Basic Baby Hat
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This is a very basic baby hat in several sizes.
Sizes:
Preemie – 10″ circumference, 5.5″ high
Newborn – 12″ circumference, 6″ high
6 month – 14″ circumference, 7″ high
12 month – 16″ circumference, 7.5″ high
Toddler – 18″ circumference, 8″ high
Gauge:
22 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in stockinette
Materials:
0.5 to 1 oz (40 to 80 yards) of DK weight baby yarn
Size 6 (4 mm) 40″ circular needle (for magic loop) or set of size 6 (4 mm) double pointed needles
Yarn needle
Abbreviations:
k = knit
p = purl
k2tog = knit two together
ssk = slip one knitwise, slip one knitwise, insert left needle into front of both slipped stitches and knit.
Pattern:
Preemie – Cast on 60
Newborn – Cast on 72
6 month – Cast on 84
12 month – Cast on 96
Toddler – Cast on 108
Join to knit in the round. Divide stitches between double pointed needles or needles for a magic loop. Divide with multiples of 12 on each needle.
Ribbing (6 rounds for preemie size, 8 rounds for other sizes): k2, p2 repeated across round
Knit until the hat measures the desired height for size including the ribbing:
Preemie – 4.25″ high
Newborn – 4.75″ high
6 month – 5.75″ high
12 month – 6.25″ high
Toddler – 6.75″ high
Crown:
Repeat across the round
Rnd 1: k4, k2tog, ssk, k4
Rnd 2: k
Rnd 3: k3, k2tog, ssk, k3
Rnd 4: k
Rnd 5: k2, k2tog, ssk, k2
Rnd 6: k
Rnd 7: k1, k2tog, ssk, k1
Rnd 8: k
Rnd 9: k2tog, ssk
Cut the yarn with several inches to work with. With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops, secure and weave in end.
Just wondering if the size 6 needles required are British, Metric, or U.S.?
The size 6 is US, so 4 mm. I should have put 4 mm in the pattern as
well, so have now done that. Thanks for asking.
Hi again
I finally found time to knit your hat except I needed an all garter stitch to match a garter stitch jacket. As well, I used regular knitting needles (to knit flat). I began decreasing, but found that the k3 k2tog ssk would not work evenly working on the 72 stitches that were remaining after working the first decrease row starting with the 96 stitches (toddler size). What have I done wrong?
thanks,
Carolyn
The first decrease row should leave you with 80 stitches.
Rnd 1: k4, k2tog, ssk, k4
Make sure you are including both k4′s so that there are k8 between each decrease set.
I am a new knitter. What is a round? Can I use regular needles for a hat or do I have to use round ones. What exactly is a ssk. Is there any video on how it is done? The pattern I want is the cable baby hat, but I need it larger than a newborn. I need for 12 months. How many more stitches do I need to add?
Thank you for your help
Linda
If you’re a new knitter, you’ve probably stuck to straight needles so far or to put it another way, been knitting flat.
There are two other kinds of needles. Circular and double pointed. These allow you to knit in rounds, or circles.
This means if you want to knit stocking stitch you only use knit stitch.
If you want to knit this in the round, I’d get a circular needle to star, much easier to get the hang of.
Good luck
Does the circular needle need to be 40″? Isn’t 40″ too wide? I have not tried knitting in circulars but I thought the circumference of the circular needle should be the same as the head size of the hat. Please enlighten. Thanks!
The 40″ circular needle is for using the magic loop method for knitting in the round. (http://weebleknits.net/mloop.html) You can also use a 12″ or thereabouts circular and just convert to double pointed when you get to the crown.
Lovely patterns. Can you please email me – I am on the board of a non-profit organization and would like to discuss obtaining permission to use your patterns for various purposes.
hi i am lookink for a patton for knitting sock for 12 year old 5/12 st to 1 ins or sayell yarn please help me .ty
Hey, I was wondering if it made a huge difference if I used a size US 7 needle instead of 6? I know it may make the hat slightly bigger, but I have heard of others going a needle size up on different projects and they’ve turned out fine. Would I just have to cast on a few less stitches if I used one size bigger in the the needle? Thanks!
You might want to do a small swatch and check your gage with the larger needle. If it is going to be bigger than the given gage, you could cast on for one hat size smaller but then follow the height directions for the size you are making.
