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Hat Description
Chunkeanie is a straightforward beanie. It starts with a classic ribbed brim and the body is worked entirely in reverse stocking stitch. The crown has double decreases along four lines, which makes the top of the Hat have a vaguely squarish shape.
Pattern Availability
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Pattern Support
If you have a question about this pattern, pop it in a comment below. Sorry, but I’m unable to help with my free patterns or tutorials via email or private messages.
Social Media
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#WoollyWormhead
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Yarn
160 yd/140 m/100g
Chunky weight, plied yarn.
Needles & Notions
Set 5mm/UK6/US8 DPNs/Circular or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker as necessary
Tapestry needle
Sample Details
Shown in Jamieson & Smith Shetland Chunky [160yd/148m per 100g; 100% Wool]
Gauge
16 sts x 20 rows to 4in/10cm on 5mm needles over St.St.
Sizes
To fit sizes: 19 [21, 23] in/48 [53.25, 58.5] cm
Finished size: 16 [18, 20] in/40.5 [45.75, 50.75] cm
Not sure which size to make? Check my handy size and measuring guide!
Skills Required
Alternate Cable Cast-on
Knitting in the round
Increases and Decreases
Draw-through Bind-off
Blocking a Hand Knit Hat
Abbreviations
K: knit
P: purl
rpt: repeat
R/rnd(s): rounds
st(s): stitch(es)
SSK: slip next 2 sts knitwise, then knit these 2 sts together through the backs of the loops
k2tog: knit next 2 sts together
How To
Using Alternate Cable cast-on method, cast on 64 [72, 80] sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist sts. Place stitch marker to indicate start of round.
Brim
Now work K1, P1 rib until work measures 2.5 [2.75, 3] in/6.25 [7, 7.5] cm.
Body
Next Rnd: Purl all sts
Repeat this round, forming reverse stocking stitch, until work measures 6 [6.5, 7] in/15.25 [16.5, 17.75] cm including the brim.
Crown
19in size jump to Rnd 5, 21in size jump to Rnd 3, 23in size start at Rnd 1.
Rnd 1: *ssk, P16, k2tog; rpt from * to end [72 sts]
Rnd 2: *K1, P16, K1; rpt from * to end
Rnd 3: *ssk, P14, k2tog; rpt from * to end [64 sts]
Rnd 4: *K1, P14, K1; rpt from * to end
Rnd 5: *ssk, P12, k2tog; rpt from * to end [56 sts]
Rnd 6: *K1, P12, K1; rpt from * to end
Rnd 7: *ssk, P10, k2tog; rpt from * to end [48 sts]
Rnd 8: *K1, P10, K1; rpt from * to end
Rnd 9: *ssk, P8, k2tog; rpt from * to end [40 sts]
Rnd 10: *K1, P8, K1; rpt from * to end
Rnd 11: *ssk, P6, k2tog; rpt from * to end [32 sts]
Rnd 12: *K1, P6, K1; rpt from * to end
Rnd 13: *ssk, P4, k2tog; rpt from * to end [24 sts]
Rnd 14: *K1, P4, K1; rpt from * to end
Rnd 15: *ssk, P2, k2tog; rpt from * to end [16 sts]
Rnd 16: *K1, P2, K1; rpt from * to end
Rnd 17: *ssk, k2tog; rpt from * to end [8 sts]
Break yarn and draw through remaining 8 sts, tighten to close.
Finishing
Weave in all ends. Blocking isn’t necessary but is recommended to help the crown shaping settle – block gently to avoid stretching the Hat.
When we saw her last week, she asked if I could make a Hat for her brother, as a trade. He knew what he wanted, and hopefully I’ve designed it just right.
This isn’t a style that especially suits Tom, worn high and tall like this, though I have noticed how popular it is with young Italian men so I’m not surprised it’s what Valentina’s brother wanted. However, by having a deep ribbed brim, the design becomes more versatile and can be worn folded up for a more fitted, traditional look.
He wanted a simple style, and simple it is. The key details are the deep ribbed brim and the 4 point crown shaping, worked in knit stitches against a reverse stocking stitch background. I could have worked the decreases into the ground stitch yet I felt that working them symmetrically, as a feature, made a simple Hat a little more interesting.
He also wanted grey, and he wanted warm. And that’s where this yarn comes into it’s own. It’s the new Shetland Chunky from Jamieson & Smith, and it’s a little different to their regular yarns because it’s worsted spun, rather than woollen. It comes in all the same lovely colours that J&S are known for, and it is seriously warm.
And so I present Chunkeanie, named as such because, well, it’s a chunky beanie. There are a million and one simple beanie patterns out there already, I know. But you know me, I can’t help but write a pattern for any Hat I make. And hey, it’s a freebie and I even wrote in a couple of extra sizes…
Need Help With This Pattern?
If you’ve a question about this pattern, please pop it in the comments below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can! I’m afraid I’m unable to offer help via email or private message, but you’re welcome to post in our forum.
Print This!
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I love this as a simple beanie. I agree, I like the shaping and also thanks for the heads up on the yarn! I have been looking for a new chunky and I think the J+S will fit the bill 😉 Hope the brother likes his new hat and get well soon!!
Love this. Have added it to my Ravelry queue for my partner. He's barely taken his Mr Tom's Beanie off since I finished it.
i like it 🙂
An excellent pattern – I especially like the shaping that makes this style just that little bit more special. My son will enjoy wearing this – thanks so much for the freebie.
Thanks for this pattern! I think my husband, my brother and a friend would like it quite a lot. 🙂 samm
Love love love this one! Have already ordered some wool to knit this for my 8 year old.
I just wanted to say this pattern is amazing and many of my friends and my dad love this simple look. Made one about to make another
wonderful, thank you!
I have a small terminology correction. The pattern refers to measuring from the “brim”, but this hat doesn’t have a brim. A brim sticks out, like a verandah. Sunhats, fedoras and panamas have brims. Beanies, yarmulkes and berets do not. And a baseball cap has a bill!
thanks, but no correction is needed 🙂
This section of a Hat is known by different things in different regions to different people.
What you call a ‘bill’ is known as a ‘peaked brim’ where I’m from; the type of brim you describe on a sun Hat is known as a ‘wide brim’ and the section of ribbing on a beanie or beret that ensures the Hat fits is simply a brim.
Thanks this is my go to for the homeless shelter this year. Jodi
I hope it keeps plenty of heads warm!
My favorite man’s hat pattern. My son wears his constantly. Thank you for offering some of your patterns free.
you’re most welcome, I’m glad it’s appreciated! It’s an oldie but a classic.
I try to offer as many free patterns as I can, and it’s only possible with the support of my Patreons 🙂