Baby Beanie Hat Pattern (Cable Knit)
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.This baby beanie hat pattern is a great project for anyone who loves knitting cables.
The hat is knit with worsted/Aran yarn and uses less than 1 skein in total (with two colors).
Finished off with a pom-pom in a coordinating color, this hat will be perfect for the winter.
Scroll down for the free pattern or you can purchase a printer-friendly ad-free PDF here.
An Intermediate-Level Baby Hat Pattern
This is an intermediate pattern for those of you who are intermediate skill level and the techniques you will need to know are knit, purl, k2tog, cable stitches, and knitting in the round.
Using mainly knit and purl stitches, it will also introduce you to decreasing and shaping.
If you have never knit in the round before you can watch my video tutorial here. – How to join knitting in the round with circular knitting needles
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:
This baby beanie pattern is great for any intermediate-level knitters.
- Knitting cast-on methods
- Knitting Lessons
- How to knit – a complete beginner’s guide
- How to cast on knitting
- How to cast off knitting for total beginners (step by step)
- How to knit garter stitch
- How to knit the purl stitch (for beginners + a video tutorial)
- How to knit stockinette stitch (for beginners)
- How to read knitting patterns for beginners
- Knitting abbreviations and terms (US and UK)
- How to knit rib stitch
- How to knit two stitches together – K2tog
- How to join knitting in the round with circular knitting needles
Baby Beanie Hat Pattern (Cable Knit)
Purchase the inexpensive ad-free, printable PDF pattern in my shop here.
Pattern Notes
The hat knits up quickly and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.
The hat is knit from the bottom up starting with the rolled brim and working up changing color and starting the cable stitch patterns.
You can use any worsted-weight yarn in baby-friendly fibers including acrylic, yarns from Lion Brand, and any of your other favorite yarns.
The hat band and pom pom are made in a coordinating color, however, you could make this hat in stripes if you wish.
Copyright Info
- Please do not copy, sell, redistribute, or republish this pattern.
- If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
- You may sell items produced using this pattern.
- Do NOT use copyrighted photos for your product listing.
- For the copyright T&C please read my Terms of Use.
Skill Level – Intermediate
Size –
- Baby Size (months size) – 6-12 months
- Head circumference around 18/20 inches
- Hat length lying flat w/o pom = 9 inches
- Width lying flat = 5.5 inches
Gauge – 16 stitches x 24 rows in 4×4 inches/10×10 cm
The Supplies You Need…
Yarn
- 1 skein of yarn – Kartopu Melange Wool in Grey/100 g (3.5 oz)/170 m (185 yd)
- 1 skein of yarn – Kartopu Melange Wool in Light Grey/100 g (3.5 oz)/170 m (185 yd)
- This yarn is available from Hobium Yarns online.
- Worsted weight yarn/Aran weight yarn
- Yarn weight Medium 04
- Yarn Weight Guide (+ Conversion Chart)
Knitting Needles
- Set of 4 mm (US 6) 16-inch circular needles.
- Set of 5 mm (US 8) 16-inch circular needles.
- You may also need a set of 5 mm (US 8) Double pointed needles for the decreases.
- 5 mm (US 8) Cable needle.
Notions
Other Tools
- Pom pom maker Clover 2 – 1/2 inch Large.
Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK) List
- CO – Cast on
- Cont – Continue(ing)
- C2B – Cable 2 back – slip the next st onto a cable needle and hold at the back of the work, K1, then K1 from the cable needle.
- C4B – Cable 4 back – slip the next 2 sts onto a cable needle and hold at the back of the work, K2, then K2 from the cable needle.
- C6B – Cable 6 back – slip the next 3 sts onto a cable needle and hold at the back of the work, K3, then K3 from the cable needle.
- C6F – cable 6 forward – slip the next 3 sts onto a cable needle and hold at the front of the work, K3, then K3 from the cable needle.
- K – Knit
- K2tog – Knit the next 2 stitches together
- M1 – Make one stitch
- P – Purl
- P2tog – Purl the next 2 stitches together
- PM – Place marker
- Rep – Repeat
- St(s) – Stitch(es)
Pattern Instructions
- Yarn A – Grey
- Yarn B – Light Grey
Using 4 mm (US 6) 16″ circular needles and Yarn A – Cast on 62 sts, join in the round and pm, being careful not to twist the sts.
Round 1: *K1, P1 – rep from * to end of the round.
Rep round 1 until the brim of the hat measures 4 inches.
Change to 5mm (US 8) 16″ circular needles.
Next round: *K5, M1, – rep from * to last 2sts, K1, M1, K1. (75 sts).
Change to Yarn B.
- Round 1: *K9, P2, K2, P2 – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 2: *C6B, K3, P2, C2B, P2 – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 3: Rep round 1.
- Round 4: *K9, P2, C2B, P2 – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 5: Rep round 1.
- Round 6: *K3, C6F, P2, C2B, P2 – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 7: Rep round 1.
