A friend asked me to copy a hat she’d worn to literal holes. I couldn’t find a pattern that did what hers did, so I took it apart to work out why it fit the way it did. This is the result.

The upper is worked flat as a parallelogram on the bias, then seamed into a tube, which sets the welts on a diagonal and puts the seam at an angle. The brim is picked up and knit down in the round with German short rows, so it sits deeper at the front than the back. An I-cord drawstring threads through eyelets worked into the bias welts and cinches the crown closed.

SIZE
One size, 23” / 58.5cm circumference, fits most adults. The brim sets the fit: go up or down a needle size there to loosen or tighten without changing anything else.

Finished measurements after blocking:
Circumference 23” / 58.5cm
Total height 12” / 30cm
Height without brim 9.25” / 23.5cm
Brim depth at centre front 3” / 7.5cm
Brim depth at centre back 2” / 5cm

GAUGE
18 sts x 24 rows/rounds = 4” x 4” / 10 x 10cm in stocking stitch on US 8 / 5.00mm needles, after blocking.

Row gauge counts for more than usual here. The upper is worked flat over 12-row repeats and blocked to 9.25” x 23” / 23.5 x 58.5cm before seaming, so if your rows run tall or short the parallelogram comes out the wrong shape. Swatch flat, and block the swatch.

MATERIALS
Yarn: 1-2 skeins worsted weight, approx 210 yds / 192m
Needles: US 8 / 5.00mm circular, with a cable long enough to work in the round
Notions: tape measure, tapestry needle, beginning of round marker (optional)

Samples shown:
Malabrigo Rios (100% superwash merino, 210yds/192m per 100g), colour Whales Road 247
Copperspoon Dye Co. Canadian Classic Worsted (100% superwash merino, 210yds/192m per 115g), colour Octopus’ Garden

One skein is usually enough. Gauges vary, so have a second on hand if you knit loose or want tassels on the cord.

SKILLS USED
Knitting flat and in the round, increases and decreases, yarn-overs, picking up stitches, German short rows, mattress stitch seaming, I-cord, blocking.

Written instructions, no charts. 7 pages with a schematic and photographs.

The brim can be lined with fleece for extra structure and warmth, or to keep wool off a forehead that objects to it.