This mariner’s hat knitting pattern will make a classic ribbed beanie with a cozy, comfortable fit.

Knit entirely in 2×2 ribbing, the hat has plenty of stretch and can be worn with a turned-up cuff for the traditional mariner’s look or with a little more slouch.

The pattern includes four sizes—baby, toddler, child, and adult—so you can make one for the whole family, knit a thoughtful handmade gift, or create a batch of warm hats for charity.

This is an easy pattern for advanced beginners who are comfortable working knit and purl stitches in the round.

You can follow the free pattern below or get the free printable to save and use offline.

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Before You Get Started

This is an easy hat pattern designed for advanced beginner knitters.
The hat is worked in the round using simple knit and purl stitches.
The 2×2 ribbing gives the fabric plenty of stretch and a snug, comfortable fit.
Choose a soft medium-weight (04) yarn with good stitch definition.
One 100 g skein is enough to make one hat in the recommended yarn.
Wear the brim turned up for the classic mariner’s style or leave it unfolded for a slouchier fit.
Depending on your knitting speed, the hat can be finished in around one to two hours, making it a lovely quick gift or charity knitting project.

ribbed mariners hat pattern knit with grey yarn

The Mariner’s Hat Design Inspiration

This hat was inspired by the traditional British seaman’s cap, also known as a watch cap or watchman’s hat.

Its simple ribbed design creates a close, stretchy fit, while the deep turned-up cuff adds extra warmth around the ears.

It’s an easy style to wear and a practical pattern to return to whenever you need a quick handmade gift.

Because it comes in four sizes and uses only one skein of yarn, it’s also a useful choice for charity knitting.

Mariner's Hat Knitting Pattern Free Printable 4 Sizes

A Great Hat Pattern for Charity Knitting

I’ve been thinking this mariner’s hat would make a lovely charity knitting project.

It’s quick to knit, practical to wear, and easy to make in a range of sizes.

The stretchy ribbed fabric also gives a forgiving fit, which can be helpful when you’re knitting for someone you haven’t met.

You could make a single hat from leftover yarn in your stash or knit several as a small group project.

Depending on what is needed in your local area, finished hats may be welcomed by homeless shelters, community outreach groups, family support services, hospitals, or other organizations collecting warm handmade items.

Before you begin, contact your chosen charity and check its current donation guidelines.

Each organization may have its own requirements for sizes, fibers, colors, and how finished items should be prepared.

For a practical charity knit:

Choose soft, comfortable yarn that can be easily washed.
Avoid buttons, beads, ties, or other embellishments unless the organization specifically requests them.
Weave in every yarn end securely.
Make the size and color most needed by your chosen charity.
Wash and label the finished hat if the donation guidelines ask you to do so.

A simple handmade hat can offer warmth, comfort, and a little reminder that somebody cares.

Mariner’s Hat Knitting Pattern

Pattern Notes

Skill Level – Easy (advanced beginner)

The Mariner’s cap knits up quickly, and its simple design makes for a relaxing, enjoyable knit.

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 the copyrighted photos for your product listing.
For the copyright T&C, please read my Terms of Use.

Size Information

You can make this hat in a wide variety of head sizes.

Baby, Toddler, Child, Adult (average adult head)
Adult Hat lying flat and unstretched – Height = 12 inches / width = 6 inches
Child Hat lying flat and unstretched – Height = 11 inches / width = 5.5 inches
Toddler Hat lying flat and unstretched – Height = 10.5 inches / width = 5 inches
Baby Hat lying flat and unstretched – Height = 10 inches / width = 4.5 inches

Gauge – 14 sts x 20 rounds = 4×4″/10×10 cm in 2×2 ribbing.

The ribbed fabric is designed to stretch for a comfortable fit.

If you adjust the cast-on for a different circumference, keep the stitch count as a multiple of 8 so the 2×2 ribbing and crown decreases work correctly.

