Do you need a hat but you don't want to go buy it? If you have yarn, knitting needles, and a little time, you can make your own! As long as you know the basics of knitting, you can finish this piece in no time. If you know how to make scratch stitches, cover stitches, and reduce crochet, then you're good to go!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Preparing the Necessary Materials
Step 1. Choose your yarn
Think of a hat model you want to make before you buy yarn. You will only need a skein of yarn; choose one that has sufficient thickness.
- Cotton has less stretch and is not as warm as wool.
- If you are a beginner, avoid threads that are thin and fine. Thicker yarn will be easier to work with and will save manufacturing time.
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Check the length of the spool so you can see if you have enough yarn for your piece.
If you are using very thick yarn, you will need between 115 and 180 yards; if you are using medium thickness yarn, you will need between 140 and 275 meters
Step 2. Choose your knitting needles
Knitting needles come in various types and sizes that will determine the final look of your knitting. A circular knitting needle is a tool that will make your creation easier.
- US number 8 needle size is the standard size. Any type with sizes up to 10 will work well.
- You can use a double-tipped needle, but this type of needle is better suited for making smaller works, such as socks. The circular needle is the best choice and will be used in this article.
- Embroidery needles or crochet hooks will be needed to complete your piece.
Step 3. Take additional tools
You will need a few other things before starting.
- Scissors
- Seam markers (you can also use safety pins)
- measuring tape
Step 4. Measure your head
Don't miss this part! It's important to know how many stitches you'll need to knit to make a hat that fits your head. You don't want to make a hat that is too small like a doll's hat, or too big like a bucket.
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Measure your head.
If you are going to give it as a gift, the average adult head circumference is 56 cm
- Knit a sample swatch. Record how many knits per cm.
- Multiply your head circumference by the number of crochets required per cm. (Example: 50 cm x 2 crochets per cm = 100 crochets.) This is the number of crochets you will need when making the base of the hat.
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You will need to round the number to a multiple of eight; which will make it easier for you to reduce the knitting to make the top of your hat.
Rounding down is safer than rounding up; your yarn stretches more easily than it contracts
Method 2 of 3: Knitting
Step 1. Make the initial stitch
This is where your calculations will come in handy. Make as many initial stitches as you need for the base of your hat (100 in the previous example).
If you've never knitted or knitted in circles before, learn how to knit first and do some research online
Step 2. Join your starting stitch in a circle
Circular knitting needles make this step a lot easier.
Be careful not to twist it! Twisted circles cannot be repaired; If you're not careful, you'll have to start all over again. The end result will not look like a hat
Step 3. Continue knitting
Keep knitting the hat loop! Try putting on your hat every now and then to gauge how many turns you should make.
Circular knitting needles create a hat base that automatically rolls. Because of this, you will have to knit more to make up for the length of the rolled hat
Method 3 of 3: Finishing the Knitting
Step 1. Start reducing
If done correctly, this section will make your hat comfortable to wear. If you're not familiar with how to cut back on knitting, stop knitting and start doing some research online.
- Put a crochet marker every 8 crochets.
- When you get to the 2 crochets before the marker, do the subtraction (another term for knitting two crochets together).
- Continue this pattern, reducing each round.
- After doing a little subtraction, you will notice that your hat will get smaller and smaller. Don't be afraid to adjust your knitting needles; it will not spoil your work.
Step 2. Cut your yarn
When you have 4 crochet left on your needle, then you are ready to finish. Cut the thread a bit longer than you need to finish your hat, about 38-50 cm.
Step 3. Remove the knitting needles
Take a needle or crochet hook and pull the remaining yarn through the four crochet pieces, one at a time. This will close the top of your hat.
Once you've pulled the yarn through all four crochets, remove the needle from the yarn
Step 4. Hide the rest of the thread
Hook the remaining end of the yarn and pull it down through the top of the hat with the crochet hook. The end of the thread will be at the bottom/inside of your hat.
- Cut until only a few centimeters remain. Weave the remaining yarn using a needle through your hat knitting. This will secure your knitting and hide the rest of the yarn.
- You can also hide the end of the starting yarn by weaving it through the crochet on your hat.
Step 5. Done
Put on your knitting hat!
Tips
- As you feel more confident, try a more difficult hat pattern. There are many patterns available online.
- Keep trying and if you miss a crochet, stop and fix it as soon as possible, otherwise it will be difficult for you in the end.
- You can use all kinds of knitting yarn. Choose a color and texture that you like.
- If you have a small head, use a knitting needle with a size of 6 or 7. If you have a large head, use a knitting needle with a size of 9 or 10.
- If a crochet accidentally slips off the needle, use a crochet hook to pick it up and fix it.
- Know in advance how to make a starting crochet, top crochet, bottom crochet, and knit two crochets together. If you don't know, start by crocheting a scarf.
Warning
- If you want to knit on board, check to see if the airline you are using allows you to take your knitting needles on board and whether the transportation security administration allows your knitting needles to pass through security. Scissors are usually not allowed inside, but you can buy pendants with thread cutters at a yarn or craft store.
- When you knit several crochets together, always count back at the end of the row to make sure you have the correct number.
