How to Knit a Hat Without a Pattern // Technique Tuesday

This video demonstrates the steps to creating a custom-fit hat using any yarn weight. Some hat-knitting experience is assumed. If you have a skein of yarn in your stash and a last-minute gift to knit, knowing how to free-style a hat is an invaluable skill. The video will walk the knitter through measuring the recipient (you can use a chart of average sizes to make an educated guess), calculating the desired negative ease, and determining the gauge for the chosen yarn. The target cast on number is calculated, and then adjusted, based on preferred ribbing. Basic proportions for the hat are explained, as well as where adjustments can be made in length to accommodate a folded back cuff or a preference for a slouchier fit. Finally, how to plan for and execute the crown decreases is explained. 100g of any yarn weight is plenty for an adult-sized hat (with enough leftover to make a pom-pom). Children's hats can typically be knit with 50g. Amount needed will depend on size of hat, as well as adjustments for additional length. Support me by buying me a coffee on Ko-fi! https://www.ko-fi.com/roxannerichardson To jump to a specific point in the video, click on the adjacent time-stamped links: Introduction: 0:00 Hat improvisation: 0:21 Determine what size hat you will make: 1:07 Yarn selection and gauge swatch: 2:06 Calculate hat circumference and choose ribbing: 5:41 Plan the hat: ribbing, body, and crown lengths: 8:33 Plan for adjustments (additional length in body or ribbing): 10:3