When testing the River Boot Cuffs pattern I discovered that just by using Aran yarn on bigger needles and decreasing at the end the same pattern creates a lovely, quick-to-knit, medium-sized hat. I photographed the prototype and made these notes so you can make it too.

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The rib of the chestnut brown hat pictured was worked flat and the seam left open before joining in the round. You could knit this style brim in seed or garter stitch and make it longer for a Prairie bonnet look. Or just knit a classic hat 2 x 2 or 1 x 1 rib and make it a beanie. Try 6 rounds/rows instead of 12 or fold a longer rib over.

Avoid an increasing seam at the back and make your hat plumper by increasing all stitches across your last rib row with no further increases to make - create a beret by beginning the pattern from the rib onwards.

So many ways you can be creative, take the basic pattern in your own direction and play!