5.0 mm crochet hook
100 gm chunky weight yarn - Lion Brand Jiffy or Patons Shetland Chunky
Note: Do not join the rounds, but place a marker (pin) on the last stitch of each round.
Chain 4, join in a round with a ss in the first chain.
R 1: Ch 1, 8 hdc in the ring.
R2: Working into the horizontal strand behind each st (and all subsequent sts throughout the hat) leaving an "V" ridge at the top of each st visible, work 2 hdc in each hdc around. (16 hdc)
By working into the strand behind the stitch, it looks like a hand knit stitch.
R 3: 2 hdc in the first st. * 1 hdc in the next st, 2 hdc in the next st. Repeat from * to the last st, 1 hdc in the last st. (24 hdc)
R 4: 2 hdc in the first st. * 1 hdc in the next 2 sts, 2 hdc in the next st. Repeat from * to the last st, 1 hdc in the last 2 sts. (32 hdc)
R 5: 2 hdc in the first st. * 1 hdc in the next 3 sts, 2 hdc in the next st. Repeat from * to the last st, 1 hdc in the last 3 sts. (40 hdc)
Continue to increase 8 hdc in the following rows as noted:
R 6: Increase to 48 hdc.
R 8: Increase to 56 hdc.
R 9: Increase to 64 hdc.
Work 19 rows on the 64 hdc, no more increases.
Try the hat on, rolling up the brim. When you are happy with the length, work 1 round in sc.
The hat is reversible, with the raised stitch on one side, and plain on the other.
OPTION: Use two different colours, or one solid and one variegated. Work two rounds in each colour.
Notes:
I played around with this pattern a lot, starting out originally with 80 sts, but it was too big, so I frogged it, tried 72 sts, and again frogged it, and finally found that 64 sts was a good number for me.
As long as the number of stitches is divisable by 8, you can make it any size you want.
I wanted something fairly tight, but long, so that in warmer weather I could roll it up, but when cold, it could be pulled over the ears.
If you find that 64 sts is too big, then drop it to 56 and see. And for little people, you might even go to 48 sts. It is very fast, easy, and adaptable.