I love to dress up like my beloved Team USA, and with the Sochi Olympic games quickly approaching, I wanted a moose hat to match some of my favorite American athletes. Curling and hockey and speedskating, oh my!

Three colors of worsted weight yarn are required. The main color requires about 150 yards. The accent colors of red and white require much smaller quantities.

This is a very basic, simplified pattern. It has a detailed chart and number of stitches required, but gauge and advanced instructions are not required. I test knit it, but the hat came up too large so this is a version that is much shorter.

The “official” Team USA hat has earflaps. I have excluded them for simplicity, and knit this in the round instead of seaming as the $95 Ralph Lauren version has.

A small American flag patch is stitched on when finished.

You may want to omit the top red patterning, as this hat turns out very tall when knit. Starting the decreases earlier will help.

Revised 2/8/2014 - Edited chart for easier printing. This is a nice, one-page pattern that is easy to follow and takes minimal paper and ink (and fits on one screen in a PDF viewer!) Have fun, and GO USA!

UPDATE 1/30/2014: I have added a second chart. This one includes a set of fornicating moose instead of the “standard” variety. Many have requested this, and I’ve already knit three of them for friends. It’s a fun take on an otherwise serious knit. Have fun! Post pictures!