The Supplies You Need

Yarn

Any medium (04) yarn (worsted/Aran/10 ply), 100g
I used 1 skein of Alize Lanagold Classic in 521
You can purchase Alize yarns from YarnStreet or on Etsy.
Substitute it with Cascade 220 Superwash Aran.
Yarn Weight Guide (+ Conversion Chart)

Needles

5.5 mm (US 9) 16″ circular knitting needles
Optional for the crown: 5.5 mm (US 9) DPNs or an 80–100 cm/32–40-inch circular needle for magic loop.
This would mean using a set of size 5.5 mm double-pointed needles (DPNs).
If you don’t have DPNs, you can use an 80–100 cm/32–40-inch circular needle and work the crown using the magic loop technique.

Notions

Tape measure
Darning needle
Scissors
Stitch markers

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
PM = Place marker
P2tog = Purl two stitches together
Rem = Remaining
Rep = Repeat
Rnd(s) = Round(s)
St(s) = Stitch(es)
2×2 ribbing = K2, P2 – rep to the end of the round.

Pattern Instructions

CO Baby – 56 sts / Toddler – 64 sts / Child – 72 sts / Adult – 80 sts, join in the round and pm, being careful not to twist the sts.

Round 1: *K2, P2; rep from * to the end of the rnd.

Rep Round 1 until the hat measures Baby – 9 inches / Toddler – 10 inches / Child – 10.5 inches / Adult – 11 inches from the cast-on edge.

Shape crown (decrease):

K2, P2tog, to end of rnd
K2tog, P1, to end of rnd
K1, P1, to end of rnd
K2tog, to end of rnd
K2tog, to end of rnd

Cut yarn and sew through the remaining sts and pull tight.

Secure and weave in any loose ends.

Get The Free Printable Pattern

Would you prefer to work from a printed copy?

I’ve created a free printable of the mariner’s hat knitting pattern so you can keep the instructions beside you, save them to your device, or add them to your pattern folder.

The printable includes the supplies, abbreviations, sizing information, and full instructions for all four sizes.

Yield: Mariner's Hat

Mariner's Hat Free Knitting Pattern

4.8 Stars (15 Reviews)

Knit a classic mariner’s hat with this easy ribbed beanie pattern.

Worked in the round using simple 2×2 ribbing, it’s available in four sizes and makes a quick, cozy project for gifting or charity knitting.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Active Time 2 hours

Additional Time 10 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Estimated Cost $10

Materials

Any medium (04) yarn (worsted/Aran/10 ply), 100g
I used 1 skein of Alize Lanagold Classic in 521
Substitute it with Cascade 220 Superwash Aran.

Tools

5.5mm (US 9) 16" circular knitting needles
Optional for the crown: 5.5 mm (US 9) DPNs or an 80–100 cm/32–40-inch circular needle for magic loop.
This would mean using a set of size 5.5 mm double-pointed needles (DPNs).
If you don’t have DPNs, you can use an 80–100 cm/32–40-inch circular needle and work the crown using the magic loop technique.
Scissors
Tape measure
Darning needle
Stitch markers

Instructions

Main body of the hat

CO Baby – 56 sts / Toddler – 64 sts / Child – 72 sts / Adult – 80 sts, join in the round and pm, being careful not to twist the sts.

Round 1: *K2, P2; rep from * to the end of the rnd.

Rep Round 1 until the hat measures Baby – 9 inches / Toddler – 10 inches / Child – 10.5 inches / Adult – 11 inches from the cast-on edge.

Shape crown (decrease):

K2, P2tog, to end of rnd
K2tog, P1, to end of rnd
K1, P1, to end of rnd
K2tog, to end of rnd
K2tog, to end of rnd

Cut yarn and sew through the remaining sts and pull tight.

Secure and weave in any loose ends.