- Round 8: Rep round 4.
Rep round 1 through to round 8 until the piece measures 8 inches from the CO edge.
Decrease (you may need to use the 5mm (US 8) Double pointed needles for the decreases).
- Round 1 – *K2tog, K1 – 3 times, P2tog, K2, P2tog – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 2: *K6, P1, K2tog, P1 – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 3: *K6, P1, K1, P1 – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 4: *C4B, K2, P2tog, P1 – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 5: *K2tog, K1 – 2 times, P2tog – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 6: *K2tog twice, P1 – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 7: K2tog – rep from * to the end of the round.
Cut yarn leaving a long tail of around 10 inches.
Secure the last stitch closed and weave in any loose ends.
Make a pom pom in Yarn A and stitch it to the top of the hat.
More Cable Knitting Patterns
You may also like these free knitting patterns:
Share your work with us…
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If you enjoyed making the fingerless mitts, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.
If you are on Facebook, stop over to the Facebook group and share a photo.
You can also find me on Etsy and Pinterest.
I’d love to see your work!
Louise,
Thank you so much for your generous posting of these great patterns. They are beautiful and very welcome during this unusual & troubling time.
Very sincerely,
N.K.C.
Hello Nancy, thank you so much for your kind words, I’m so happy you like the patterns! Happy knitting 🙂
Thank you for your generosity in sharing your patterns. I now have some meaningful projects for the days ahead. I will definitely purchase from you in the future. Stay safe and take care.
Hello Maureen, thank you so much for your kind words!
I hope you enjoy the patterns, take care, Louise 🙂
Hi,
Love this pattern but am wondering if the gauge is measured using size 6 needles or size 8?
I look forward to hearing back from you.!
Linda
Hello Linda, the gauge was worked out with the larger size needles used in the pattern.
I hope that helps!
Louise
Thankyou for sharing this wonderful pattern. I am looking for a pattern for a 2-3 year old. Can your pattern be adapted for this as it is such a lovely pattern. Look forward to hearing back from you. xx
Hello Alison,
Sorry I only have this pattern for size 6-12 months for now.
To adjust you would have to cast on more stitches and work out the cable repeats evenly.
This hat pattern may interest you – https://www.handylittleme.com/kids-beanie-knitting-pattern/
Thanks,
Louise
Hello, I’m from Indonesia and I’m thankful for your baby beanie hat pattern. It’s my favorite WIP now. Can’t wait until it finishes and show to you. Thank you so much.
Hello Elisa,
I’m so happy that you are enjoying the pattern.
I would love to see a photo when you are finished, you can add it to the Handy Little Me Facebook group or tag me on Instagram @handylittleme.
Happy knitting!
Louise
Hi! I’m working on this hat right now & just wondering at what round of the pattern do you need to end on before starting the decrease rounds? This is my first time doing cables, and I’m in love with them!! Thank you so much for this beautiful pattern! I tweaked it a bit since I didn’t want the fold up brim. It is turning out so cute!
Hello Anna,
You will end the final round before the decreases – on round 8 so that you complete the 8 rounds of the pattern before you start to shape.
I hope that helps!
Louise
I am fairly new to knitting. In this pattern, in round 2 : C6B, K3, P2, C2B, P2
Does this mean cable 3 to the back K3, knit the 3 from the cable and then knit 3 again before the P2?
Thank you,
Hello Pari,
You would knit the cable C6B (see the abbreviations) and after that knit 3 sts, then purl 2sts, C2B, then Purl 2 sts.
These 3 sts that are after the C6B are not included in the cable.
I hope that helps!
Louise
Thank you that helps. I love this hat and want to knit it for my grandchild. Thank you for your quick response.
Have a good day!
I love this pattern! I just have a question regarding the start of the decreases. When it states, “k2tog, k1- 3 times…” I’m assuming this means the 2 together and a k1 3 times. Otherwise it would just say k3? Thanks for helping out an over thinker! 😊
Hello Vanessa, yes that is correct – you would K2tog (decrease), then K1 – 3 times.
So – K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1.
This doesn’t mean to K3.
I hope that helps!
Louise
Knitting loose. 2 needles.Tried 72 sts. Too big. Tried 58 stitches for beanie, too small . Have to knit 2 sizes smaller needles.
Charity DK Pullskein Acrylic wool .need help.
Best wishes
Rosaly
Hi Rosaly,
Thank you for your comment! It sounds like you’re adjusting the stitch count to get the right fit, which is a great approach.
Since you’re using Charity DK Pullskein Acrylic, and finding 72 stitches too big and 58 too small, knitting with two sizes smaller needles should help tighten the gauge.
Alternatively, you could try casting on 64 or 66 stitches as a middle ground, depending on how much smaller you need the beanie.
Another option is to check your gauge swatch to see how many stitches per inch you’re getting and adjust accordingly.
Let me know how it goes. 😊
Best wishes,
Louise