I am doing one on sz 7 needles, and just went down a size. It seems to be working. (I couldn’t find my 16″ sz 6, which means it is probably in a project… )
Thanks for sharing this. I was looking for patterns for small hats to dress some bears for charity.
[...] Last week I partook of Finished it Friday a couple of days early without knowing that by Friday my major project of the day would actually be a brand new baby, who arrived 3 weeks early. After finishing his Blanket, I made him a coming home hat, using a really easy baby hat pattern I found via ravelry. [...]
Could you please email me a few simple patterns for baby caps and booties. Thanks
All the patterns that I have for sharing are available here on the blog. These are the sites I visit when I’m looking for knitting patterns:
http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com
http://www.allfreeknitting.com
http://www.dailyknitter.com
http://www.knittingparadise.com
Just finished knitting the hat – it’s lovely. thank you
hi, thanks for the lovely pattern. a question: when i decrease, instead of transferring to dpns, can i transfer to a long circular needle and do the magic loop method?
thanks!
Absolutely. I make all the crowns of my hats using the magic loop. I actually make my baby hats entirely using the magic loop.
Can I use these instructions for knitting in the round or do I have to do the magic loop? Love the hat!
These instructions are written for knitting in the round, but you don’t have to use the magic loop. Use your favorite method.
Thank you so much!
Thanks so much for making this pattern available!
How many cast on stitches do I need to make for the toddler hat?
Thank you!
India
108
Thank you for this fast, easy pattern. It’s turned out beautifully with a self striping yarn!
I am not sure what magic loop is?
It is a method using a long circular needle of knitting small circumference items in the round. This web site explains it -
http://weebleknits.net/mloop.html
Help! Am I missing a special instruction for the preemie size hat? On the second decrease row (k3, k2 tog ssk, k3) I end up with one stitch extra at the end of the round. The other hat sizes work out correctly.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thank you.
Lisa
It should work out like the other sizes. For the preemie size you start with 60 stitches. The decrease round instructions are repeated 5 times. So the first repeat round will have 10 stitch reductions resulting in 50 stitches. The second decrease round will also be repeated 5 times. It takes 10 stitches and reduces them to 8, so a total of 50 to 40. Could you have possibly missed one of the reductions on the first reduction round?
Are you saying rounds 1 through 9 for the crown are repeated 5 times or each decrease round is repeated 5 times in a row? Thanks!
The cast on for the hat for preemie size is 60. The pattern is a repeat of 12 stitch, so for the preemie size, the instructions for each round are repeated across the round 5 times.
Hi I too would like to make premie and newborn hats to donate. Is it ok if I use your pattern for that purpose.
Stephanie
Absolutely.
Thank you so much!
I worked the pattern and it is so pretty.
Thank you!
Thanks! Exactly what I was looking for. A two month old who is recovering from cranial surgery thanks you!!
What brand yarn did you use to make this hat?
My example in the picture is made with Bernat Softee Baby Solids & Marls.
I am knitting with size 10 circular needles, double worsted yarn. 1 has a head size of 18″ and the other 19 1/2″. I am knitting with 4 gauge/1 in, 2 colors at once. Do I still cast on 108 stitches.
Thanks, Lynn
If the whole 4 stiches are within the inch, cast on 72. If the four stitches are a little more than an inch, cast on 60.
Will it matter too much between the head sizes of one child being a girl and one a boy?
Your tips have all been helpful.
Lynn
The hat will be stretchy so it will fit a range of sizes. The pattern is a multiple of 12, so with your gauge, will make a difference of about 3 inches between possible cast on amounts.
Can this hat possibly be slightly slouched for my toddler? If so what do I have to do?
Thanks in advance,
Ingrid
I would think just making it a little taller should do it.
Hi Heather,
This is a great basic baby hat pattern. I have had some requests from people to purchase my finished products of your pattern. Do I have your permission to sell this item made by me on Etsy or at craft fairs, if it comes along with your name and blog address for credit of your work?
Thanks kindly,
Dana
You have my permission. Thanks for asking.
Great hat pattern. My children 10,12,& 16 and I are making them for Hurricane Sandy victims on Long Island. It’s my hometown. Thanks for the simple and quick pattern.
