How to Knit a Chullo Hat
The classic Peruvian chullo hat is a cold weather staple. Traditionally knitted from thick alpaca wool, these hats have become increasingly popular fashion items --- and ones that are simple, even for a beginner, to knit. A basic knitting pattern for a chullo hat lets you add your own touches of creativity.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Approximately 200 yards of chunky weight yarn
- Size 13 (9mm) straight knitting needles (or a size that gives you the correct gauge)
- Darning needle
- 4 safety pins for marking placement of earflaps
Instructions
-
-
1
Check your gauge and adjust your needle size as required. The gauge for this project is: 11 stitches + 12 rows = 4 inches.
-
2
Begin your chullo hat by casting on 56 stitches. Work 15 rows in knit two-purl two ribbing, then work 11 rows in stockinette stitch. Begin decreasing every other row. For example, on row 27, decrease seven stitches evenly across the row. On row 28, continue in pattern. Decrease seven stitches evenly across row 29. Continue this pattern until there are 28 stitches left on the needle.
-
-
3
Clip yarn, leaving a 12-inch tail. Using the darning needle, thread this tail through the remaining stitches on needle and draw tightly. Seam your chullo hat using a mattress stitch. Weave in ends.
-
4
Make an earflap for your chullo hat by casting on 12 stitches. Knit four rows, and then decrease one stitch on the fifth row. On the sixth row, knit across. Repeat rows five and six three times and bind off. Weave in ends. Repeat for the second earflap.
-
5
Try on the hat. Using safety pins, mark the placement of the earflaps. Remove the hat and attach the earflaps to the hat using a mattress stitch. Weave in the ends.
-
6
Make ties for your chullo hat by cutting three strands of yarn approximately 14 inches long. Knot the ends and attach them to the bottom center of the earflap. Braid or twist the yarn and knot it at the bottom. Trim the ends, and repeat on other side.
-
7
Block lightly if necessary.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Traditional chullo hats feature bright colors and patterns, so feel free to embellish this basic hat to make it your own.
Use caution when marking the hat with safety pins while still on your head.
Resources
- Photo Credit uktv.co.uk
More Like This
Comments
-
I'd really like the pattern for the hat shown in the photo, the instructions given don't match the picture. Is that pattern available?
-
Actually, chullos are traditionally knit with very fine yarn on very thin needles (sometimes bike spokes!), which allows for the brilliant patterns and colorwork. The thick, chunky, more mainstream ones are for the tourists and are certainly not traditional!
