Inauguration Chapeau

Hat Model: Rachel Krukowski

It seems that the link on Ravelry to this free pattern is gone. Here is the pattern for my Inauguration Chapeau. It's free! Perfect for holiday gift giving!

My friend, Beth (ethbay on Ravelry) was watching Barack Obama’s inauguration on TV and spotted many hand-knit and hand-crocheted hats in the crowd. She fixated on one particular hat and was swift enough to snap a digital photo of it. Beth is a new crocheter and asked me if I would help her adapt this particular hat for her own use.

Materials: One skein (about 210 yards) worsted weight yarn. I used Classic Elite “Montera”, Color 3881 (pea green). Of course, any handspun, worsted weight yarn will work. Size “I” and “H” crochet hooks.

Stitches needed:

Double Crochet, Single Crochet, Chain, Slip Stitch.

Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc): Double crochet stitch worked around the post of stitch in the row below. YO, insert hook from the front of the work around the back of the stitch and through to the front of the work again. The post or shaft of the dc from the row below lays across the hook. YO pull up loop, complete same as a dc st. [YO pull through 2 loops, YO pull through last 2 loops on hook].

Hat Instructions:

Chain 6, join to form loop.

Round 1: Chain 3, (this counts as your first dc), then double crochet 11 times into the center loop. You should have 12 stitches. Join.

Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), fpdc around next dc. *Dc in the next space, then fpdc around next dc.* Continue around in this manner, fpdc every other stitch. You will have 24 stitches. Join. NOTE: This will be the ONLY round that you dc in a space instead of in the stitch below.

Round 3: Ch 3, dc in same stitch, fpdc 1 (on the post below), *dc twice in next stitch, fpdc on the post below.* Continue around, increasing one stitch between posts. Join. You should have two dc stitches between each post stitch.

Round 4: Ch 3, dc in same stitch, fpdc. Dc twice in next stitch, then once in the next stitch, fpdc on the post below. Continue around, increasing one stitch between posts. Join. You should have three dc stitches between each post stitch.

NOTE: Keep increasing one stitch between posts until your hat is the desired size. For an average woman’s sized hat, there will generally be five or six double crochet stitches between each post stitch. Remember to increase your stitches INTO the stitches below. Once you get to three stitches between posts, you may want to increase in the center stitch between posts, instead of the first dc stitch. Wherever you decide to add your increase stitch, just make sure that it’s done neatly, uniformly and not in a lumpy manner! Join.

Once your hat is the desired circumference, do not increase any further. Continue in pattern until your hat is deep enough, about 4-5 inches. You may want to go down one or two crochet hook sizes (size H or G) at this point, so that your hat will curve down toward your ears. Another option is to decrease one stitch between the post stitches. Keep trying on your hat to see if it’s long enough.

Brim and Side Tie

You will now be crocheting back and forth instead of in the round. Join your yarn at any “post” stitch. Chain 25 stitches. Turn, sc in the second chain from hook. Continue single crocheting the chain you just made, then sc in every stitch around brim of hat until you reach the post stitch closest to the one where you originally joined your yarn. This will leave about 1-2 inches space between the beginning and end of the brim/side tie. Chain 25 stitches. Turn.

Row 2: sc in second chain from hook. Continue single crocheting the chain you just made, then sc in every stitch to the end of the side tie. Turn.

Row 3: Chain 3. The chain 3 counts as your first double crochet. Double crochet to the end of the side tie. Turn.

Row 4: Chain 3, double crochet to end, remembering to double crochet in the top of the beginning ch 3 for your last stitch.

Row 5 and 6: Same as Row 4.

Row 7: Ch 1, single crochet across to end. Tie off. Weave in ends. Block lightly.

To wear this hat, turn up the brim/side-tie and tie in a knot at the side of your hat.