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How To Knit A Baby Hat (Simple With Straight Needles)

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In this blog post, you will see how to knit a baby hat with easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions.

This is a basic pattern for beginners.

You will need to know how to cast on, casting off, the knit stitch, the purl stitch, and decreasing through K2tog and P2tog.

This baby hat is knit flat with straight needles and later seamed to finish.

Scroll down to view the free written instructions, or grab your printer-friendly, ad-free PDF here.

How To Knit A Baby Hat (Simple With Straight Needles)

Baby Hat Knitting Pattern – Straight Needles

Skill Level – Basic (Beginner)

Notes

Get ready to knit a cozy and adorable accessory for the littlest ones with this beginner-friendly baby beanie pattern, crafted using simple ribbing techniques.

This pattern is an excellent choice for those new to knitting, offering an easy and enjoyable introduction to basic ribbing that results in a stretchy, comfortable fit perfect for baby’s delicate head.

Whether you’re creating a heartfelt gift for a new parent or making a practical piece for your own baby, this simple ribbed baby beanie pattern promises a quick and satisfying knitting experience.

The hat is knit flat on straight needles and then seamed when complete.

If you like this pattern, you may also want to make the bulky weight yarn version here that includes baby sizes and a larger size for adults – How To Knit A Hat For Complete Beginners (+ Video Tutorial)

Copyright Info

  • Please do not copy, sell, redistribute, or republish this pattern. 
  • If you wish to share this pattern, please provide a link to the pattern page only.
  • You may sell items produced using this pattern.
  • Do NOT use the copyrighted photos for your product listing.
  • For the copyright T&C, please read my Terms of Use.
knitted baby hats
Knitted Hats in three sizes.

Size Information

  • This pattern is to fit baby size 0-3 months / 3-6 months / 6-9 months.
  • The first set of numbers applies to the small size, the second set to the medium size, and the third to the large size.
  • 0-3 months = Height = 5 inches / Width seamed = 6 inches
  • 3-6 months = Height = 6 inches / Width seamed = 6.5 inches
  • 6-9 months = Height = 7 inches/ Width seamed = 7 inches

Gauge – 22 sts and 28 rows in 4×4 inches/10×10 cm in pattern.

Baby wearing a knitted hat

The Supplies You Need

Yarn

Needles

Notions

baby hat knitting pattern

Knitting Abbreviations 

Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK)

  • Approx = Approximately
  • Beg = Begin(ning)
  • Cont = Continue(ing)
  • K = Knit
  • K2tog = Knit the next 2 stitches together
  • P = Purl
  • P2tog = Purl the next two stitches together
  • Rem = Remaining
  • Rep = Repeat
  • RS = Right side
  • St(s) = Stitch(es)
  • St St = Stocking Stitch
  • WS = Wrong side
newborn baby hat
A new baby wearing a little hat in the 0-3 month size.

How To Knit A Baby Hat – Pattern Instructions

Make knitted hats in three sizes to gift or donate to a local hospital plus it would also make a great baby shower gift.

The smallest size baby beanie is perfect for newborn babies to wear.

The pattern features basic knit stitches, including knit stitches and purl stitches.

Time needed: 3 hours and 30 minutes

How To Knit A Baby Hat

  1. The Turned Up Brim

    Cast on 66 (72, 78) sts (using the long tail cast on).
    Row 1 (RS): P1, K2 – rep to the end of the row.
    Row 2 (WS): P2, K1 – rep to the end of the row.
    Rep rows 1 and 2 until the piece measures 1.5″ (2″/2″) from the cast-on edge.baby hat tutorial step 1

  2. The Main Body Of The Hat

    Row 1 (RS): K1, P2 – rep to the end of the row.
    Row 2 (WS): K2, P1 – rep to the end of the row.
    Rep rows 1 and 2 until you have worked 7″ (8″/9″) from the cast-on edge ending with a WS row.baby hat tutorial step 2

  3. Decrease

    Row 1: K1, P2tog – rep to the end of the row.
    Row 2: K1, P1 – rep to the end of the row.
    Row 3: K2tog – rep to the end of the row.
    Row 4: Purl – rep to the end of the row.
    Row 5: K2tog – rep to the end of the row.
    Row 6: Purl – rep to the end of the row.
    Cut yarn, leaving a tail of around 15 inches.
    Thread through the rem sts and pull up tight.baby hat tutorial step 3

  4. Making Up

    The last step is seaming the two edges of the baby hat together.
    I used a seaming technique called the mattress stitch – The Mattress Stitch – How To Seam Knitting
    This allows you to create an invisible seam in your knitting so you don’t see where the edges meet.
    To do this you…
    Place the edges together – line them up.
    Start at the top of the hat, with the right sides facing you.
    Thread your needle and secure the top of the hat first with a stitch.
    Then start to push the needle through the first stitch on one side of the fabric edge.
    Then, move over to the other side and push your needle through the first stitch.
    Pull them together and continue to seam, picking up an edge stitch on one side and again on the other as you go.
    You can pick up stitches on every one bar or two bars on the edges – this is up to you. I generally pick up every 2 bars.
    Just be careful that what you do to one side of the knitting should also be done on the other side to keep them even.baby hat tutorial step 4

  5. Finishing

    When you come to the brim of the hat, you need to turn this over – so the right sides are facing you to seam.
    This is so you get an invisible seam on the right sides of the knitted fabric.
    When you have finished seaming, secure your yarn on the wrong side and weave in any loose ends.
    Your baby hat is now finished.baby hat tutorial step 5

  6. Turn The Brim Over

    Turn the brim over and finish by weaving in any loose ends. knit a baby hat

Grab The Ad-Free Printable PDF Pattern Here

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Could you share your work with us?

