How To Knit A Hat In The Round With Worsted Weight Yarn
Learn how to knit a hat in 11 sizes in this written pattern with step by step pictures. The sizing includes baby, child, teen and adults so you can make knit hats for everyone.
To make this basic beanie we’ll use circular needles and worsted weight yarn. Since this is very beginner friendly there is no crown shaping. You only need to know how to cast on, make the knit and purl stitch.
A simple hat is a great way to learn to knit in the round. And baby hats are a great project to use up little bits of yarn since they don’t take very much! A new hat makes a great gift any time of year.
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Materials
- 42 – 142 yd of *Lion Brand Wool Ease a #4 medium worsted weight yarn (80% Acrylic; 20% Wool, 197 yd (180 m) per 85 g skein) — 1 skein.
- 5 mm (US Size 8) 16” circular knitting needles* (or needle size needed to meet gauge). Optional 30”+ cables for magic loop to decrease.
- Measuring tape, yarn needle, stitch markers (2) and scissors.
Yarn By Size
Baby 0 – 3 mos ~ 42 yd (39 m)
Baby 3 – 6 mos ~ 53 yd (49 m)
Baby 6 – 12 mos ~ 62 yd (57 m)
12 – 24 mos ~ 71 yd (65 m)
Toddler 2 – 3 yrs ~ 83 yd (76 m)
Preschool 4 – 5 yrs ~ 92 yd (84 m)
Child 6 – 10 yrs ~ 102 yd (94 m)
Teen 11+ ~ 114 yd (104 m)
Sm Adult ~ 123 yd (113 m)
Med Adult ~ 133 yd (122 m)
Lg Adult ~ 142 yd (130 m)
Download the Hat Sizing Chart
Get this handy dandy chart so you can make perfectly fitting hats!
Construction
The hat is worked bottom up, with 1×1 ribbing for the brim. Then stockinette stitch for the body of the hat. Finally the top is cinched closed.
Notes
- This pattern is worked bottom up, in the round.
- Stitch multiple is 2. This means you can add or subtract to the number of stitches cast on in groups of 2.
Skill Level
Beginner
Gauge
4 sts x 5 rnds (after blocking) to 1” (2.5 cm) measured in St st.
To be sure your hat is the right size it’s important to knit a gauge swatch first. You can learn more about gauge here.
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Stitches / Abbreviations
US Terms
CO – cast on, I use the long tail cast on for this pattern but you can use another method if you prefer.
k – knit
p – purl
rep – repeat
RS – right side
st(s) – stitch(es)
St st – stockinette stitch
Tutorials
Join to Knit in the Round I love a simple technique and this is the easiest to me, so I recommend it for new knitters. You can join in a different method as well.
Sizing
The pattern includes different sizes, choose according to head size:
To fit age ~ head circumferences:
Baby 0 – 3 mos ~ 14” (35.5 cm)
Baby 3 – 6 mos ~ 15” (38 cm)
Baby 6 – 12 mos ~ 16” (40.5 cm)
12 – 24 mos ~ 17” (43 cm)
Toddler 2 – 3 yrs ~ 18” (45.5 cm)
Preschool 4 – 5 yrs ~ 19” (48 cm)
Child 6 – 10 yrs ~ 20” (51 cm)
Teen 11+ ~ 21” (53.5 cm)
Sm Adult ~ 22” (56 cm)
Med Adult ~ 23” (58.5 cm)
Lg Adult ~ 24” (61 cm)
Fit/Adjustments
This hat has a suggested 2” / 5 cm of negative ease. This means the finished hat is 2” / 5 cm smaller than the actual head circumference, and will stretch to fit.
This free hat pattern is intended to fit like a beanie, for a slouchy hat you can keep knitting to increase the height at least 2″ before moving on.
This easy hat pattern is designed for a beginner knitter to be able to make. If you are comfortable using magic loop to decrease I’ve added some optional crown decreases.
Video Tutorial
Watch the video on my YouTube!
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Scroll down for the free knitting pattern!
How to Knit a Hat for Beginners
Learn how to knit a simple stockinette hat in the round for beginners!
Materials
- 42 - 142 yds (39 - 130 m) of #4 medium worsted weight yarn; pictured in Lion Brand Wool Ease (80% Acrylic; 20% Wool, 197 yd/80m, 5 oz/140 g).
Tools
- 5 mm (US Size 8) 16" circular needles, or needle sizes needed to meet gauge.
- Tapestry needle, measuring tape, scissors.
Instructions
Baby 0 – 3 mos [Baby 3 – 6 mos, Baby 6 – 12 mos, 12 – 24 mos, Toddler, Preschool, Child, Teen, Sm Adult, Med Adult, Lg Adult ]
CO 50 [54, 58, 62, 66, 70, 74, 78, 82, 86, 90] sts using the long tail cast on,Place sm at beginning. At this gauge, 50 stitches is about as small as we can knit without doing magic loop method.
Join to work in the round: Spread the stitches out. Bring the needle tips together. With working yarn coming from right needle, knit the first stitch on the left needle, sliding it on to the right hand needle. Now you've joined in a circle.
ALL SIZES
Rnd 1. *K1, p1; rep * around. Here the first stitch was knit to join, now purl the second. Keep alternating between knits and purls all the way around.
Rnds 2 - 10. Rep Rnd 1. Knit in 1 x 1 rib stitch until your brim piece measures 2" tall.
Knit all the stitches.
Keep working in stockinette until your hat length reaches the measurements below.
Baby 0 – 3 mos
Rnds 7 - 16. K all. = 5.5” tall.
Baby 3 – 6 mos
Rnds 7 - 16. K all. = 6.5” tall.
Baby 6 – 12 mos
Rnds 7 - 16. K all. = 7” tall.
12 – 24 mos
Rnds 7 - 16. K all. = 7” tall.
Toddler
Rnds 7 - 20. K all. = 7.5” tall.
Preschool
Rnds 7 - 16. K all. = 8” tall.
Child
Rnds 7 - 24. K all. = 8” tall.
Teen
Rnds 7 - 24. *K all. = 8.5” tall.
Small Adult
Rnds 7 - 28. K all. = 8.5” tall
Med Adult
Rnds 7 - 28. K all. = 9” tall
.
Lg Adult
Rnds 7 - 28. K all. = 9.5” tall.
Go to Finishing to stop here, or to decrease using magic loop go to Crown.
Crown (Optional)
*If you would like to decrease the crown you will need to use magic loop method. Otherwise go to finishing.
Rnd 1. *K2tog, k rep from * around. (34, 36, 39, 42, 44, 47, 50, 52, 55, 58, 60 sts)
Rnd 2. *K2tog, k rep from around. Preschool, Child, Teen sizes will end with a k2tog. (24, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 33, 36, 38, 40, 40 sts)
Finishing
Cut a long tail. 8-12" is plenty of length. Thread tail on to yarn needle.
Weave long tail through all live stitches, remove needles and pull to close.
Optionally you may want to add a faux fur pom pom to the top of your hat.
Sew hole closed.
Weave in ends.
Notes
And there you have it, the perfect beginner hat! Go wear it out now!
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