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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.

ribbed beanie

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.
How to knit a hat for beginners

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

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

  1. Cast On

    Cast on 72 sts (this is the adult medium size).How to knit a hat tutorial step 1

  2. 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.How to knit a hat tutorial step 2

  3. 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.How to knit a hat tutorial step 3

  4. 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. How to knit a hat step 4

  5. 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.how to knit a hat step 5

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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

ribbed beanie in spotted mauve petite wool knit with straight needles

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.
beanie hat knit with straight needles in pink yarn

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!

beanie hat knit with straight needles in pink yarn
You may also like this fall version of the hat in three colors – Candy Corn Hat Knitting Pattern.
woman's beanie hat

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.

ribbed beanie hat pattern
How to knit a hat for beginners

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48 Comments

  1. Hello! Love the pattern and the colour, the yarn is really beautiful. I have the same WAK petite wool yarn and was hoping to make a hat for my husband using this pattern, but I unfortunately only have us 11 needles instead of the 10 stated in the pattern. Would it still be possible to follow the pattern or do I need to adapt it in any way? Thank you!

    1. Hello Hailey, Yes, you can use the US 11 needles and make the hat following the same pattern, but I would suggest casting on 66 stitches because the size will be larger if you cast on the suggested 72sts for this pattern.
      The number of the cast on sts needs to be dividable by 3 – so 63 or 66 stitches.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise 🙂

      1. Hi Louise! Thanks so much for this pattern. If I use 11 needles and 150 g wool with the same pattern, will the hat knit up to fit a larger head? I keep trying to find a flat knitting pattern to make a hat for my husband – my hats come out too small for his head. I am a newbie and don’t know how to size up yet. Any help is appreciated!

    2. Hello! I love the way your hat looks! I am looking at making one for my cousin but she has an 18 inch head is that too small for this? Or would it still work? I was also curious what the point of a darning needles is?
      Thank you!

      1. Hello Jules,
        I think the hat should still fit, it has a stretch because of the ribbing so will fit up to a head size of around 22-26 inches in circumference.
        The darning needle/yarn needle is used to seam the hat closed.
        I hope that helps!
        Louise

  2. Thank you for the lovely pattern. Our winter has started so I am going to knit one for my husband.

    1. Hello Susan,
      Thanks so much for your kind words, I’m so happy you like the pattern.
      I hope your husband will like the hat!
      Happy knitting,
      Louise

  3. I was wondering if you can adapt other hat patterns knitted on a circular needle to this style on straight needles?

    1. Hello Dia,
      Yes, other patterns knit in the round can normally be converted to being knit flat with seaming.
      In some of my other patterns, I have instructions for both – like the kid’s beanie hat pattern.
      Thanks,
      Louise

  4. Do you have a matching pattern for a baby/toddler hat or know the possible amount of stitches needed to downsize?
    Thanks!!

  5. Lol, I haven’t knit in years but I was a little bored today so I sized it down and made it for my cat (which he obviously loved). That being said the instructions were really easy to follow and gave me something simple to do today so thank you.

  6. Hello Louise
    Thank you for your pattern, I have knitted the hat for my husband’s birthday using a West Yorkshire Spinners pure wool (Kerry Hill and Blue Leicester breed). My hubby is a Yorkshire man and Kerry is just across the border from where we live now in rural Shropshire. I am knitting at night to keep my mind off Covid and the current lockdown. It is such a relaxing thing to do. I am going to attempt your fingerless gloves pattern now.
    Best wishes
    Leena

    1. Hello Leena,
      I am so happy that you are enjoying the patterns.
      Knitting is a great way to keep your mind and hands occupied while giving you a sense of calm, I too love to knit or crochet on an evening and switch off my mind to everything else!
      I hope you enjoy the fingerless mittens pattern,
      Louise

  7. Hi Louise,
    Thank you for the pattern. I’m a very beginner & fell in love with this hat. Bought the 10″ needles & bulky yarn.
    I can’t wait to get started, but I’m confused about casting 72 Sts,, I’m thinking that is the width, but I know I’m wrong. Sorry I feel so dumb. Help

    1. Hello Adele,
      Yes, you cast on 72 sts – you are knitting this hat flat so you are making the full width of the hat and then will seam it when you are finished.
      The pattern is step by step, so if you follow the tutorial, you will start to see how this will work out.
      I hope that helps,
      Louise

  8. Hi Louise, Love this pattern, hoping I will be able to knit it correctly . I bought the 10″ needles but they were too short to cast on 72 stitches, so I sent for 16″ length. My question is I don’t know how to figure the tail length I need to make this hat.
    Thank You,

    1. Hello Adele, the needle size you need to make the hat is 6mm (US 10) this is the size of the knitting needle, not the needle length or the cable length if you are using circulars.
      If you want to use circular needles to knit the hat then yes you would need a 16″ cable length.
      For the cast on – you will need around 35-40 inches perhaps for the yarn length.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

  9. Hi! I’m planning to make this hat with the petite wool for my next project. I’m currently working on a different pattern hat with the same wool, and I feel like it’s fuzzing (not sure if that’s the right word) a lot, so it doesn’t look nearly as clean and neat as your picture of the hat. I haven’t been undoing and redoing my work, so I don’t think I’m manipulating the yarn too much. I was wondering if you had that issue with the petite wool at all, or if you had any suggestions for remedying it. Thanks!

