We’ve discussed the basics of measuring yourself for sweaters, but there are plenty of other useful (and oft overlooked) measurements out there! When’s the last time you measured your head—if ever?
Though hand-knit hats are generally forgiving when it comes to sizing, having accurate measurements will always be handy for any customization you’d like to do. Plus, these numbers aren’t likely to change—you just have to measure once! You’ll need a soft, sturdy measuring tape, a pencil, our Measuring Worksheet, and a mirror.
To determine your size, you’ll just need two measurements:
[A] Circumference: Measure around the roundest part of your head—just above your ears, your brow, and around the back of your skull.
[B] Crown: This one requires a little bit of extra math. Measure from your brow bone, over the top of your head to just under the bone at the base of your skull. Divide the resulting number by two and you’ll have your crown length.
For most hat styles, you’ll want your finished hat to measure 1/2-2″ less than your head circumference. This slight bit of negative ease helps your hat stay snugly on your head, but without popping off. How you’d like a hat to fit otherwise is entirely up to you!
Close around your noggin like our Fair Winds Beanie?
Or maybe with a bit of casual slouch, like our Thinking Cap?
Perhaps you’d like to keep your options open with a topper that can do both, like our Boyfriend Watch Cap!
Most Churchmouse Classics hat patterns tend to be one-size-fits-all—a medium adult size, or just about 20-23″/51-58cm—with a few exceptions. For example, the Boyfriend Watch Cap is designed in one size (so you can ‘borrow’ it back from your significant other) while our Windy City Cap, designed to be close-fitting, has sizing instructions for small, medium, and large. Our Ribbed Watch Cap & Beanie pattern offers a child’s size, as well!
There are a few things you can do to customize the fit of your hat. Different styles of brim—1×1 ribbing, 2×2 ribbing, or a rolled brim formed from simple stockinette—lend more or less stretch. Adjust the crown length to give you more or less slouch. Follow the patterns’ instructions for sizing up or sizing down within the stitch pattern—this usually requires a little more math to make sure the decreases in your crown align properly. You can also go up or down a needle size—just be sure to swatch!