Free Elf Hat Knitting Pattern – Striped Christmas Hat In 7 Sizes

Looking for a free elf hat knitting pattern for the holidays?

This striped Christmas hat is a cozy beanie knit in the round on 6 mm (US 10) circular needles.

The pattern includes 7 sizes, so you can make matching elf hats for everyone.

You’ll use basic knit and purl stitches in stocking stitch, and learn simple shaping and decreasing as you go.

It’s a fun, festive project that’s perfect for holiday outings and family photos.

The full pattern is free below, or you can purchase the ad-free printable PDF here.

Knit A Hat For The Holidays

Hats are the perfect project for the holidays.

Knit a Christmas elf hat for a friend or loved one – it’s a great gift for a baby, teen, or adult.

You can choose your size, pick a Christmas red yarn with green and white for those easy stripes, and make one in an afternoon.

If you want a different look or a colorful effect without doing any colorwork, choose a self-striping yarn or play around with color combinations.

Don’t forget to add a pom pom for a bit of festive flair on the top of the hat.

You may also like this striped beanie hat knitting pattern.

Free Elf Hat Knitting Pattern

Pattern notes

Skill Level – Easy (Easy pattern for advanced beginners)

Knitting an elf hat is a fun and festive project that you can customize with your favorite colors and details for the holiday season.

This is an advanced beginner knitting pattern, and the techniques involved are casting on, knitting, purl stitches, knitting in the round, K2tog, and changing colors.

This classic holiday hat can be knit in seven sizes: baby (little elf) to adult large.

Wear them on Christmas Eve or give them away as handmade gifts to friends and family to wear as a fun holiday accessory.

Adjustments can be made if you wish to make this hat in a medium weight yarn (like a worsted weight) by knitting the next size up.

Copyright Info

• Please do not copy, sell, redistribute, or republish this festive hats pattern. 
• If you wish to share this pattern, please provide a link to the pattern page only.
• You may sell the finished product using this pattern, giving pattern credit to Handy Little Me/Louise Bollanos.
• Do NOT use the copyrighted photos for your own listings or any online listings.
• For the copyright T&C, please read my Terms of Use.

Size Information

Gauge – 15 sts/22 rows in 4×4 inches/10×10 cm in stocking stitch.

• Baby 0-3 months – 13-15″
• Baby 3-12 months – 15-18″
• 1-2 years Toddler – 18-19″
• 3-12 years Child – 19-21″
• Teen/Adult Small – 21-22″
• Adult medium – 22-24″
• Adult Large – 24-26″

The Supplies You Need

Yarn

• You will need three colors of yarn (1 ball of each color or see the estimated yards below for each size);
• Yarn A – Green
• Yarn B – White
• Yarn C – Red
• The yarn weight is bulky weight yarn/chunky yarn/12 ply.
• Estimated yards needed for each size…
• Baby 0-3 months – 48 yds
• Baby 3-12 months – 58 yds
• 1-2 years Toddler – 60 yds
• 3-12 years Child – 70 yds
• Teen/Adult Small – 76 yds
• Adult medium – 92 yds
• Adult Large – 106 yds

Yarn used: Alize Lanagold Classic

Yarn Substitute: Wool of The Andes Bulky Yarn

Needles

• Set of 6 mm (US 10) 40 cm/16″ circular knitting needles.
• You may need size US 10/6 mm double-pointed needles for the decreases or use the magic loop technique with a slightly larger cable size of 50 cm/20″ or 60 cm/24″.

Notions

• Tape measure
• Darning needle/Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Stitch marker

Other Tools

• Pompom maker 

Abbreviations

Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK)

• CO – Cast on
• Cont – Continue(ing)
• K – Knit
• K2tog – Knit the next two stitches together
• P – Purl
• Rem – Remaining
• Rep – Repeat
• RS – Right side
• St(s) – Stitch(es)
• WS – Wrong side

Knitted Elf Hat Pattern Instructions

*Please note you can use the long tail cast on or any stretchy cast on.

View the elf hat patterns below in the seven sizes…

0-3 Months

Cast on 32 sts with Yarn A.

Join in the round and place a marker if you wish.

Round 1 – *K1, P1*, rep from *to* to the end of the round.

Continue to work in 1×1 ribbing, repeating round 1 until the piece measures 4 inches.

• Change to Yarn B and Knit 6 rounds.
• Change to Yarn C and Knit 6 rounds.

Repeat working in Yarn B for 6 rounds and then Yarn C for 6 rounds until the piece measures 8 inches from the cast on edge.

Decrease

You can change your needles to double-pointed needles if the decreases become too tight to knit, or use the magic loop technique.

Keeping the color change sequence, work as follows…

• *K2tog, K2* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K1* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• If the last color is not Yarn B (white), change to Yarn B and Knit 6 rounds.
• Cut yarn, thread a tapestry needle, and weave the end through the remaining stitches.
• Pull up tight and secure with a knot.
• Then, weave in any other loose ends.
• Make a pompom in Yarn A.
• Attach it to the endpoint of the hat (stitch it into place securely) and weave any loose ends.

3-12 Months

Cast on 40 sts with Yarn A.

Join in the round and place a marker if you wish.

Round 1 – *K1, P1*, rep from *to* to the end of the round.

Continue to work in 1×1 ribbing, repeating round 1 until the piece measures 4 inches.

• Change to Yarn B and Knit 6 rounds.
• Change to Yarn C and Knit 6 rounds.

