The Dorian Hat is a fantastic project if you’re looking to explore the magic of brioche stitch! The adaptability of the pattern means you can either make a fitted hat OR one with the perfect amount of slouch, depending on your personal preference. When it comes to choosing colours to work with the striped design, you can go for a bold contrast by using a very light and very dark hue together, or pair similar hues together for a more subtle effect.

SIZES
Child: 12.25” / 31.25cm circumference, suggested to fit a head circumference of 13–18” / 33–46cm; 7.25” / 18.5cm OR 9.75” / 24.5cm long
Adult Small: 15” / 38.25cm circumference, suggested to fit a head circumference of 18–22” / 46–56cm; 7.75” / 19.75cm OR 10.25” / 25.75cm long
Adult Large: 17.75” / 45.25cm circumference, suggested to fit a head circumference of 22–24.75” / 56–63cm; 8.25” / 21cm OR 10.75” / 27cm long

Due to the flexible nature of brioche stitch, any size of these hats will fit a wide range of head circumferences.

YARN
DK weight / 8ply yarn, in 2 colours (Main Colour / MC is used for the brim and for the right side brioche knit columns, Contrast Colour / CC is used for the right side brioche purl columns). Worsted spun, plump, and Merino wool yarns work particularly well, either on superwash or non-superwash bases. Samples were knit using Yarn Trader Merino DK (100% superwash Merino; 245yds / 224m per 100g), MC: Herne, CC: Havisham Cream.

Please note that the following yardage requirements will vary if changes are made to the length of the brim or crown of the hat from what is suggested in the pattern, and will also vary with any differences in gauge.

Child Fitted Hat
MC: 82yds / 75m, CC: 55yds / 50m
Child Slouchy Hat
MC: 93yds / 85m, CC: 77yds / 70m

Adult Small Fitted Hat
MC: 99yds / 90m, CC: 66yds / 60m
Adult Small Slouchy Hat
MC: 115yds / 105m, CC: 88yds / 80m

Adult Large Fitted Hat
MC: 110yds / 100m, CC: 77yds / 70m
Adult Large Slouchy Hat
MC: 137yds / 125m, CC: 104yds / 95m

NEEDLES
– For main fabric: US 4 / 3.5mm, OR size to obtain gauge, at least 40” / 100cm length circular needle, double-pointed needles or short 16” / 40cm circular needle
– Optional for brim: needle 1 size smaller than size to obtain gauge, in chosen style for working in the round

NOTIONS
– 1 lockable, safety pin-style stitch marker, and 1 optional extra stitch marker / progress keeper for marking the beginning of round
– Optional for blocking: 1 round balloon
– Scissors
– Tape measure
– Tapestry needle

GAUGE
17.25 stitches x 50.5 rounds = 4” / 10cm, in 1 OR 2 colour brioche stitch on main fabric size needle, knit in the round and relaxed after blocking.

VIDEO TUTORIAL LINKS INCLUDED IN THIS PATTERN
– Long tail cast on method (with needles held doubled)
– How to work 1 colour brioche, in the round
– How to work 2 colour brioche, in the round
– How to work brioche decreases, in the round
– How to fix mistakes in brioche

Please note that this pattern ALSO includes photo tutorials for the specialty brioche stitches used. If you wish to print the pattern but want to save ink, and don’t need the photo tutorial pages, you can just print pages 1-6 by themselves!