Checkmate Slouch Hat from Lion Brand is an easy beginner knitted hat. Download the pattern and give it a try. I have kitted more hats than I care to admit. This pattern uses Lion Brand Wool-Ease yarn and size six needles, but what if you are allergic to wool? No problem, we can still knit this hat. I used Red Heart Soft yarn in color light grey heather and size 8-16 inches circular needles. This yarn is machine washable. Just look at the texture in the picture of the checkerboard with a band of stockinette stitch. The circumference is the same 18 1/2 inch. Of course, this does depend on your tension when knitting.
This hat is knitted in the round started with circular needles and moving to double pointed needles for the crown. One tip that I have always used when starting in the round is to add an extra stitch when casting on. I would cast on 89 stitches and then knit the first two Stiches together. The reason why I do this is, so the first stitch does not pull up and have a hole in it. Use a marker or safety pin to mark the first stitch. Move the marker up each round or each checkered section. I am at the spot between the two checkered sections. I am starting the 8 rounds of stockinette stitch.
Below is a video of beginning to knit in the round for you to review.
I am using metal circular needles, which I do not recommend unless you are a real tight knitter. Bamboo needles are the best to keep your stitches even when knitting. The mate to this knitted hat is the knitted cowl at Yarnspirations. It is also knitted in the round using size 8–24-inch circular needles. If you want a looser cowl, check the gauge, which is 16 stitches equals 4 inches. This means that 4 stitches equal 1 inch. If you want your cowl to be circumference you would take 4 x 28 inches, which gives you 112 stitches to cast on. The pattern states to cast on 90 stitches for 22 1/2 in circumference [4 x 22.5=90]. Check your gauge to make sure you get the right size.
When you get to the second decrease is when you move from the circular needle to the double pointed needles. This is in round 9 of the shape crown where you will have 80 stitches. While working off the circular needles, knit the decrease and put 20 stitches onto the four double pointed needles. Keep your beginning stitch safety pin in tack as shown below in picture. Almost done and looking good.
Look at the final result
