Hmmm, so I do have a secret Santa. I wonder. There was no snide comment on the condition of my current hat so it couldn't be Sinsull.

If you are from an area of the world that I am not then anything special from your neck of the woods would be fine.

I guess part of the fun is in the detective work. Let me review the clues:

"Brett old son" This would indicate to me an American, possibly with a southwestern or midwestern origin.

Then there is a comment on finding a pattern to make the hat in question. This is someone who is handy with cloth. That sems to point to a woman thought the use of "old son" might indicate a man. Hmmm. Gonna have to skull this one out.