Top-Down No Math Hat: The Manly Version
Hi! I know you’re here for the hat pattern, which is the most popular thing here. But I wanted to let you know that my new book is up on Amazon! Check it out!
Well! My original Top-Down No Math Hat made a bit of a splash over on Ravelry, and I’m quite tickled about my 83 loves (and counting!) and many many queues.
It is Christmas knitting season, and as I set out to knit many many variations of the hat for those that I love, I had a sudden, sickening realization.
It’s kinda girly, isn’t it?
See, I have nephews. Three of them. I have two sons, too, but they’re little and they’re getting hats with trains on them. I also have two nieces, and, well, pretty stuff is easy. But I have three nephews and the youngest one is ten. They don’t want cute or funky – they want manly knits.
And so desperate times call for… new patterns.
A manly hat
Without further ado, I present my Top-Down No Math Hat: The Manly Version. (Hint: it’s pretty much the same pattern, without the YOs.)
Yarn: again, whatever you like. Any weight – truly doesn’t matter. About a hat’s worth (I do this by squishing it in my hand and seeing if it kinda feels like squishing a hat. As you can tell, I’m a bit cavalier with my knitting.)
Needles: whatever the label calls for, or a bit smaller. You can use dpns to start, then switch to a smallish (24”) circular, or you can stay on dpns throughout, or you can magic loop it.
Notions: a tapestry needle and a freewheeling attitude.
Pattern Note: what makes this pattern work is a particularly swish increase that I first found over at the awesomely wonderful TechKnitting: A very nearly invisible increase. Go take a look. When I use inc1 below, this is what I mean.
Very nearly invisible increases
CO 6 st. [Note: if you want a less pointy hat, CO 8 st.] Distribute evenly on 3 dpns, or use a magic loop. Join, being careful not to twist.
Row 1 (and all odd rows): k
Row 2: inc1, k1, repeat to end (12 st)
Row 4: inc1, k2, repeat to end (18 st)
Row 6: inc1, k3, repeat to end (24 st)
You see what I’m doing here, right? Increasing 6 st in every other row, lining up the yos increases to make pretty swirly lines manly, nearly invisible shaping. Notice that it totally looks like you’re doing K2togs from the other direction. Freaky!
Continue in this manner until the circumference of your knitting is a little smaller (an inch less? Thereabouts?) than the circumference of the head you’re knitting for. (Still not planning to block. I’m as cavalier as ever.)
Row 23 (or whatever) and all odd rows thereforth: k
Keep knitting until you only have a few yards left, or until it looks like a hat. Then think about ribbing for a while. Or, if you prefer a rolled brim, just keep knitting. BO loosely. Sew in the ends.
It doesn’t look like much, does it? Nothing earth-shattering. But I will remind you: it is a hat with no math!
Thank you for the inspiration and good laugh this morning. I happen to have two little boys with BIG heads. Math is not one of my strong suits, at least where knitting is concerned. This hat will be perfect for my boys!( and give me an excuse to try magic loop
)
Thanks, Juliana! Please let me know how it works out for you.
Hi Suzyn,
This looks like a great pattern. My knitting group is always looking for hat patterns that can be done anywhere, actually fit, and use up leftover yarn. This is perfect! And I’m with you on the need for a “manly” hat pattern. The woman in our group who heads up the homeless shelter hat contingent is always begging us to knit hats that a man will actually feel good about wearing. I will pass this on.
Elizabeth ( Cullen’s mother)
Thank you Suzyn, I was looking for a simple and quick hat pattern for gifts for my grown sons. One in NY and one in MD. This looks perfect. It should work out well since I too am a bit cavalier about amounts and sizes. Looking forward to starting these .
Sarah
Exactly what I was looking for. It knit up quick and easy, and received many compliments when my dad wore it. He wanted an indoor hat as he has very poor circulation and is always cold. It was easy to guestimate his size, while making it fit above his ears so that it wouldn’t block his hearing aids. ‘Only problem is, now i have orders for more. Thank you very much for the pattern.
Anne
Thanks, Anne – I love hearing how things go with my patterns. Happy New Year!
Reading your pattern directions made me laugh. That’s exactly how I knit. A little of this and a little of that. Yarn weight, needle sizes and gauge swatches does not compute in my brain. Just start a hat if it looks good then keep going LOL. I plan on altering your pattern for a newborn size. I keep a purple newborn hat project with me at all times to donate to the Shaken Baby Syndrome Association and am always looking for a new pattern. Thanks so much for sharing!!!!
Thanks for the note, Karen! The concept works for any headsize – preemie through super-nerd!
Check out my other top-down hats, too.