Heel Stitch Hat
If unusual hats are what you enjoy knitting, you'll love these Heel Stitch Hats. Because of its stability, the heel stitch is typically set aside for use in the heel of knit socks. This creative design transforms the heel stitch into something much more - a hat! Made with cozy worsted weight yarn, this simple knit will keep you warm all winter long and looks great on both men and women alike.
Knitting Needle Size8 or 5 mm, Circular Knitting Needles, Double-Pointed Knitting Needles (DPNs)
Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)
Read NextUnisex Winter Hat
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3cats2love
Jan 07, 2017
I like this pattern, but the rolled bottom edge not so much. I can see it becoming stretched out over time from being pulled on when you put the hat on, plus I just like a more finished edge. I think if I made this I would substitute several rows of either garter stitch or rib knit stitch at the beginning of the pattern to make a band at the bottom.
Susan S
Jan 06, 2017
I really like the look of this hat. Since I've never knitted socks, this is a totally new stitch for me and I can't wait to try it. Once I master this I'll be less afraid of trying socks, too!
rkwwizard 9439714
Sep 25, 2012
Love the pattern, can't wait to try it, but it is insane to have to print 29 pages to get the pattern. Isn't there any way to separate out the pattern itself from the rest of the blog?
susanbrackin 28347 24
Sep 25, 2012
Highlight only the text and pictures that you want to print. Then right click on the printer icon on your screen ribbon and select "print preview". Where you see "as laid out on screen", click on the arrow next to it and select "as selected on screen." Now you'll see only what you've highlighted. Click print and you'll print only what you want.
Lisa
Sep 06, 2013
You don't have to highlight or print all those pages-instead of going into "print" on your computer-go into print preview-the page #'s will show up in a little box at the top-look to see which pages actually have the pattern, then when you go to "print"-when the print asks print all-change it to print page 2-6 or 3-5, then your printer will only print the pages you need. This is how you separate the pattern from the rest of the blog.
nita106 2220919
Jan 03, 2012
This looks like a warm hat and fun pattern. I love the multicolored yarns and would use a self-striping yarn. I would use the three needle bind off at the top since I've not had much luck with the kitchener stitch.
annieg1358 6573008
Jan 02, 2012
annieg1358 - Great simple design. I would do it in something like noro, or a solid color and embellish it for a boy or a girl.
Crafter 17881
Jan 01, 2012
I'm thinking these would make wonderful chemo caps! So first of all, of course, there would be pink for breast cancer. After that, anything goes - I prefer to let the people receiving their hats choose their own color(s). I'll bet self-striping would be cool!
peggystrout 995718 1
Jan 01, 2012
i love the white, and maybe some pink ones for my Granddaughters and navy blue for my Grandson....thanks
memawto2 9503153
Jan 01, 2012
I love the different look of these hats. I have made so many newborn hats lately they have all started to look alike. I would love to make my new grandbabies theses in bright colors, like green and orange to give them something different for a change.
saluthia
Dec 31, 2011
I love the pattern and the different sizes that can fit anyone on your gift list(including yourself). I am thinking of bold colors, variegated and stripes. What fun I will have!
Bouchelle
Dec 31, 2011
LOVE IT, been looking for one like this, clean design allows for many sizes and colors. Thank you
sewing 0010578
Dec 31, 2011
I would make these in bright colors for kids and women, and mute colors for men. This looks like a good pattern to learn how to do sock heels, which I need to learn. They also look like a good chemo hat, too.
drausch 7589150
Dec 31, 2011
omigosh, I was just downloading the pattern to knit for 3 males in the family and realized I could also knit it for my 9 yr granddaughter. She has a light gray coat and i think a cranberry yarn would knit up great. Can't wait to start!
drausch 7589150
Dec 31, 2011
I love them. i knit hats for my son, future son-in-law and nephew for Christmas and now will have to knit this pattern for them.
unicornseeker
Dec 31, 2011
The smallest one looks perfect for preemie heads. I'll be using pink and blue for my January donations to the local NICU. Thank you for sharing!
mimmykay 1261270
Dec 31, 2011
Love this style. Can't wait to knit one up for a night cap to keep bipap face mask in place without slipping. Bandana didn't work because knot caused pressure pain.
