Hat Crown Decreases
The crown of a top-down hat decreases gradually from the body diameter to a single point at the top. Done well, the decreases form a clean spiral or pinwheel pattern that becomes a feature of the finished hat.
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Setting up the decrease rounds
Divide the body stitches evenly into 6, 7, or 8 sections (most adult hats use 6 or 8 sections). Place a stitch marker at the start of each section. The decreases will happen at each marker.
Decrease pattern
On every other round, work k2tog at the end of each section (just before each marker). On alternate rounds, knit plain. As the diameter shrinks, switch to decreasing on every round.
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Finishing the crown
Continue decreases until 6–8 stitches remain. Cut a long tail. Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle and pass through all remaining stitches twice. Pull tight to close the hole and weave in.
Visual variations
For a left-leaning spiral, use ssk instead of k2tog. For a paired-decrease "starburst" effect, work both ssk and k2tog at each marker. For a "swirling" crown, offset the decrease columns by one stitch every few rounds.
Abbreviation reference
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| k2tog | knit two together |
| ssk | slip slip knit |
Tips
- For an adult hat, divide into 6 or 8 sections.
- Switch to decreasing on every round once 30–40 stitches remain.
- Pass the tail through the remaining stitches twice for a secure close.
In depth
Hat crown decreases reduce the circumference of the hat from full diameter to zero in a controlled, decorative way. The choice of decrease (k2tog, ssk, paired, centred) determines the visual effect at the crown — a feature that becomes the most-noticed detail of the finished hat.