Hats for People with Big Heads

Some people have bigger heads than others.  No, I don't mean swelled heads as in filled with one's own importance.  I mean physically bigger.  As in hats are generally, and especially for women, created in a 'one size fits all' design.

Somehow the producers of hats think that even if our bodies may be created in many different sizes, our heads are all one size.  Oh, hats for men may be created in different sizes, that is is you want to purchase an expensive cowboy hat, or a fedora, or other hat, but what if you can't afford those hats, or what if you are female?

Oh, I know that most of us don't wear hats anymore unless its winter and we want a ski hat or something warm and they are stretchy right?  One size truly can fit all, right?  Wrong.  The knit hats you find in Walmart and even those you may pay a lot for at the mall or in the boutique or on-line are generally made, with few exceptions, in one size an for a head that ranges from 21 to 22 inches in size. If I, or other members in my family of larger than average heads (23, 24 and larger in size) attempt to wear them they do stretch out to pull down over our outsized domes but then, a couple of minutes later, pop up to sit like little comedy hats or pop off our heads entirely.

This is frustrating, as is the problem when we find adorable hats of other structure that we might want to purchase and wear but that are only available in one size fits all.

So we attempt to knit them ourselves, or get someone to knit them for us.  Ahah!  Most knitting and crochet patters are also sized for the "normal" head.  Purchase the yarn, knit the hat and lo, off it pops.

As an experienced knitter and crocheter I can often modify the pattern to fit.  But what about the rest of the world?  Knitting hats is one of the simple projects, often suggested for new knitters.  New knitters do not usually have the skill to modify a pattern  Nor do many experienced knitters.

Relax, big heads of the world and those who wish to provide warm coverings for same.  I'm going to attempt to provide a few simple patterns designed with the larger headed person in mind.  Those of you who create wearable art (and those of you who might like to ) can use this information and create wearable art for big heads. Yes!

Here's the first one.

 Here's the first attempt at a pattern.  Experienced knitters go ahead, and please send me comments on how I can make the pattern better for all knitters.  (I'm not a pattern writer, but I am going to have to learn by doing.) A crochet version will follow (in an latter post) as will a downloadable pdf pattern to my Ravelry site (I'm whizard on Ravelry.) www.ravelry.com.

Hat # 1 for Big Heads

Yarn:  Brown Sheep worsted.  1 skein and a little bit of another if you choose to make a stripe.

Needles:  Size 8 double pointed.  5 needles recommended.

Guage:  20 Stitches and 6 rows to 4 inches

Additional materials:  at least 1/16 yard of flannel fabric in a color to match the main color yarn.

Begin:
Using main color, cast on 84 stitches to  4 needles.  (if you only have 4 needles, CO to 3 needles)
Join, making sure not to twist work.
Work in stockinette stitch for 6 rows.
Work in reverse stockinette stitch for 2 inches.  Changing from stockinette stitch (knit all rows in the round) to reverse stockinette stitch (purl all rows in the round) forms a turning edge, and a small hem.  You will stitch the hem to the inside of the hat at the end.
If you wish a stripe, cut yarn leaving a 3 inch tail and join stripe color. (see note on jogless knitting)
(If you do not wish a stripe continue in main color,)
Work in reverse stockinette stitch for 1 inch.
Cut yarn and rejoin main color.
Work in reverse stockinette stitch until total height of work (whether worked with stripe or without stripe) is 6 inches.
  *Purl 12, purl 2 tog* repeat from * to * around.
A:  Purl around.
B: *purl one less stitch than previous row, purl 2 tog* repeat from * to * around
repeat A and B until the total stitches on all needles is 24 then repeat row B 2 times (total stitches remaining 12)
Cut yarn leaving a 6 inch tail and weave tail through each stitch, pull gently to close hole at top of hat.
To finish, fold the hem created at the beginning of the hat to the inside and stitch to the inside.
Weave in any ends.

Note:  Jog less knitting.  When you add a stripe to a pattern worked in the round the spot where the color changes will produce a jog, a really obvious point at which you changed color and it won't look particularly pretty.  To prevent this, join the new color and knit the first round normally.  When you reach the beginning of the second round, slip the first stitch, then knit the rest of the round.  Knit any following rounds normally.  When blocking, pull slightly at the jog area to even the lines.