I love seeing your finished projects on social media.

If you enjoyed learning how to knit a baby hat, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.

If you are on Facebook, stop over to the Handylittleme Facebook Group and share a photo.

You can also check out my Facebook page here.

You can also find us on Pinterest, Ravelry, and Twitter.

I’d love to see your work.

Happy Knitting!

knitted baby hat and baby sweater

Can You Knit A Baby Hat With Straight Needles?

Yes, you can definitely knit a baby hat with straight needles!

While circular or double-pointed needles are often used for hats to knit in the round, creating a hat with straight needles is possible and a great option for beginners who might be more comfortable starting with straight needles.

Here’s a simplified overview of how you could approach this:

Materials Needed:

  • Soft, baby-friendly yarn (typically, a lightweight or DK yarn is a good choice).
  • A pair of straight knitting needles (size recommended for your yarn).
  • A tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends.

A Basic Level Knitting Pattern

If you are learning how to knit, modern baby knitting patterns are great to start with before you move on to more complicated patterns that include cables and other advanced techniques. 

When you knit a newborn hat you will be able to practice basic knitting stitches and learn to shape the top of the hat with simple decreases.

The hat is knit with straight needles and is seamed to finish.

This means that it is not knit in the round with circular needles.

basic baby hat knitting pattern

Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:

This easy knit hat pattern is great for any beginner knitters.

knit baby hat

More Baby Knitting Patterns

You may also be interested in making matching items to make a lovely handmade gift set.

Baby knitted set

More Patterns You May Be Interested In…

Related Posts:

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25 Comments

  1. Thanks for sharing your patterns. I’m a first time granny and would love baby knitting patterns. Would really appreciate it.

    Reply

  2. Thank you for the pattern! After a decrease row, do you start with knitting or purling for the 3 in between rows??

    Reply

    1. Hello Zaynab,
      If the decrease row you have just worked is on the right side – meaning it was a knit row, then the next row would be a purl row, because you are working in stockinette stitch.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

      Reply

    1. Hello Lisa,
      Thanks so much for your kind words, I’m so happy you enjoyed the pattern.
      Happy knitting!
      Louise

      Reply

    1. Hello Shira,
      The measurements are given in inches – for example, Rep rows 1 and 2 until the piece measures 2″ (2.5″/3″) from the cast-on edge.
      This would be 2 inches (2.5 inches/3 inches)
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

      Reply

  7. I think this might be a dumb question lol, but are you using circular knitting needles? And if you are, can this pattern be knit straight as well? Thanks!

    Reply

  9. Is the sizing for the above instructions for a size 0-3 month? If so how many additional stitches are needed to make a 3-6 month size?

    Reply

    1. Hello Crissy,
      This pattern is to fit baby sizes 0-3 months / 3-6 months / 6-9 months.
      The first set of numbers applies to the small size, the second set to the medium size, and the third to the large size.
      I hope that helps,
      Louise

      Reply

      1. Thank you! Since the 3-6 month hat is 61 stitches, an odd number, what do you do with the last/leftover stitch on Row 3 where it is knit 2 together to the end of the row?

        Reply

        1. Hello Crissy,
          If you have one stitch left on that row, you can K1 at the end of the row.
          I hope that helps!
          Louise

          Reply

        2. Hello 🙂

          I’m just wondering if for the 3-6 month size if there should be 60st cast on instead of 61? The brim pattern just doesn’t line up the same as the other sizes or maybe there’s a trick I’m missing?

          Thank you!

          Reply

          1. Hello Chrissy,
            Yes that should be cast on 60 stitches for that size.
            Thanks and happy knitting!
            Louise

  10. Hi there! Thank you for this wonderful pattern. I’m using it to knit my first hat. Question: when you say to “end on a WS row” for the main body of the hat before beginning the decrease, does that mean you should complete a WS wrong and then begin decrease, OR complete a RS row and then begin decrease?? Thank you!!

    Reply

    1. Hello Annie,
      This means the last row you worked was a (WS) – wrong side row, so the next row you will work for the decreases will be an (RS) – right side row.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

      Reply

    2. Thank you so much for answering my question! I have another one 🙂
      Can you please elaborate on what to do after finishing the 6th row of purl in the decrease section? The instructions are “Thread through the rem sts and pull up tight.” but I’m not really sure what to do – any help would be greatly appreciated!!

      Reply

      1. Hello Annie,
        You need to cut the length of the working yarn after that last row, thread a yarn needle/darning needle, and then thread that through the remaining stitches.
        Then you pull them closed tightly and start to seam the hat to finish it off.
        I hope that helps!
        Louise

        Reply