This simple slouch/touque is a quick, mindless, easy knit for both guys and gals.

Because, let’s face it; guys are picky. It can’t be too detailed, in a girly colour or contain un-manly motifs. Here then, is a base pattern for a very simple hat that can be worn slouchy or not, and dressed up easily for the more adventurous.

This pattern was originally written for one skein of Malabrigo Arroyo, but a few folks have pointed out that they can’t find the colour I used, so I have altered the pattern to use one skein of Tanis Fiber Arts Yellow Label DK weight. Tanis has an amazing selection of ‘guy friendly’ colours, including Charcoal, Spruce, Graphite, Ravine and more. Enough to make sure that even the most manly men can find something they’ll wear ;)

This pattern is also a good option for more variegated yarns, so if you’re looking for a great way to use up a skein of Blue Brick yarn, this might be the ticket!

Gauge: 22 stitches = 4 inches – Size: 19.5, (22) inches around

Materials:

• 1 skein of Tanis Fiber Arts Yellow Lable DK  (sample shown in ‘charcoal’).
• 4 mm circular needles and 4 mm dpns
• 1 Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle for weaving in your ends

Construction:

(You read right, it’s a man-hat after all!)

C/O (108), 120 stitches and join for knitting in the round

• Rows 1 – 22 – Work in k2, p2 ribbing
• Row 23 (increase round): *K8, kfb* repeat from * to end 123, (135 stitches)
• Knit all stitches for 6 rows
• Purl all stitches for 2 rows

Main hat body:

• *Knit all stitches for 12 rows
• Purl all stitches for 2 rows*

Repeat from * 2 more times

• Knit all stitches for 8 more rows.
• Work 1 row of decreases as follows:
• Row 9: *K8, k2tog* repeat from * to end (120 stitches)
• Knit all stitches for 3 rows
• Purl all stitches for 2 rows

Begin crown shaping (switch to dpns when needed)

• Row 1: *k10, k2tog* Repeat from * to end
• Row 2: *k9, k2tog* Repeat from * to end
• Row 3: *k8, k2tog* Repeat from * to end
• Row 4: *k7, k2tog* Repeat from * to end
• Row 5: *k6, k2tog* Repeat from * to end
• Row 6: *k5, k2tog* Repeat from * to end
• Row 7: *k4, k2tog* Repeat from * to end
• Row 8: *k3, k2tog* Repeat from * to end
• Row 9: *k 2, k2tog* Repeat from * to end
• Row 10: *k1, k2tog* Repeat from * to end
• Row 11&12: *k2tog* Repeat from * to end

Cut yarn leaving a long tail. Use the tapestry needle to weave this tail through the remaining stitches and pull to close.

Wet-block to relax the yarn and enjoy!