Make a gift for your man that he will love with this free men’s hat knitting pattern.
This ribbed beanie hat and matching cowl are great projects to knit up on circular needles.
Scroll down for the free pattern or you can purchase a printer-friendly ad-free PDF here.
An Easy Level Knitting Pattern
This is an easy pattern for those of you who are advanced beginner level, and the techniques you will need to know are knit, purl, k2tog, p2tog 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.
*Please scroll down to see the free pattern*
How To Knit The 2×2 Rib Stitch
Knitting the rib stitch creates ribbed raised vertical stripes.
The rib stitch is created by knitting columns of knit stitches alternating with columns of purl stitches.
2 x 2 ribbing is worked like this:
- Alternate 2 knit stitches with 2 purl stitches.
- To create 2 x 2 ribbing, cast on a multiple of 4 stitches.
- Then, work every row: *K2, p2; rep from * to end of row.
- Repeat this for the length of your piece.
The Yarn I Used…
I made the hat using Delfino (Delfino Μοντέρνο) yarn, which I found in a local yarn shop here in Corfu, in colour-way 6260.
I knit with two strands of yarn together as this made it suitable for size 8 mm (US 11) 16″ circular needles.
As a substitute, you could use two strands of any worsted weight or DK (double knitting) yarn knit together.
Or any bulky weight yarn 05, knit with a single strand will be okay to use for this pattern.
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:
This pattern is great for any advanced beginner knitters.
- You should be comfortable casting on and casting off, as well as knitting in garter stitch.
- You should be comfortable working the purl stitch.
- How to knit 2×2 ribbing.
- How to k2tog.
- How to knit with two strands of yarn together.
- You should be comfortable knitting in the round.
- You should also be comfortable reading knitting patterns.
- And understanding knitting abbreviations and terms.
Men’s Ribbed Hat And Cowl Pattern
Get the printable ad-free PDF version from my shop here.
Notes
The hat knits up quickly and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.
- 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 the copyrighted photos for your product listing.
- For the copyright T&C’s please read my Terms of Use.
Skill Level – Easy
Size
- Adult/Man (20-24 inches head circumference).
- Hat lying flat and unstretched – Height = 10.5 inches / Width – 8 inches.
- Cowl – Height = 14 inches.
Gauge – 10 x 10 cm /4 x 4 inches = 11 sts and 15 rounds.
The Supplies You Need
Yarn
- Bulky yarn 05 knit with a single strand or two strands of DK knit together.
- Yarn in dark grey – I used a brand called Delfino (Delfino Μοντέρνο – 50g/133m) which I found in a local yarn shop here in Corfu, in colour-way 6260.
- I used around 2 x 50g/133m skeins for the hat and 4 x 50g/133m skeins for the cowl.
- I also used 2 strands of yarn knit together, so it would have a chunkier look.
- Any yarn suitable for 8mm (US 11) needles will be ok or if you use 2 strands of DK (for 4mm needles (US size 6) yarn knit together.
- A good alternative for a DK (4mm / US 6) yarn would be Rowan pure wool worsted in the colour-way Granite 111.
- Yarn weight guide
Needles
- 8 mm (US 11) 16′′ Circular knitting needles for the hat.
- 8 mm (US 11) 24″ Circular knitting needles for the cowl.
- Please note – you may have to change your needles for the decreases of the hat if working on the circulars becomes too tight.
- This would mean using a set of size 8 mm double-pointed needles (DPNs).
- If you do not have those, you could use a 60cm/24′′ cable and use the magic loop technique.
Notions
Other Tools
- Pom pom maker Clover 2 – 1/2 inch Large.
Pattern Instructions
Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviation List
- Cont = Continue(ing)
- CO – Cast on
- K = Knit
- K2tog = Knit next 2 stitches together
- P – Purl
- PM – Place marker
- P2tog = Knit next 2 stitches together
- Rem = Remaining
- Rep = Repeat
- Rnd(s) = Round(s)
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
The Hat Pattern
- With 8 mm (US 11) 16″ circular needles cast on 64 sts.
- Join in the round and pm, being careful not to twist the sts.
- Round 1: K2, P2, to the end of the round.
- Round 2: K2, P2 – to the end of the round.
- Rep rounds 1 and 2 – Cont to work in 2×2 Rib until the piece measures 9 inches from the CO edge.
- Decrease >
- Next Round: *K2tog, P2tog – *rep to the end of the round – decrease in rib.
- Next Round: Knit to the end of the round.
- Next Round: K2tog – rep to the end of the round.
- Cut a long tail of yarn and thread through remaining stitches.
- Pull tight together and secure.
- Make a large pom with the pom maker and stitch to the top of the hat.
Cowl Pattern
- With 8 mm (US 11) 24″ circular needles cast on 100 sts.
- Join in the round and pm, being careful not to twist the sts.
- Round 1 – K2, P2, to the end of the round.
- Rep round 1 – Cont to work in 2×2 Rib until piece measures 14 inches from the CO edge.
- Cast off in rib.
You may also like these free patterns for men’s hats:
