Easy Hat Pattern (Great for Beginners)

I have been waiting to do this post until my friend, Catie, found the "Perky Hat" that I made for her about 2 years ago. Finally, after several months of her hat being AWOL, I found it in our church Lost and Found - after she had worn it ONE time. Hmmmm  Well, I can't really explain that but it looks sooo cute on her. However, I also couldn't seem to get her to send me a photo of her wearing it.  Hmmmm  Well, I can't explain that either but it is so cute, especially on her. Really. Trust me.

So, here is her hat, not on a head, along with the first one I ever made, in about 1990. Both are from hand spun, approximately worsted weight. My friend's hat is on the right.

What's fun about this pattern is that you knit the crown sideways and then pick up stitches for the very top and then for the brim. It's a clever design. The fit is a bit like a stocking cap with a nice brim. Plus, this is super easy and great for beginners, with a little help on a couple of terms.

When I made the first one, I thought the brim was too floppy so I made my friend's brim with double strands of yarn. It gave the brim more body and still has some "flop" left.

I got the pattern from a magazine in 1989 and I do not see it anywhere on-line. So, here is the pattern, the way it read back in 1989:

PERKY HAT

MATERIALS: Worsted weight yarn - 4 oz MC; small amount of contrasting color for trim - CC
                          Size 9 couble-pointed needles
                          Tapestry needle
GAUGE:           4 sts/8 rows = 1 inch
SIZE:                 Fits an adult woman

With MC and starting with crown, cast on 20 sts and work in garter st until piece measures 19". Bind off. Do NOT cut yarn. Pick up 70 sts along one straight edge.

Rows 1, 2, 4, and all even rows: Knit.
Row 5: *K4, k2 tog, rep from *.
Row 7: *K3, k2tog, rep from *.
Row 9:  Knit.
Row 11: *K2, k2tog, rep from *.
Row 13:  Knit
Row 15: *K1, k2 tog, rep from *.
Row 17: *K2tog, rep from *.
Row 18: Knit, cut yarn and thread tapestry needle, draw through sts, fasten off securely. Seam center crown, and the cast on and bound off edges tog. Weave in end.

BRIM: Pick up 77 sts around lower edge. Using DPN, work in rounds.
Rnd 1: *K1, M1, (make 1) rep from *.
Rnds 2-9: *K1, p1, rep from *.
Bind off in rib. Cut yarn, work end in far enough that it doesn't show on brim.

TRIM: Using CC, cast on 72 sts.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: K1, *yo, k2tog, rep from *, end k1.
Row 3: Knit, then bind off in purl. Stitch together and tack to hat.

TABS: First tab: using CC, cast on 7 sts, bind off. Second tab: cast on 9 sts, bind off. Stitch in position on side of hat.

OPTIONAL: If you like a hat with more body, use double knitting worsted throughout. First piece should be 21"; pick up 77 sts instead of 70. For Brim, pick up 77 sts; and for band pick up 78 sts.



Honestly, I didn't do the trim according to the pattern. I just braided yarn and made it long enough to tie it together once I had the braid tacked on. Once I got the braid done, I tied off each end so it wouldn't unravel while I tacked it, then tied it up.

For more on the hand spun yarn I used in Catie's hat, look over here.

I am currently working on a pair of 2 needle mittens with hand spun and I'm trying to figure out how to share the "out of print" pattern without being illegal.