Oh Brother, what have you done now? Little Brothers…a different kind of creature. Am I right? No one gets into trouble like little brothers do. I mean, they just do weird things.

As my brother grew, so did the crazy antics. Stuffing the neighbor’s tractor seat with cotton and gas (to set ablaze), chasing bees with a baseball bat (he’s allergic to bees), and breaking barn windows by throwing 78 records at them frisbee-style. Oh, I could go on. But two things remained constant: broken windows and the Exasperated response from my parents, “C H A R L I E!!!”

The brioche sections of this hat remind me of the ‘ole barn windows that did not escape my brother’s attention. By rock, brick, or record, he smashed them all. I originally wanted to name this pattern after the little buggar, but an exasperated “Oh Brother” better captures my true sentiment. I wanted him model the hat too. Turns out his head is huuuuge, so I had to revise the pattern and knit a bigger hat. See what a pain little brothers are?

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CONSTRUCTION: Oh Brother Hat is worked from the bottom up and in the round. It starts with 2x2 ribbing and progresses into a two-color garter st border followed by the 1st floor brioche windows. Only one yarn color is worked at a time and is extremely easy to master. The suggested color change method results in a hat that is reversible with no visible lines or color jogs. Another section of garter st is worked followed by the 2nd story brioche windows and crown decreases. The length and brim width are customizable with two sizes are available. The hat’s construction allows it to be worn slouchy or as a beanie with the brim turned up. The body is flexible enough to fit heads 21 “- 24” (53 - 61) cm. Charts (optional) and a schematic are included.

FITS HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE: 21 - 22” /53 - 56 cm; 23 - 24” / 58 - 61 cm. Pattern contains modification suggestions for a perfect fit.

YARDAGE: One color: 148 - 163 yds / 135 - 149 m. Two Color: MC 79 - 87 yds / 72 - 80 m; CC 69 - 76 yds / 63 -69 m.

YARN SUBSTITUTION: Although any DK weight can be used, indie dyed yarns tend to be heavier than commercial weight yarns. Tonal, solid, speckled, and variegated yarns (for CC) work best.

SKILLS NEEDED: K2tog, ssk,ssp, ktbl, p2tog, slipping stitches, magic loop, brioche sts. Instructions provided for the following: stretchy long tail cast on, two-end long tail cast on, swatching in the round, and color changing. Link to video for brioche in pattern.

GAUGE: One window motif of brioche and garter st is 22 st x 40 rnds = 4” / 10 cm worked in the round (and blocked); 23.5 st x 32 rnds = 4” / 10cm worked in the round in 2 x 2 ribbing (and blocked); A different gauge will affect drape, yardage required, and size.
Swatch in the round in the cabled checker pattern for an accurate gauge.

NEEDLES: US #5 (3.75 mm) is recommended or size to obtain gauge. Either 16” (41 cm) circular needle for the body and a set of 5 corresponding DPNs for the crown, or 32” (80 cm) circular needle for magic loop.

I want to thank my fabulous Tech Editor: Nicky of handknitsandhygge. It was a pleasure to work with you.

I also want to give credit to my amazing test knitters! Thank you ladies: knitmke, pamslu, BCN, martiniiis, wizardess13, and ggerlinde