Navigator is my favorite basic brioche hat, finally written up and standardized at a relatively quick-knitting chunky gauge. It can be worn slouched (though the dense fabric makes it stick up a bit) or folded. The fabric is thick and cozy, and the pattern gives you at least a few hours of knitting enjoyment--and a pretty good hat when you’re done.

This beanie may be basic, but it’s highly wearable, and the pattern is thorough and easy to memorize. It includes two written sizes and a two-color version, just because I feel like this pattern is a good demo and an easy transition to two-color brioche in the round. It is friendly to nearly anyone, including manly dudes and kids, and there are some brief hints about customizing the size medium version to fit smaller beans as well.

You’ll need:
-roughly 90-120 yards of Malabrigo Yarn Chunky (1-2 skeins; 2 skeins for the bicolor version)
-1 16” circular and 1 set of 5 DPNS in the size you need for gauge (most knitters will start around US9-10/5.5-6mm.)
-4 stitch markers
-tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Samples are knit in Malabrigo Yarn Chunky in Vaa, Emerald Blue, Tuareg, and Burgundy plus Stonechat. You can knit the one-color adult medium in one skein, while the large version will require two.