I improvised this simple hat "pattern" many years ago and have made it many many times, and made many versions. I wanted to share with you my basic recipe, as this pattern suits everyone and fits a wide range of heads. My two favourite versions fit me, my three kids (who are between 5 and 10) and my fella.
It is hat knitting at it's absolute simplest and the awesome thing about it is that it looks great whether it is a bit tighter or a bit slouchier. Mine tend to slouch up over time, to the point where I need to give them a quick wash to get them back into shape. You can see my oldest and most stretched version in the picture below.
My oldest slouchiest version that I wear running which has a 3.5" ribbed section and is a smidge longer. It is made from Rowan Kid Classic on 5mm needles.
This hat is my go-to quick knit as it can be made in a night or two in front of the tele, or on a long car drive. A simple hat in a gorgeous yarn is the perfect gift, for yourself or someone you love.
One of my favourite things about it is the crown. I love an odd number of points in a crown decrease. It just feels a little more balanced.
Just be aware that this "pattern"* is really loose - not that the knitting is loose but rather that the pattern is really simple and easy to alter. For example I love the three inch rib but have been meaning to make one with a 3.5 or even 4 inch rib. It might rock.
So I've included two of my most knitted versions - one with an 18 stitch recommended gauge and another with a 20 stitch gauge. And I'd love to see your versions so don't forget to hashtag your creations #tcssimplehat on instagram.
I purchased these two skeins at Purl Soho to give their yarn a trial. On the left is their Worsted and on the right is their beautiful Flax Down!
Your yarn choice will give you a totally different hat.
Thinner slouchier version: If I want a slouchier version I use a yarn with some kind of alpaca or silk content and use a say a DK yarn with the 20 stitch gauge.
Chunkier version: I use a a worsted or aran weight yarn that is 100 percent wool. I would use the 18 stitch gauge version.
I'll recommend some yarns for the different versions at the start of the pattern. But this hat was made for stash scrap knitting, and for pom poms if you are into them.
Edited to add: If you are a loose knitter when knitting rib you might want to consider going down a needle size to do your ribbing. I don't but you might. This is especially true if you are using a yarn that is not very elastic.
Verions #1 20 stitch gauge in Purl Soho Flax Down.
The Craft Sessions Simple Hat Pattern Version #1 - 20 stitch gauge
Gauge: 20 stitches per 4"/10cm
Fits: Heads from 20-23"/50-58cm - That said my partner's head is over 24" and it fits him too.
Finished Measurements:
Hat length from cast on to crown - 9.5"/24cm
Unstretched width 18"/45.5cm
Yarn Suggestions
Rowan Kid Classic or Purl Soho Flax Down for a thinner version. Or any 20 stitch gauge yarn with mainly woollen content. Shelter is nice. As is Quince's Owl. Or Berrocco's Ultra Alpaca.
The 20 Stitch Simple Pattern
Cast On
Cast on 96 stitches using a 4.5mm needle. Please note that you should use whatever needle size you need to get gauge given the yarn of your choice. Place a marker to mark the start of round and join to knit in the round.
Ribbing
Knit 22 rounds of [k2,p2] repeat or until ribbing measures 3"/7.5cm
Hat Body
Round 1: Repeat the brackets 2 times [Knit 48, M1] - 98 stitches total.
Round 2 onwards: Knit all stitches until the hat measures 6.5"/16.5cm from the cast on edge.
Crown shaping
Round 1: Repeat brackets until end of round [Knit 14, PM].
You should have 7 markers in total including the start of round.
Round 2: Repeat brackets until end of round [Knit until 2 stitches before marker, k2tog]
Round 3: Knit
Repeat Rounds 2 and 3 until there are 7 stitches between each marker - 7 times in total - 49 stitches remain.
Then repeat Round 2 until 7 stitches remain. Using a needle thread a few inches of yarn through the remaining 7 stitches.
And you have a hat!
Version #2 18 stitch gauge version in Purl Soho Worsted.
The Craft Sessions Simple Hat Pattern Version 2 - 18 stitch gauge
Gauge: 18 stitches per 4"/10cm
Fits: Heads from 20-23"/50-58cm
Finished Measurements:
Hat length from cast on to crown - 9.5"/24cm
Unstretched width 19"/48cm
Yarn Suggestions
Purl Soho Worsted for a chunkier version. Or Rowan Felted Tweed Aran or any 18 stitch gauge yarn with mainly woolen content.
The 18 Stitch Simple Pattern
Cast On
Cast on 80 stitches using a 5mm needle. Please note that you should use whatever needle size you need to get gauge given the yarn of your choice. Place a marker to mark the start of round and join to knit in the round.
Ribbing
Knit 20 rounds of [k2,p2] repeat or until ribbing measures 3"/7.5cm
Hat Body
Round 1: Repeat the brackets 4 times [Knit 20, M1] - 84 stitches total.
Round 2 onwards: Knit all stitches until the hat measures 6.5"/16.5cm from the cast on edge.
Crown shaping
Round 1: Repeat brackets until end of round [Knit 12, PM].
You should have 7 markers in total including the start of round.
Round 2: Repeat brackets until end of round [Knit until 2 stitches before marker, k2tog]
Round 3: Knit
Repeat Rounds 2 and 3 until there are 6 stitches between each marker - 6 times in total - 42 stitches remain.
Then repeat Round 2 until 7 stitches remain. Using a needle thread a few inches of yarn through the remaining 7 stitches.
And you again have a hat!
Enjoy and feel free to ask questions. And don't forget that hastag #tcssimplehat. They will make me happy!
Felicia x
*Some people on instagram mentioned the similarity of my hats to the gorgeous Simple Hat by Hannah Fettig that you can find here - similarities that makes sense as there are only so many ways you can make a simple hat. I don't have Hannah's pattern nor have I ever seen it - and our versions are different. Different ribbing, different crown length and different crown shaping. Also my "pattern" has only one size in two gauges. I know from experience that Hannah's patterns are incredibly well thought-out and well written, and her simple hat has many sizes and I believe three gauges so please check it out if you are interested.
