Yup – my first contribution to ravelry! It was halfway for my own good, as every time I want to make this hat I have to refigure the numbers, casting on and frogging several times before getting it right. Rather than scribble the instructions in shorthand on the back of a receipt (only to stare at them confusedly in three years), I transcribed them properly so that anyone could make my FAVORITE HAT. A hyperbolic use of ALLCAPS? Nope. This hat is stellar because it’s:
– a one-skein wonder.
– a quick knit.
– a versatile gift…unisex, reversible, adjustable slouch.
– designed to hold in warmth without smushing your hair.
– a great 2nd project when teaching someone how to knit. Most folks start with something flat and rectangular but the key is to not get stuck there. This hat builds confidence without freaking out novice knitters.
This summer Tami asked me to knit one of these for her birthday and she picked a deep eggplant skein of Yak by Lang Yarns. It knit up beautifully and is so soft against the skin. I chose “Kami” for the hat’s name because it’s the Japanese word for hair, something this hat is very kind to. Now I realize Kami could also be the celebrity couple nickname for Katie+Tami…fitting since I wrote the pattern and Tami found its perfect yarn pairing.
A hat is a relatively small publishing contribution to ravelry. A baby step. But one I’m excited to make!
KAMI HAT
Gauge
16 stitches and 24 rows, after blocking = 4 inch over st st
Materials
1 skein (142 yards or 130 meters) Yak by Lang Yarns, or 140 yds. of another Aran weight yarn
US sz. 8 (5.0mm) – 16” circular and dpns, or size to obtain gauge
Measurements
Finished hat measures 20” in circumference, but has several inches of “give”. My own head is 23″ around and this hat is loose-ish.
The pattern pdf is available here: Kami Hat: printable pattern and here’s the link to its ravelry page.
Foxflat 
How many stitches should I cast on for a child’s hat ? Very beautiful pattern by the way 🙂 can’t wait to try it
Hi Megan – Hard to say, I haven’t adapted this for a child’s head. I think you have two options: 1) use the pattern as is, but with smaller needles and thinner gauge yarn, or 2) CO a number of stitches that is a multiple of both 4 and 5. The math is a little funny to adjust, so it may be simplest to use smaller yarn/needles.
Could you please translate SSK? Is the slip one,K1, pass one over? Corbina
Sure – SSK is a standard knitting abbreviation that means “slip, slip, knit”. Here is a video from purlbee that demonstrates the stitch: http://www.purlbee.com/2013/08/13/slip-slip-knit-ssk-2/
Thank you so much for the lovely pattern. As an abject novice knitter it took several attempts but I finally finished the hat today. My 16 yr old son asked if he could have it! This is my first successful project and couldn’t be happier. Thanks again!
Audrey
Nice!! That’s awesome. A teen thief is a sure sign that you did a good job with the pattern 🙂 I’ve always thought hats make great first knitting projects…so much faster than scarves. Good luck with your continued knitting!
Thanks! Next project I’ll buy one of ur patterns. I’m making another Kami hat now. Have a great Holiday season! 😜
How does one block a hat? I’ve been knitting about 2 years and have only really blocked a sweater and some shawls…
Do i need something round or flat with pins is ok?
Hi Jordan – here’s a good online tutorial that summarizes how to block: http://techknitting.blogspot.mx/2008/03/why-block-hand-knits-heres-why-and-how.html
For berets or big, slouchy hats I sometimes block over top of an inflated balloon, but for this hat it’s just fine to block it flat with pins.
Thanks! Can’t wait to start this 🙂
Reblogged this on crookedcoast.
I made a few errors while I was decreasing, so I forgot what number of knit all the way around I should be on. From the time you start knitting all the way around and the decreasing, how many inches should it be?
Thanks!
Hi Tanja – the hat should be approx. 8 inches long when you start the decreases. Is that what you’re asking? If not, can you email me at foxflat@gmail.com? I check it more often than wordpress.
Thank you for sharing this hat….it’s going on my needles this weekend…….I’m a huge fan of knitting on circs so this is perfect~
I love it! It’s now in my favorites and my queue — I just have to find the perfect yarn! Thanks for making this available for free!
Can you tell me where you purchased the Yak yarn? It seems only place to get it is in Europe,
I have a quick question, how many yards were left over when you finished the hat? I am using the Lang Yak and was wondering if I should do a few extra rows of the knit purl then a few extra rows of the knitting…so I know it will cover my ears but I do not want to run out!
Thanks, Tanya
Hello – sorry, I’m writing to ask for help with the decreases.
I’ve never knit a hat in the round before so I’m doing something wrong, but I’m not sure where to find it! I made sure I had 80 stitches when I started Row 51, but then when I made Row 52, the purls don’t line up with the purls on Row 51. I knit 8, purl 2, but then it’s only knit 6 before the purl 2 comes up on the row below. I feel like if I keep doing this, I won’t get the nice cross pattern I can see on the crown of the hat in the pictures. Are the purls on each row of decreases meant to line up?