LazyBoyFanE
Dec 31, 2011
I've been trying to figure out how to KNIT vertical stripes (green & white for Michigan State) in the round. The K1P1 rib might just work. Like the style especially for a man. Thanks for sharing. Lazy.
karamenchaca1023 4 331111
Dec 31, 2011
OMG I WILL SO BE KNITTING THESE!!! I am going to try purple green pink yellow and a multi color for my son a combo of red black blue and green
RoseOfSharonDesign s2
Dec 31, 2011
What a great idea! This is, I'm sure, a VERY warm hat! Hat's off to you! :o)
roy77 1698812
Dec 31, 2011
love the pattern, I have started the first one. Will be making 2 for the youngest grandsons-first 2 inches in camo top in orange. I think they will look cute.
kpm65
Dec 31, 2011
I've just started making sock slippers-- how fun!! Bet these hats would be fun to make, too. I'd like to see them done in a yarn like Bernat's Mosaic or maybe another kind of art or self-striping yarn.
pejlsed 8654680
Dec 31, 2011
I have yet to make any socks. I want to try the double points, but I am little intimidated. I would to these in multi colors! Use up my scraps. I think any color would look great and they really look like something for the men. Just the simple construction and shape.
asnews 8038229
Dec 31, 2011
Nothing like a sock on the head to start the New Year off right! (jk)... These are fun, and I'm sure I'll be knitting more than one of them.... Colors? Neon blue; neon yellow and neon pink.
Caitlin
Jan 10, 2012
asnews - thanks so much for the comment and your color choices! You're the lucky winner of our free yarn contest. Contact us here with your address so we can send you your prize: http://www.allfreeknitting.com/index.php/hct/contact_us_page
layount 0667449
Dec 31, 2011
Vivd colors like Lion Brand's Amazing Yarn, and Deborah Norville's Everyday Print. I have made fabulous potholders, knitting in the round on circular #6 needles using the heel stitch or eye or partridge stitch. Create the tube in 100% cotton and sew the ends flat. Fantastic!
domesticangel57 79 58021
Dec 31, 2011
I would make these hats in different shades of denim blue, b/c everyone wears blue jeans!! And they could be worn more often!
tmello 7843420
Dec 31, 2011
I would use Bright Red! I learned to knit this past summer, and just finidhed my first knitted hat. I'm going to try this pattern.
Chocoholic
Dec 31, 2011
I don't care for the pattern. Looks like an appliance cover to me. Maybe it would like better in a pretty pastel color.
raehart 4337112
Dec 31, 2011
This pattern cries out to me for lots of bright stripes! Great way to use the yarn stash, and make a cheery hat to liven up cold gray winter days.
lferran2003 983681 8
Dec 31, 2011
I would like to make this hat in sunny yellow to brighten my wintery day.
stampladynv 473679 3
Dec 30, 2011
looks like a simple pattern to learn and be able to make chemo hats in many different colors but i wouls use a very light purple
mamastella3 067925 7
Dec 30, 2011
This looks like a great pattern for chemo hats, in which case I'd make them in a lot of different colors - starting with the white, as shown, because it looks great. Then I'd do lime green because that was the favorite color of my darling granddaughter who died of bone cancer at the age of 14. Then I'd just branch out into my stash for whatever colors I have in soft, cushy yarn. Thanks for the pattern link. I really like it.
Zoitsa
Dec 30, 2011
This hat will keep my son warm when he works outside in the cold winter days. I love the shape. I will knit it for him with a soft black yarn. :)
CHRISJAC34 6018213
Dec 30, 2011
Beautiful pattern, I will remember my dearest friends who have their battle with cancer and knit with a beautiful pink yarn
neengleman 0627624
Dec 30, 2011
It has a nice shape at the top I would knit it in a royal blue...