Hi I have a question! For a 3mo boy would do the 72 or 80 CO? If I did 82 do you think size 5 needles should make it small enough?? Also may I make a few to donate to a charity? Thank you!!
CO 84 and use size 5 needles should be perfect.
Definitely make some for charity. I know they will be greatly appreciated.
Cool pattern! Great instructions and super easy to knit! Thanks!
Hi,
Found this pattern via ravellry, wanted to practice ‘knitting in the round’. Wooop!! I made the hat! Lovely easy pattern, popped my circular cherry, and apart from needing some practice on the last few rows (struggled a bit, must look I to this magic loop); success!!! I even made a mini Pom Pom on a fork! For the top. Love it!!!
I don’t have any babies to knit them for so will donate them.
Thank you so much!
Heather x
Hello — I really appreciate the pattern! Just one question: I’m on row 6 (or so) of the ribbing and my hat looks like a mobius strip. I’ve been knitting with circular (US 7) needles. Have I done something wrong/should I start over?
Thanks for the help!
Unfortunately it sounds like your cast on was twisted when you joined. There isn’t a cure for that but to start over.
I have just finished knitting my first hat for my grand daughter and just loved (must admit I used two needles) but I rwould like to knit for myself, could you please advise me as to how many stitches I would work with, thank you so much for tthe pattern
Cast on 120. In the crown, add two more rounds -
Rnd 10: k
Rnd 11: k2tog
Hi,
I just made your hat and it is really nice thanks. Except that I think there is a mistake in the decrease. For the even rows (2, 4, 6, etc.) It says knit but I think it should be purl otherwise it breaks the stockinette stitch pattern. I did as it said and it created garter stitch at the top of the hat (in the decrease). Am I right?
This pattern is written to be made in the round so that all work is done on the right side, so all rows are knit.
I used size 4 dpn, should I decrease the number I cast on?
Since you are using smaller needles you would actually increase the number you cast on to make the desired size.
I’m a two year old knitter, very new to making beanies. I’ve done a few adult beanies, but my first time at a baby hat. Hence:
The cast on stitches on this and the train track baby hat differ by 24 stitches for 12 months, why the difference? I get the yarns are different, but is the one used for the track hat thicker?
Thicker yarn and bigger needles, so different gauge.
What if I use 2mm pointed needles, how many stitches will I need to cast on?
Does your yarn call for 2mm needles? What is the gauge of your yarn?
Hello Mama, I have been knitting on and off since I was 5; (watching JFK funeral). The last two years I have been injured and am glad to be back with some light knitting. I have a anothre new gran son and I’m thrilled. I found your hat pattern, (lost my old) and it was wonderful. Many others are having babies and want me to make them some too. Do I have your permission to sell this hat? I will donate 1-4 ratio to our local children’s hospital.
I got a little lost when it came to the crown. Shall I assume”repeat across the crown” is literal? And do you k4 twice or k4 is back to the start? Also, how many stitches should be left after the first decrease round? (84 sts;6 mo size)
Thank you.
You can sell them. Thank you for asking.
Yes the k4 is twice. The first rnd reduces 14 stitches, so 70 remaining.
Great hat——-JUST TOO BAD I had to print 11 pages of comments to get 1 page of instructions.
There is a little printer icon at the top of the pattern that makes a page with just the pattern, perfect for printing.
Hi!
How should I modify the crown pattern if I’m casting on 74 stitches? I’m using cacasde 220 and have 4 stitches per inch for a 18.5″ circumference..
Thanks!
Loretta
Start the crown two rows early. K5, k2tog, K35, k2tog, k30. Do one more row of knit and then proceed with the crown as written.
Thanks for this practical resource! It knits up great. You’ve taken the guesswork out of basic hats. Before I found your pattern I can’t tell you how many times I’ve begun baby/children’s hats and had to take them apart and redo because I was using the trial and error method!
Lois
Hello,
How many double point needles do I need for this little cute hat? Is it 3, plus one working needle? I am very new to all of this.
This is actually just personal preference. Three and a working needle or four with a working needle are the usual setups. You might start with three and if that works for you, then great. If not, you always have the option of adding another needle.
Thank you! Are there different lengths of 4 mm double pointed needles? What length would be best for this? I saw that 40 mm is the length I would use if I did circular…so should I get 40 mm dpn?
