Looking for crochet hat instructions? Something basic for a quick project, with Christmas approaching fast and gift ideas coming slowly?
The first thing that comes to mind is a granny square hat.
Why the granny square
Almost everyone knows how to make one. Granny squares have been turned into everything from full afghans to doll sweaters and every scale in between, and the construction is familiar enough that most crocheters can work one without a pattern.
That familiarity is exactly what makes it good for a hat under time pressure. You are not learning anything new – you are applying something you already have.
How a granny square becomes a hat
Work a granny square to roughly the diameter of the crown, then stop increasing and work straight down for the sides.
The corners of the square round off as you work down, which is why the finished hat sits properly rather than looking square. A few rounds of ordinary double crochet after the square is established will smooth it out further.
Finish with a few rounds of a firmer stitch for the brim so it grips.
Sizing
Measure the head and make the hat an inch or two smaller. Crocheted fabric relaxes, and a hat that fits exactly when finished will be loose within a month.
For the crown, keep increasing until the flat square measures roughly a third of the head circumference across, then start working straight.
As a rough guide: a baby’s head is around 14 to 17 inches, a child’s 18 to 20, an adult’s 21 to 23.
Making it look finished
Stripes. Change colour every round or two. On a granny square construction the colour changes fall naturally at the corners, so it looks deliberate with no planning.
A pom-pom. The fastest way to make a plain hat look properly made. Two cardboard rings and a ball of yarn, and it takes five minutes.
Attach it securely and, if the hat will be washed, sew it so it can be removed.
A folded brim in a contrast colour looks smart and adds warmth over the ears.
Yarn
Worsted weight, soft and machine washable. A hat is worn against the forehead and ears, so softness matters more than for most projects.
This is also an excellent stash project. A hat takes very little yarn, and stripes made from oddments look intentional.
As a gift
Hats are among the best handmade gifts: they fit almost anyone, they get worn constantly, and they take an evening. Make several at once – the setup is the same and you will have covered half a list.
