How To Knit A Hat For Complete Beginners (+ Video Tutorial)
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.This blog post will show you how to knit a hat with straight needles, knitting flat, back and forth.
This is a great project for anyone who is learning how to knit.
Scroll down to view the free pattern, or grab your printer-friendly, ad-free PDF with all seven sizes here.
How To Knit A Hat For Complete Beginners
Grab your inexpensive, ad-free, PDF printable pattern in my shop here.
The PDF has a written pattern with seven sizes and includes step-by-step photographs.
Notes
Skill Level – Basic (Beginner Knitter)
- The hat knits quickly, and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.
- The hat is knit in ribbing with a folded brim for extra warmth.
- There is no yarn pom pom or faux-fur pom-pom added to this hat, but you can add one if you want.
- Basic beanies make a great gift or items to donate to local communities or charities.
- View more easy knit hat patterns here – Hats + Headbands.
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 finished 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.
Size Information
There are seven sizes to make (head circumference/hat circumference is written in inches);
Measure your head to select the right size…
- Baby 0-3 months – 13-15″
- Baby 3-12 months – 15-18″
- 1-2 years Toddler – 18-19″
- 3-12 years Child – 19-21″
- Teen/Adult Small – 21-22″
- Adult medium – 22-24″
- Adult Large – 24-26″
Gauge – 16 sts and 20 rows in 4×4 inches/10×10 cm in main body ribbing.
The Supplies You Need…
Yarn
- 1 Skein of The Petite Wool from We Are Knitters.
- Use my code – MGM4VHHAT – for 10 off on your WAK yarn order.
- Each ball is 100 GR. 153yds. 140 M.
- 100% Peruvian wool.
- The yarn weight is bulky weight yarn/chunky/12 ply.
- Yarn Weight Guide (+ Conversion Chart)
Estimated yards needed for each hat;
- Baby 0-3 months – 48 yds
- Baby 3-12 months – 58 yds
- 1-2 years Toddler – 60 yds
- 3-12 years Child – 70 yds
- Teen/Adult Small – 76 yds
- Adult medium – 92 yds
- Adult Large – 106 yds
Needle Size
Notions
- Tape measure
- Yarn needle or tapestry needle
- Scissors
Abbreviations
Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK)
- CO – Cast on
- Cont – Continue(ing)
- K – Knit
- K2tog – Knit the next 2 stitches together
- P – Purl
- P2tog – Purl the next 2 stitches together
- Rem – Remaining
- Rep – Repeat
- RS – Right side
- St(s) – Stitch(es)
- WS – Wrong side
How To Knit A Hat With Straight Needles
- Below, you will see a step-by-step photo tutorial showing you how to knit a hat with straight needles.
- The hat in the photographs and the instructions are for the Adult medium size.
- For the other sizes, please scroll down, and you will see those patterns written out.
- You can also view a video tutorial below to help you along.
Time needed: 4 hours and 30 minutes
How To Knit A Hat – Step By Step
- Cast On
Cast on 72 sts (this is the adult medium size).
- Knit Rows 1 and 2
Row 1: (RS) – P1, K2 – rep to the end of the row.
Row 2: (WS) – P2, K1 – rep to the end of the row. - Knit the brim of the hat
Rep rows 1 and 2 until the piece measures 3 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
- Knit 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 10 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row. - Decrease the top of the hat.
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 the yarn leaving a long tail of around 15 inches.
Thread the yarn through the yarn needle, then thread it through the remaining stitches and pull them together tight. - Seam the beanie using the mattress stitch.
The last step is seaming the two edges of the beanie together.
I used a seaming technique called the mattress stitch. (Check it out here – 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:
1. Place the edges together – line them up.
2. Start at the top of the hat, with the right sides facing you.
3. Thread your needle and secure the top of the hat first with a stitch.
4. Then, start to push the needle through the first stitch on one side of the fabric edge. - Continue to seam using the mattress stitch.
5. Then move over to the other side and push your needle through the first stitch.
6. Pull them together and continue to seam, picking up an edge stitch on one side and again on the other as you go.
7. You can pick up stitches every one bar or two bars on the edges – this is up to you. I generally pick up every 2 bars.
8. 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. - Seaming the brim of the hat.
9. When you come to the brim of the hat, you need to turn this over – so the right sides are facing you to seam.
10. This is so you get an invisible seam on the right sides of the knitted fabric.
11. When you have finished seaming, secure your yarn on the inside of the hat and weave in any loose ends.
12. Your hat is now ready to wear.
Grab The Ad-Free Printable PDF Pattern Here
Free Hat Knitting Patterns
View all sizes for this hat pattern here…
Baby 0-3 Months
Cast on 33 sts
- 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 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
Knitting 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 5 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
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 and leave a long tail of around 15 inches.
Thread through the remaining stitches and pull up tight.
Baby 3-12 Months
Cast on 42 sts
- 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 2 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
Knitting 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 6 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
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 and leave a long tail of around 15 inches.
Thread through the remaining stitches and pull up tight.
1-2 Years Child
Cast on 48 sts
- 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 2 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
Knitting 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 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
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 and leave a long tail of around 15 inches.
Thread through the remaining stitches and pull up tight.
3-12 Years Child
Cast on 57 sts
- 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 3 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
Knitting 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 8 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
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 and leave a long tail of around 15 inches.
Thread through the remaining stitches and pull up tight.
Teen/Adult Small
Cast on 63 sts
- 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 3 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
Knitting 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 9 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
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 and leave a long tail of around 15 inches.
Thread through the remaining stitches and pull up tight.
Adult Medium
Cast on 72 sts
- 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 3 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
Knitting 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 10 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
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 and leave a long tail of around 15 inches.
Thread through the remaining stitches and pull up tight.
Adult Large
Cast on 81 sts
- 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 3 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
Knitting 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 11 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
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 and leave a long tail of around 15 inches.
Thread through the remaining stitches and pull up tight.
Making Up
The last step is seaming the two edges of the beanie 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 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.
- 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 inside of the hat and weave in any loose ends.
- Your hat is now ready to wear.
How To Knit A Hat For Beginners
This is a basic beginner-level pattern for those of you who are new to knitting; it is knitted flat, back and forth on straight needles.
Straight needles are easier for a beginner to use before moving on to knitting a hat in the round with circular knitting needles.
The techniques you will need to know are the knit stitch, the purl stitch, and how to cast on.
Using mainly knit and purl stitches, this hat pattern will introduce you to decreasing and shaping.
Not too bulky and not too light, this hat is comfortable to wear on any occasion, and it is unisex too!
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:
This pattern is great for any beginner knitters.
For anyone new to knitting, it is a great way to learn the basics.
- Knitting cast-on methods
- Knitting Lessons
- 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 patterns (1×1 and 2×2 ribbing)
- How to knit two stitches together – K2tog
Could you share your work with us?
I love seeing your finished projects on social media.
If you enjoyed making the easy hat, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.
You can also find us on Facebook, Ravelry, Pinterest and more!
Happy Knitting!
Next, Learn To Knit A Hat In The Round
You may also be interested in learning how to knit a hat in the round.
This pattern has a step-by-step photo tutorial to show you how to knit your first hat in the round – How To Knit A Hat With Circular Needles
This hat is knit with super bulky yarn (1 skein of Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick Yarn) on circular needles (using the magic loop method for the decreases or double-pointed needles).
This hat has more negative ease and can be worn as a slouchy beanie.
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