Can someone please tell me how many stitches I need to cast on for a basic adult hat?

Question

I am knitting a hat with size 8 circular needles in the broken rib stich, I wanted to make a matching hat for a scarf I just finished and was curious as to how many stiches to cast on. In one of my books it says 100 but the last time I tried that well it was just way too big. Help please!!!
Thank You.

Answer 1

The number of stitches to cast on depends on your gauge, which is the number of stitches per inch. Gauge is affected by the thickness of the yarn, the size of the needles, and your tension (how loose or tight you knit). Everyone's tension is different, and you should never try to alter it. Instead, change the size of the needles.

You can use the scarf as a giant gauge swatch for a hat. Count the number of stitches across at least four inches, then divide the total number of stitches by the number of inches to calculate the number of stitches in one inch. (The more inches you count the more accurate the number will be, so don't just count the number of stitches in one inch.)

Measure your head, then subtract 10% for a perfect fit (because hats are stretchy). Multiply this number by the number of stitches in one inch to calculate the number of stitches you need to cast on. Round down to the closest number you can use for your desired stitch pattern. (For example, broken rib is usually worked over an odd number of stitches.)

Here are some patterns for broken rib hats:
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/na_knitting/article/0,2025,DIY_14141_5475587,00.html
http://www.p2designs.com/images/patterns/DennysBrokenRibHat.html
http://tiajudy.com/ribcaps.htm

Answer 2

You can easily figure this out by knitting a swatch of about 20 stitches and twenty rows to determine how many stitches per inch you need, then measure your own head. You want the cap to fit snug but not too tight.

Another alternative would be to check some patterns on line that use similar yarn and needle size to get an idea. I like lionbrand.com for their library of free patterns.

Answer 3

I use 60 stitches for an adult hat with worsted weight yarn & size 10½ circulars. With size 8 needles, I'd probably go up to 80 stitches. I make a lot of hats for our charity knitting group - 148 last year and 85 so far this year.

Answer 4

The ball band will tell what length needles to apply for that yarn. it is going to additionally allow you to comprehend the gauge you ought to get. From that suggestion you are able to calculate what number stitches to forged on. as an occasion the gauge is often given for a width of 10 cm. think the width of your hat is 30cm. the rigidity is sixteen stitches measures 10cm. you will forged on 30cm divided by 10cm = 3 X sixteen stitches =40 8 stitches. The length of the hat is beside the point to the form of stitches as you will in basic terms knit until the hat is long adequate.

Answer 5

Try doing something like a top up sock, but for a hat. Cast on about 10 - 15 stitches. and then increase (M1) every other row.
CO 10 stitches
R1- *M1, K2*
R2 - *M1, K3*
R3 - *M1, K4*
R4 - *M1, K5*
R5 - ....
Until you get the size you want then for a basic hat, you can knit every row until you get the length. This way doesn't matter what the guage is.

Answer 6

I usually cast on 94-96 if it's a rib stitch...this should be pretty standard, if it's a smaller head, 74-76 may work.

Answer 7

http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory.php
try this site there are loads of free patterns