Cozy Summer Hats

So maybe it sounds a little crazy to make wool hats in the Summer.
Well, it makes perfect sense to me!
You'll be grateful to have a super cozy hat for nights on the beach or evenings huddled around a campfire. When a nighttime chill sets in you'll be glad you've got your super cute, and super cozy hat!

When my good friend, Erika of Oishii Handmade, graciously gifted me with some gorgeous yarn I almost immediately knew what it would become. Summer hats for me and my boys!
I quickly made it into balls and got to work.


I've included instructions for each hat. There are three different sizes, one for me, one for my 2 year old, and one for my 5 year old. I used a basic pattern and modified it to work for all three of us.

Supplies Needed:

• Worsted Weight Wool Yarn (the amount needed really depends on how many hats you're going to make. I used 1 1/2 skeins for all three hats)
• Size 9 Circular Knitting Needles (16")
• Size 9 Double Pointed Needles
• Stitch Marker
• Tapestry Needle
• Heat Bond
• Embroidery Thread
• Appliques (anything fun you'd like to add to your hat. Use printed fabric and cut out a great image or two.)

Gauge: 4.5 stitches = 1"



Adult Hat
(This hat is a little extra long)

Cast on 84 sts. Join to first stitch, being careful not to twist your work
Knit 4, Purl 4 around, being sure to keep your Knits above the Knits and Purls above the Purls. This is making a wide rib. Continue the rib stitching until the piece measures 1"
Switch to Knit stitch, continue around until the piece measures 7"
Place a Stitch Marker on the knitting needle
Begin Decrease:
Knit 10, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit 9, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit 8, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit 7, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit 6, Knit 2 together 7 times
(Switch to Double Pointed Needles when necessary)
Knit 5, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit 4, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit 3, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit 2, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit 1, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit 2 together 7 times

Cut yarn and thread through remaining stitches using a crochet hook or tapestry needle

Follow the directions supplied with your Heat Bond and iron it to the back of your chosen Appliques.
Once your Appliques are ready to be put onto your hat, experiment with positioning before adhering them to your hat.
Be sure to stretch the hat a bit before you add the applique since the hat will stretch when you wear it and the portion where the applique is adhered to wont. You can use a cut out piece of cardboard placed inside of the hat to hold it stretched out a bit while you iron on the appliques, or you can place the hat around the tapered side of your ironing board (this is the method I used)
Once your appliques are adhered and cooled use a simple stitch around each one. This give it a more finished look, gives you more room to add color and creativity and without the stitching the appliques may start to peal up after a while.

Make sure everything is tied off, secured and woven in, and you're done!

Onto the Kids hats!



5 Year Old's Hat
(this is really a general size. It's basically the same as mine just a bit shorter)

Cast on 84 sts. Join to first stitch, being careful not to twist your work
Knit around continuously until the piece measures 5.5"
Place a Stitch Marker on the knitting needle
Begin Decrease:
Knit 10, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit one round without decreasing
Knit 9, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit one round without decreasing
Knit 8, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit one round without decreasing
Knit 7, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit one round without decreasing
Knit 6, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit one round without decreasing
(Switch to Double Pointed Needles when necessary)
Knit 5, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit one round without decreasing
Knit 4, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit 3, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit 2, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit 1, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit 2 together 7 times

Cut yarn and thread through remaining stitches using a crochet hook or tapestry needle

This creates a simple roll brim hat.

Follow the directions for the Adult Hat to complete this hat.



2 Year Old's Hat
(This hat is made a bit smaller than the others all the way around)

Cast on 70 sts. Join to first stitch, being careful not to twist your work
Do 4 rows alternating between one row of Knit the next Purl (the create a garter stitch around the brim of the hat) This is totally optional, this hat could be made in a roll brim style, just add a couple extra rows to account for the roll.
Knit around continuously until the piece measures 5"
Place a Stitch Marker on the knitting needle
Begin Decrease:
Knit 8, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit one round without decreasing
Knit 7, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit one round without decreasing
Knit 6, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit one round without decreasing
(Switch to Double Pointed Needles when necessary)
Knit 5, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit one round without decreasing
Knit 4, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit 3, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit 2, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit 1, Knit 2 together 7 times
Knit 2 together 7 times

Cut yarn and thread through remaining stitches using a crochet hook or tapestry needle

This creates a simple roll brim hat.

Follow the directions for the Adult Hat to complete this hat




I really love how these turned out (and my boys seem to like 'em too)!
They'll definitely be accompanying us on any summer trips, and are sure to get lots of use!