The Big Hats collection is a group of quick hats knitted out of thicker yarns.

• For the experienced knitter, they are a super fast project when you need a quick gift, or because you want to spoil yourself before the cold weather sets in.
• For the beginner, these hats come with video tutorials to help you master some basic knitting techniques. The big yarn means that you will see results fast and have a lovely finished object in no time. I also hope to decode some of the phrases and terminology used in knitting patterns that might confuse new knitters.

All these skills you learn will be like a collection of little gems.

Watch my introduction to the collection https://youtu.be/aijLUOtJPqs

Pattern description and options

Rubies in my pocket has instruction for bulky and chunky weight yarns. It, along with Dream in Sapphire, is one of the easier hats in the collection. It starts with a German Twisted cast on, there are video tutorials for this or the knit-on cast on. I could have chosen a simpler cast on for beginners, but part of getting a finished object that you love, is about using the right type of technique in the right place. For a hat, you need a stretchy cast on! Nothing worse than a hat with a cast on that it too tight and so you don’t wear it.

This cast on takes a bit of practice but I believe that it is well worth the effort to learn. Watch the video, practice and be patient with yourself. For these thicker yarns, fortunately, the cast on number of stitches is small so you can just try again if you don’t get it right the first time.

If you can’t get the German Twisted Cast on right, that is okay. You have the option to do a regular Knit-on cast on but you will need to go up a needle size so that your edge has some stretch to fit onto a head. This may produce a cast on edge that is not quite as neat, but do not let the cast on stop you from progressing to the rest of the hat. You can always try the stretchy cast on with another hat, once you have built up your confidence.

The pattern lists a twisted rib for the bottom of the hat, if you feel this is something you want to try, as you have mastered the basic knit and purl stitch, then go ahead and watch the video and try. It is really very easy. If you feel a little unsure then just substitute a k1, p1 rib sometimes called 1x1 rib. There is a video for the alternative rib and cast on too.

Most of the hat is just knit stitch, if you feel that this is all you can manage, then feel free to just knit the whole thing and substitute the flower rounds with knit rounds. Then move onto the decreases when you have reached the desired length.

If you are feeling brave then try the flower stitch, just work slowly and follow along with the video. You only need to do the flower stitch ever 5 rows, so most of the time it is just plain knitting.

Choose your hat length and then continue to the decreases, with a video to show you how to decrease and thread up the stitches at the end and weave away your ends

There are stitch count numbers for 2 yarn weights in this pattern and each yarn weight has 3 sizes. The first 3 numbers are for Super Bulky weight yarn and the second 3 numbers are for slightly thinner Chunky weight yarn.

Material
Needles

8 mm/US 11 circular needle or dpns and
10mm/US 15 circular needle or dpns (Super Bulky weight yarn)
OR
6mm/ US 10 circular needle or dpns
and
8mm/ US 11 circular needle or dpns (Chunky weight yarn)

Yarn

Super Bulky yarn 100g: 80m / 87yds
Sample knitted in Rowan Big Wool; 100% Merino
OR
Chunky Yarn 100g: 110m / 120yds
Sample knitted in: Handspun Merino

Yardage

         Child / Teen	    Adult M	   Adult L

Fitted:
Super Bulky 85g 100g 115g

Slouchy:
Super Bulky 120g 135g 150g

Fitted:
Chunky 60g 71g 82g

Slouchy:
Chunky 83g 95g 107g

Gauge

11 stitches and 15 rows over 10cm / 4” in pattern, blocked. (Super Bulky)
OR
13 stitches and 20 rows over 10cm / 4”in pattern, blocked (Chunky)

Size

Child / Teen (Adult Medium, Large)
to fit: 47 - 50cm (51- 56 cm, 57 - 61cm) / 18.5-19.5” (20 - 22”, 22.5 - 24”)

Finished un-stretched dimensions:
Circumference
39cm (46cm, 53cm / 15.5” (18”, 21”)

Length from crown to rib:
23cm / 9” (fitted beanie)
30cm / 12” (slouchy beanie)