How long should I knit a hat before decreasing?

How long should a hat be before decreasing?

Distance from the cast-on edge

• Baby 4”

• Toddler 5”

• Child 6”

• Women’s. 7-8”

• Men’s.  8-8.5”

These are just estimates. The answer is really dependent on when and how the decreases are implemented. If you prefer a slouchy look, add 1-2” to the length.

This hat is actually a beanie length, but she’s wearing it farther back on her head for a slouchier look.

 

Knitting a hat without a pattern can be tricky!

It’s sort of like children’s pajamas.  I always look at my boys’ footie pajamas & think, “that can’t be right!  It’s way too long”. But inevitably, they fit perfectly, or maybe even a little too short.

I look at hats I’m knitting and feel the same way.  (Especially when they’re fingering weight!). But the fabric has to cover not only the height of the head, but also the shape of the head.  I like my hat to cover my ears, to protect from the wind, and that requires a surprising amount of extra length.

 

What’s the difference between a beanie hat and a slouchy hat?

Beanie and slouchy are just two different styles of the same knit hat.  A beanie will be form-fitted, “hugging” the head.  These beanies, “toques”, or “watchman caps” have been popular since knitting was invented.  But fashions change, and throughout history, hat wear has been a way to express your personal style.  So, by adding 1-2” to the body of the hat, a slouchy look can be created.  Typically, a hat will have a ribbed brim around the forehead, which helps keep the hat in place on the head.  Then, the knitted body of the hat, and finally, the decrease section, which allows the open tube to close at the top and keep the head warm.  

How do I knit a slouchy hat?

In order to make your beanie hat pattern into a slouch, simply work an additional 1-2” of length during the body section, consistent with whatever stitch pattern you’re using for that section.  If there’s a more complicated stitch pattern, the designer may have written the pattern for both the beanie and the slouch.  I have written both in Debbie’s Toboggan. 

This version of the Debbie’s Toboggan is pretty slouchy, in part, because of the extra long fold-over brim.

How slouchy is too slouchy for a knit hat?

Really, the sky’s the limit for hat length!  You can get a fun & crazy look by knitting a long time.  Eventually, the weight of the extra fabric will pull the hat too far back to be worn.  For most applications, just an extra 1-2” will give the style you want.

How do I know if I want to knit a beanie or a slouchy hat?

Start paying attention to how hats are fitted on the people around you.  Which hats do you like?  Which do you think would look good on you?  If you’re knitting for someone else, maybe ask the recipient, or someone close to them, what they would prefer.  It’s all just a matter of choice and style.

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