PATTERN: SiSoYa Hat – Simple Sock Yarn Hat

This pattern is for high beginners or intermediate crocheters. The pattern is not difficult, per se, but as we are working with a thin yarn, a small hook and in single crochet - SC in Am. Eng. [Br.Eng. double crochet - DC], beginners might find it a bit more challenging.




Materials
You need a
3.50mm hook (a ‘E’ hook)
approx. 80g sock yarn
Note: this pattern uses American terms, the British terms are in [brackets].

A word about the yarn used: we’re working with sock yarn, which is usually made of 75 % wool and 25% polyamide. Make sure the sock yarn you choose is non-felting: in other words, if it’s 100% wool, it will shrink and felt when you wash it – you’ll crochet a pretty hat for yourself, and after the first wash, you’ll end up with an egg cozy.

The self-striping sock yarn is usually designed for knitters, so the striping effect is best seen on a small stitch –that’s why this cap is done in Am. Eng. single crochet / Br.Eng. double crochet. The final result is a lightweight hat that’s not very soft and cuddly, but warm and durable!

First of all, take a tape measure and measure the circumference of your head.
The average woman’s head is approx. 55 cm / 21.5 in.
The average man’s head is approx. 58 cm / 23 in.
The crown of your hat should be the circumference divided by Pi (3.14). If you are not mathematically-inclined, just divide the circumference by 3 – that should be close enough! We’re going to make a hat to fit the average woman’s head, so let’s assume our crown is going to be approximately 18 cm / 7 inches in diameter.

The crown:
Start by chaining 3 and join with a slip stitch to form a little circle.



Round 1: Chain one, then do a SC [DC] in the same stitch below (this counts as your first SC [DC] here and throughout), then do 9 SC (DC) into the circle. (10 stitches in total)

Just before joining with a slip stitch. The pointer shows where we'd join.




Round 2: Chain one, then do 2 SC [DC] in the same stitch. 2 SC [DC] in next nine stitches (20 stitches in total)

Round 2 finished!



Round 3: Chain one, then do 1 SC [DC] in the same stitch, 1 SC [DC] in next nineteen stitches (20 stitches in total)
Round 4: Chain one, then do 1 SC [DC] in the same stitch, 2 SC [DC] in next stitch, *1 SC [DC] in next stitch, 2 SC [DC] in next stitch. Repeat from * around, ending with 2 SC [DC] (30 stitches in total)
Round 5: Chain one, then do 1 SC [DC] in the same stitch, 1 SC [DC] in next twenty-nine stitches (30 stitches in total)
Round 6: Chain one, then do 1 SC [DC] in the same stitch, 1 SC [DC] in next stitch, 2 SC [DC] in next stitch, *1 SC [DC] in next two stitches, 2 SC [DC] in next stitch. Repeat from * around, ending with 2 SC [DC] (40 stitches in total)
Round 7: Chain one, then do 1 SC [DC] in the same stitch, 1 SC [DC] in next thirty-nine stitches (40 stitches in total)

From this point on, you increase in every second round (the even-numbered rounds.) You increase by adding one more SC [DC] between every double SC [DC] in every round. In other words, in round 8, you will do one SC [DC] in three stitches between each double SC [DC]; in round 10, you’ll do one SC [DC] in four stitches between your doubles. Every second round (the uneven-numbered rounds) will simply be a SC [DC] in each stitch.

You continue to increase until you have reached the diameter necessary for your crown.


Now keep crocheting in the round, till the hat is approximately 22 cm / 8 in from the crown of the hat to the brim (bottom edge).



If you look closely at the photo above, you'll see that there is a slight ridge where each row begins. This isn't very noticeable if you're using a mono-colour yarn, but in the self-striping yarn it's easier to see, because the colour 'jumps' as you move up to the next round. If you want, you can turn it so it's at the back of the hat, or you can find some buttons or pins to sew on to the seam, to make a more interesting hat!

A variation:
In winter, I add a brim to these hats. I crochet till the hat has reached approx. eyebrow level, then I start the new row by crocheting in the opposite direction - in other words, I turn the hat around and crochet back the way I came. You continue like this for about 4-5 cms, then finish the row and weave in your tail. This means that when the brim is folded up, the stitches facing out are the 'right' way around.

 

The legal bit:
You may make these for your personal use, as gifts, or to sell at craft fairs or craft markets. You may not reproduce this pattern in print or claim it as your work. You may not sell the pattern. Do not copy and paste pattern to another website, please use a link.