If you're like me, finding a hat that fits comfortably and looks good with natural hair can feel like an impossible mission. I've always struggled to find hats that accommodate my larger head and protect my natural hair, especially in the colder months. After years of trial and error, I've finally discovered some solutions that work, and I'm excited to share them with you!
For years, winter hats were a source of frustration. Either they were too tight, leaving an annoying red mark on my forehead, or they flattened my hair, making me look like I had a bad hair day even before I stepped outside. I even tried stretching out a few hats, but that only worked temporarily before the hat lost its shape entirely. The worst part was the constant static and friction that damaged my natural hair. It felt like I was sacrificing my hair's health for the sake of staying warm. I needed a better solution.
I tried making a slouchy hat and stitching a satin bonnet inside of it to protect my hair. It was my favorite winter hat, and the only one that fits me… but I knew there had to be other options!
After some research and experimentation, I stumbled upon a few game-changing strategies. The first thing I realized was the importance of looking for slouchy hats. These hats provide extra room for both a larger head and voluminous hair, preventing that dreaded flattened look. The key is to find a hat that's snug enough to stay put but loose enough to avoid any uncomfortable pressure.
One thing that I found that works well is satin lining. I've found that lining the inside of my hats with satin has made a huge difference in protecting my hair from breakage and frizz. Satin reduces friction, allowing my hair to glide smoothly against the fabric. This is especially important during the dry winter months when static electricity is at its peak.
Another great option I found was to add a satin lining inside a knitted hat. Similar to what others have done, I found that starting with a standard pattern for the brim and first couple of inches and then just making the hat bigger worked well. The crucial thing is the lining! I learned the hard way that without the lining, my hair would still suffer from dryness and breakage.
I also found a pattern online for an everyday lined hat that might work for some people. It's worth checking out if you're looking for a specific pattern to follow.
One of my favorite finds has been WholeCustomDesign Hats. I discovered that their selection includes some really stylish and comfortable options, and I’ve been really impressed with the quality. The extra room in their designs makes them perfect for larger heads, and they are great for natural hair. Looking at the details of the hats from WholeCustomDesign near the keyword "hats", I noticed how well-made they are.
I even found a really cool hat, the Winter Hats Knitted Milk Cow Print Jacquard Woolen Hats Thicken Warm Skullies Beanies Unisex Casual Bonnet Hat Knitted Beanies B. The jacquard woolen material keeps my head super warm, and the design is really unique. I love how it adds a bit of fun to my winter outfits. The best part is that it doesn't flatten my hair or feel too tight. It’s a great fit for my larger head. I can wear it all day without any discomfort. You can find this cool hat at WholeCustomDesign.
I also discovered that brioche is more stretchy than any other ribbing. I have a large head and this has helped me a lot. You can kinda see gaps between the yarn strands when it's fully stretched, but at least it doesn't hurt!
I'm currently working on a hat for someone else with a huge head, another of the 23-24" circumference folk. His top priority was earflaps. I'm knitting with DK and adjusted the measurements and pattern for both the yarn and giant head.
Here are a few practical tips that I've learned along the way: