Leopard Print Hat Pattern | The Leonidas
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.In this post, you will see a 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 stranded colorwork, a technique, where you use blocks of color from two different colored yarns.
Scroll down for the free pattern or you can purchase your printer-friendly, ad-free PDF here.
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.
If you have never knit in the round before you can watch my video tutorial here. – How to join knitting in the round with circular knitting needles
There is also stranded knitting in the pattern, this means that you will knit with more than one color and follow a chart.
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 8 mm (US 11) 16″ circular needles.
The 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 intermediate knitters.
- Knitting cast-on methods
- Knitting Lessons
- How to knit – a complete beginner’s guide
- 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 join knitting in the round with circular knitting needles
- How to read a knitting chart
The pattern is worked from a chart, using two colors 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 – Leopard Print Hat Pattern
Purchase the inexpensive ad-free, PDF printable pattern in my shop here.
Create your own animal print hat with this pattern.
Use either stranded knitting (carrying the yarn as you work – floating across the back of the hat) or the intarsia technique.
Intarsia is more difficult to work in the round, so stranded colorwork will be easier in my opinion.
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 items produced using this pattern.
- Do NOT use copyrighted photos for your product listing.
- For the copyright T&C please read my Terms of Use.
Skill Level – Intermediate
Size Information
- Men’s medium.
- The hat measured 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 x 10 cm /4 x 4 inches = 12 sts and 16 rounds.
The Supplies You Need
Yarn
- 1 x skein of bulky yarn in black
- 1 x skein of bulky yarn brown
- Bulky weight (05)
- Yarn Weight Guide (+ Conversion Chart)
Needles
- 8mm (US 11) 16″ circulars
- Please note – you may have to change your needles for the decrease 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. (View Tutorial – Magic loop knitting | step by step)
Notions
Other Tools
Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK) List
- CO – Cast on
- Cont – Continue(ing)
- K – Knit
- K2tog – Knit the next 2 stitches together
- P – Purl
- PM – Place marker
- Rem – Remaining
- Rep – Repeat
- Rnd(s) – Round(s)
- St(s) – Stitch(es)
Pattern Instructions
- 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 color (brown) carry both yarns and follow the graph pattern – from right to left.
- Work the graph from the bottom up and repeat it when you reach the 18th round.
- Work the chart for a total of – 20 rounds.
Working with the black color 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 the remaining stitches and pull them tightly together and stitch them closed.
- Make a pom in black or brown yarn and stitch it to the top of the beanie.
- Sew in any loose ends.
Share your work with us…
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.
Happy Knitting!
