In this post, you will see a fun leopard print hat pattern.
This unisex leopard beanie features a shaped crown and the perfect amount of slouch.
Keep warm and look awesome by making this hat pattern that is really easy for any advanced beginners or intermediate knitters.
It also uses intarsia, a colourwork technique, where you use blocks of colour from two different coloured yarns.
An Intermediate Level Knitting Pattern
This is an intermediate knitting pattern for those of you who are more advanced than beginner level, and the techniques you will need to know are knit, purl, k2tog 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.
There is also intarsia in the pattern, this means that you will knit with more than one colour and follow a chart.
*Please scroll down to see the free pattern*
The Yarn I Used
I made the hat using Alize Lanagold yarn in black and brown, using two strands knit together.
This made it suitable for size 8mm (US 11) 16″ circular needles.
Bulky or chunky yarn would be fine to use – or any yarn that can be knit on size 8mm (US 11) needles.
Please note if you use bulky weight yarn – you will knit with one strand.
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.
- You should be comfortable knitting in the round.
- How to read a knitting chart.
- You should also be comfortable reading knitting patterns.
- And understanding knitting abbreviations and terms.
The pattern is worked from a chart, using two colours to create the leopard print pattern.
If you have never worked from a chart before, it is pretty easy once you get started, following the numbered rows and repeating the sequence.
The Leonidas Hat Pattern
Purchase the inexpensive ad-free, PDF printable pattern in my shop here.
Notes
- 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 – Intermediate
Size –
- Men’s medium.
- The hat measures approx 10 inches in width at the widest part (the brim) and around 10 or 11 inches long w/out the pom pom.
Gauge – 10 sts and 15 rounds = 4 inches/10cm
The Supplies You Need
Yarn
- 1 x skein of bulky yarn in black
- 1 x skein of bulky yarn brown
- Yarn suggestion – Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick or Hometown USA.
- Bulky weight (05)
- Yarn weight guide
Needles
- 8mm (US 11) 16″ circulars
- 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
Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations List
- CO – Cast on
- Cont = Continue(ing)
- K = Knit
- K2tog = Knit next 2 stitches together
- P – Purl
- PM – Place marker
-
Rem = Remaining
- Rep = Repeat
- Rnd(s) = Round(s)
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
Pattern
- Cast on 56 sts.
- Join in the round and pm, being careful not to twist the sts.
- Round 1 – *K2, P2* Repeat from * to the end of the round.
- Repeat round 1 for a total of 3 rounds.
- Pick up the second colour (brown) carry both yarns and follow the graph pattern – from right to left.
- Work the graph from the bottom up and repeat when you reach the 18th round.
- Work the chart for a total of – 20 rounds.
Working with the black colour only, decrease as follows;
- *K5, K2tog* repeat from * to the end of the round.
- Then – *K2, P2* repeat from * to the end of the round. Repeat this for a total of 3 rounds.
- *K6, K2tog* repeat from * to the end of the round.
- Knit to the end of the round.
- *K3, K2tog* repeat from * to the end of the round.
- Knit to the end of the round.
- *K2, K2tog* repeat from * to the end of the round.
- Knit to the end of the round.
- *K1, K2tog* repeat from * to the end of the round.
- K2tog to the end of the round.
- Pick up remaining stitches and pull tightly together and stitch closed.
- Make a pom in black or brown yarn and stitch to the top of the beanie.
- Sew in any loose ends.
Pick up remaining stitches and pull tightly together and stitch closed.
Make a pom in black or brown yarn and stitch to the top of the beanie.
Sew in any loose ends.
Other men’s hat patterns you may like;
- Mariner’s Hat Pattern
- Free Men’s Hat Pattern – The Adonis
- Beanie Hat Pattern – The Diomedes
- Easy Men’s Hat Pattern – The Fotios
- Men’s Hat Pattern – The Heracles
- Men’s Hat Pattern – The Hektor
I love seeing your finished projects!
If you enjoyed making the 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 page and share a photo! I’d love to see your work!
Happy Knitting! xoxo