Notes

Abbreviations

Approx = Approximately
Beg = Begin(ning)
CO - Cast on
Cont = Continue(ing)
K = Knit
K2tog = Knit next 2 stitches together
P – Purl
PM - Place marker
P2tog - Purl two stitches together
Rem = Remaining
Rep = Repeat
Rnd(s) = Round(s)
St(s) = Stitch(es)

Size Information

You can make this hat in a wide variety of head sizes.

Baby, Toddler, Child, Adult (average adult head)
Adult Hat lying flat and unstretched - Height = 12 inches / width = 6 inches
Child Hat lying flat and unstretched - Height = 11 inches / width = 5.5 inches
Toddler Hat lying flat and unstretched - Height = 10.5 inches / width = 5 inches
Baby Hat lying flat and unstretched - Height = 10 inches / width = 4.5 inches

Gauge – 14 sts x 20 rounds = 4×4″/10×10 cm in 2×2 ribbing.

The ribbed fabric is designed to stretch for a comfortable fit.

If you adjust the cast-on for a different circumference, keep the stitch count as a multiple of 8 so the 2×2 ribbing and crown decreases work correctly.

Share Your Make

I love seeing what you make with my patterns.

If you knit this mariner’s hat for yourself, as a gift, or to donate to charity, I’d love to hear about it.

Share a photo on Instagram and tag me @handylittleme, or visit the Handy Little Me Facebook page and share your project there.

Your finished hat might even inspire another knitter to cast on one for a good cause.

Happy knitting!

Helpful Resources

This pattern is great for any advanced beginner knitters.

More Free Men’s Knit Hat Patterns

If you would like to make more knitted items/hats for men, please take a look at the other patterns in the men’s knitting patterns library.

There are also hat patterns for women, men, babies, and kids in the hat pattern library – Hat Patterns

You may also like these free patterns for men’s hats:

More Free Patterns

20 Comments

Sarah M says:

February 12, 2019 at 4:13 pm

I would like to knit this but a little nervous because it doesn’t require double points. When decreasing do you really keep it on the circular needles with no problem?

1. handylittleme says:
  
  February 12, 2019 at 4:30 pm
  
  Hello, yes, it was fine when I decreased on the circulars, I didn’t have any issues at all. I mean you could change to DPN’s when you get to that stage if you wish. Thank you for visiting and taking a look around 🙂 Happy Knitting!
  
Stephanie says:

February 15, 2019 at 7:09 pm

So excited to knit this for my brother-in-law, but I only have US 8 sized needles. How many should I cast on to get the right size? I am using worsted weight yarn as well.

Thank you!

1. handylittleme says:
  
  February 15, 2019 at 7:23 pm
  
  Hello, if you cast on 84 that should still work out ok – to go down a size to the US 8 needles. Thank you for visiting and taking a look around 🙂 Happy Knitting!
  
Knitterfan says:

February 22, 2019 at 12:50 am

On step 6 do I k2tog, p1 to end? If not step 7 seems off?

1. handylittleme says:
  
  February 24, 2019 at 6:10 pm
  
  Hello, yes to the end of the round, I hope that helps! 🙂
  
Brooke says:

September 23, 2019 at 12:43 am

Hi! Could the pattern work with a 4-weight yarn and size 11 needles?

1. handylittleme says:
  
  September 23, 2019 at 8:18 am
  
  Hello Brooke, If you are going to use a medium 4 weight yarn – you would be better off using 4.5mm – 5.5mm (US 7 to 9) needles. The hat was knit using medium yarn and size 5.5mm (US 9) needles. If you want to use 8mm (US 11) needles – you will need a Bulky (05) weight yarn. The pattern would need to be adjusted for that, as there would be too many stitches cast on – making the hat really huge! Thanks for visiting! 🙂
  
Lizzie says:

November 28, 2019 at 2:46 pm

Hi, I’m following this pattern and the hat seems to have a very small diameter. I’m about 8 rows in and was wondering if this is normal/Will it stretch or should I start over and cast on more stitches?

