Hep Hat

Cap with ribs and bill in self-striping yarn.

Materials: Patons SWS, 2 balls “Natural Blues”; or a yarn with similar gauge that is not too stiff. 5.0 mm hook (I crochet moderate to loose. If you crochet tightly, use a larger hook). Yarn needle

The yarn label says worsted weight, 17 st/4″, but this is more of a lighter bulky yarn. For me it knits up 14-16 st/4″ on size 10 or 11

Size: The hat shown is about 21.5-22 inch circumference at the brim, and is a women’s size M/men’s size S. It fits a variety of head sizes/shapes. If you want a larger hat, use a slightly larger hook or a yarn that is a tiny bit thicker. Because the pattern adds 16 stitches at a time, an extra increase round will add about 4 inches to the circumference.

General technique: The cap part of the hat has 16 ribs formed with FPDCs (front post double crochet); the stitches in between are HDCs. The hat starts out with 16 DCs, and you increase every few rows until you get to the desired maximum diameter; then you crochet evenly until the last two rows. In the next to last row, you decrease 16 stitches evenly. In the last row, you decrease four stitches in the front to make it puff out a tiny bit. Then you add the bill; then SC twice around the whole thing.

Ch 3, slip stitch to form ring.

1. 16 dc in ring, over the tail. Pull on tail to tighten ring. Slip stitch on top of first stitch to join this and every following row.

2. FPDC in each dc. (16 stitches)

3. Ch 1, (DC, FPDC) [increase made] in each FPDC (32) [See tip below]

4. Ch 1, *HDC in DC, FPDC in next FPDC; repeat from * 15 times. (32)

5. Ch 1, *2 HDC in HDC [increase made], FPDC in next FPDC; repeat from * 15 times. (48)

6. Ch 1, *HDC in each of next 2 HDCs, FPDC in next FPDC; repeat from * 15 times.(48)

7. Ch 1, *HDC in first HDC, 2 HDC in next HDC [increase made], FPDC in next FPDC; repeat from * 15 times. (64)

8. Ch 1, *Skip first HDC, HDC in each of next 2 HDCs, (HDC, FPDC) in next FPDC; repeat from * 15 times. End with slip stitch on top of first HDC to close. (64) [This technique minimizes the ribs and seam from roving. ]

9. Ch1, *HDC in each of next 3 HDCs, FPDC in FPDC; repeat from * 15 times (64)

10. Repeat Row 8. (64)

11. Ch 1, *HDC in first HDC; 2 HDC in next HDC, FPDC in next FPDC; repeat from * 15 times (80)

Rows 12-17. Ch 1, then HDC in every HDC and FPDC in every FPDC. (80) If you want to keep the seam and ribs from roving clockwise, follow technique in row 8 for rows 12, 14, and 16.

18. Ch 1, *HDC in first HDC, HDC2tog [HDC 2 together--decrease made], HDC in next HDC, FPDC in next FPDC; repeat from * 15 times. (64)

19. Ch 2, *HDC in each of next 3 HDCs, FPDC in next FPDC**; repeat from * to ** 5 times. ***HDC in next HDC, HDC2tog [decrease made], FPDC in next FPDC; repeat from *** to **** 3 times. Then repeat from * to ** 6 times. (60) Tie off.

Bill

With the hat right-side up in front of you, determine which rib is the exact center front of the hat. The bill will take up just over 6 segments in the front. Count three ribs to the right of the center, and place a marker or piece of yarn on the HDC to the right of the rib. Then count three ribs to the left of the center, and place a marker on the HDC to the left.

Witht he hat upside down, attach 2 strands of yarn to the post of the HDC where the left marker is. Sc on the posts of each stitch across to right marker, ending with 2HDCtog. Ch 1, turn. Do 2 more rows, decreasing by one stitch at the beginning and end of each row. Tie off.

Edging: With hat right side facing and upside down, attach a double strand to back seam normally (on the top loops of the stitch).

1. SC around the hat, over the bill. Decrease at every other rib except for the bill part. When you crochet over the bill, add a stitch at the 1/3 and 2/3 points if needed to keep it from buckling. Slip stitch to join.

2. SC evenly around the hat. Slip stitch to join and tie off.

Weave in loose ends with yarn needle.

Tip

When doing a regular stitch and a post stitch on the same FPDC, it can be confusing to tell which loop to work for the regular stitch. The loop on the slight right belongs to the post.

Also, when you do a front post stitch and then need to do a regular stitch on the next DC or HDC, you might find that the empty loop you need to work is behind the FPDC you just worked, mostly hidden.

Last significant edit 4/15/07.

Copyright 2007. Written by “msrina” aka “Rina” at redcrochet.wordpress.com. I am sharing this free pattern for others’ crafting enjoyment, that is, personal use. Please do not reproduce or use for commercial purposes.