The design of this roll brim hat is simple yet looks good on almost anyone, and the hat can be knit in a weekend. I’ve made so many of these hats I’ve lost count. You can vary the look greatly by using a variety of yarns. I’ve made them with solid colored yarns, handpainted, self striping, tweed and marled. I’ve also made them striped using two different colors and alternating colors every ten or twelve rows. The pattern is originally from here, and I make it exactly as stated in the instructions.
The samples shown are knit with Lion Brand Amazing yarn, in Olympia and Ruby colors. Any worsted weight yarn (weight category 4) will do, or you can use two strands of fingering or sock weight yard held together.
Decreases at the crown make a beautiful pattern.
I always almost make a size Medium.
Sizes
Small (Medium, Large)
Circumference 20 (21¼, 22½)”
Materials
1 skein Lion Brand Amazing 50 g/1.75 oz./147 yards
Size 7 US (4.5 mm) 16″ circular needles
Size 7 US (4.5 mm) double pointed needles
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers
Gauge
18 sts=4″ in stockinette stitch
Instructions
Cast on 90 (96, 102) sts. Join and work in the round, being careful not to twist work. Place marker to mark beginning of round.
Work in stockinette stitch (knit every round) for 6″.
Begin decreases:
Round 1: *k13 (14,15), k2tog, rep from * = 84 (90, 96) sts
Round 2: knit
Round 3: *k12 (13, 14), k2tog, rep from * = 78 (84, 90) sts
Round 4: knit
Round 5: *k11 (12, 13), k2tog, rep from * = 72 (78, 84) sts
Round 6: knit
Continue in this manner until 48 sts remain, then decrease every round until 6 sts remain. Cut yarn and draw through remaining stitches and fasten off. Weave ends into hat. Enjoy!
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Missy, I just adore your brim hat pattern. First time for me using the Amazing yarn and it is so easy to work with. I am making myself my first one and have many more to knit. Thank you too for posting your pattern.
Thanks for this pattern! I have a question that may relate to the fact that I’m not the most advanced knitter. As the number of stitches decreases the distance between the decrease and the end of the round also decreases. Are we always supposed to end the round with a decrease? If not, how does this work out? In each round, does the row always decrease by six? If so, then, isn’t it the case that we have to decrease at the end of the row even if the stated number of stitches between decreases hasn’t been achieved? Thank you!
Hi Heather. Yes, you’re correct. every round ends with a decrease and there are six decreases in each decrease round. As you are continuing the decrease rows, there are fewer and fewer stitches between the decreases and eventually you get to the point where there are only 6 stitches left on the needles (1 stitch from each set of decreases) – then you’re done. I hope this helps clarify. If not, please let me know. Happy knitting!
I just finished making this hat with a different yarn than shown above. Once I found my counting mistake that threw off the decrease “star,” it worked out perfectly. In each row of decreases, there are six sets of the knitting sts + the decrease. And each round decreases by six stitches, as shown numerically above. This hat was really a pleasure to knit. I really like the way you have worked out the decreases. It closes up really nicely. My sister tried on the hat (L) today and said that she would want it a bit longer so it would cover her ears. So, if I were ever in the mood to knit her this hat, I would knit the first rounds to 6.5″ rather than 6″. Very nice pattern. Thank you.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I have made the hat longer, as your sister requested, for people who like more length to pull down, and it works out well. Happy knitting!
I’ve found in the past a site online that gives you the math for determining decreases in general for hats. Boo to math. Lol
I assume that at some point in making the decreases you switch to the double pointed needles to make it easier. Am I right?I love the pattern and it is exactly what I was looking for.
Yes, that’s the idea. When decreasing, you wind up with too few stitches to use the circular needle any more. Some people prefer knitting the entire hat on double-pointed needles, but I prefer circular as I can work faster using those. Have fun! Let me know how it turns out.
Hey Missy,
What a fun hat! I’ve only made one other hat – a baby hat – so this was a real adventure for me. Please pardon the novice question…..do you start measuring after the natural roll forms? It’s not 6″ from the edge, is it??
Thanks so much. I’m enjoying your whole blog. 🙂
Hi Kelli, I’m so sorry I didn’t see your message until now. You do measure the length of the hat from the very beginning, not after the roll forms. It’s not a big deal though – you’ll just wind up with a slightly longer hat.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying my blog. I have many new posts in the works. Stay tuned!
How many cast on stitches would I use for a size 8 circular needle? That’s the only needle I have – love the pattern !! Thanks for sharing it !!
Hi Michele,
Since you’re using a larger needle, I would cast on stitches for one size smaller hat than you need. For instance, if you want a medium hat, cast on the number of stitches for a small hat. If you want a small, cast on 84 stitches. Please let me know how it turns out – I love seeing everyone’s finished projects.
How many cast on stitches would I use for a size 8 circular needle ? Thanks so much for sharing that beautiful hat !
Thanks so much for responding back as I’m just started making it !
Hi missy , I REALLY enjoyed doing this hat pattern, in fact , I’m on my 2nd hat and EVERYBODY loves it!! I’m making one for my mom and this is such a easy , wonderful pattern !
I was wondering if I wanted to use a bulky weight yarn what size needles and how many cast on should I use ? For the past 3 years , I have been trying to find a easy to do yet beautiful in style and colored hat and thanks to you – I finally have one !
Most patterns I have tried have come out too big , too small , or the pattern ( I can tell by the comments ) ended up being wrong ! Thank you so much for making this pattern and sharing it for free!