Knittingdancer on Ravelry
Dec 30, 2011
It has an interesting shape at the top. I would knit it in purple.
bcbarb
Dec 30, 2011
I like the shape of it. I'd make it in grey. Grey goes with practically everything.
juli1961
Dec 30, 2011
I'll make mine in cancer awareness colors for chemo caps for my local cancer center.
RoamingKnitter
Dec 30, 2011
Looks like it is a little fun and different hat. Think I would try it at least once.
momcooper
Dec 30, 2011
I think this is a very interesting pattern! I would make it more complicated for myself and knit it in vertical stripes! @nyloracshadow - it is called the heel stitch hat because it uses the K1, sl1 repeat pattern for the 1st row and only K for the second row. This stitch is used when working down the back of the heel.
nyloracshadow 5170 946
Dec 30, 2011
This is a practical way to make a hat, however I believe the pattern is mis-named. the Kitchener Stitch is used to finish the TOE of a sock, not the heel. I find it interesting that none of the comments mention that. The heel is made by making a flap first, then turning the heel by a number of decreases, then picking up stitches along edges of the heel flap, they knitting the gusset until the instep is reached. Then on to the toe, which is done by a series of decreases then the Kitchener Stitch. I am a sock knitter. Maybe the other commentators have no sock experience? Most any preferred color would be nice, brown for a fellow, or red if he is a hunter, or green. This hat could be made for just about any one of any age. Great idea.
Cheryl
Dec 30, 2011
I am going to be a Great Grandmother around February 5 and I am going to make this in a lime green for Daddy, a pretty pink for Mommy, and a lime green and pink for Baby Savannah to come home from the hospital wearing them as a connected family!!
Crafter 3361557
Dec 30, 2011
Love it. Would make quite a few, some with sparkle yarns for the granddaughters, striped wild ones for the boys, adding flowers and/or ruffles to make them really stand out.
gigilaff
Dec 30, 2011
I'm making a little one for my grandaughter in lavendar, but adding a ruffle .
hrbeck98 8817827
Dec 30, 2011
I like this hat a lot and am going to make a red one, probably the first of many!
RCG
Dec 30, 2011
I would surely like to have this hat pattern and would do them in different sizes and colors. Seems very simple. Even add a flower to them.
belford5488 314174 1
Dec 30, 2011
I think this hat will be a big hit with my hat collectors. Hope to use up much of my yarn stash with this pattern! Plain, starred, striped, you-name-it!
taraabbi 7027815
Dec 30, 2011
I would make these hats in many colors. Probably Hot sparkle pick for my 2 grand-daughters, rainbow colors for my others grand-daughter, dark colors for my grand-sons and pastel colors for my new grand-daughter. And with all the extra yarn I have I can make lots of hats for a charity. I can't wait to start.
kathy41449 3276199
Dec 30, 2011
I think these would ge great hats for my son-in-law and his friends who are snowboarders. They would look good and fit under the helmets!!!
roshwha1 1973502
Dec 30, 2011
These are strange looking and would work extremely well for sleeping caps for those of us who live in snow country when the wood stove has cooled for the night.
auroragrammy 35088 18
Dec 30, 2011
I love this hat ... I would make in all colors. Looks like it would be a great pattern for chemo, prenatal, etc. also.
calliewrathrbrwn 4 086317
Dec 30, 2011
This is a good basic pattern that will be easy to enhance. I think a light purple or pink would be good encouraging color for the cold weather for child or adult.
marirlpn
Dec 30, 2011
It's winter in Maine....so the colors I would choose would be a cheerful, bright, self-striping yarn.......and I love making socks and those are the colors I always choose for my winter time socks! Great idea making hats using the "heel" from socks!!
Desertlady
Dec 30, 2011
Use turquoise; brown and a variegated color scheme to knit these hats.
sherylrayome 66085 18
Dec 30, 2011
This technique could also be used in a larger version for a purse.
menck96 8017755
Dec 30, 2011
I love the look of this pattern. This hat provides a perfect background for any design you would want to put on it. Still it looks elegant in the simplicity so that one color is also a very attractive hat. Thank you so much for the pattern. I am going to make several straight away. I live in the cold mountains and hats are a must here. Happy New Year :)
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