How to Knit a Men's Ski Hat
Even if you're new to knitting, you can create a men's ski hat to keep the chill off yourself or a special guy--or even to donate to charity. As long as you have the ability to cast on, knit and purl, in just a couple of hours you can create a warm men's cap in a dark or rich, masculine color using any one of a wide variety of yarns.
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Instructions
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1
Choose your yarn. Decide what color and fiber you want to work with. Wool is warmer than acrylics, but some people are allergic to wool. Be sure the man who will be wearing the hat does not have sensitivity to animal fibers before choosing wool yarn. If you are not sure, stick with cotton blends or acrylics. One skein of yarn is more than enough to complete a ski hat.
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2
Choose your knitting needle size based on your yarn choice. Use large needles, such as size 11, if you are using bulky or chunky yarn. Choose smaller needles, such as size 7, if you are using a worsted weight yarn. The thicker the yarn, the larger the needles you can use. Using smaller needles with thick yarn will create a tighter knit, adding extra warmth.
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3
Cast on your stitches. For an average size man's hat, cast on 80 stitches using size 7 needles. Cast on fewer stitches for larger needles. If using size 11, cast on about 50 stitches. For a larger hat, cast on more stitches to begin. You can adjust the number of stitches to fit the individual.
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Knit the brim using a knit one, purl one rib pattern. You could also use a knit two, purl two or knit three, purl three patterns. This ribbing creates a stretchy edge that will allow the hat to fit a variety of head sizes.
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Continue in your rib pattern until the hat measures 1 1/2 to 2 inches.
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6
Knit in stockinette stitch, knitting one row and purling the next, until the hat measures 8 inches, ending with a purl row.
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Shape the crown of the hat. Decrease your stitches by knitting six stitches, then knitting two together across the row. Purl the next row. Continue the decrease by knitting four stitches, then knitting two together across the next row. Purl the next row. Knit two, then knit two together for the next knit row. Purl the next row again.
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Knit two together across the entire next row, for your last row of knitting.
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9
Cut your yarn, leaving a 12-inch tail. Thread a yarn needle and pull the yarn through the stitches that remain in the needle. Pull tightly, closing the crown of the hat.
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Turn the hat inside out and stitch the side seam together, being careful to line the stitches up correctly.
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Weave in the ends and turn the hat right side out. Add a pompom or tassel if you wish.
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Tips & Warnings
This pattern can also be used with circular and double-pointed needles. Stockinette on those needles will be completed by knitting each row.
You can easily add stripes or patterns by varying your yarn throughout.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Knitting image by Maria Vtyurina from Fotolia.com