Thanks for sharing this pattern, it’ll make a lovely hat once I figure out what I’m doing wrong! Any advice would be muchly apprecated 🙂
Hi Kris,
I will try to help! First, yes, the purls are meant to line up with those from previous rows. It sounds like on row 51 you accidentally decreased more than 8 times. In other words, you decreased for slightly more than one time around. That would explain why on row 52 it is sometimes 8 stitches between purls and sometimes 6 stitches between purls.
?? Does that help? Feel free to email me at foxflat@gmail.com if you want more help.
Hi, I want to knit this for a guy and if his head is bigger than 20″ how can I modify the pattern? Thanks!
Katie,
My very first hat knitted hat, successful use of circular and dp needles turned out AWESOME. I’m so excited. Your pattern was easy to read and follow. I feel like I’ve crossed over to an intermediate knitter status by using these techniques and tools. Thanks again for sharing (xxxx)
YES! You rock! That is so awesome. Moving into new knitting territory is no small feat 🙂 I am glad you wrote!
great hat but is there a mistake in rows 62-64?
In row 62 you have 32 stitches
In row 63 you decrease 8 stitches and end up with 24 stitches
In row 64 you are supposed to have 20 stitches but in fact have 24?
Please clarify – thanks!
Hi Robin!
I don’t think it’s a mistake…I just wrote out how many stitches there should be after each row and I came up with 20. Here is a list of rows and the number of stitches there should be after each one:
51/52—72
53/54—64
55/56—56
57/58—48
59/60—40
61—32
62—28
63—20
I tried making this hat, but after casting on 80 stitches like the .pdf says, I figured something was wrong and that it was going to end up being very big….I’m new to knitting, so is there something I’m missing or was the 80 a typo? the other hats I’ve made all had less than 60 to cast on…let me know, thanks!
nevermind, got it!
Yeah, you’re okay? Send me an email if you have a question: foxflat@gmail.com I’m more than happy to talk with you about it!
Hi Molly – I’m going to reply to you via email! It is 80 stitches, but it could be that you’re working with a different gauge and need to drop down a needle size or two.
I’ve been scouring the internet for a basic, not ugly hat all morning. I almost gave up! I have dreadlocks and the diameter of my head from behind my bangs to the nape of my neck is 19.5 inches.. do you think this pattern will stretch over my big dumb head or should I maybe add some ribbing to the edge? Thanks alot for the pattern, I appreciate it!
Hmm I think it’ll fit! It’s on the looser side as far as hats go…the ones I’ve made (after blocking) are 20″ circumference. I checked out your blog…are you in Eugene, OR? If so you should definitely pick up a skein of the Yak yarn at Soft Horizons on 13th (that’s where I found it). It’s seriously worth the money. Lemme know how the hat goes!
You live in Eugene? What an incredible coincidence! And yeah, I already went to Soft Horizons today and found that Yak yarn- its really, really nice. They had some hanks of alpaca on sale in a really nice color, and I got to use the crazy whirly yarn-baller ho dad in the back. Thanks so much for sharing your pattern!
*have lived in
Yeah! We lived on 4th and Jackson in the Whiteaker. I was back this summer for a visit, which is when my friend found the Yak yarn for her hat. I love Eugene and miss it 🙂 Email me when you’ve finished the hat…I hope it turns out awesome!
Oh, nice. Jackson House? I live in the whit too. Want me to send you a picture when I’m done, for your blog or Ravelry?
oh katie this hat is awesome! can we do a print/hat swap? please!
Katie ,I think I could a dozen would fit in my suit case, so start knitting. The hat is very cute,by the way.
p.s. Becca did find me some great yarn….i love the way it feels and the color.
holy sh!#%%$! I’m featured in your blog! we have a celebrity hat! There are THREE cute pictures of Katie! You made my day. And I STILL miss you. And I am eating your crisp recipe right now as I type.
🙂 It is SUCH nice yarn. I should’ve given Becca a shout out too…I didn’t realize she did the actual finding. I can’t buy it online – you might have to send me some. And some Mam Coffee French Roast.
now you make me wish I had some crisp mmmm
Very cute! I have short fine hair also, so I’m going to try this for myself, then maybe some Christmas knitting…. thanks for the pattern! Happy knitting. : )
Kim in Ohio
Yeahhhh! (that is for some ohio love). The other thing I do for my short fine hair is sweep it the opposite direction before putting on a hat. That way when I take the hat off and swoop it back, it has some body.
Gorgeous! We have a sweet little craft consignment shop opening in Bryan, OH that I wish you were here to contribute your work to.
Thanks Michele! I was talking with Carol Nowak about that shop! Hmm maybe I can figure out how to get some things there…