1. handylittleme says:
  
  November 28, 2019 at 6:03 pm
  
  Hello, are you using the recommended needle size and yarn weight? If yes then it should be fine, it stretches because it is knit in ribbing. It has a comfortable fit – the ribbing allows for that. I hope that helps! 🙂
  
Anastssia says:

December 28, 2019 at 6:38 am

If I wanted to make it a larger diameter (boyfriend has a big head and long thick hair) how would i adjust to cast on? Just make sure it’s an even number? I’m a new knitter 😊

1. Louise Bollanos says:
  
  December 29, 2019 at 8:38 pm
  
  Hello Anastasia, If you adjust the number of stitches, keep the cast-on as a multiple of 8 so the 2×2 ribbing and crown decreases work correctly.
  
Crystal says:

April 15, 2020 at 2:41 am

Hi! I want to knit a few of these for our local cancer center. If I have bulky yarn and size 11 needles, how many stitches would I need to cast on? I think if I have that starting point I can adapt the pattern myself….

1. Louise Bollanos says:
  
  April 15, 2020 at 8:27 am
  
  Hello Crystal, there is a similar hat pattern that uses bulky yarn and size 6.5mm (US 10) needles, you can use that as a guide and cast on around the same number of stitches.
  You can see that pattern here – https://www.handylittleme.com/easy-beginner-hat-knitting-pattern/
  I hope that helps 🙂
  
Debbie says:

March 24, 2023 at 8:23 pm

Hi Louise! I am new at knitting and just completed matching beanies for my daughter and grandson using your mariner beanie pattern. I’m getting ready to start matching beanies for my daughter and SIL but she’s picked a super bulky 6 yarn. Can you offer me some guidance? The yarn calls for 13 (9mm)…can you help me adjust? I love using the no.10, 16 in circular, but thinking that’s not going to work.
I looked through MANY beanie patterns before finding yours and was so glad I did! Thank you in advance!

1. Louise Bollanos says:
  
  March 27, 2023 at 5:56 pm
  
  Hello Debbie,
  I’m so happy you enjoyed the pattern!
  You can search all of my hat patterns in the main menu – women’s hats and headbands and in men’s patterns.
  There are quite a few choices that use super bulky yarn.
  Happy knitting!
  Louise
  
Chris says:

May 15, 2024 at 5:21 pm

I just finished the mariner’s hat for my husband in dark gray color. It has a modern style, he like it ! Many thanks for the pattern. Chris

1. Louise Bollanos says:
  
  May 16, 2024 at 8:02 am
  
  Hello Chris,
  
  I’m so happy you liked the pattern and that your husband loves the hat!
  
  Happy knitting 🙂
  
  Louise
  
Maddison says:

September 14, 2025 at 12:41 pm

With the Mariners hat it suggest to complete a gauge swatch by casting on 14 stitches. Is it correct to do 2 x 2 ribbing with 14 stitches? Does this work?

1. Louise Bollanos says:
  
  September 14, 2025 at 3:27 pm
  
  Hi Maddison,
  
  I think you were looking at the gauge measurement – 14 is the number of stitches in 20 rounds measured in 4×4 inches.
  
  You can learn more about gauge here – https://www.handylittleme.com/how-to-measure-gauge-in-knitting/
  
  I would recommend casting on 16 stitches for a 2×2 rib swatch.
  
  The stitch pattern is a multiple of 4, but ideally you want to end with a P2.
  
  Knit 3–4″ (7.5–10 cm), lightly block, and measure across the center.
  
  If your gauge doesn’t match the pattern, change needle size and try again.
  
  Because the hat is knit in the round, note that round gauge can be a touch tighter.
  
  I hope that helps!
  
  Louise

Mariner’s Hat Knitting Pattern (Free Printable – 4 Sizes)

Before You Get Started

The Mariner’s Hat Design Inspiration