HAT FOR A MAN
This is a very versatile pattern, which explains the wordiness of these instructions. You can use a variety of yarns, even mix sizes, so it’s a great way to put your stash to good use. It can be made in child and adult sizes. Whatever size hat your choice of yarn produces, there's sure to be a head that it will keep warm.
The basic instructions are for a man’s hat done with a single strand. The hat begins as a circle of the desired size, and is then worked to the end with no more changes in the stitch count. The diameter of the circle determines the size of the hat.
There are two versions. I prefer the long loop method because there’s less of the appearance of a “seam” and for me it’s a bit quicker. The second is the more traditional method using a chain 3 at the beginning of every round.
LONG LOOP METHOD
- Work Round 1 in the usual way.
- Beginning at Round 2, join with a slip stitch in the top of the chain 3.
- Instead of doing another chain 3, pull up a loop just a little shorter than the height that a chain 3 would be, yarn over, insert hook in the top of the chain 3 below, and complete the double crochet.
- Do another double crochet in the same stitch, and then do 2 double crochets in each remaining double crochet around.
- To join at the end each succeeding round, slip stitch in the long loop, yarn over, and complete the double crochet in that loop. Continue the pattern.
TO GET INTO THE RHYTHM of the increases after Round 2, it might help to consider them this way. The number of each increasing round is the same number as the "increase unit." For example, on the 3rd round, the increase unit is 3 stitches - dc in the next stitch, 2 dc in the 2nd. Each repeat of the pattern in this third round consists of three stitches. On the 6th round, the increase unit is 6 stitches - dc in each of the next 4 stitches, 2 dc in the 5th all around. Each repeat of the pattern consists of 6 stitches.
TO INCREASE ONLY 5 STITCHES IN A ROW: Often a 10-stitch increase in a round would make a hat too big. If that's the case, increase only 5 stitches. There's an easy way to space increases evenly without math. For example, if you decide after the 5th row with 50 stitches that 60 stitches would be too many, increase only 5 stitches on the 6th row. Make your first increase in the 5th stitch as usual for this row. Then do 4 dc but do not increase in the 5th stitch. Repeat this all around, increasing in every other "increase unit."
HAT WITH CUFF – TRADITIONAL JOINING
Washable worsted weight yarn, around 3 ounces or less
I or J hook
Round 1: Chain 4. Work 9 dc in 4th chain from hook. Join at top of chain. 10 dc The beginning chain counts as your first stitch in each row. Do NOT turn at the end of the row.
Round 2: Chain 3, dc in same stitch. 2 dc in each remaining stitch around. Join at top of chain 3. 20 dc
Round 3: Chain 3, 2 dc in next stitch. (1 dc, 2 dc in next stitch) around. Join at top of chain 3. 30 dc
Round 4: Chain 3, dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next stitch. (dc in next 2 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch) around. Join at top of chain 3. 40 dc
Round 5: Chain 3, dc in each of next 2 next stitches, 2 dc in next stitch. (dc in next 3 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch) around. Join at top of chain 3. 50 dc
Round 6: Chain 3, dc in each of next 3 next stitches, 2 dc in next stitch. (dc in next 4 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch) around. Join at top of chain 3. 60 dc
Rounds 7-18 or to desired length: Chain 3 in joining stitch, dc in each dc around. Join at top of chain 3. 60 dc (18 rows will be approximately 11" long, and in the vicinity of 11" across when folded in half)
Last round: Chain 1, sc in same stitch and in each stitch around. Join in first sc and fasten off. Work in ends.
For smaller hat or if using bulky yarn, increase to 50 stitches and continue to desired length.
HAT WITH CUFF – LONG LOOP METHOD
Washable worsted weight yarn, around 3 ounces
I or J hook
Chain 4. 9 dc in 4th chain from hook. Slip stitch in top of chain, pull up long loop. 10 dc Do NOT turn at the end of the row.
Round 2: Yarn over and complete double crochet in long loop, dc in same stitch. 2 dc in each remaining stitch around. Join with slip stitch in long loop. 20 dc
Round 3: Yarn over and complete double crochet in long loop. 2 dc in next stitch. (1 dc, 2 dc in next stitch) around. Join at top of chain 3. 30 dc
Round 4: chain 3, dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next stitch. (dc in next 2 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch) around. Join at top of chain 3. 40 dc
Round 5: chain 3, dc in each of next 2 next stitches, 2 dc in next stitch. (dc in next 3 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch) around. Join at top of chain 3. 50 dc
Round 6: chain 3, dc in each of next 3 next stitches, 2 dc in next stitch. (dc in next 4 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch) around. Join at top of chain 3. 60 dc
Rounds 7-18 or to desired length: chain 3 in joining stitch, dc in each dc around. Join at top of chain 3. 60 dc (18 rows will be approximately 11" long, and in the vicinity of 11" across when folded in half)
Last round: Chain 1, sc in same stitch and in each stitch around. Join in first sc and fasten off. Work in ends.
For smaller hat or if using bulky yarn, increase to 50 stitches and continue to desired length.
HAT WITH CUFF - DOUBLE STRAND
Washable worsted weight yarn, around 5 ounces
Use two strands of one color or one each of two different colors
L hook
Follow the directions for the single strand hat using 2 strands through Round 4.
On Round 5, increase only 5 stitches, following the suggestions above, for a total of 45 stitches.
Rounds 6-13 or to desired length: work even. 13 rounds will produce a hat approximately 11" long.
Last round: Chain 1, sc in same stitch and in each stitch around. Join in first sc and fasten off. Work in ends.
For a different look you can use a strand of worsted weight and one of sport weight. Increase until you have a circle of 7 to 8" and work even to desired length.
IF YOU PREFER A FLATTER CROWN:
On Round 1, work 11 dc in first chain, making a total of 12 stitches.
Increase on Rounds 2, 3, 4, and 5 making a total of 24, 36, 48, and 60 stitches. Then work even until the desired length.
Directions for preemie, baby, child, and ladies hat sizes to be added.
If you have any questions or find a mistake, PLEASE let me know!
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