My local team, the Cincinnati Bengals, went to the Super Bowl last year. The city was abuzz with excitement and swathed in orange and black. I didn’t have much Bengals spiritwear, so I decided to create an elevated hat design that didn’t look anything like the mass-produced gear sold in stores or at the little stands at the corner of every gas station.

Unlike all of the generic merchandise available, I created a hat with striking features like bold stripes and an oversized pompom. The line of scrimmage in football might be an imaginary line, but the lines or stripes on this hat are anything but invisible. In fact, they are its most prominent feature. Dramatic and distinct with a sporty-meets-stylish vibe, they’re reminiscent of the elastic bands on a vintage letterman’s jacket. Cute, right?

Where the stripes end is where the pompom begins, which is intentionally oversized, eye-catching, and full of fun. With soft, chunky yarn, it’s the ideal hat to wear when you’re attending a chilly football game, tailgating outside in the parking lot, and for everyday wear.

Not a Bengals fan? The colors of this hat are completely customizable. It can be made in any color combination, be it your favorite team’s colors or just your personal preference. Use the Materials section below as a yarn weight and brand guide, and feel free to substitute any colors. Share your creation on Instagram by tagging @nickibyrnescrochet. I can’t wait to see what you create!

Skill level: Easy

Dimensions: 11” wide x 13” long, including pom-pom (22” circumference at brim)

Materials:

Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick super bulky (super chunky) weight acrylic/wool yarn (6 oz/106 yds/170g per skein):
1 skein Fisherman
1 skein Pumpkin
Craft Smart Value Solid Yarn medium weight acrylic (7 oz/354 yds/198 g per skein):
1 skein Black (you will only need a small amount, as this is for the pompom; if you have scrap worsted weight black yarn, that will work perfectly)
Size N/P/15/10mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
Tapestry needle
Large Clover pompom maker
Scissors

Abbreviations:

Rnd (s) = Round(s)
Ch = Chain
St = Stitch
Lp(s) = Loop(s)
Sl st = Slip stitch
Sc = Single crochet
Hdc blo = Half double crochet back loop only
Rep = Repeat
WSO = Wrong side out
RSO = Right side out

Pattern Notes:

• Hat is worked in repeated rows of half double crochet back loop only stitches
• Two rows are completed in one color before switching to the next
• When changing color, do not cut yarn; carry yarn along wrong side of work until needed for next set of two rows
• Special stitch: half double crochet back loop only (hdc blo): Yo, insert hook in back lp of st, yo, pull up a lp, yo, draw through all 3 lps
Gauge:

8 hdc blo stitches = 4”
4.5 rows hdc blo = 4”

Pattern:

Rnd 1: With Fisherman yarn, ch 23. Hdc in third ch from hook (beg 2 ch do not count as a st) and in each ch across (21)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc blo (see Pattern Notes) in first st and in each st across. Change color to Pumpkin in last st (21)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, turn, hdc blo in each st across (21)

Rnd 4: Ch 1, turn, hdc blo in each st across, changing color to Fisherman in last st (21)

Rnds 5-24: Rep Rnds 3-4, changing colors at end of even numbered rows. At end of Rnds 22 and 24, do not cut; you will use for finishing. (21)

Finishing:

To create the vertical hat seam, take the strand of Pumpkin from Rnd 24 and cut a tail 24” long. Hold first and last rows (Rnd 1 and Rnd 24) together with WSO. Use a yarn needle and mattress stitch in front lps of the first row (Rnd 1) and back lps of the last row (Rnd 24). Fasten off.

Using the strand of Fisherman from Rnd 22, cut a tail 18” long. With hat RSO and a yarn needle, weave through end of every other row at hat top. Pull to close, leaving just a small opening. Do not cut or weave in tail until pompom is attached.

Pompom:

Hold all 3 strands of yarn together (Fisherman, Pumpkin, and worsted weight black) and follow manufacturer’s directions. Leave 4” tails. Thread tails through center of hat top.

Finishing:

Weave remaining hat tail (from seaming hat opening) up through center of pompom, over slightly, and back down through pompom. Weave across opening once and repeat process, going back up and down pompom in an alternate direction. Pull tight and weave tail across opening a few times until securely closed. Knot pompom tails around this tail twice to secure before weaving in all ends.

This pattern and its images are copyright protected and the sole property of Nicki Byrnes Crochet. The written pattern is for personal use only. Purchase of the pattern does not entitle the purchaser to redistribute, transfer, or sell the pattern or to alter it to claim as his/her own. If you sell the finished product, credit Nicki Byrnes Crochet as the designer and provide a link to www.nickibyrnescrochet.com in your listing.