Red resistance hats

If you would like to make your own red resistance hat and need a pattern that knits up quickly, here is one that can be made with a super bulky yarn (size 6). 

You can read about the history of the hats here, and how the Melt the ICE hat pattern is raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local nonprofits in our community in Minnesota. 

I'm not charging for my pattern, but I would encourage you to donate to organizations working on the ground here or in your own community. Everything helps. 

Materials

• 1 skein super bulky (size 6) red yarn such as Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in Cranberry
• Size 13 circular knitting needle in 16-inch length
• Set of 4 size 13 double-pointed needles
• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker
​• Scissors

*Note that other super bulky yarns will also work. Or, if you have a thinner yarn in your stash, you could double up the strands. 

The tail and tassel are worked separately so that you can include them or not. 

Instructions

Cast on 40 stitches. I like to use a loose cast-on so I can fold up the brim. Join, being careful not to twist the stitches and place marker. 

Work in K1 P1 ribbing all the way around for 5.5 inches. 

Switch to stockinette stitch and knit until your piece is 9 inches tall. 

Begin decreases. *Knit 6, K2TOG. Repeat for entire round.
Knit all stitches in next round. 
Continue decreasing in this manner:
Knit 5, K2TOG & repeat for rest of row. Knit the next row. 
Knit 4, K2TOG & repeat for rest of row. Knit the next row. 
Switch to double-pointed needles and divide stitches among 3 needles.
Knit 3, K2TOG & repeat for rest of row. Knit the next row. 
Knit 2, K2TOG & repeat for rest of row. 
Knit 1, K2TOG & repeat for rest of row. 
K2TOG & repeat for rest of row. 

Cut yarn, thread thread through yarn needle. Then thread yarn through remaining stitches and cinch to close up the top. Tie a knot and cut off excess yarn. 

Make I-Cord

I love this method! Cast on 4 stitches to one of your DPNs. Slide the stitches to the right side of the needle. Knit the four stitches (the yarn will be feeding from the back on the left side but that's okay). Slide the yarn back to the right and knit four again. Repeat this, sliding the yarn to the right each time you finish a row. When your cord measures 6 inches long, you can bind off the stitches or snip yarn and thread it through the stitches and cinch up the top. 
​

Make Tassel

Wrap some extra yarn around your palm a few times and cut it. Then cut another piece about 8 inches long. Take the wrapped yarn off your hand, keeping it looped, and then wrap the extra piece around the folded top (about an inch from the top) a few times and tie a tight knot. You can then cut all the strands at the bottom and trim them into an even fringe. 

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Attach I-Cord & Tassel

I'm sure there is an official way to do this, but I just used my yarn needle to sew the tassel to the tail and then sew the tail onto the top of the hat, hiding the knots on the inside of the hat. 

You could sew a piece of fleece to the inside to make it a little warmer. Stay warm and take care of each other!