1 skein (50g) Paton’s Stretch Socks Yarn; Color: Pumpkin Spice
Sock Yarn. Face it. It’s pretty stuff! The fiber content and color variations are endless and always seem to be so well matched. However, I’m not into making socks. (Truth be told, I don’t want to work that hard and stuff that pretty yarn into my shoes!) Since I’m a hat addict, the logical solution for me is to make a hat with it!
- Fact: It takes 2 skeins to make 1 pair of socks but only 1 to make a hat!
- Fact: As a general rule, self-striping yarn works better with knitting, however, you can get great results with single crochet!
- Fact: Gauge is not necessary if you use a Hat Sizing Chart with a Flat Circle Diameter notation. You can download all my charts here OR simply use the Crochet Hat Sizing Chart included with this Sock Yarn Hat Pattern. If you need help with hat sizing, check out this post on Hat Sizing Tricks and Troubleshooting.
- Fact: Sock yarn is usually a weight category of 1 (aka “Super Fine”), thereby needing small needles or hooks. I used a 3.5mm hook (aka “E” in American terms) thereby making the work go slower!
- Fact: The results are worth it.
- Opinion: I wouldn’t recommend the use of sock yarn to a beginner simply because of the fine yarn weight/small hook.
Video Tutorial:
This video explains the process and is recommended for beginners.
Sheepishly Sharing 
I love this! Amazing!
Sooo cute!
Thanks! It feeds my obsession for sock yarn! 🙂
Brillantly done! Thank you!
Do you know how much yardage this pattern uses? I can’t find Patons stretch yarn, only their kroy sock yarn, which has 170 yards.
Internet to the rescue (as usual)! A quick search told me this: Paton’s Stretch Socks Yarn 1.75 oz/50gm; 239 yds/219m and I used almost all of it!
But how did you add the ribbing? I can’t seem to find anything about how to add ribbing or any other type of stretchy band to a top-down hat 😦
The ribbing comes from the front and back post double crochet for the last few rows.
Looks like you’re about to learn a new skill! Yes, as stated in the pattern and as Nicole beat me to the reply, the ribbing is the front and back post double crochet and is the standard ribbing for crocheted hats. I didn’t demo this since I pointed out this wasn’t a pattern recommended for beginners BUT you can find several tutorials by searching YouTube for “front post back post double crochet.” It’s not hard once you understand the technique so have fun!
First off, I just want to say what a wonderful website this is. I recently stumbled across it trying to find hat patterns for my sister who was recently diagnosed with cancer, and I am so glad I did as I am loving a lot of the projects I have seen posted here, this hat especially!
I have a quick question regarding the ribbing though. I’ve made the main part of the hat and have finished that with no issue. I researched the “front post back post” ribbing that you mentioned and that seems to be no problem as well. I am mostly curious about transitioning from the single crochet stitch to the ribbing.
As you reach the end of the last single crochet round, do you taper it off with slip stitches first so that the edges of the hat look more even and then chain three to begin the ribbing? Or do you simply continue with single crochet stitches until the very end of the round, then immediately chain three and begin the ribbing in the next stitch?
I hope that makes sense as I am really not sure the best way to ask this, lol. I did try to research this further before posting here, but most of the tutorials I have found are for hats that have rounds joined together so transitioning to the ribbing part is pretty straightforward for those.
I am just worried I’ll spend hours going about it the wrong way and not realize it until later, so I was hoping you might be able to help give tips on that one tiny bit. The hat I have made so far though is wonderful, and I really like how it came out. I am definitely looking forward to making more of these in various colors for my sister to enjoy, and many thanks for introducing me to sock yarn!
I’m so sorry to hear about your sister! Good for you at being active in helping her be as comfortable as possible. (Cancer is all over my family so I’ve walked in your shoes. Mean ol’ disease.)
That’s a great question. You can do it either way. I think I just went directly into the double crochet ribbing and tapered off at the edge. The front post/back post helps hide the stich change even better. About 9 or 10 stiches from the end, continue the FP/BP ribbing but switch to half double crochet for about 3 stitches, then single, then end with a slip stitch or two. (I’m the queen of fudging.) If you’d feel better evening it up BEFORE you start the ribbing, that would be great, too!
Thank you so much for the fast reply! At first I had tried to do a few stitches of the ribbing using both methods, but I just didn’t feel confident going forward with either without a little guidance. I’m a little out of practice so my speed is already a bit slow, and what a bummer it would be to spend a long time on this only to end up with a lopsided hat, lol. Glad to hear both ways are acceptable though and thank you very much for tips on how to do both!
Sorry to hear members of your family have run into the same troubles as well. It certainly is a lot to take in and cope with. Hopefully some snazzy hats will at least help in the cheering up department. I can’t wait to finish this one and then try the super bulky hat tutorial as well that you posted. Those look pretty cute and like something I could have a lot of fun with.
Thank you again for the quick response and helpful advice, I really do appreciate it!
Hi! I just started making this hat. Any idea of how many rows total before you start only single crochet? And then approximately how many rows of single crochet?
Thank you!
No, I’m sorry, Rebekah! I simply do it by measurement. I stop/start when each section is as long as I want it. Measure a hat that you like and go from there!
Hi there,
Wonderful pattern! I just love sock yarn too. I was wondering if you would start with the same amount of stitches in the loop for every size hat? I’m making some toddler size and just wanted to make sure I started with the right amount.
Thanks!
Yes! The size of the hat is determined by the flat circle diameter. (The video on this page explains!)
I am not a beginner , I know the stitches and have made a few hats. However. As silly as this question is I’m just wondering how the hat finally takes it shape. I don’t want the ribbing on the end so I’m choosing to just end with single crochet So how does it take on the shape of the head when you stop increasing ? Thanks in advance !
If I’m understanding the question correctly (how the hat finally takes it’s shape?), it works just as any top-down crochet hat does. You begin by creating a flat circle caused by a series of rows containing increases. Once you reach the desired flat circle diameter (see the referenced chart) you stop increasing and the subsequent repeated rows of crochet will create a tube. You stop your tube when you reach your desired length. (If you’re not getting a tube, count your stitches to make sure you’re not accidentally increasing. You should have the exact same amount as your last increase row.)
when you say to not attach the loop, does that mean you don’t slip stitch to make the circle? when is this done?
Actually, it says “Rnd 1: 12 sc in a loop but don’t join!” This is simply the first step in doing any seamless hat. You do 12 single crochet into the center of the circle (as you would for any top-down hat) but instead of joining the last stitch to the top of the first stitch (which would give you a seam down the back), you just continue with instructions for Round 2. Be sure to use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each row.
Thank you, Best hat ever.
I’m so happy to have found your site! The crocheted beanie sock yarn pattern is exactly what I was searching for. I’ve just finished crocheting a teeny tiny infant sweater with an extended single crochet stitch and your hat pattern is a perfect compliment to the sweater. Starting today, so thank you so much!