Knitting Beginner Hat YR-K03

Harbour Hat

Row 1 (RS): K2, *p2, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (WS): P2, *k2, p2; rep from * to end.

The easiest hat there is: knit a rectangle, gather the top, sew up the side. Four head sizes, four heights from fitted to slouchy.

Finished size: 20 in / 51 cm around × 8½ in / 22 cm tall
Fit: Fits a head 21–22 in
Yarn: About 175 yd / 160 m of worsted weight (category 4) wool or wool blend yarn. Buy 1 skein of 200 yd (this includes 10% extra).
Needles: US 8 (5 mm) straight needles
Notions: Tapestry needle
Gauge: 22 sts and 24 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in 2×2 rib. Swatch first and change needle size if needed: more stitches than this means go up a size, fewer means go down.

Notes

Worked flat from the brim up. The top edge is gathered to close the crown, then the side is seamed.
The hat is about 1½ in / 4 cm smaller than the head so it stays on.
This height gives a fitted beanie that covers the ears.
Stretchy and reversible-looking. Measure gauge relaxed, not stretched.

Worked over a multiple of 4 sts plus 2.

Cast on 110 sts, leaving a 20 in / 50 cm tail for the seam.
Work in 2×2 rib (see “Stitch pattern” above), repeating its rows.
Continue until the piece measures 8½ in / 22 cm from the cast-on edge, ending after a wrong-side row.

Next row (RS): *K2tog; rep from * to end (55 sts).
Next row (WS): Purl.
Next row (RS): *K2tog; rep from * to last st, k1 (28 sts).
Cut the yarn, leaving a 10 in / 25 cm tail. Thread it through the remaining stitches, slipping them off the needle, and pull tight to close the crown. Fasten off on the inside.

Using the cast-on tail, sew the side edges together with mattress stitch from brim to crown. Weave in the ends.