Boyfriend's hat

I'm a little hesitant to start this piece, as the "finishing" part seems daunting. I know I don't have enough yarn to complete this, so I've just been practicing my "*hdc into back loop only*". It's actually pretty neat what happens when you do that. I'm thinking that would make for a cute scarf, or even just a cute embellishment on a hat or gloves (if I ever get that far) for just a couple rows. 

You'll notice that my starting row (bottom left) is curved inward. I think I picked up the wrong st when I finished off row 3, thus pulling rows 1 & 2 inward. For the record: you're going to (ch 2, turn. st 19, ch 2, turn, st 19). When you come back around & need to hdc st #19 into the one of the loops made by that 1st ch 2 - do so into the loop closest to the previous hdc. The same goes for all the following sts #19.

Also, when the pattern says that "each hdc and each turning ch 2 count as 1 st", it means that they each individually count as a single stitch, not together. I was confused about this at first, but made myself count stitches this time around. My ch 2 is st #1, and then I have 18 hdc, with st #19 hooking into the previous row's ch 2. (I do hope this makes sense, and if not, please let me know & I will try to explain it better)

I started this practice piece with 20 chains, followed by 19 sts (turning ch 2 & 18 hdc). I even checked my gauge this time around and you'll be glad to know that 18 sts is approx 4" (or 4.5", to be exact). I am using my 5.00 hook, per the pattern, so I probably need to make my sts a little smaller.

This is a Skill Level 2 (from CCK/Cozy Crochet Kit)
Stitches and techniques

Chain, half double crochet

Working into back loops only

Sewing seams

Materials

Lion Brand's Wool-Ease (worsted weight; 80% acrylic/20% wool; 3 oz/ 85 g; approx 197 yd/177 m), 2 balls Denim #114

Crochet hook, size H/8 (5.00 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge

In patt, 18 sts = 4"

Note

Each hdc and turning ch-2 counts as 1 st.

Finished size
Fits a man's head

Pattern

Ch 50.

Foundation Row (RS): Hdc into third ch from hook and into each ch across (49 sts). Ch 2, turn.

Patt Row: Skip first hdc, *hdc INTO BACK LOOK ONLY of next hdc. Repeat from * across, ending row with hdc into top of turning-ch-2. Ch 2, turn.

Repeat Patt Row until piece measures approx 22" from beg. Fasten off.

Finishing

Sew top of last row to bottom of foundation row. Weave yarn through sides of rows and pull tightly for top of hat.

Fold lower 3 1/2" for cuff.


Variations 
To make a matching woman's hat, ch 43. Work pattern as given above, having 42 sts every row, until piece measures approx 20: from beg. Fasten off. Follow the rest of the instructions for the man's version. Add a pom-pom to top, if desired.