Free Knitting Pattern...Cowgirl Braid Hat!

The Jessie hat is a fast and easy hat to make.  Wear it as a unique winter hat or as a cozy wig for a costume.  This cute and toasty hat is sized for preemie all the way up to an adult woman medium.  Instructions include the basic beanie pattern (flat or in the round...your choice!) and a helpful photo tutorial for making the braids.

**Scroll to the bottom of post for link to make the rest of the costume (no-sew!)

Jessie the Cowgirl Hat
By Jennifer Dickerson

Sizing:

• Preemie, Newborn/Baby, Toddler/Child, Teen/Adult Woman

Gauge:

• 14 Stitches and 19 Rows = 4 inches

Materials:

• 1 Skein Red Heart Super Saver in the "Cherry Red" colorway
• US 10.5 Straight needles (for knitting flat option)
• US 10.5 Circular needles and set of 4 US 10.5 DPNs (for knitting in the round option)
• Tapestry/Yarn Needle
• Small scrap of yellow yarn or a small piece of yellow ribbon

Abbreviations:

• CO: Cast on
• BO: Bind off
• K2tog: Knit two stitches together
• St st: Stockinette stitch
• WS: Wrong side
• PM: Place Marker

Instructions (both flat and in the round):

Instructions for Hat (knitted flat):
CO 40 (48, 56, 64), leaving a long tail for seaming up later.
Work 4 rows of K2, P2 ribbing (all sizes)
Switch to stockinette until hat reaches  6 (6, 6.25, 7.25) inches from CO edge.  (Note: Hat can be made regular length as indicated in pattern or made a bit shorter for a more wig-like look with wearer's ears showing)
End on a WS row and begin decrease.

Decrease (newborn and preemie only):
Row 1: K2, K2tog across row
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: K1, K2tog across row
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: K2tog across row
Using tapestry needle, break yarn leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining stitches and pull tightly. Seam up the back of hat and weave in ends.

Decrease: (all other sizes):
Row 1: K4, K2tog across
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: K3, K2tog across
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: K2, K2tog across
Row 6: Purl
Row 7: K1, K2tog across
Row 8: Purl
Row 9: K2tog across
Using tapestry needle, break yarn leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining stitches and pull tightly. Seam up the back of hat and weave in ends.  Fasten off.

Instructions for Hat (knitted in the round):
CO 40 (48, 56, 64), join in the round, being careful not to twist, PM
Work 4 rows of K2, P2 ribbing (all sizes)
Switch to stockinette (knit all rows) until hat reaches  6 (6, 6.25, 7.25) inches from CO edge.  (Note: Hat can be made regular length as indicated in pattern or made a bit shorter for a more wig-like look with wearer's ears showing)
Begin decrease below.

Decrease (preemie and newborn only):
*Note: Switch to DPNs when necessary.
Row 1: K2, K2tog around
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: K1, K2tog around
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: K2tog around
Using tapestry needle, break yarn leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining stitches and pull tightly.

Decrease (all other sizes):
*Note: Switch to DPNs when necessary.
Row 1: K4, K2tog around
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: K3, K2tog around
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: K2, K2tog around
Row 6: Knit
Row 7: K1, K2tog around
Row 8: Knit
Row 9: K2tog around

Using tapestry needle, break yarn leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining stitches and pull tightly.  Fasten off and weave in ends.

Instructions for braid (photo tutorial):
The yarn braid is made by inserting yarn strands through the back of hat, then braided.  To start you'll need the hat, scissors, a tapestry/yarn needle or crochet hook, a tape measure, and the same type of yarn used for the hat.  To finish off the braid, you'll also need a small piece of yellow yarn or ribbon.

I found it helpful to lay everything out first,

Cut several strands of yarn the length you'd like your braid, times two (you'll be pulling it through)

Flip the hat over to make the braid on the back (Hat shown is the seamed version)

Using the tapestry/yarn needle, pull a strand of yarn through.  Pull all the way so that both yarn ends are even.

Keep repeating this step with yarn strands...

 Until a cluster of "hair" is formed.  I would stop here and there and make a test braid as I worked so that I could make sure the braid would be thick enough as I added strands.

 After adding as many strands as you like, braid the yarn.  This step can get a bit tangly...ask a volunteer to wear the hat while you braid.  You could also clip the hat with a strong magnetic clip to the fridge or other magnetic surface and work the braid that way.

 Tie off the end with a matching piece of yarn and cut across (sharp scissors are especially helpful for this step, and yes those are my kitchen scissors!)

Finish off with a piece of yellow yarn (as shown above) or yellow ribbon.  Done!

Click here to make the rest of the costume (no-sew!)

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© Jennifer Dickerson 2013
Please note: Patterns are for personal and charity use only. In addition, if you enjoy the pattern, please link to it, but do not copy the pattern to your own website or blog (including other languages). Thank you!