    1. Hello Margaret,
      I don’t have this issue when I’m knitting with it but I do if I use it for seaming – If I use it for that I have to keep twisting it so that the fibers stay together.
      When knitting though it stays together with a little fuzzing (pilling?).
      I think it’s just the way the wool is because it’s 100% Peruvian wool, so it just naturally has that texture/quality about it.
      Sorry I couldn’t be more help!
      Louise

  10. Hi, thanks for this great pattern! This is only my second ever knitting project. I’m up to the end where it says to leave a long tail, but should I have cast off first? Or do I get a needle and go through the remaining stitches that are on the needle? Sorry if that’s a silly question, I’m very much still a beginner with knitting. Thanks! 🙂

    1. Hello Kalysha,
      Yes – you should leave a tail of around 15 inches, thread the length of yarn into your darning needle first, then thread through the remaining sts and pull up tight.
      This is the instruction in step 3 of the step-by-step pattern.
      You can them start to sem your hat – instructions for that in step 4.
      I hope that helps and happy knitting!
      Louise

  11. Thanks for the pattern! I had a great time knitting it up for my hubby. I now want to make a similar one for my father in law but he’s got a bigger head! How many cast on stitches should I add on?

  12. Thanks Louise. I’m thinking an additional 10 stitches could be a bit too many. If i go down to 78, would that work? Sorry for the many questions! Still a newbie but love your patterns! About to start on the fingerless mittens as well.

    1. Hello Eeching,
      You could try casting on 78 or 80sts because of the ribbing pattern.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

  13. I loved the result of this beanie but there is no way the measurements are for an adult head. Definitely going to be remaking this in a larger version but be warned!

    1. Hello Violet,
      The beanie fits both my own head and my husband’s head and we are both adults with pretty average adult head sizes.
      So it does fit an adult head size – with an average circumference of around 22-26 inches.
      As it says in the instructions.
      It would be easy enough to increase the size – perhaps you can cast on 80sts or more.
      Happy knitting!
      Louise

  14. Hi Louise, I love this pattern. I’m really new to knitting but have managed to do it with no problems but I’ve now thread the yarn through the top stitches and pulled it tight and need some help please.
    Do I now remove the needle? Do I have to see those top stitches together or just start the seam at the first stitches excluding the ones I’ve pulled tight? Thanks so much xx

    1. Hello Rachel,
      Yes, you keep the yarn in the needle after you have pulled up the remaining stitches.
      Then you will seam the opening closed, using the mattress stitch for best results.
      This is an invisible seam.
      Start seaming next to where you have pulled the stitches tight.
      You can learn more about seaming the hat closed here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqEvwXICTds&t=1s
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

  15. I wanted to make a few hats for my family, but I’m having to do it on a tight budget, so I wanted to know if I could adapt this pattern to be done with worsted weight yarn as I have a lot of that so I could practice before the techniques without ruining my more expensive yarn.

  16. Hello! I have accidentally knit 5 inches of brim rather than 3 (absentmindedly carried on forgetting that it need only be 3 inches!) Should I now move to the next step of the pattern and follow it as written from there, or will I need to make some other kinds of amendments? I’m assuming if I carry on with the pattern from here I might just have a bit of a wider brim but I’m a newbie knitter so wanted to check if anyone had any advice 🙂

    1. Hello Marie,
      I would probably pull it out (frog it – rip it) back to 3 inches.
      Unless you want the brim to be 5 inches – this may be a bit long…
      You can pull it out, back to 3 inches, and continue on from there.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

  17. Hello! This is my first time knitting so I am still trying to figure things out. When you say end with a WS row for the brim, does that mean have the last row you knit is a WS row or does it mean have the next row you knit is a WS row? Thanks!

    1. Hello Abby,
      To end on a WS row – this means that the last row you knit should be a wrong side row.
      The next row as you continue will be on a right side row.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

  18. This is lovely and I wish I had found this sooner on my knitting journey! Are you able to help me with what the decrease should be if I am ribbing 2×2? Thanks in advance!

  19. Hi! When you say “ending with a WS row” you mean that the last row I knit should be the wrong side and then my first row of the next step should be starting with the right side? Thank you!!!