Do you have any favourite styles as a knitter? The style of the Eile Hat is one of my favourites because it’s simple, fast to knit, and very wearable. I like the warmth of hats, but with curly hair they often make me look very flat and lifeless. The rolled brim in a lighter weight yarn helps me avoid this, and it’s snug enough to stay on but comfortable to wear.
So whether you are a newer knitter that wants to learn how to knit in the round, or an experienced knitter that just wants a fast, cosy hat, this is the pattern for you!
It’s knit it the round starting at the brim. You’ll notice that the brim is rolled. This means that there is no edging, you just start with stockinette stitch and keep knitting. I’ve given the length ‘unrolled’ which means that it’s longer than it will be when worn. There are two reasons I like this brim style:
- I find it much more comfortable to wear as it’s not as tight.
- It gives you a lot of flexibility in how you wear it, either rolled up for a shorter style or rolled down to cover your ears!
Ideal for Newer Knitters
If you’re a newer knitter this hat is ideal, as it’s all done in the knit stitch, and worked in the round. It can be knit using a short circular needle, double pointed needles, or magic loop. The decreases at the top are also kept simple so you’ll have them memorised quickly.
The first and second sizes of this hat each use only one skein. The medium size does use almost all the yarn though, so if you want to extend the length you’d be safest getting an extra skein. The largest size will need two skeins.
I’ve knit this in Stolen Stitches Nua Sport, which is a blend of merino, yak and linen. This gives it super softness but with a tweedy, rustic effect thanks to the linen. It’s very comfortable next to your head and it holds it’s shape nicely with use.
If you are new to knitting in the round this hat is a great way to get started, as you can focus on the technique while just working the knit stitch.
Notes on Sizing
When you are knitting hats it’s always important to have some negative ease. This is what keeps your hat on! With ribbing you need to be more careful that it’s not too tight as you might have it slide right off your head!
With a rolled brim hat in stockinette stitch, negative ease is even more important. There is no elasticity from ribbing so you are relying on the natural stretch of your knitting. In the sample shown I’ve got around 3″ / 7.5 cm of negative ease. My head size is around 22″ / 57 cm but I’ve knit the medium size which has a 19″ / 48.5 cm circumference. I found that this was comfortable to wear and had enough grip to hold it on well.
Pattern Details
SIZES
Small (Medium, Large)
To Fit Head Circumference Up To: 21 (22, 23)” / 53.5 (57, 58.5) cm
2-3″ / 5 – 7.5 cm negative ease recommended.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Headband Circumference: 18 (19, 20)” / 45.5 (48.5, 51) cm
Hat show is Medium size with 3″ / 7.5 cm of negative ease.
YARN
Stolen Stitches ‘Nua’ (60% Merino, 20% Yak, 20% Linen; 153 yds / 140 m per 1.76 oz / 50 g); colour: Mosquito Coast (9801) 1 (1, 2) skein(s)
Note: The medium size used all of the single skein. If you want to vary the size order 2 skeins.
Approximate Yardage: 145 (153, 162) yds / 133 (140, 148) m
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US size 4 / 3.5 mm circular needles, 16″ / 40 cm long
US size 4 / 3.5 mm dpns
Or
US size 4 / 3.5 mm circular needles, 40″ / 10 cm long for Magic Loop
Always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed, as every knitter’s gauge is unique.
Tapestry needle, 6 stitch markers (one distinct from other 5).
GAUGE
24 sts and 33 rows = 4″ / 10 cm in St St
Where to Buy
You can find the Eile Hat either on my website here or on Ravelry.
Every hat comes with free access to the full step-by-step video workshop, details are given in the pattern pdf.
You can find yarn kits here.
Thank you,
This was very kind of yoi,
Enid