I’m SO glad you’re enjoying this pattern! And thank you for letting me know. I’m traveling for the next couple of days so I don’t have access to my yarn and needle calculator, but I found this pattern on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-stripes-rolled-brim-beanie. It calls for size 10 needles and casting on 90 stitches. Best of luck.
I made this hat on size 8 needles casting on 90 stitches with Red Heart Super Saver yarn and it turned out great…..I love it when the math works out!
I’m so glad to hear that – thank you!
Katrina- I’m so glad you posted that you made this with size 8 needles. I have 8 and 9 (16″ circulars) and another size that’s too small so I’ll go with 8 and a worsted weight yarn. I wish my local stores carried the Amazing yarn. It looks really pretty!
Hi Missy, I love your pattern. If I am using an Aran wool with a 5mm needle, knitting for an adult, how many stitches do you recommend?
Also, at what point do you switch to DPNs? And how do you switch?
Thanks
Loved knitting your easy to read, understand, immediately know and get your directions right away*****
The easiest pattern I’ve ever encountered since I started to crochet & knit. I understand that there are complicated
Patterns that aren’t easy to understand because of the complexity of how many steps to follow and how advanced a person is in understanding all advance and difficult stitches in the patterns. But I do love Roll Brim Beanies. Glad to have found yours. Thank You. Am keeping yours forever and am making more for Cancer Patients and of course ME. Thanks again. M D S
Would a small fit a child
What do you suggest to make this pattern smaller for children?
Adorable, wanted to make a smaller one and put little crocheted 5 petal flowers on it .
Hi Missy
I’ve been looking for a nice rolled brim pattern and this looks good. I have a question: the pictures look like you don’t start to decrease until the crown of the head, which makes that nice star pattern. However your pattern reads it’s right after the brim? Do you knit stocking stitch for a few inches first?
Cheers Gina
I need more education on how to decrease with this hat. Are you able to spell it out for me? Newbie knitter
Hi Elizabeth,
Welcome to the wonderful world of knitting! I realized the decrease instructions are too vague, and I will spell them out more clearly.
The decreases are done in six sections each round.
You will decrease every other round, and will knit one fewer stitch between decreases on each decrease round.
If you’re making the small size:
Round 7 knit 10 st then decrease, repeat until end of round.
Round 9 knit 9 st then decrease, repeat until end of round.
Round 11 knit 8 st then decrease, repeat until end of round.
Keep knitting in this manner until here are 48 stitches on your needles, then decrease every row until 6 st remain.
Hey there – I am a first time knitter (only ever knit a scarf) and was wondering if this hat would be too hard for me? And if it would work with mohair? Thanks
I’m so happy you’re joining the wonderful world of knitting!
I think this is a good beginner project, as it’s fairly simple. It would look lovely with mohair. However, mohair can be a bit tricky to work with as it’s so fuzzy, so I would save that yarn for another project when you’ve had a bit more knitting experience. I wouldn’t want you to get frustrated.
Happy knitting!
What yarn did you use for it cause the colors are so pretty
The yarn I used for my samples is Lion Brand Amazing, which has been discontinued. Some alternates that would give a similar effect are:
Any Noro in worsted/Aran weight
KnitPicks Chroma Worsted
This page shows many substitutions for Amazing yarn: https://yarnsub.com/yarns/lion_brand/amazing
Happy knitting!
Thanks for posting. I too have knitted a hat with the rolled brim that is a bit short imo. Different pattern. My earlobes aren’t covered and it feels like it’s sliding off my head.
However, my post is about how beautiful the yarn color is! It is really pretty as knitted!!
Hi Melissa,
The hat is 6 inches in length before the decreases start. I too like a hat that covers my ears. If you’re in doubt at all, knit an extra few rows before starting the decreases.
Happy knitting!
Question: Instructions state knit until hat measures 6″ in length. Do you unroll the bottom to measure, or do you measure six inches while allowing the bottom to roll up naturally? I would like for the hat to cover my ears. Thank you.
Hi Diane,
Yes, you need to unroll the hat and measure the 6-inches from the beginning of your work. I understand wanting the hat to cover your ears. Knitting a few additional rows before starting the decrease rows is an option.
Happy knitting!
Missy,
I’ve never used double-pointed needles before. I’m at the point of decreasing every row. Would that be a good time to go to the dpn’s? Do I divide the number of remaining stitches evenly among them?
Also, I assume you mean to decrease a stitch every 6 inches as I have been doing up to this point?
Thank you for this pattern. I had a store-bought hat of similar style that I lost and have been looking for something similar!
-Cheryl
I meant every 6 stitches – haha. My bad!
Hi Cheryl,
Yes, switching to DPNs when you start decreasing will work. If you’re using three needles, you can divide the stitches evenly between them. If you’re using four, the math doesn’t quite work so I wind up just dividing them the best I can.
The decreases are worked in six identical sections in the round. Each decrease round you will knit one less stitch between decreases.
If you are making a size small:
Decrease round 1: k 13, k2tog
Round 3: k 12, k2tog
Round 5: k 11, k2tog
Round 7: k 10, k2tog
Round 9: k 9, k2tog
Round 11: k 8, k2tog
When you have 48 stitches on your needles, start decreasing every round.
Happy knitting!
Too big using 96 stitches. 🙁 used 4.5 mm needles, but used 5mm for my gauge. Boo. Lived your hat, wish mine fit?