Thank you again. I can see how many people you have personally responded to. I appreciate it.
The 40 for the circular length is inches which would be about 100 cm. I use a really long circular needle and use the magic loop method instead of using double pointed needles.
Most double pointed needles I use are about 8 inches or 20 cm long.
love this pattern, thanks! x
Thanks!
Loving this hat pattern! Super easy! I’m using sz 6 dpn and dk yarn… and i feel like this hat is measuring up WAY too big for a newborn.. but.. ive also never been AROUND newborns.. >_> Am I crazy? hahahah Thanks for the great pattern! I see you have a pdf button at the top, but theres no way to save it. Is it possible to download this pattern to keep on my nook?? Thanks!
Krista
If you hit the PDF button at the top it should give you a pop up with a clean printable version of the pattern. It also has a PDF button at the top. If you push that PDF button it will have a Download Your PDF button that should then give you the box to designate where you want to save the PDF.
OH! dang! I didnt wait long enough for it to ‘generate’ the pdf! Awesome! Thank you for answering so quickly!
What should I change to make this hat for my 5 year old? I made 2 of your King Charles Brocade newborn hats for our daughter (due in 8 weeks!) and they are lovely!
Thanks!
The toddler size should actually work. It finishes at 18″ which is the perfect size to stretch to a 20″ head.
I am a beginner so excuse my inexperience. Shouldn’t the crown be purl for rows 2, 4, 6, and 8?
This hat is made in-the-round, so that the work isn’t turned. All work is done on the front side.
Thanks for the lovely pattern! This is my first time knitting in the round and I’ve reached the end of the newborn pattern and still have 12 stitches. Is this the correct stopping point or should I continue to reduce so I have fewer loops to secure?
It’s personal preference. You can do a round of k2tog to reduce the stitches to 6 before securing.
I have never used circular needles. How do you join to the round.
Here is an instructional video I found that I hope helps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ajp0QUWYkk
Thanks a lot That’s a great help.
Just a quick question, since I didn’t see it in the pattern – since a DK weight is required, is the pattern knit with two strands together? just wanted to make sure before I cast on – can’t wait to get this knit up!
My measurements were based on single strand.
hi just wanted to ask I’m knitting the preemie hat but on straight needles how do i follow the decrease pattern? plz can you explain?
thank you
Nadia
Do the decrease rows on knit rows and purl the alternate rows.
Hello,
First of all, I LOVE this pattern.
What does DK stand for???
I have made 3 hats and counting. Best friends just had thier first baby and they LOVE hats.
I also wanted to ask your permission to make these hats from your pattern and sell them to others, and I also want to make a bunch and donate them to the local hospitals.
Just wanted to ask first, I seen others ask but I just didnt feel right doing so without asking first.
Thanks again.
DK stands for double knit. It’s a weight of yarn lighter than worsted but heavier than sport.
You can sell them. I do appreciate you asking.
Hi,
Love this pattern. I am fairly new to knitting and just using small circular needles. As I try to knit the ribbed rows it seems like my work is getting very twisted, going back and forth between knit and purl. I have ripped it out 5 times now. Any suggestions??
Give me more details about how it is twisting and I will try to help.
Hello,
This is my second attempt at making the newborn hat. I dont understand what im doing wrong. Its too little. I just remembered i used size 7 needles. I guess i need to check my gauge. If its too small do i cast on for the preemie size or for the next size up?
If you cast on for the preemie size before and it was too small, then cast on for the next size bigger.
You dont repeat each decrease round five times, right? Its just the pattern in each decrease round you would repeat. For instance the round 9 you would repeat k2tog, ssk until done with that round and not repeat the whole round 5 times.
Right. Repeat the pattern for that round.
Love this pattern! Super easy and very cute. I’m knitting for profit and would love permission to sell hats made from this pattern
You have my permission. Thanks for asking. Happy knitting.
Hi, I’m knitting (trying) a newborn hat and cast on for that size but the base looks HUGE! It doesn’t look like it will fit a baby. Does it magically shrink? I love making infinity scarves and rarely cast on more than 50 stitches for that and they go around adult shoulders. Am I missing something? Help!
It should measure 12 inches. Your gauge may differ.