
I was inspired to make this hat by a few knit hats I had seen floating about the Instagram space plus I had a skein of Caron Simply Soft Tweeds begging me to turn it into something. So of course because I am a sucker for texture (see here or here for proof) I decided my hubby needed yet another hat.
I decided to start off with a post stitch ribbed brim for two reasons. One, its a lot faster than working the brim flat and I was anxious to try out these stitches. Two, I always feel like this style brim is a little tighter around the head. Since this hat is for my hubby I wanted something that would stay on well no matter what he was doing.
Once I got going on the pattern I kept thinking it reminded me of the Mackinac Bridge! If you’ve never seen the Mighty Mac, it is currently one of the world’s longest suspension bridges and spans 5 miles connecting Michigan’s lower and upper peninsulas. The straight post stitches reminded me of the pillars and the diagonal post stitches of the cables between.
I actually enjoyed making this so much I am working on a hot pink slouchy version for myself. Hopefully my hubby won’t mind that we’re matchy-matchy, haha.
You can purchase an inexpensive ad-free version of this pattern on Ravelry.
Materials
- 1 skein of Caron Simply Soft (5oz/250 yds per skein) or similar #4 worsted weight yarn
- 5mm/H crochet hook
- Needle to weave in ends
- Scissors
Gauge and Sizing
- Gauge: 7 double crochets x 4 rows = 2 in
- Finished hat measures: 8.5 in tall x 9.5 in wide while laying flat.
- Adult size
Abbreviations
- I use US Terminology
- Ch(s): chain(s)
- Dc: double crochet
- FpDc: front post double crochet
- BpDc: back post double crochet
- FpDtr: front post double treble crochet
- St(s): stitch(es)
- Sl st: slip stitch
- Hdc: half double crochet
- Hdc2tog: half double crochet 2 together, half double crochet decrease
Notes
Special stitch: front post double treble crochet: yo 3 times, under stitch as indicated from front to back to front, yo and pull up loop, [yo, pull through 2 loops] x4.
Ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
If you want to make a slouchy version of this hat repeat round 5 until it’s the desired height keeping in mind the decreasing rounds will add 2 inches.
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Pattern
Band
Rnd 1: Ch 72, join to form ring. Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), dc in same ch as ch 2 and in each ch around. Join to top of 1st dc with sl st. (72)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, FpDc around same st as ch 1, FpDc around next, Bpdc around next, * FpDc around next 2 sts, BpDc around next, repeat from * around. Join to top of 1st FpDc with sl st. (72)
Rnd 3: Repeat round 2 (72)
Body
Rnd 4: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2 and in each st around. Join to top of 1st dc with sl st. (72)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, FpDc around same st as ch 1 and around next. Dc in next. Skip 3 st. FpDtr around next. Working behind FpDtr just made, leave 1st skipped st open and dc in next 6. Working in front of the dc sts just made, FpDtr around stitch immediately to the left of last FpDtr 3 stitches back. Skip 1 st, Dc in next. * FpDc around next 2 sts. Dc in next. Skip 3 st. FpDtr around next. Working behind FpDtr just made, leave 1 skipped st and dc in next 6. Working in front of the dc sts just made, FpDtr around stitch immediately to the left of last FpDtr. Skip 1 st, Dc in next. Repeat from * around. Join to top of 1st FpDc with sl st. (72)
Rnd 6-14: repeat round 5. (72)
Decreasing rounds
Rnd 15: Ch 1, FpDc around same st as ch 1 and next. Hdc in next 10, FpDc around next 2 sts. *hdc in next 10 sts, FpDc around next 2. Repeat from * around. Join to top of 1st FpDc with sl st. (72)
Rnd 16: Ch 1, FpDc around same st as ch 1 and next. [Hdc2tog over next 2 sts. Hdc in next 3] x2 * FpDc around next 2. [Hdc2tog over next 2 sts. Hdc in next 3] x2. Repeat from * around. Join to top of 1st FpDc with sl st. (60)
Rnd 17: Ch 1, FpDc around same st as ch 1 and next. [Hdc2tog over next 2 sts. Hdc in next 2] x2 * FpDc around next 2. [Hdc2tog over next 2 sts. Hdc in next 2] x2. Repeat from * around. Join to top of 1st FpDc with sl st. (48)
Rnd 18: Ch 1, FpDc around same st as ch 1 and next. 3 Hdc2Tog over next 6 sts. *FpDc around next 2 sts. 3 Hdc2Tog over next 6 sts. Repeat from * around. Join to top of 1st FpDc with sl st. (30)
Rnd 19-20: Ch 1, Hdc2tog around. Join to top of 1st hdc2tog with sl st. Counts are not important for these last 2 rounds so if it doesn’t work out perfectly just fudge it and move on. On last round, finish off leaving a long tail. Weave tail in and out around small hole in top of hat and pull to cinch closed. Weave in ends.
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Hi! This was my first attempt at making something beyond easy/beginner even though I’ve been crocheting for years! Once I figured out what I was doing it went great! I am wondering though if this pattern is available to make in other sizes? What is the stich multiple?
I love the look of this Bernie and will definitely have a go at making it.. I am a visual learner so wondered if there was a video tutorial for this stitch on you tube
Beanie, not Bernie lol
Thanks for this neat pattern! Even though I’m still relatively new to crocheting, I caught on to this one really quick. 🙂
I just loved making this hat! I found it very relaxing as there isn’t much counting needed. And I think the pattern is just beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
How can I make it smaller for a woman? Should I go down to 62 chain stitches?
Second this!
When doing the first fpdtr, the stitch before it gets elongated and is loose and unsightly. I can’t seem to keep it tight on the hook as I do the treble. Do you have any tricks?
My hat is coming out with an extremely large circumference and has no stretch along the base (the first row of stitches has no stretch and is extremely tight but the rest is fine). Any tips?
I have pulled out row 5 three times already. I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong☹️. How many repeats of the pattern should there be in total? Perhaps I can figure out where my mistake is if I knew that.
Sorry – this might be clearer
Lyn Note for Round 5: the 2 FpDc sts will match the 2 FpDc sts below, on the band, but put the Round 5 FpDc’s around the POSTS of Round 4 dc sts. Then you have Round 4 Dc sts so you can make the 6 Dc. The single Dc sts match a BpDc on the band’s round 3. Repeat = 4 sets of FpDc on the band.
Thank you for this awesome (intermediate level) pattern! I too read and re-read the Round 5 instructions, and when I finally got it I made these notes:
Note for round 5: the 2 FpDc sts will match the 2 FpDc sts below, on the band, but put the round 5 sts in round 4 dc sts! The single Dc sts match a BpDc on the band’s round 3.
Hope this helps.
I am left handed so before I try, can you tell me if this pattern will work for me when I crochet from left to right?
I just started making this pattern. I’m a lefty too. It took me a while to figure out that the 2nd FpDtr goes to the stitch immediately to the right of the 1st FpDtr instead of the left. Maybe you’ve figured that out by now but hope this helps.
I would love to make this hat but as a novice I am having a hard time figuring out the pattern. Has anyone made a tutorial video? Or would be willing to? I would love to make this.