Winter Trails Hat Pattern

I made so many hats lately, it is almost ridiculous.  I have been on the hunt for a good men's crocheted hat pattern, and have made more than a few for my husband (a man of many hats...). A while ago, I was introduced to front post double crochet.  This stitch thickens a hat by popping the top of the stitches of the previous row to the inside, creating almost a second layer.  It adds an extra bit of warmth and softness that is much appreciated on chilly winter mornings. I like the stitch so much, I came up with a hat made almost entirely of front post double crochet.  Enjoy!

How to do Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc): 
Set up like you are going to do a normal double crochet stitch: yo, but instead of sticking your hook through the top of the dc stitch of the previous row, you will stick your crochet hook just to the right of the post of the double crochet stitch of the previous row, and poke your hook back out toward you on the other side of the post of that stitch, so that the post of the dc stitch from the previous row is popped toward you on your hook...

Then, finish like you would a normal double crochet stitch: yo, pull loop through behind dc st of previous row, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, yo, pull through last 2 loops on hook.

Supplies: 

• Size J (6mm) crochet hook 
• 1 skein (170 yards/156 meters) medium worsted weight yarn (I used Lion's Brand Vanna's Choice in Charcoal Grey)
• Scissors

Abbreviations:

• ch - chain
• slst - slip stitch
• st - stitch
• sc - single crochet
• dc - double crochet
• fpdc - front post double crochet (see directions above)

To begin: make magic ring, or adjustable ring

Round 1:  ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), 11 dc in magic ring (12 sts)

Round 2:  ch 2 (does not count as a stitch, here and throughout the rest of the pattern), 2fpdc in the same st, 2 fpdc in each st around, join with slst to top of first fpdc (24 sts)

Round 3: ch 2, fpdc in same st, 2 fpdc in next st, *fpdc in fpdc, 2 fpdc in next fpdc,* repeat * * around, join with slst to top of first fpdc (36 sts)

Round 4: ch 2, fpdc in same st, fpdc in next st, 2 fpdc in next fpdc, *fpdc in next 2 fpdc, 2 fpdc in next fpdc,* repeat * * around, join with slst to top of first fpdc (48 sts)

Round 5: ch 2, fpdc in same st, fpdc in next 2 sts, 2 fpdc in next fpdc, *fpdc in next 3 fpdc, 2 fpdc in next fpdc,* repeat * * around, join with slst to top of first fpdc (60 sts)

At this point you have a choice, depending on how large you would like your hat to be.  You can either continue the increasing rows with Round 6, or skip right to Round 7.  For the hat I made, I decided to go straight to Round 7, skipping round 6.  The resulting hat has a snugger fit on my husband's head, and fits me rather comfortably.  You could also make that hat even smaller (child size) by stopping at one of the previous rounds, as well... three cheers for versatility! 

Round 6: (optional) ch 2, fpdc in same st, fpdc in next 3 sts, 2 fpdc in next fpdc, *fpdc in next 4 fpdc, 2 fpdc in next fpdc,* repeat * * around, join with slst to top of first fpdc (72 sts)

Round 7-22: ch 2, fpdc in same st, fpdc in each fpdc around, join with slst to top of first fpdc (60 or 72 sts)

Again, another choice. You can make the hat as long or as short as you need.  I tend to make hats on the long side so they are sure to cover ears, but make as many rounds of the fpdc as you like.

Round 23-25: ch 1, sc in back loop only of same st, sc in back look only of each st around, join with slst to top of 1st sc (60 or 72 sts)

To finish: Break thread, tie off yarn, weave in ends.

Popped it on my head and snapped a photo to show the shape.

Happy trails!


Winter Trails Hat Pattern by Emily Bittel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.