How to Knit a Hat in Sixty Minutes

Quick and Easy Hat

Knitting can be fun and quick with the right patterns, accessories and knowledge of the knit stitch--no purling is needed. Knitting a hat in 60 minutes is relaxing, creative and great for quick gifts. The following roll brim hat is a one-size-fits-all hat that rolls at the bottom to accommodate most heads.

Things You'll Need

• 2 complementary colors of worsted weight yarn
• Size 15, 16-inch circular needles
• Set of large double point needles (size 11 or up)
• Darning needle

Instructions

1. Begin with two strands of worsted weight yarn. Pick colors that complement each other, like red and gray, brown and tan, or perhaps navy and light blue.

2. 

   Using the size 15, 16-inch circular needles and holding the two strands of yarn, cast on 48 stitches and place a marker. You can use a plastic marker found in yarn stores or a piece of colored yarn different from the yarn you are using for the hat. Now join the stitches without twisting the yarn and begin to knit in the round. If you are not familiar with knitting in the round, there is a helpful link in the Resources section below. Continue to knit in the round until the hat measures approximately 8 inches long.

3. Begin decreasing. Switch to double-pointed needles when needed. Simply divide the stitches evenly (or close to evenly) into three double points and continue knitting in the round with the fourth double point.Round 1: Knit 6, k2 tog all around (6 times).Round 2: Knit 5, k2 tog all around (6 times).Round 3: Knit 4, k2 tog all around (6 times).Round 4: Knit 3, k2 tog all around (6 times).Round 5: Knit 2 k2 tog all around (6 times).Round 6: Knit 1 k2 tog all around (6 times).Round 7: K2tog all around (6 times).Six stitches are left.

4. Cut the yarn, leaving a 10- to 12-inch tail. Thread the tail through the remaining stitches using a darning needle. Draw up the yarn and secure with a double knot. Now you are ready to start the next hat.

Tips & Warnings

• This is a great project for a fund raiser, especially in high school. Knit the hats in the school colors.

• If the hat is too small, increase the length from 8 to 8 1/2 inches. If the hat is too large, decrease the length to 7 1/2 inches.

Resources

• How to Knit in the Round