Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Hat (Knitting Pattern)

Knitting a hat is one of the simplest knitting projects for beginners and advanced knitters alike. This Instructable shows the versatility of a simple hat starting point and the possibilities with just a few tweaks. This hat pattern has several "routes" you can take.

Basic hat - tight fitting beanie, standard hat
Bun Hat - regular beanie that leaves an opening for hair
Slouch hat - longer hat with some slouch to up the coolness factor

Materials:

Size US 8 (5mm) 16 inch circular knitting needle (or a longer circ if using magic loop)
Size US 8 (5mm) double pointed needles, Set of 4 or 5 (not needed if using magic loop)
100g Worsted weight yarn
- This varies based on the hat you make but to be safe, a full 100g ball is your best bet for the largest slouch. Sample shown used Patons North American Classic Wool Worsted in Colourway Jade
Tapestry needle
1 stitch marker
Ruler

Techniques required for this pattern:

Knitting in the round
Knit stitches
Purl stitches
Decreasing - k2tog (knit 2 stitches together)
Weaving in ends

Sizes:

Youth (Adult small, Adult large). Instructions for number of stitches or inches will be given in this format.

Sizing can be easily adjusted by adding or removing stitches in groups of 8 to adjust the circumference. To add or remove length, just knit to desired length before decreasing.

Step 1: For All Versions - Cast On

Using a stretchy cast on of your choice, cast on 80 (88, 96) stitches to your circular needle.

The sample shown used the Long-tail cast on but any stretchy cast on will work.

Here is a good example of the long tail cast on:

Step 2: For All Versions - Ribbing

Place marker to denote beginning of round and start working k2p2 ribbing (*knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches*, Repeat to end).

For a single brim, continue to work k2p2 until the piece measures 1.5 inches from the cast on edge.

For a double brim, continue to work k2p2 until the piece measures at least 3.25 inches from the cast on edge.

Sample shows only the single brim.

Step 3: For All Versions - Knit!

Once your ribbing has reached the desired length, start knitting every row. Continue knitting every row until the hat measures 6 (7, 8) inches from the cast on edge.

Note: if you knit a double brim, fold the brim and measure the hat from the fold. If you measure from the cast on edge, your hat will be too short when you fold your brim later.

Step 4: Decision Time!

Now that you have a basic start to your hat, you need to decide what type of hat you want. Make your decision and move on to the next step...

Basic Beanie (Proceed to Step 5)
Bun Hat (Proceed to Step 6)
Slouch Hat (Proceed to Step 7)

Step 5: I Choose the Beanie!

Congratulations! This simple fitted hat is just a few rows away from completion.

You currently have 6 (7, 8) inches of hat on your needles. Now its time to decrease and close the top of the hat. Decreasing rows are worked every other round in the following manner, switching to DPNs when the circumference is too small for the circular needle.

*k6, k2tog* Repeat to end of round
k all
*k5, k2tog* Repeat to end of round
k all
*k4, k2tog* Repeat to end of round
k all
*k3, k2tog* Repeat to end of round
k all
*k2, k2tog* Repeat to end of round
k all
*k1, k2tog* Repeat to end of round
k all
*k2tog* Repeat to end of round
*k2tog* Repeat to end of round [For the small adult size, there is an odd number of stitches so you will need to k1 at the end]

Cut your yarn to about 6 inches and, using the tapestry needle, draw the yarn through the live stitches and pull tight to close the hole. Insert needle through the center of the closed hole into the hat and weave in the end of the yarn on the inside of the hat. Using the tapestry needle again, weave in the yarn end left over from your cast on.

Your hat is ready to wear!

Step 6: I Need Room for All This Hair! I Choose the Bun Hat!

Congratulations! This simple fitted hat and hair accessory is just a few rows away from completion.

You currently have 6 (7, 8) inches of hat on your needles. Now its time to decrease and close the top of the hat partway, leaving just room enough for your hair to escape. Decreasing rows are worked every other round in the following manner, switching to DPNs when the circumference is too small for the circular needle.

*k6, k2tog* Repeat to end of round
k all
*k5, k2tog* Repeat to end of round
k all
*k4, k2tog* Repeat to end of round
k all
*k3, k2tog* Repeat to end of round
k all
*k2, k2tog* Repeat to end of round
k all
*k1, k2tog* Repeat to end of round

There are now 20 (22, 24) stitches remaining on your needles. k1p1 (*knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch* Repeat to end) for 4 rounds (This creates a stretchy opening). Bind off the stitches in pattern. Using the tapestry needle, weave in the yarn ends left over from your cast on and bind off.

Your hat is ready to wear!

Step 7: I Choose the Slouch Hat!

Congratulations! This simple, slouchy hat just needs a few more inches and it's ready to go!

You currently have 6 (7, 8) inches of hat on your needles. Continue knitting for at least another 4 inches (the more rows you knit, the slouchier it will be! Sample shown has 4 additional inches). You should now have at least 10 (11, 12) inches of hat.

It's now time to decrease and close the top of the hat.

Decreasing rows are worked every other round in the following manner, switching to DPNs when the circumference is too small for the circular needle.

*k6, k2tog* Repeat to end of round
k all
*k5, k2tog* Repeat to end of round
k all
*k4, k2tog* Repeat to end of round
k all
*k3, k2tog* Repeat to end of round
k all
*k2, k2tog* Repeat to end of round
k all
*k1, k2tog* Repeat to end of round
k all
*k2tog* Repeat to end of round
*k2tog* Repeat to end of round [For the small adult size, there is an odd number of stitches so you will need to k1 at the end]

Your hat is ready to wear!