By Melissa Mall

Model and Photos: Melissa Mall

It doesn’t matter how many hats I have stuffed in the closet already: every time the weather starts to chill I want to make a new one. And, of course, to soothe my conscience, it has to be something different and exciting, something that I don’t already have. This time, I was walking through the yarn aisle and my eye was caught by some ridiculously thick, off-white yarn. I’ll bet that would make a cozy hat, I thought. I’ll bet that would feel just like a cloud.
It didn’t take long to put the yarn to the test; with a large hook and simple stitches, I had my hat finished within the day. The result is soft, and warm, and thick, with a stitch pattern reminiscent of weaving.

Difficulty: Easy

Size: One size; 22″ circumference

Materials:

• Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick [80% Acrylic, 20% Wool; 106yd/97m per 170g/6oz skein]; color: Fisherman; Approx. 80 yds
• L/8.00mm hook

Gauge: 9sts/10rows = 4″ in patt.

Directions:

Ch 46; join to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 2, dc in each ch around. (46 dc) Join rnd.

Rnd 2: Ch 2. (Dc in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st) around. (46 sts) Join.

Rnd 3: Ch 2. Sk 1 dc, sc in ch-sp. *Ch 1, sk 1 dc, sc in ch-sp. Repeat from * around; do not join.

Rnd 4: Sc in ch-sp from previous row’s ch-2. *Ch 1, sk 1 sc, sc in ch-sp. Rep from * around.

From this point on, hat is worked in a continuous spiral with no beginning or end of rounds. Continue hat in pattern (ch 1, sk 1 sc, sc in ch-sp) until it reaches 7″ from beginning, ending with a ch-1.

Decreases: *Decrease by pulling up a loop in each of the next 2 ch-sp, work as 1 to sc. Ch 1. Rep from * around until top is nearly closed.

Finish off, weave yarn through remaining stitches, pull tight to close. Weave in ends.

About the Designer

Melissa Mall is an at-home mom with four sons nine and under. They have settled in to a quiet (or “quiet,” if you like) rural life in Missouri and are enjoying doing things like gardening and keeping chickens in the backyard. You can keep up with their ordinary adventures over at her blog, or take a peek at her crochet patterns and tutorials at Inner Child Crochet.

Pattern & images © Melissa Mall. All rights reserved.