Knit A Hat
A pattern for beginners or not! There are various patterns using the Hurdle Stitch out there. I don’t claim to be an original pattern maker, but I have modified and perfected this pattern after making and selling several hats with it. This pattern differentiates in that its final beanie will be a bit larger, with a lot of give and full ear coverage of an average sized head. We start off the pattern with a size smaller needle to give it a firmer, but still stretchy brim. Another modification in this pattern I’ve modified is that I decrease in-pattern, meaning the pattern continues to the very top of the hat.
Photo’d (Left to Right): Hurdle Stitch Hat knitted using “Tampa Spice” of Lion Brand Hometown yarn and Lux Silver Fox Faux Fur Pom, Medium, from Life’s Little Things. US 11 and US 13 16 inch circular needles, with a homemade stitch marker and tapestry needle. Hurdle Stitch Hat using “Madison Mustard” of Lion Brand Hometown Yarn. All links below.
Yarn
I highly recommend using the Lion Brand Hometown Super Bulky yarn. I buy it from Michaels to get the larger skeins (they call them Bonus Bundles and are typically 1.5-2x the amount as other merchants). My hats usually use 4-4.3 oz of this yarn. The Hometown yarn is 100% Acrylic, machine washable, and a weight of 6 (Super Bulky). I like how it stays soft and plush in the final product (versus some yarns that feel soft in the skein, but not as much once they’re knitted up.
Tools
Note: I typically have a hard time sourcing my needles locally, so if you don’t already have them on-hand, be sure to plan for Amazon shipping. Tapestry needles / stitch markers are usually easy to find at your local hobby store. Be sure to get stitch markers large enough to fit around a 9mm needle.
US Size 11, 8mm, 16 inch circular needles (for the brim)
US Size 13, 9mm, 16 inch circular needles (for the hat)
Optional, US Size 13, 9mm Double Pointed Needles
Stitch Marker - I recommend a closed ring version to prevent snags
Pom & tools to attach (optional - I like Life’s Little Things’ Poms. Medium size fits well with the size of this hat)
The Pattern
Key Symbols
K - Knit Stitch
P - Purl Stitch
K2tog - Knit 2 Together
Cast On
Cast on 48 stitches using the Long-Tail Cast-On method.
Join in the round, then place the stitch marker. Be sure the round isn’t twisted and all of the stitches are facing the right direction.
Brim of the Hat
1x1 Ribbed Pattern for 6 total rounds using US 11, 8mm circular neeedles
Rounds 1-6: * K1 P1 *
Body of the Hat
Hurdle Stitch, 4 rounds per repeat, total of 5 repeats using US 13, 9mm circular needles. Switch to US 13, 9mm by knitting Round 7 from the US 11’s to the US 13’s.
Round 7: Knit entire round
Round 8: Purl entire round
Round 9-10 (1x1 Ribbed for two rounds): * K1 P1 *
Repeat Rounds 7-10 4 more times for a total of 5 repeats.
Crown, Decrease In Pattern
Decrease Round 1: Knit entire round
Decrease Round 2: Purl entire round
Decrease Round 3: * K1 P1 K1 K2tog P1 * (This reduces by 8 stitches in total, losing a Purl stitch)
Decrease Round 4: * K1 P1 K2 P1 * (Keeps the pattern from the K2Tog now that one of the Purl stitches is missing)
Decrease Round 5: * K2 K2Tog K1 * (This would be the “Knit entire round” round; we want to decrease by losing one of the Knit stitches; will reduce the round by 8 more stitches)
Decrease Round 6: Purl entire round
Decrease Round 7: * K1 K2Tog P1 * (Now we’re decreasing by losing a Purl stitch in the 1x1 ribbed part of the pattern; we’ll be reducing the rounds by 8 more stitches)
Decrease Round 8: * K2 P1 * (Maintaining what’s left of the 1x1 ribbed part of the pattern)
Decrease Round 9: * K2Tog K1 * (This is the “Knit entire round” round; losing 8 more stitches)
Decrease Round 10: Purl entire round
Decrease Round 11: K1 (only 1) * K2Tog * (repeat until last stitch) K1
Bind Off
Cut the working yarn so that you still have a few inches of a tail, and using the tapestry needle, weave the tail into the remaining stitches on the needles 2-3 times. Use the tapestry needle to weave in the tail on the inside of the hat. I usually tie off a small knot at the top for extra hold. Weave in the end from the cast-on as well.
Optional: Add a poof. Life’s Little Things also recommended these poof buttons you can order off Etsy if you’re interested in an option to add / remove a poof easily. You can also use any larger regular button you might have laying around at home or from a local hobby shop.
