Free Knit Pattern: Fossil-Inspired Bulky Knit Cap
I was at the mall with a gift card and could find nothing that I wanted to buy. I take that back. I loved a cap by Fossil, but did not want to pay the $36 to buy it. I inspected the brim, and discovered that I could make my own by using short-row shaping. My version is made from an unraveled cotton and wool blend sweater with yarn held double throughout.
The short-row shaping of the brim can be a little difficult, please leave comments and I’d be happy to clarify.
Two strands of worsted yarn and US size 13 circular needles give a gauge of 2.5 stitches to an inch. A size “J” crochet hook will come in handy for picking up stitches.
Start with the brim:
CO 3.
Note: I like to use a two-stranded cast on, so I left a very long tail. I used it later to cast on for the circumference of the hat.
Each stitch is slipped at the beginning of the row. This is for ease in picking up stitches later on.
Row 1 (WS): Sl 1, P 1 (center stitch), K 1.
Row 2 (RS): Sl 1, K 1 (center stitch), P 1.
Row 3: Sl 1, P 1, K 1.
Row 4: Sl 1, P to center stitch, M 1, K 1, M 1, P to end.
Row 5: Sl first st, K all K stitches and P center stitch.
Repeat Row 4 until there are 5 stitches on either side of center stitch.
Work short-row curve:
Sl 1, P 4, K 1, P 4, turn,
Sl 1, K 3, P 1, K 3, turn,
Sl 1, P 2, K 1, P 2, turn,
Sl 1, K 1, P 1, K 1, turn,
Sl 1, K 1, P to end.
Work even:
Row 1 (WS): Sl 1, K 4, P 1, K to end.
Row 2 (RS): Sl 1, P 4, K 1, P to end.
Repeat Rows 1&2 (3) times more. Repeat Row 1 once more.
Work short-row curve.
Work even.
Work short-row curve.
Decrease:
Row 1 and all odd numbered rows to end (WS): Sl 1, K to center stitch, P center stich, K to end.
Row 2: Sl 1, P to within 2 stitches of center stitch, P 2 tog, K 1, P 2 tog, P to end.
Repeat Rows 1&2 until 2 stitches remain on either side of the center. Work an odd side row.
Next Row: P 2 tog, K 1, P 2 tog.
Next: K 1, P 1, K 1.
Final Row: K 3 tog. Do not cast off.
Hat:
Fold brim in half along the ridge so that the purl side faces outward. Using a crochet hook, pick up 19 stitches along the edge of the brim through the slipped stitches. Stitches should be picked up through both thicknesses.
CO 28 stitches. Place marker to mark beginning of rounds. Join to work in the round.
Round 1: Purl.
Round 2: Knit.
Repeat Rounds 1&2 twice more.
Knit until hat measures 4 ½” from beginning.
Decrease:
Move to double-pointed-needles or use the Magic Loop method when there are too few stitches to knit normally with circular needle.
Round 1: *K 6, K2 tog* around.
Round 2: Knit.
Round 3: *K 5, K 2 tog* around.
Round 4: Knit.
Round 5: *K 4, K 2 tog* around.
Round 6: Knit.
Round 7: *K 3, K 2 tog* around.
Round 8: Knit.
Round 9: *K 2, K 2 tog* around.
Round 10: Knit.
Round 11: *K 1, K 2 tog* around.
Round 12: Knit.
Round 13: *K 2 tog* around.
Tie off, draw thread through remaining stitches and pull tight.
Free Patterns and Tutorials at Kayla K’s Thrifty Ways
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Hi Kayla,
what a wonderful cap! I have just looked a long time for such a pattern. Thank you for sharing your pattern with us! Thanks to ravelry.
Heidrun
(from Germany)
Great idea. What a clever pattern. Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for making it free!
This is adorable, but is Row 3 of brim correct? Seems to need some increases to be ready for Row 4. Thanks.
Row 3 is correct. For row 4 itself, you would slip one, and because there are no stitches to purl before center stitch, you would move right into the make one.
So, Row 4: Sl 1, M 1, K 1, M 1, P to end.
Oh my goodness gracious, I have never heard of you! Found you through The Daily Knitter and Love Your Stuff. Thank you for sharing, not only your patterns, but also for sharing your knowlege of knitting. I hope some day to be able to create as well as you and other great knit and crochet designers. Have a great day!
I knit this up using Rowan by Amy Butler belle organic aran, 2 skeins held the yarn doubled throught out. It worked up fast and looks adorable. I had yarn from each skein left over not sure if it is enough for a second hat but could be used to make a 2 colored version having the brim and band one color and the rest of the hat in the second color.
I am a beginner I have been crocheting for a long time and want to knit. I love this hat and wat to make it as a suprise for my daughter. You should make a video though for us slow ppl lol.
