In two years of knitting, my husband has watched on as I’ve made baby blankets for other people’s children, scarves for other family members, and even things for myself, but finally last week it was his turn. Even the biggest of brains need to stay warm in cold weather, so I measured and surmised until I thought I had a plan to knit a winter hat for my husband’s 24-inch (61-cm) circumference head. It took three tries to get the right size and I knitted it from the bottom up to make sure. There are a few nice big hat patterns out there, but it was a challenge to find one that was also baggy. Basically, I wanted to make a hat that would be great for someone with dreadlocks, even though my husband doesn’t have them. Of course, leaving enough comfort room around the forehead and crown so he isn’t left with an imprint of ribbing when he takes the hat off. We have somewhat mild winters here in Cork, so if you need to up the warmth just line it in jersey or knit it with two strands for the entire hat. So, here is the pattern for the fabulous hat that he now wears daily.
Oversized Hat for a Just Right Big Head
On 4.5mm circular needles, CO 110 with two strands of yarn: coordinating DK and sock yarn
Join in the round.
Repeat [K3, P3] for ribbing for first 10 rows with two strands: one DK and one sock yarn.
After 10 rows of ribbing, trim the Sock yarn with inches to spare and leave it weave the end in later.
Continue to knit only the DK. Knit all stitches for 50 rows.
Decrease stitches:
[K8, K2tog] Repeat to end of the row, placing one stitch marker after each of the 11 K2tog points around the hat (then you know to just knit together the two stitches just before the marker).
Plain knit for 4 rows.
[K7, K2Tog] Repeat to end of the row.
Plain knit for 3 rows.
[K6, K2Tog] Repeat to end of the row.
Plain knit for 3 rows.
[K5, K2Tog] Repeat to end of the row.
Plain knit for 2 rows.
[K4, K2Tog] Repeat to end of the row.
Plain knit for 2 rows.
[K3, K2Tog] Repeat to end of the row.
Plain knit for 1 row.
[K2, K2Tog] Repeat to end of the row.
Plain knit for 1 row.
[K1, K2Tog] Repeat to end of the row.
Plain knit for 1 row.
Trim the yarn with an arm’s length tail and thread it through the remaining stitches then knot to hold together firmly. Weave the end into the top of hat.
Evin
very fetching. Thanks for lovely pattern