Hats are one of the first things people learn when learning to loom knit. But the questions abound. How do I made a brim? How do I keep it from rolling up? How many ways are there to make brims?
Glad you asked! There are various ways to make brims on hats depending on what kind of look you are wanting.
Rolled Brim
These are fun brims and makes an easy hat since all knit will roll up naturally.
How to work the rolled brim:
Cast on and knit all the rows after the cast on for approximately 3 inches. It doesn’t matter which version of the knit stitch you use or the type of cast on you use. All knits will curl.
Continue working the hat in whatever stitch pattern you wish and let the brim roll up on it’s own.
No Brim
These hats are worked in a stitch pattern that doesn’t curl. The entire hat is worked in the same stitch pattern for the entire length so that there isn’t a brim at the bottom.
How to work the no brim:
Cast on and work the entire hat in a stitch pattern that doesn’t curl like ribbing, garter stitch, basket weave, seed stitch, moss stitch, etc.
Turned Up Brim
Hats with turned up brims are just worked longer than the desired length so that the bottom may be turned up for the brim. Rib stitch is common for these types of brims.
How to work a turned up brim:
Cast on and work the brim in whichever stitch pattern desired for twice the length of the brim.
Continue working the remainder of the hat in whatever other stitch desired.
Folded Brim
This is usually the first type of brim most loom knitters learn since it can be worked with all knit such as e-wrap and won’t curl. This brim is double the thickness of the fabric since the work is folded up and attached to the rest of the hat as you go.
How to work the folded brim:
All knits or any stitch pattern can be used. Use the e-wrap cast on and work until the length is twice that desired for the brim.
Bring the cast on edge back up and place on the pegs so that the brim is folded up on the inside of the loom. There will be 2 loops on each peg.
Knit the bottom loop over the top loop and continue working the remainder of the hat.
Ribbed/Garter/Other Stitch Pattern Brims
These brims are just worked in whichever stitch pattern desired that is different from the rest of the hat.
While rib and garter are the most common stitch patterns to use for brims, any stitch pattern that doesn’t curl may be used.
How to work a stitch pattern brim:
Cast on and work the desired length of the brim in whichever stitch pattern desired.
Then continue with the remainder of the hat in another stitch pattern.
Brims can be just as varied as types of hats. A different brim will change the look of a hat as well. Each person prefers something different which is what makes life so varied and interesting.
Here’s to all the brims and variations that make our lives complete! Happy loom knitting!
Great article. As always I learn some thing very useful and explained very well
how do you get lattice look like on the rainbow hat with black ? or ive seen some with hearts and different designs
Katie Leeck, if you click on the picture, it will take you to the free pattern.
thanks Renita
I was just coming to this site to ask this very question! How would I do a brim in a different size than the hat itself? Using the A.I.O loom, and let’s say the brim in a 60 peg, but the hat itself in an 80 peg. Would I just add a M 1 on each round 5 pegs each side of the short side?
This is a very great concise article. Thank you for writing it. I always look forward to your articles. Hats were always frustrating for me. Things were looking awesome and after all that work it would eventually start to curl. I finally conquered it and I have made many cute hats for my grandkids. Easter is just around the corner. Maybe I’ll make the hats out of cotton.
What looks better a loomed beanie or a crochet beanie