Kin to a fedora, this classic, unisex hat lives up to its name. It can also be worn as a cloche/bucket hat, a bowler and a sou’wester.

It’s worked from the top down in joined rounds.

In some yarns, this is a lovely structured – even stiff-ish – hat, in which case you’ll want a hat with a finished measurement the same as your head circumference. In other yarns, the Snazzy has moderate stretch, in which case you’ll want a hat with a bit of negative ease (smaller than your head size). You can check the stretchiness – or lack thereof – of your hat fabric after a few rounds and/or before you add the brim, and make adjustments as needed.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference, unstretched, before hat widens for brim:
20 (21, 22, 23, 24) in./
51 (53, 56, 58, 61) cm
Depth:
Approx 9½ in./24 cm

You can either use a chunky-weight yarn for this hat, or use two strands of worsted-weight held together. For best results, use a yarn with body so that the brim will hold its shape. For instance, a sturdy wool or a beefy acrylic is preferable to a soft merino.

The 5-page PDF written pattern uses U.S. crochet terms. It’s been tested in The Happy Hookers Hangout, and I’m always happy to answer any questions about my patterns.

CORRECTION: The terminology and instructions for “back post single crochet” have been changed to “upper back post single crochet.” The updated PDF (as of 3/19/16) also has an illustration for the stitch.

The two variations of this stitch -- back post single crochet and upper back post single crochet -- look similar, but the “upper” version is flatter, and it’s the one used in the sample hats in the pattern photos.