This hat was designed to be given as a gift.

The classic watch cap style looks great on just about everybody. The all-over ribbing makes a stretchy fabric, so fitting is easy. And this pattern is great for using up your leftovers from other projects, since a striped hat is always fun!

I offer this pattern to you at no cost, in the hopes that you’ll make many, many gifts. In return, I ask that you make a hat for the charity of your choice. If you don’t have time to knit an extra hat, please consider donating cash equal to what you’d expect to pay for a pattern.

If you don’t have a charity in mind, may I suggest Knit the Rainbow? www.knittherainbow.org
This organization collects warm, handmade winter garments to be distributed to the thousands of homeless LGBTQ+ youth in New York City. These vulnerable, often-overlooked, young people are worthy of our care and protection. Knitting a hat seems the least I can do. Won’t you join me?

Size
One size fits most teenagers and adults

Finished Measurements
Head circumference:
Approximately 16” / 40.5 cm without stretching
Length: 11” / 28 cm uncuffed
The 2x2 ribbing in this hat makes a very stretchy fabric. The finished hat will comfortably fit heads ranging from 18-24” / 45.5-61 cm.

Yarn Requirements
Fingering or sock weight: 240 yards
DK weight: 210 yards
Worsted weight: 180 yards
This pattern is a great stash-buster. The yardage given above is the total needed for a single hat. Gather up your bits and pieces and partial balls of yarn. As long as the yarn thickness is relatively consistent, you can change color as often as you please for a one-of-a-kind striped hat!

Needles
16” / 40 cm circular needle and set of 4 double pointed needles or needles in preferred style for small circumference knitting in the round.
Fingering or sock weight: US size 3 (3.25 mm)
DK weight: US size 6 (4 mm)
Worsted weight: US size 8 (5 mm)
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Notions
Stitch markers, tapestry needle

Gauge
Fingering or sock weight:
50 sts and 38 rows = 4” / 10 cm in P2, K2 Ribbing, unstretched
DK weight:
40 sts and 30 rows = 4” / 10 cm in P2, K2 Ribbing, unstretched
Worsted weight:
32 sts and 26 rows = 4” / 10 cm in P2, K2 Ribbing, unstretched