Free Baby Holiday Hat Knitting Pattern

Tools/Materials Needed

Yarn

• 1 ball of super bulky yarn suitable for size 9.00 mm (US 13) needles
• (Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick or something similar)
• Yarn in a coordinating color for the pom and brim of the hat in the same yarn type.
• Any super bulky/super chunky/14-ply yarn.

Needles

• Set of 9.00 mm (US 13) 16″ circular knitting needles.
• You may also need a set of 9 mm (US 13) Double pointed needles for the decreases.

Notions

• Stitch markers
• Tape measure
• Darning needle
• Scissors

Other Materials

• Pom pom maker – Clover Large – 3 3/8 inch

Sizing, Gauge & Skill Level

Skill Level: Easy – suitable for advanced beginners, comfortable with:

• Knitting and purling
• Knitting in the round
• Simple decreases (k2tog)

Gauge

• 10 sts and 15 rounds = 4″/10 cm in stockinette in the round with super bulky yarn and US 13 (9 mm) needles.

If your gauge is off:

• Too many stitches per 4″ → your hat will be smaller; consider going up a needle size.
• Too few stitches per 4″ → your hat will be bigger; consider going down a needle size.

Finished/Intended Fit

The hat is designed with negative ease so it stretches to fit snugly around the baby’s head:

• 0–3 months – head circumference 14–15″
• 3–6 months – head circumference 15–16″
• 6–12 months – head circumference 16–17″
• 18–24 months – head circumference 18–19″

Remember: chunky yarn + ribbed brim = lots of stretch.

If in doubt, choose the size based on head measurement, not age.

Abbreviations

• Approx = Approximately
• Beg = Begin(ning)
• Cont = Continue(ing)
• K = Knit
• P = Purl
• K2tog = Knit 2 stitches together
• Rem = Remaining
• Rep = Repeat
• Rnd(s) = Round(s)
• St(s) = Stitch(es)

Baby Pom Pom Holiday Hat – Pattern (4 Sizes)

Pattern Notes

• The hat is knit in the round from the brim up.
• Brim is worked in K2, P2 rib, then the body is knit in stockinette.
• The crown is shaped with evenly spaced k2tog decreases so that every size finishes neatly with 6 stitches to gather at the top.

Sizes

Written for: 0–3 months (3–6 months, 6–12 months, 18–24 months)

Where only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

Cast On

• With brim color (e.g. white) and US 13 / 9 mm circular needles, cast on:
  • 30 sts (0–3 months)
  • 32 sts (3–6 months)
  • 34 sts (6–12 months)
  • 36 sts (18–24 months)
• Join in the round, being careful not to twist, and place a marker for the beginning of the round.

1️⃣ Work the Brim

• Rnd 1: K2, P2 to end of round.
• Repeat this round until the brim measures 1″ / 2.5 cm from cast-on edge.

(You can work the brim longer for a deeper fold-over, if you like.)

2️⃣ Knit the Body

• Change to main color (e.g. grey).
• Knit every round until the work from the cast-on edge measures:
  • 5.5″ (0–3 months)
  • 6″ (3–6 months)
  • 6.5″ (6–12 months)
  • 7″ (18–24 months)

Tip: Measure with the hat lying flat and the brim relaxed (unfolded).

3️⃣ Shape the Crown – Size-Specific Set-Up

To keep the crown shaping tidy, each size is decreased (or not) to reach 30 sts before the final shaping sequence.

This makes all the decrease rounds line up cleanly.

Work the instructions for your chosen size only:

0–3 months (30 sts)

• No set-up decrease round needed. Go straight to “Shape Top – All Sizes” below.

3–6 months (32 sts)

• Next rnd (set-up): *K14, K2tog; rep from * once more – 30 sts.
• Next rnd: Knit.

6–12 months (34 sts)

• Next rnd (set-up): (K6, K2tog, K7, K2tog) twice – 30 sts.
• Next rnd: Knit.

18–24 months (36 sts)

• Next rnd (set-up): *K4, K2tog; rep from * around – 30 sts.
• Next rnd: Knit.

4️⃣ Shape Top – All Sizes

You should now have 30 stitches on your needles for any of the four sizes.

• Rnd 1: *K3, K2tog; rep from * around – 24 sts.
• Rnd 2: Knit.
• Rnd 3: *K2, K2tog; rep from * around – 18 sts.
• Rnd 4: Knit.
• Rnd 5: *K1, K2tog; rep from * around – 12 sts.
• Rnd 6: *K2tog; rep from * around – 6 sts.
• Cut yarn, leaving a long tail.
• Thread tail through the remaining 6 sts, pull tight to close the top, and secure firmly on the inside.

Finishing & Pom Poms

1. Weave in ends neatly on the wrong side.
2. Block lightly if desired:
   • With super bulky yarn, a gentle steam or light blocking is usually enough to relax the stitches.
3. Make two oversized pom poms in the brim color (or any contrast color you like) using your pom pom maker.
4. Attach the poms:
   • Position them evenly on either side of the crown seam line.
   • Use the pom tails and a yarn needle to sew each pom securely to the top of the hat.
   • Double-knot on the inside and weave in ends.
5. Fold the brim to the right side and adjust the poms so they sit symmetrically.

Always take extra care that poms and any embellishments are very securely attached and that there are no loose strands around babies or small children.

FAQs & Extra Tips

→ Can I knit this hat flat instead of in the round?

This version is written for knitting in the round.

You could adapt it to knit flat (back and forth) and seam up the back, but you’d need to add 2 edge stitches and work the crown decreases on right-side rows only.

→ What if I don’t have super bulky yarn?

You can hold 2–3 strands of a lighter weight yarn together to approximate super bulky, but always knit a gauge swatch to check your stitch and row count first.

→ How do I adjust the length?

For a slouchier hat, simply knit the body longer before starting the crown shaping.

For a closer-fitting cap, knit to slightly shorter measurements than given before decreasing.

→ How tight should the brim be?

The hat is designed with negative ease, so the brim will look smaller than the baby’s head.

As long as your gauge is close, the ribbing and super bulky yarn will stretch comfortably.

→ How do I get neat poms?

Wrap your pom pom maker very full, trim carefully, and “fluff” the yarn with your fingers.

Don’t be shy about trimming — a bit of shaping goes a long way to getting that perfect round pom.

Free Printable

To make this project even easier, I’ve created a free printable version of the hat pattern.

You can keep it handy while you work—no need to keep checking your phone or scrolling through the blog.

It’s perfect for printing out or saving to your tablet for easy access anytime.

Just click the print button below to grab your free copy!

Could you share your work with us…

I love seeing your finished projects on social media.

If you enjoyed making the pattern, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, tag me @handylittleme or #handylittleme.

If you are on Facebook, stop over to the handylittleme Facebook group and share a photo. 

I’d love to see your work.

Happy Knitting!

More Christmas Baby Patterns

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• Baby Santa Hat Knitting Pattern
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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 kit two stitches together – K2tog
• How to join knitting in the round with circular knitting needles

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