Knit headgear with hole

Abstract

A hat is provided, such as a knit winter cap, that includes a hole surrounded by stitching that provides a barrier from unraveling or unweaving of the hat. The hat provides a hole for a ponytail to extend through such that the wearer's hair does not cause air gaps which would otherwise reduce the hat's effectiveness in protecting the wearer from environmental elements.

1 . A hat comprising: 
 a thread yarn material suitable for protection from cold air;    a construction pattern for the yarn that stretches and contracts upon application and release, respectively, of force upon the hat;    a shape suitable for securing the hat around a person's head so as to conform to the contours of the head to substantially minimize gaps between the hat and the head;    a hole formed in the hat positioned for receiving an amount of hair of the person;    edge stitching along a periphery of the hole to secure and retain the thread yarn material thereat; and    a substantially closed-path of stitching around the edge stitching.    
   
   
       2 . The hat of  claim 1  wherein the closed-path of stitching is a barrier such that stretching forces upon the hat are not transmitted to the edge stitching.  
   
   
       3 . The hat of  claim 1  wherein a decoration may be included between the edge stitching and the closed-path of stitching.  
   
   
       4 . The hat of  claim 3  wherein the closed-path of stitching is a barrier such that stretching forces upon the hat are not transmitted to the decoration.  
   
   
       5 . The hat of  claim 1  wherein the hole may be generally positioned at a crown of the head.  
   
   
       6 . The hat of  claim 5  wherein the hole may receive a ponytail of the person.  
   
   
       7 . The hat of  claim 6  wherein the hole is approximately two inches in diameter.  
   
   
       8 . A method of forming a hat including: 
 providing a knit cap;    providing a desired position for a hole for a particular wearer of the hat;    stitching a periphery defining the hole in the desired position; and    removing material of the hat within the periphery of the hole.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the steps further include stitching a second periphery around and spaced from the stitched periphery defining the hole.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the steps further include decorating the space between the stitched peripheries.