This simple striped men’s hat pattern is an excellent advanced beginner project.
Using mainly knit and purl stitches, it will also introduce you to working in the round, decreasing and shaping.
The basic beanie shape is enhanced with stripes and topped with a fluffy pom.
Scroll down for the free pattern or you can purchase a printer-friendly ad-free PDF here.
An Easy Level Knitting Pattern
This is an easy pattern for those of you who are advanced 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.
The Yarn I Used…
I made the hat using Yarn Art Alpine Alpaca which is suitable for size 10.00mm (US 15) 16″ circular needles.
Lion Brand wool ease thick and quick yarn or something similar would also be fine to use – or any yarn that can be knit on size 10.00mm (US 15) needles.
I knit this hat in the round on circular needles, so there was no seaming involved, just a few loose ends to sew in at the end.
The three colours used to make the hat were all neutral colours I had leftover in my stash from making other hats.
What better way to use them up than to create another hat?!
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.
- You should also be comfortable reading knitting patterns.
- And understanding knitting abbreviations and terms.
The Hektor – Men’s Hat Pattern
Purchase the inexpensive ad-free, PDF printable pattern in my shop here.
The hat knits up quickly in super bulky yarn, and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.
- 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.
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- For the copyright T&C’s please read my Terms of Use.
Skill Level – Easy
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
- 3 skeins of super bulky yarn (in dark grey, light grey and white – I used Yarn Art Alpine Alpaca in 436, 433 and Alpine 334) Suitable for size 10.00mm (US 15) needles.
- Scrap yarns can be used, as you do not need a full skein for each colour.
- However, whichever colour you make the pom in will need to have more yarn available.
- Substitute yarn – Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in Grey Marble
- Super bulky/Super chunky/14 ply yarn.
- Yarn weight guide
Needles
- 10.00mm (US 15) 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 10 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
Yarn A = Dark Grey / Yarn B = Light Grey / Yarn C = White
- Cast on > 42 sts in Yarn A, join in the round and pm, being careful not to twist the sts.
- 1st rnd: K1, P1 – rep to the end of the round.
- Cont to knit in K1, P1 rib until work from CO edge measures 2 inches.
- Next round: Knit
- Cont to knit every round in Yarn A until the hat measures 3.5 inches from the CO edge.
- Next round: Change yarn colour to Yarn B then knit every round until that colour block measures 3 inches.
- Next round: Change yarn colour to Yarn C and knit that colour block for 1 inch.
Decrease:
- 1st rnd: *K1. K2tog. Rep from * to the end of the round.
- 2nd rnd: Knit to the end of the round.
- 3rd rnd: *K1, K2tog. Rep from * to the end of the round.
- 4th rnd: Knit to the end of the round.
- 5th rnd: *K2tog, rep from * to the last stitch K1.
- Break yarn.
- Draw end through rem sts and fasten securely.
- Sew in any loose ends.
- Make a pom pom and stitch it securely onto the top of the hat in a coordinating colour.
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
- Leopard print Hat Pattern – The Leonidas
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
Ingrid says
Hello. thanks for the pattern but difficult to resize as I don’t know the swatch size (stiches and rows) or size of the hat in the pattern. Could you please advise. Many thanks.
Ingrid
handylittleme says
Hello Ingrid, the gauge for the hat is around 10 sts and 15 rounds = 4 inches/10cm. 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. I hope that helps 🙂
Tania says
Thanks so much for this great, simple pattern! I made this hat in red with two grey tones (I skipped the pom pom) for a co-worker. I used Cascade Lana Grande which is 100% wool, and cast on 44 instead of 42 because he’s on the larger side. We’re delivery drivers, so we spend all day on our trucks and outside in all weather. It’s been cold and snowing and he wears his hat every day! It’s a fantastic basic pattern for a man’s hat.
handylittleme says
Hello Tania, thanks so much for your comment, that’s great, I’m so happy you liked the pattern and that the hat has been useful for your co-worker 🙂 You need to make yourself one now! 🙂
Rosalie Ridle says
Help please. I only have size 13 circular needles and one skein of chunky yarn HOMESPUN … can I make a boy aged 11 or 12 years old with what I have on hand? I’m in a crunch for Christmas!
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Rosalie, if you have 9mm/US 13 needles and Homespun yarn, the hat should knit up fine, using the pattern instructions and measurements. 🙂