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 = 14 sts and 18 rounds in 2×2 ribbing.
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:
Julia Caraballo says
Hi there, how many stitches would u cast on using 4mm/6 needles with yarn doubled for man size, please? thanks
Louise Bollanos says
Hello, for 4mm/US 6 needles you can cast on 64 [72, 80, 88] sts for the following sizes > 18 [20, 22, 24] in/45.74 [50.75, 55.75, 61] cm.
Pat Craig says
I’m knitting my brother a hat with rubbing it has 121 stitches he had a big head lol how long do I make it and when I get it the the right length how do I finish it off it’s my first hat
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Pat!
Can you measure the length of his head? or a hat that he has worn? So that you know how long to make it. When you have your desired length – possibly 9"? you can then decrease -> Next Row: K2TOG / P2TOG – decrease in rib / Next Row: Knit / Next Row: K2TOG / Cut a long tail of yarn and thread through remaining stitches. Pull tight together and secure.
If you need any help with the decrease, please visit the knitting basics page, with video tutorials to help. I hope that helps! Thanks for reading 🙂
Knitting Basics -> https://www.handylittleme.com/knitting-basics-for-beginners/
Baki says
Very nice pattern. Made it for my son. He loves it! Thank you
handylittleme says
hello, thank you so much for your comment and feedback, I am so happy you liked the pattern and the end result! Thanks for visiting and I hope you check back for new patterns 🙂
Mary McGinnis says
Don’t know if hubby will like the Pom Pom. Would the finish be different with out it? Thanks!
handylittleme says
Hello Mary, it depends on how you want the hat to look, without the pom pom it still has some slouch. I made a hat from this pattern for my father in law who is 80 and he didn’t want a pom-pom, and it looked fine. I hope that helps and thanks for visiting 🙂
Kiamo says
Hello! May i ask how big your husbands head is? My bfs measurements are 22 inches, which i think isnt very large but by those measurements i would have to cast on 88 sts with a 8mm needle. Am i correct or will it be too big? Thank you!
handylittleme says
Hello Kiamo, I measured my husbands head and it is also 22 inches, so casting on 64 sts with 8mm (US 11) needles should be fine. The hat is knit with ribbing, so has stretch but is tight enough to fit on the head comfortably. I hope that helps 🙂
Aleana says
Hello! If I were to use (US 13) needles for a 22” size hat, how many stitches would I cast on?
handylittleme says
Hello Aleana, if you are going up a needle size (9mm/US 13) and using super bulky yarn, then I would suggest casting on around 44 stitches. I hope that helps! 🙂
Bogi says
Okay so I might be confused but I’m stuck at casting on.. I’m using two medium weight (4) yarns at the same time on 8mm needles so it’s nice and chunky and I can’t even get the number of the stitches right.. 88 turned out to be HUGE on my husband’s 24” head so I want to start again. So how many stitches do you think I’ll need so it’s a nice snug fit? Thank you!
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Bogi, I just had a look at the pattern and it says to cast on 64 stitches – this is using 8mm (US 11) needles. I used two DK yarns held together to knit this hat that you can see in the photographs. It is chunky (bulky) but not super chunky (super bulky). If 64 stitches still feel like too many, perhaps you can cast on fewer stitches – but remember to cast on in multiples of 4 – this is for the 2 x 2 rib stitch. I hope that helps, happy knitting! 🙂
Bogi says
Thank you for your quick answer, I finished it today and turned out perfect!! I used two colors, I switched colors halfway. It’s his Christmas present so hopefully he’ll like it. Happy holidays!
Emma says
Love this! My first time knitting in the round and it turned out great, thank you!
Louise Bollanos says
Hi Emma, Thank you for your comment, I’m so happy you liked the pattern 🙂
Rupa says
I want to know , in round 5 is it rib stitches you are using? Thanks
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Rupa, in round 5 – it says ‘Rep rounds 1 and 2 – Cont to work in 2×2 Rib until piece measures 9 inches from the CO edge’. So you will continue to knit in ribbing (2×2 ribbing which is K2, P2) until the hat is your desired length. I hope that helps 🙂
Fatema Lookmanjee says
Hi, I am new to knitting in the round… Please could you tell me the length of 4mm round needles needed? I have DK yarn and want to knit two strands together.
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Fatema, the 8mm (US 11) needles you need to knit the hat in the round – are on a 16inch/40cm cable. This will allow you to knit the hat comfortably in the round. If you use a smaller needle size, this will change the pattern and the number of stitches that you need to cast on. You will also need a different weight of yarn. If you want to use a smaller needle size/medium weight yarn you can check out this pattern which is similar – https://www.handylittleme.com/mariners-hat-pattern/ I hope that helps 🙂
Fatema Lookmanjee says
Hi, thank you for clarifying. I bought the wrong type of circular needles! I thought for 4mm yarn 4mm needles were needed! I didn’t factor in that two strands warranted 8mm needles! I will try this new pattern. Thank you 🙂
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Fatema, yes, if you want to knit this hat pattern you would need size 8 mm 16″ circular needles and bulky yarn for it to look like the hat in the photos.
If you wanted to knit the hat using the 8mm needles and two strands of the DK yarn together (yarn with a wool/acrylic blend), you could try that too.
If you have size 4mm needles and double knitting yarn, this will change the number of stitches you need to cast on – you could cast on 88sts and follow the pattern in the same way.
But the hat will not be as chunky, as the yarn weight is different. I hope that helps! 🙂
Dayle says
Hi I’m making this pattern for my husband who has a big head. I am using wool ease thick & quick 6 oz yarn on sIze 10mm (us15) circular needles. How many stitches should I cast on.
Thank you I love the pattern
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Dayle,
The hat I made is for around a 20-24 inch circumference.
If you using wool ease thick and quick and 10mm needles – you will need to cast on fewer stitches than given in this pattern.
I would suggest casting on 44sts.
You can take a look at this hat pattern, which may help you with the size/length etc – https://www.handylittleme.com/mens-hat-knitting-pattern/
I hope that helps!
Louise