather. Or, approximately 140 yards [128 m] of any worsted weight yarn.
- US size 7 [4.5 mm] 16” [40 cm] circular needle.
- US size 9 [5.5 mm] 16” [40 cm] circular needle.
- US size 9 [5.5 mm] double-pointed needles (dpns).
- Adjust needle size as necessary to obtain gauge.
- 1 stitch marker.
Gauge
18 sts and 26 rnds = 4 inches [10 cm] in Stockinette stitch worked in the rnd with larger needle .
Measurements
One size: Fits a head circumference of 21 – 24 inches [53 – 61 cm]. Length = 11 inches [28 cm]. The width at the widest point when the hat is laid flat = 10 inches [25 cm], for a circumference of approximately 20 inches [51 cm]. The brim, when laid flat = 7 inches [18 cm] wide, for a circumference of approximately 14 inches [36 cm] unstretched.
Stitch Guide
- k2, p2 rib: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Abbreviations
- k – knit
- p – purl
- k2tog – knit 2 stitches together
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
Instructions
With smaller needle, cast on 92 sts. Place marker and join for knitting in the rnd, being careful not to twist the sts. Work k2, p2 rib until piece measures 2 inches from cast-on.
Change to larger needle and knit until piece measures 9 inches from cast-on.
Crown Shaping (switch to dpns when necessary):
Rnd 1: K5, k2tog, k41, k2tog, knit to end of rnd – 90 sts.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: *K4, k2tog; rep from * to end of rnd – 75 sts.
Rnd 4: Knit.
Rnd 5: *K3, k2tog; rep from * to end of rnd – 60 sts.
Rnd 6: Knit.
Rnd 7: *K2, k2tog; rep from * to end of rnd – 45 sts.
Rnd 8: Knit.
Rnd 9: *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end of rnd – 30 sts.
Rnd 10: Knit.
Rnd 11: *K2tog; rep from * to end of rnd – 15 sts.
Rnd 12: Knit
Rnd 13: *K2tog; rep from * to last st, k1 – 8 sts.
Finishing
Break yarn, leaving a 10” tail. With tapestry needle, thread yarn through remaining 8 sts, pull tightly to close top of hat, secure on the wrong side, and weave in all ends. Block lightly.
Remember the Sugar Plum Cowl pattern? Why not make the two in the same yarn for a great matching set!
Pattern by Michelle Krause.
Copyright 2015 by Leah Michelle Designs. Pattern and photos may not be sold for profit or distributed or reproduced without permission.