Looking for a perfectly warm winter hat this year? Our gift to you today is a free pattern for a simple hat in super squishy brioche rib that that'll look great on everyone! It's named after our team member Daniel, who recently left to pursue a career in music production — we made this as a leaving gift for him.

Shown, top to bottom: Adult M in Gilliatt; Adult L in Nightshades; Baby in Gilliatt

Yarn

Worsted weight yarn, 100[130, 155, 185, 210, 230] yds / 91[118, 142, 169, 192, 214] m
Shown in De Rerum Natura Gilliatt in Poivre et Sel (Baby and Adult M) and Harrisville Nightshades in Insomnia (Adult L)

Gauge

20 sts and 36 rounds = 4"/10cm in 2x2 rib in the round
15 sts and 46 rounds (23 visible brk) = 4"/10cm in brioche rib in the round

Notions

Stitch markers

Sizing

Baby[Toddler, Child/Adult S, M, L, XL]
Finished Size: 14 1/2[16, 17 1/2, 19 1/4, 21, 22 1/2]"

Needles

Size A: US 8 / 5mm 16" / 40cm circular needle and dpns or your preferred method of knitting small circumferences in the rnd.
Size B: US 6 / 4mm 16" / 40cm circular needle, for brim

Abbreviations

brk: k the st that was slipped in the previous row together with its yo
brp: p the st that was slipped in the previous row together with its yo
brLsl: sl1 brk knitwise, brk the following 2 sts and yarn over tog, pass slipped brk over (a L leaning double dec)
brRsl: sl1 knitwise, k next st, pass slipped st over, place stitch on left needle and pass second stitch over it (a R leaning double dec)
EOR: end of rnd
k: knit
k2tog: knit 2 together (a R leaning dec)
p: purl
p2tog: purl 2 together
pm: place marker
rnd(s): round(s)
sl1yo: with yarn in front, sl next st, bring yarn to the back over the needle, then back to the front between needles. The sl st and yo are considered one st.
ssk: slip, slip, knit – sl 2 sts knitwise individually, insert L needle into slipped sts from L to R, k these 2 sts tog (a L leaning dec)
st(s): stitch(es)

Directions

Brim

With needle size B cast on 72[80, 88, 96, 104, 112] sts. Shown with an alternating cable cast on for 2x2 rib. Join in round, place marker to mark EOR.

Work in 2x2 rib (k2, p2) until work measures 1 3/4[2, 2, 2 1/4, 2 1/2, 2 1/2]” / 4.5[5, 5, 5.5, 6.5, 6.5]cm from cast on edge when lightly stretched.

Next rnd: (k2tog, p2) to EOR. 54[60, 66, 72, 78, 84] sts.

Hat Body

Click here for our video tutorials on working brioche stitch in the round.

Set up rnd: Switch to needle size A, (k1, sl1yo) to EOR.



Rnd 1: (sl1yo, brp) to EOR.

Rnd 2: (brk, sl1yo) to EOR.

Rep last 2 rnds until brioche section measures 4 1/4[5, 5 1/2, 6, 6 1/4, 6 1/2]" / 10.5[12.5, 14, 15, 15.5, 16.5]cm.

Next rnd, place markers for decreases: *(sl1yo, brp) 9[10, 11, 12, 13, 14] times, pm, rep from * twice more.

Crown Decreases

How to Decrease in Brioche - BrLsl (a left leaning double decrease)

BrRsl (a right leaning double decrease)

Work Crown Decreases:

Decrease rnd: *BrLsl, sl1yo, (brk, sl1yo) to 4 sts before m, BrRsl, sl1yo, slm, rep from * twice more. 12 sts decreased.

Next rnd: (sl1yo, brp) to EOR, slipping markers as you come to them.

Rep last 2 rnds 2[3, 3, 4, 4, 5] more times. 18[12, 18, 12, 18, 12] sts rem.

Sizes Baby, Child/Adult S, Adult L only:
Next rnd: *brk, sl1yo, BrRsl, sl1yo, slm, rep from * twice more. 12 sts rem.

ALL sizes: Next rnd: (sl1 with yarn in back, brp) to end.

Finishing

Break yarn and draw through 12 remaining sts, going around all sts twice. Pull up tightly and fasten securely on inside. Weave in ends and block.

Optional: make pom-pom from leftover yarn and sew to hat securely.