Headcase

All of the free patterns and tutorials on this website are supported by my amazing Patreons! If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be able to continue to produce or host freebies. We'd love to have you join us and in return, you get exclusive behind-the-scenes material, member-only discounts and early access to new free content. Membership starts at $1 per month. If you'd like to, you can say thanks for the freebie via the Tip Jar.

Description

Headcase is a tubular Hat, worked in the round, in twisted 1x1 rib that's finished with a square top. The brim can be worn folded up.

Availability

My Patreon supporters and members of The Woolly Hat Society get exclusive early access to new free patterns and tutorials. Once the exclusive period is over it’s published here on the blog.

Support

If you have a question about this pattern, pop it in a comment below. Sorry, but I’m unable to help with my free patterns or tutorials via email or private messages.

Social Media

Share your hand-knit Hats online with these hashtags!

#WoollyWormhead

#WWHats

#WWHeadCaseHat

---

Yarn
100g/459yd/420m
Sock weight, plied yarn.

Needles & Notions
Set 2.25mm/UK13/US1 DPNs/Circular or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker as necessary
Tapestry needle

Sample details
Shown in Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball [459yd/420m per 100g; 75% Wool, 25% Nylon]

Shown in size 19.5in/49.5cm on model with 20.5in/52cm circumference head

Sample weighs 51g.

Gauge
40 sts x 52 rows to 4in/10cm on 2.25mm needles over Twisted Rib

Sizes
To fit sizes: 14 [17, 19.5, 22] in/35 [43.25, 49.5, 56] cm
Finished size: 12 [14, 16, 18] in/30.5 [35.5, 40.75, 45.75] cm
Not sure which size to make? Check my handy size and measuring guide!

Skills required
Ribbing

Knitting in the round

Alternate Cable cast-on

3-needle bind-off or crochet bind-off

Abbreviations

K: knit

P: purl

rpt: repeat

st(s): stitch(es)

P1tbl: purl stitch through the back of the loop

K1tbl: knit stitch through the back of the loop

Alteration notes

It is really easy to adjust this Hat to fit different sizes or accommodate different gauges of yarn. All you need is to cast-on with a multiple of 4 sts – check your gauge, measure the head of the recipient, and allow an inch or two of negative ease (i.e make the Hat smaller than required so it fits snuggly)

General note

The Hat is worked in K1tbl, P1tbl rib which is tight to knit, and tight as a fabric. This is deliberate and is done so that the tube can be folded up, and the inside of the Brim be the same fabric as the Body.

You may prefer to work a K1tbl, P1 rib, which is kinder on the hands and provides more give, but the fabric will look different if you go for a folded Brim option.

How to

Using Alternate Cable cast-on method cast on 120 [140, 160, 180] sts.

Join in the round, being careful not to twist sts.

Place stitch marker to indicate start of round.

Brim & Body

Rnd 1: *K1tbl, P1tbl; rpt from * to end

Repeat this round until work measures approx. 8 [9, 10, 11] in/20.25 [22.75, 25.5, 28] cm

Crown

Fold work in half so that WS are together and perform either 3-Needle bind-off or Crochet bind-off to close the top.

Finishing

Weave in all ends. A gentle wash and blocking is recommended; avoid over-stretching the Hat.

Enjoy!

---

I mean, a Hat is a head case, yes? As in, it's a case for a head?

Here's Aran doing his best teenager impression.

This Hat was my sanity knitting whilst I had my surgery last autumn. After what felt like a ridiculously long wait for my general anaesthetic, I then had to try and be horizontal for at least a few days by way of recovery (I failed. I'm a bad patient). And it took all of that time to knit this Hat.

I'd wanted to post this as a free pattern sooner, except I couldn't find my notes, and then the Hat disappeared. Thankfully it reappeared so I could glean everything I needed to know, and here it is.