Beginning at top with main color, ch 5, sl st in first ch to form ring.
Round 1: Ch 3, 12 dc in ring. Join with a sl st in top of ch 3. ch 2 (as the first dc for the next round).
Round 2: 2 dc in each dc around - 24 dc. Join with a sl st. ch 2 (as the first dc for the next round).
Round 3: (dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc) 12 times - 36 dc. Join with a sl st. ch 2 (as the first dc for the next round).
Round 4: (dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc) 12 times - 48 dc. Join with a sl st. ch 2 (as the first dc for the next round).
Rounds 5-12: dc in each dc around. Join with a sl st. ch 2 (as the first dc for each round).
Row 1: ch7. Sc in 1st ch from hook, hdc in 2nd ch, dc in 3rd ch, hdc in 4th ch, sc in 5th ch... around. Ch where you need a little extra 'give' at the pointy ends of the football to make it lie flat.
Row 2: Sc twice in 1st st, hdc twice in 2nd st, dc twice in 3rd st, hdc twice in 4th st, sc twice in 5th st... around. You may need to omit one or two stitches to make the football lie flat.
Row 3: Follow pattern as for rows 1 and 2, increasing where needed to obtain the football shape. The football on the hat in the photo is about3" x 4". You can pull it into a football shape as you stitch it onto the hat. However, before stitching the football onto the hat, add the 'seam' (+++) to the center of the football by adding backstitches in a contrasting color.
All of the hats can be stitched in any combination of team or favorite colors.
These sample hats were made and donated by Donna Casella.