How to Knit a Baggy Hat

This baggy hat is knit flat on straight needles, then seamed. The band at the bottom of the hat is ribbed for a comfortable fit, and the rest of the hat is looser and longer than a regular hat to give a baggy appearance. The basic pattern here uses 1 color of yarn and stockinette stitch for the baggy part of the hat, but it can be adapted to knit stripes or different stitches.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 1 ball worsted weight yarn
• Size 9 (5.5 mm) needles
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Tape measure

1. Cast on 99 stitches and work in a knit 2, purl 2 rib pattern until the piece measures 2 inches from the beginning.

2. Switch to stockinette stitch (knit all stitches on the right side, purl all stitches on the wrong side) and continue to knit until the whole piece measures 10 inches from the beginning. When the piece measures 10 inches, start the top shaping on a right side row. Knit 7 stitches, and then knit 2 stitches together and repeat this until you reach the end of the row. Purl all 88 remaining stitches on the next row.

3. On the next row, knit 6 stitches, and then knit 2 stitches together and repeat this across the row. Purl all 77 remaining stitches on the next row. Knit 5 stitches and then 2 together along the right side. Purl all the 66 remaining stitches on the wrong side. Continue in this manner, knitting 4, then 3, then 2 and then 1 stitch between the knit-2-together decreases on the right side rows until 22 stitches remain. Purl the 22 stitches along the wrong side, then on the next right side knit 2 stitches together across the row, leaving 11 stitches remaining. Purl all stitches on the wrong side. Leave a tail about 20 inches long, and cut the yarn.

4. Thread the tail onto the yarn needle. Carefully slide the 11 stitches off the knitting needle and thread the yarn tail through them. Pull the tail tight so that the top of the hat is closed. Sew the side seam using the yarn tail, then weave in and trim any loose ends.

Tips & Warnings

• To make the hat baggier, cast on 10 more stitches but use needles 1 size smaller for the ribbing section.