Totally Loopy Winter Hat

This hat will probably be the most customizable hat you've ever made!  You can use any yarn or hook you want, and you can make this hat for anyone of any age!  Let's get started!

Brim

1. Use foundation single crochet and make the first row as long as you'd like it to be.  Make sure to use an EVEN number of stitches.  Join to the first stitch with a slip stitch.          Note: If the hat is for you, just wrap it around your head from time to time to see if it fits.  If the hat isn't for you, you can measure it using a sizing chart online.
2. Ch 1.  Hdc in same stitch, and in every stitch the whole way around.  Slip stitch to first stitch
3. Ch 1.  Fpdc in the same stitch.  (Bpdc, fpdc) around.  The last stitch of the row should be a bpdc.  Slip stitch to the first stitch
4. Repeat row 3 until the brim is as wide as you'd like it to be.  I usually make mine about 2 inches. If you're using a super bulky yarn, you may even want to skip the (fpdc, bpdc) rows and move onto the body of the hat!

Body of hat - the fun part!

1. ch1.  Sc in same stitch and in following stitch.  (Ch 8, sc in 2 stitches) the whole way around.  The end of round will be a ch 8.  Slip stitch to first sc of row
2. ch 2.  Dc in same stitch, and each stitch around, ignoring the ch8 loops.  The loops will need to hang to the front of your work, but you can always push them to the front after you're done the row.  There should be 2 dc in between each ch8 loop.  When you reach the end of the row, slip stitch to first dc of row.
3. Repeat row 1, only this time you will pull the new ch-8 loops you make through the previous set of loops, from back to front.  You can do this either as you go along or when you're finished your row.  

4. Repeat row 2.  Don't worry if your loops keep separating, you can put them back together very easily! 

Continue repeating rows 1 and 2

Until your hat is the height you want it to be.  Make sure you end the hat on a row where you are making ch-8 loops.  Note: If the recipient of the hat isn’t around to try it on, use a hat sizing chart (plenty on google!) to determine how tall the hat should be based on age of recipient.  

Finishing off the hat:  cut 2 pieces of yarn that are about 12 inches long.  Using both pieces at once (this makes it more sturdy!), string the yarn through all the loops of the final row, making sure not to miss any!  Pull tight and tie a knot to make sure it stays cinched together tightly!  (I like to turn my hat inside out before I pull tight and tie the knot, so it won't be visible from the outside). Now weave in all the ends and enjoy your hat!