Rasta Tam Dreaddie Hats w/bills attatched!

OK, now I'm blushing....damn. Quit that!
Heh, Ok. Let me think. Oh yeah. The tam pattern is super easy and really adaptable to any gauge or kind of yarn. And when I write it out, you're gunna go- Dooohhhh! It's so obvious once you think it through. Something I don't really do often.. =0) I used to just feel things out and add increases and decreases whenever it looked like I needed them, but I find you get a much better shape when you pay attention to them and put them in at regular intervals.
So, for the tam, just
--make a small circle (chain 3 or 4 usually) and join with slip stitch, then
--chain up to whatever stitch you like to use if you like crocheting in rounds. If you like to just go and go like I do in a spiral, you can kinda just start stitching. I mainly use sc, and hdc I think it's called? Where you do *yo, insert hook, pull up a loop, yo, and pull through all loops on hook*. Anyway, then once you've got your circle,
--do as many stitches as you can fit inside the circle- just working into the big hole there. You'll probably get like, 6-12 maybe. Try to get an even number. Cause even numbers are cool and also divisible by 2. duh. Ok, then.
--Then the first time around, you're pretty much swatchin it- to see how many increases you'll need for the gauge and yarn you've got. Start out like this: (use whatever stitch you want- I'll just use sc as an ex. and don't forget to mark the beginning of the rounds with something)
--2 sc in every sc around. then
-- *2sc in 1st st, sc in nxt st*, repeat from * to * across.
-- *2sc in 1st st, sc in nxt 2 st*; repeat **
-- *2sc in 1st st, sc in nxt 3 st*; repeat **
-- *2sc in 1st st, sc in nxt 4 st*; repeat **
ETC. Keep going like this
--until you can either tell that it's going to lay flat, or you can see that it's getting ripply (too many increases) or it's cupping into a dome shape (too few increases).
--If you have too few or too many increases, rip it back until you're at the part where you're stitching into the big circle opening, and if you have too many increases, do fewer stitches in the circie. If you have too few increases, put more stitches into the circle. Then rinse and repeat until you get it to lie pretty much flat.
-- then keep increasing like that, adding one more sc between increases every round, until the frizbee thing is pretty big- depends on the amount of dreads going in how big you want it. Mine end up being about 12-13 inches for hats that fit a lot of dreads like mine. Smaller for someone without dreads.
--Then do a few rounds even- no increases. I do about 3 or 4 I think. Then start decreasing.
--Decrease in the same way as you increased. Look at the last row on increases- how many sc were between increases? 12? 15? Use that for the # of stitches between decreases, and work your way back down. 15, then 14, then 13, each round. with the decreases between. OK?
Then once it fits your head, stop and work a couple rows even again. then add the bill if you want.
***I realize the page I linked to is gone or having issues, so here's that pattern. I didn't write it, and I give mad props to the mama who did. She rocks the house and was super kynd to share!
Adding the Bill:
"used a worsted weight yarn and 5mm hook (size H?)

use a beret or tam recipe, something like this rasta tam or this granny beret might be neat.

When the crown of the hat is completed work the first two rows of sc for the band and tie off. (I started the band with a contrasting color.)

join yarn with a slip stitch about 15 sts from the center back.

row 1 - (working in the front loops only for this row) ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 24 sts turn

row 2 - ch 1, sc in same st, sc next 2 sts tog, sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts, sc next 2 sts tog, sc in next st, turn

row 3 - ch 1, sc in same st, sc next 2 sts tog, sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts, sc next 2 st tog, sc in next st, turn

row 4 - ch1, sc in same st, sc next 2 sts tog, sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 13 st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 st, sc next 2 sts tog, sc in next sc, turn

row 5 - ch 1, sc in same st, sc next 2 sts tog, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 17 sc, 2 sc in next st, sc next 2 sts tog, sc in next st. tie off.

join yarn with a slip stitch to center back and work 3 rows sc around band and brim (last row can be in a contrasting color, if you want.)"
In her own words, ladies. You got it here!
OK, go be creative!! And post pics here when you're done! I want to see, dammit! Or at least send me a message and a link to your thread!
Peace!
Sarah