Mariner’s Hat Knitting Pattern – Free Knit Beanie (4 Sizes)
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.This mariner’s hat knitting pattern will work up into the perfect ribbed beanie!
The hat is stretchy as it is knit all in the rib stitch, so it will fit a variety of head sizes.
You can make it with a turned-up cuff or wear it with a bit more slouch.
Scroll down to view the free pattern, or grab your printer-friendly, ad-free PDF here.
Before You Get Started
- The hat pattern is easy to make, designed for advanced beginner knitters.
- Using knit and purl stitches, you will create 2×2 ribbing, knit in the round.
- Choose a soft medium (4) yarn for great stretch and stitch definition.
- You can turn up the cuff for the classic mariner’s hat look.
- This knitted hat would take you around an hour or two to make (depending on how fast you knit!) and will be a cozy addition to the colder weather.
The Mariner’s Hat Design Inspiration
The style of this hat was inspired by a traditional British seaman’s cap.
Also known as a ribbed watchman’s hat, this design features a snug fit and a brim that turns up to keep the ears warm.
Great to make and gift, this hat is super easy to knit and will be well-received by loved ones, friends, and charities.
A note about the yarn I used…
I made the stretchy hat using Classic Alize Lanagold yarn in dark grey and knit on size 5.5 mm (US 9) 16″ circular needles.
The yarn I used is a medium-weight yarn (04), so you can substitute this with any worsted, Aran, or 10-ply yarn.
This was knit up quite quickly and used only one skein of yarn.
Mariner’s Hat Knitting Pattern
Grab your inexpensive, ad-free, PDF printable pattern in my shop here.
Pattern Notes
Skill Level – Easy (advanced beginner)
The Mariner’s cap knits up quickly, and the simple design makes for a relaxing and 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 un stretched – Height = 12 inches / width = 6 inches
- Child Hat lying flat and un stretched – Height = 11 inches / width = 5.5 inches
- Toddler Hat lying flat and un stretched – Height = 10.5 inches / width = 5 inches
- Baby Hat lying flat and un stretched – Height = 10 inches / width = 4.5 inches
Gauge – 14 sts x 20 rounds = 4×4″/10×10 cm in 2×2 ribbing.
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
- 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 5.5 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
- 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 (2 x 2 rib)to the end of the round.
Rep round 1 – K2, P2 every round until hat measures – Baby – 9 inches / Toddler – 10 inches / Child – 10.5 inches / Adult – 11 inches from the co 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 rem sts and pull tight.
Secure and weave in any loose ends.
Grab The Ad-Free Printable PDF Pattern Here
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Happy Knitting!
Helpful Resources
This pattern is great for any advanced beginner knitters.
- 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 join knitting in the round with circular knitting needles
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:
- Free Men’s Hat Pattern
- Men’s Knit Hat Pattern | The Fotios
- Men’s Hat Knitting Pattern (Two Colors)
- Leopard print Hat Pattern – The Leonidas
- Men’s Hat Pattern – The Hektor
- Beanie Hat Pattern – The Diomedes
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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?
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!
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!
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!
On step 6 do I k2tog, p1 to end? If not step 7 seems off?
Hello, yes to the end of the round, I hope that helps! 🙂
Hi! Could the pattern work with a 4-weight yarn and size 11 needles?
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! 🙂
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?
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! 🙂
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 😊
Hello Anastasia, yes, if you adjust the number of sts you cast on for the hat, keep an even number and you should be fine. Then you just need to adjust the decreases for the crown also. 🙂
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….
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 🙂
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!
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
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
Hello Chris,
I’m so happy you liked the pattern and that your husband loves the hat!
Happy knitting 🙂
Louise
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?
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