Hi
This is really a nice pattern and it seems like it’s easy to make. Thank for this nice pattern, something I would like to try this winter!
Regards
Jolandie
What is the diameter of the hat in the picture. My hat seems to be on the small side. I was hoping it would fit my head, however it is looking like in might fit my nieces hat better. Any ideas on how to fix this? I am loving how this is knitting up and am happy with the pattern overall. Thanks.
The hat is very stretchy and cushy. It fits my size large head quite comfortably. The only thing I would change is making it a little longer before beginning the crown decreases. I would like it to cover my ears.
After looking back over the pattern and what I did I realized I used size 10 needles instead of 13. Just a side note using a size 10 makes a cute baby/toddler hat.
How many yards would I need to make this?
Hi Kayla! I’ve been looking to a hat like this for FOREVER!
But, I want to make it as a men’s size. Should I just increase the needle size to 15? Or could you possibly post an edit for how to increase the size? Thanks for your help!
This looks like a great hat. After row 5 the instructions are to repeat row 4 . Do we repeat that every row including wrong. & right side? Thanks for your help and the pattern.
the vintage houndstooth gloves are awesome and grandkids love them, but is there a way of making the cuff area smaller and keeping the number of stitches for the fingers the same. Would truly appreciate any help you can give me. ty
Fantastic! Thank you – What a genius you are especially using unravelled wool. I never thought of this way to recycle a beautiful but 80’s sweater, the colour of which I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE! Could not bring myself to throw it out – you saved my beautiful wool! Deep bluish purple.
Where did you buy your size 13 circular needle? What yarn did you use and did you knit the brim using straight needles in size 13?
I am excited to make this it looks really cute.
Thanks,
Cindy
I use circular needles for everything. Just pass the work back and forth instead of making a full circle. My favorite brand of knitting needles is Addi Turbo. I bought mine at a local yarn shop but they are available online as well.
Hi, I love the look of this pattern, but am having trouble on the “short row curve” part. The pattern shows there are less and less stitches, but my work is not decreasing, can anyone tell me how this works? Something with the turn?
Hi Kayla
Just found your beautiful knit cap pattern. I love it!! I would like to knit it. Would you tell me what gauge should I be getting on size 13 circular needle and if I could use another size needle with a thicker yarn.
Hi Kayla, please disregard my question above. I see that you have already indicated what gauge and yarn that is needed. I would like to know if I can use another thicker yarn and needle. Thanks.
I found you pattern last week and love the look of it. I knit it up and I’ve done something wrong with the brim. I raveled it and have knit up the brim about 6 times and just can’t get it to look right. When you M1 are they M1P or M1K? Also should the repetitions of row 4 be identical? As I said, I love the hat and hope I can figure it out with your help. I would like to make several as gifts. Thanks for any help you can give me.
I found you pattern last week and love the look of it. I knit it up and I’ve done something wrong with the brim. I raveled it and have knit up the brim about 6 times and just can’t get it to look right. When you M1 are they M1P or M1K? Also should the repetitions of row 4 be identical? Thanks for any help you can give me.
Kayla: Thank you for this delightful pattern. I found you through a pinterest board and this hat is exactly (exactly!) what I have been looking for . . . I want to make a baseball cap and then add the stitching of a baseball to it and this will work wonderfully (even if it doesn’t I’ll get a great hat out of the deal, eh?!)
Thank you for posting the pattern for free . . . . I’ve got the yarn in my stash, I have my size 13 circulars and I’m ready to go!
Hi I am confused. On making the brim,you cast 3. It seems that row 4 needs 6 stitches . Help
Tx
Hi
On making the brim,how do you knit Row 4 from having only 3 stitches on Row 3
Thanks
Hello, i’m a self taught knitter and i ran across your pattern. I love this pattern, however, I’m a little confused with how you make 1. Do you just yo, or do you knit in front and back of the stitch? Through your blosgs, I was able to figure out the roe 3 and 4 snaffu, but i’m still lost a but on the hat. Could you please help me with this matter? Thanks so much, Lori Saline
Hi! What a great patern. Using the extra long tail is very clever! I do have a question on the brim. I used super bulky yarn – my brim did not turn out to be as stiff as yours looks. Is there a secret to that? Or should I switch yarn and use dbl strand worested to get the same effect.
Thx
I like to make one by knitting into the front and back of the stitch.
I Love this patern but I was woundering when swiching to the double pionted needles do I need to use a size 13? I did have some problems working the very top it came out in a long point. Can you please help? thank you very much
Yes, keep with the same size. This hat does come out a little more pointy than most. You could add a few extra rows and decreases if you like.
I have one more question when the pattern says to Sl 1, p 4, or sl 1, K 1 do I slip the stitch purl before a p4 stitch or do I just slip them all in a knit weather the next stitch is a knit or purl? thank you again for your help!