Adding a Hang-Tab to Your Hat

If like me, you are tired of always misplacing your hats and struggling to find one just when you need to run out the door, here is a solution:

Add a hang-tab! That way, you can keep the hat together with your coat, hanging on the coat rack and always ready to go when you are.

My Stalk and Pip Beret pattern includes instructions for adding this detail as part of the design, but really you can add it to any hat pattern.

Here I have added it to the Expanding Rib Beanie, which I made with the leftover yarn from my previously-shown Top-Twist Beanie. It occurred to me to include this feature at the last minute. I am now thoroughly enjoying the benefits, and you can too -

If working brim-up: After finishing the crown decreases as described in your pattern, decrease further until there are only 4 stitches left on the needles if working with DK or finer, or 3 stitches if using yarn thicker than DK. Then switch to a smaller needle (at least 1mm smaller) and work an i-cord for approximately 6cm (or as preferred), bind off, and affix the tip of the i-cord to the main fabric, resulting in a loop.

If working tip-down: Start with needles at least 1mm smaller than your working needles, and work an i-cord (either a 4 stitch i-cord if working with DK or finer, or 3 stitches if using yarn thicker than DK) for approximately 6cm (or as preferred). Then switch to your working needle size, and increase stitches as needed to get the cast-on numbers in your pattern. Skip the cast-on instructions but otherwise proceed with the pattern as-written. At the end, affix the tip of the i-cord to the main fabric, resulting in a loop.

Hang tight and enjoy!