Victor is a richly textured take on a traditional foldable, slouchable, functional beanie. This classic hat is lumberjack dude- and minimalist-friendly, with a thick textured fabric. And it’s an engaging knit, too, in a pattern that is roughly intermediate in skill level but easy to grasp.

Size options include two versions of the basic one-size for adults (22”-24” head circumference) and a smaller-gauge knit for babies (16”-18”). The simple schematic includes flat measurements for all three options, and Victor should be knit with 2”-4” of planned negative ease.

NOTES ABOUT GAUGE, in case you’re new to brioche:
Brioche stitches are wider than plain stockinette, and also stacked more densely; if you’re used to plain knitting, your gauge-related numbers will be smaller in sts/4”. Brioche rows are also traditionally counted in an odd way: for every two rows of work, you have one row of completed knitting! Since I’m trying to hold with that convention, “10 sts and 17 rows” looks like 17 rows, but really means “10 sts and 34 worked rows”. This section seems a little involved, but that’s largely because I’ve included two gauges for two versions of the adult-size hat, because I couldn’t decide which one--fitted or oversized--I liked better. So you get two! Plus the bonus baby size.

Gauges include:
10 sts and 17 rows over 4” in aran wool gives you a larger hat, and it’s shown in O-Wool Indigo.
10.5 sts and 18 rows over 4” in lighter worsted weight wool gives you a more fitted adult-size hat, which is shown in very dark green Malabrigo Worsted Olive.
13 sts and 21 rows over 4” results in a baby-size hat, intended to fit an average 6-9 month-old. It’s shown in Knitpicks Swish DK.

The pattern text also includes gauge in stockinette.

The needle size you need to get gauge may vary! Most knitters will use US8-9/5.0mm-5.5mm needles for the adult hat and US 5-6/3.75-4.0mm for the DK yarn baby size, but swatching is good, Measuring your hat against the schematic as you go along is good, too.

If you’re comfortable knitting brioche projects, Victor should be pretty easy and intuitive! Brioche techniques and work in the round are the features that make this an intermediate project.