How I knit a GO BIRDS hat!
I recently knit a "Go Birds" hat, and it turned out to be the perfect project for any Philadelphia sports fan, especially with the Super Bowl around the corner. I started by choosing soft, heavy worsted weight yarn in Philly green and white to give it that bold team look. Using a simple knit and purl stitch, I created a comfy, stretchy beanie that would keep me warm during those chilly game nights. To add the "Go Birds" slogan, I used the intarsia technique to incorporate the text into the pattern, making it stand out. It was a fun and easy way to show my team pride while preparing for the big game.
Skill Level: Intermediate (Intarsia color work)
Note: I am not selling anything any finished products or patterns to profit from the "Go Birds" slogan. This is just how I knit my personal hat. Go Birds is a trademark of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Materials I used:
• Woobles Yarn: 85 yards Ever-green Goddess, 75 yards Snow Place Like Home
Woobles Yarn on Amazon
Woobles Yarn at Joanns
Note: if not using Woobles yarn, I would look for a comparable gauge - likely a #5 yarn (thicker than worsted weight)
• US 8 (5 mm) straight or circular knitting needles Amazon
• US 9 (5.5 mm) straight or circular knitting needles Amazon
• Large pom-pom maker Amazon
• Tapestry Needle Amazon
• Cloth tape measure Amazon
• Scissors
• 2 Stitch Markers
Gauge: Flat stockinette on a US 9
14.5 sts x 20 rows = 4” x 4”
Finished Size (Adult Medium): Knit Circumference 18” - Fits up to 22.5” circumference head
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Cast-On
Using the US 8 knitting needle and the green yarn cast-on 70 stitches. I would recommend a stretchy cast on, such as the backward loop, long tail, or German twisted cast-on.
Ribbing
Ribbing Row: *Knit 1, Purl 1* repeat between the *s across the row
Continue working the ribbing row for 4.5”
Switch Yarn Colors & Stockinette
Cut your green yarn leaving an 18” tail. Begin working with the US 9 (5.5 mm) knitting needles and the white yarn.
Row 1 (Right Side): Knit across the row
Row 2 (Wrong Side): Purl across the row
Repeat Row 1 & Row 2 one additional time.
Chart
*Note the color work should be done using the intarsia technique with bobbins - I used 6 green bobbins (1 per letter), 5 white bobbins, and the original skein and one larger ball of white yarn for the 16 stitches on either side
Knit 16, Place a stitch marker, work row 1 of chart (right to left), place a stitch marker, Knit 16
Purl 16, slip stitch marker, work row 2 of chart (left to right), slip stitch marker, purl 16
Continue working in a similar manner for the 17 rows of the chart.
Stockinette & Decreases
Once the chart is complete, work 3 rows of stockinette (Purl row, Knit Row, Purl Row) in white yarn. You can also now cut your bobbins off and remove your stitch markers. When I cut my bobbins I left 8” tails to weave in.
Decrease Row 1: *Knit 12, K2T* Repeat between the *s 4 times, Knit 11, K2T, Knit 1
Decrease Row 2: Purl 1, P2T, Purl 10, *P2T, Purl 11* repeat between *’s 4 times
Decrease Row 3: *Knit 10, K2T* Repeat between the *s 4 times, Knit 9, K2T, Knit 1
Decrease Row 4: Purl 1, P2T, Purl 8, *P2T, Purl 9* repeat between *’s 4 times
Decrease Row 5: *Knit 8, K2T* Repeat between the *s 4 times, Knit 7, K2T, Knit 1
Decrease Row 6: Purl 1, P2T, Purl 6, *P2T, Purl 7* repeat between *’s 4 times
Decrease Row 7: *Knit 6, K2T* Repeat between the *s 4 times, Knit 5, K2T, Knit 1
Decrease Row 8: Purl 1, P2T, Purl 4, *P2T, Purl 5* repeat between *’s 4 times
Decrease Row 9: *Knit 4, K2T* Repeat between the *s 4 times, Knit 3, K2T, Knit 1
Decrease Row 10: Purl 1, P2T, Purl 2, *P2T, Purl 3* repeat between *’s 4 times
Decrease Row 11: *Knit 2, K2T* Repeat between the *s 4 times, Knit 1, K2T, Knit 1
Decrease Row 12: Purl 1, P2T, *P2T, Purl 1* repeat between *’s 4 times
After the decreases there should be 10 stitches remaining.
Cut yarn leaving 24” tail. Use a tapestry needle to thread the tail through the remaining stitches starting at the opposite stitch. Once the tail has been threaded through the stitches the stitches can be slid off the knitting needle. Tighten the tail to secure.
Use mattress stitch and the yarn tails to seam up the edge of the hat. For the brim, you will want to switch the seam side 3” from the edge so that the seam is not visible when the brim is folded over.
Blank Chart
If you are interested in creating your own design - here is a blank chart that would fit into the hat pattern!
