David's Hat

 Imported from my old blog, Goods and Chattels:

Please note:  I make all my hat patterns free of charge to inspire crocheters to make hats for charity, particularly for Hat Not Hate.  Please feel free to redistribute this pattern, so long as you include this note.

I named this hat after my friend David, who lives in Dallas, which has had very bad winter weather lately, and who also travels frequently to Germany.  

Yarn:  Any worsted weight yarn.  I tend to favor budget yarns like Walmart's Mainstay brand or Hobby Lobby's Crafter's Secret.  I've never made my love for Lion Brand yarns a secret!

Hook:  H (5 mm) or I (5.5 mm)

Stitches:

Expanded half double crochet (EHDC):  YO, insert, pull through loop, YO, pull through 1 loop on hook, YO, pull through remaining 3 loops on hook

Linked double crochet (LDC):  Starting from previous DC, do not YO, but rather insert through lowest loop of DC, insert through stitch being worked, pull through loop, YO, pull through 2 loops on hook, YO, pull remaining through 2 loops. on hook

Linked double crochet 2 together (LDC2tog):  Starting from previous DC, do not YO, insert through lowest loop of DC, insert through 1st stitch being worked, pull through loop, YO, pull through 2 loops on hook, insert though lowest loop just worked, insert through next stitch, YO, pull through 2 loops on hook, YO, pull through remaining 3 loops on hook

(Linked DC is very well demonstrated in this video by Bitchin' Stitches:  https://youtu.be/38ieabUwGvc )

SSTJ:  slip stitch to join

Method:

ch 7 (9)

1. SC in 2nd ch from hook and every ch to the end (6/8)
2. Ch 1, turn;  using back loop only, SC in every stitch
3. Repeat step 2 until desired length is reached.  This should almost reach around the head of the wearer, so that by stretching the two ends  meet.  (Exact row count matters less than fit of the band.)  Do not tie off.
4. Join the two ends of the band together with SC or other method, ch1, turn work so that the edge of the band is accessible
5. SC in the side of every SC row in the band, SSTJ, ch1, turn work so that join is on the inside
6. EHDC in every SC, SSTJ, ch 1
7. EHDC in every EHDC, SSTJ, ch1
8. SC in every EHDC, SSTJ, ch1
9. DC in 1st st, LDC in next 9 st, LDC2tog in next 2 st, [:LDC in next 10 st, LDC2tog in next 2 st:] repeat to end, LDC in any remaining st, SSTJ, ch1
10. DC in 1st st, LDC in next 8 st, LDC2tog in next 2 st, [:LDC in next 9 st, LDC2tog in next 2 st:] repeat to end, LDC in any remaining st, SSTJ, ch1
11. DC in 1st st, LDC in next 7 st, LDC2tog in next 2 st, [:LDC in next 8 st, LDC2tog in next 2 st:] repeat to end, LDC in any remaining st, SSTJ, ch1
12. DC in 1st st, LDC in next 6 st, LDC2tog in next 2 st, [:LDC in next 7 st, LDC2tog in next 2 st:] repeat to end, LDC in any remaining st, SSTJ, ch1
13. DC in 1st st, LDC in next 5 st, LDC2tog in next 2 st, [:LDC in next 6 st, LDC2tog in next 2 st:] repeat to end, LDC in any remaining st, SSTJ, ch1
14. DC in 1st st, LDC in next 3 st, LDC2tog in next 2 st, [:LDC in next 4 st, LDC2tog in next 2 st:] repeat to end, LDC in any remaining st, SSTJ, ch1
15. DC in 1st st, LDC in next st, LDC2tog in next 2 st, [:LDC in next 2 st, LDC2tog in next 2 st:] repeat to end, LDC in any remaining st, SSTJ, ch1
16. DC in 1st st, [:LDC2tog in next 2 st:] repeat to end, LDC in any remaining st, SSTJ, ch1, tie off
17. Using loose end from step 16, sew in every st. to close up top
18. Use additional stitches to secure end
19. Bribe someone to pose for Instagram pictures