Repeat working in Yarn B for 6 rounds and then Yarn C for 6 rounds until the piece measures 9 inches from the cast on edge.

Decrease

You can change your needles to double-pointed needles if the decreases become too tight to knit, or use the magic loop technique.

Keeping the color change sequence, work as follows…

• *K2tog, K3* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K2* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K1* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• If the last color is not Yarn B (white), change to Yarn B and Knit 6 rounds.
• Cut yarn, thread a tapestry needle, and weave the end through the remaining stitches.
• Pull up tight and secure with a knot.
• Then, weave in any other loose ends.
• Make a pompom in Yarn A.
• Attach it to the endpoint of the hat (stitch it into place securely) and weave any loose ends.

1-2 Years Toddler

Cast on 48 sts with Yarn A.

Join in the round and place a marker if you wish.

Round 1 – *K1, P1*, rep from *to* to the end of the round.

Continue to work in 1×1 ribbing, repeating round 1 until the piece measures 4 inches.

• Change to Yarn B and Knit 6 rounds.
• Change to Yarn C and Knit 6 rounds.

Repeat working in Yarn B for 6 rounds and then Yarn C for 6 rounds until the piece measures 10 inches from the cast on edge.

Decrease

You can change your needles to double-pointed needles if the decreases become too tight to knit, or use the magic loop technique.

Keeping the color change sequence, work as follows…

• *K2tog, K4* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K3* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K2* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K1* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• If the last color is not Yarn B (white), change to Yarn B and Knit 6 rounds.
• Cut yarn, thread a tapestry needle, and weave the end through the remaining stitches.
• Pull up tight and secure with a knot.
• Then, weave in any other loose ends.
• Make a pompom in Yarn A.
• Attach it to the endpoint of the hat (stitch it into place securely) and weave any loose ends.

3-12 Years Child

Cast on 56 sts with Yarn A.

Join in the round and place a marker if you wish.

Round 1 – *K1, P1*, rep from *to* to the end of the round.

Continue to work in 1×1 ribbing, repeating round 1 until the piece measures 6 inches.

• Change to Yarn B and Knit 6 rounds.
• Change to Yarn C and Knit 6 rounds.

Repeat working in Yarn B for 6 rounds and then Yarn C for 6 rounds until the piece measures 11 inches from the cast on edge.

Decrease

You can change your needles to double-pointed needles if the decreases become too tight to knit or use the magic loop technique.

Keeping the color change sequence, work as follows…

• *K2tog, K5* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K4* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K3* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K2* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K1* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• If the last color is not Yarn B (white), change to Yarn B and Knit 6 rounds.
• Cut yarn, thread a tapestry needle, and weave the end through the remaining stitches.
• Pull up tight and secure with a knot. Then, weave in any other loose ends.
• Make a pompom in Yarn A.
• Attach it to the endpoint of the hat (stitch it into place securely) and weave any loose ends.

Teen/Adult Small

Cast on 64 sts with Yarn A.

Join in the round and place a marker if you wish.

Round 1 – *K1, P1*, rep from *to* to the end of the round.

Continue to work in 1×1 ribbing, repeating round 1 until the piece measures 6 inches.

• Change to Yarn B and Knit 6 rounds.
• Change to Yarn C and Knit 6 rounds.

Repeat working in Yarn B for 6 rounds and then Yarn C for 6 rounds until the piece measures 12 inches from the cast on edge.

Decrease

You can change your needles to double-pointed needles if the decreases become too tight to knit, or use the magic loop technique.

Keeping the color change sequence, work as follows…

• *K2tog, K6* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K5* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K4* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K3* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K2* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K1* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• If the last color is not Yarn B (white), change to Yarn B and Knit 6 rounds.
• Cut yarn, thread a tapestry needle, and weave the end through the remaining stitches.
• Pull up tight and secure with a knot.
• Then, weave in any other loose ends.
• Make a pompom in Yarn A.
• Attach it to the endpoint of the hat (stitch it into place securely) and weave any loose ends.

Adult Medium

Cast on 72 sts with Yarn A.

Join in the round and place a marker if you wish.

Round 1 – *K1, P1*, rep from *to* to the end of the round.

Continue to work in 1×1 ribbing, repeating round 1 until the piece measures 6 inches.

• Change to Yarn B and Knit 6 rounds.
• Change to Yarn C and Knit 6 rounds.

Repeat working in Yarn B for 6 rounds and then Yarn C for 6 rounds until the piece measures 13 inches from the cast on edge.

Decrease

You can change your needles to double-pointed needles if the decreases become too tight to knit, or use the magic loop technique.

Keeping the color change sequence, work as follows…

• *K2tog, K7* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K6* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K5* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K4* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K3* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K2* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K1* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• If the last color is not Yarn B (white), change to Yarn B and Knit 6 rounds.
• Cut yarn, thread a tapestry needle, and weave the end through the remaining stitches.
• Pull up tight and secure with a knot.
• Then, weave in any other loose ends.
• Make a pompom in Yarn A.
• Attach it to the endpoint of the hat (stitch it into place securely) and weave any loose ends.

Adult Large

Cast on 80 sts with Yarn A.

Join in the round and place a marker if you wish.

Round 1 – *K1, P1*, rep from *to* to the end of the round.

Continue to work in 1×1 ribbing, repeating round 1 until the piece measures 6 inches.

• Change to Yarn B and Knit 6 rounds.
• Change to Yarn C and Knit 6 rounds.

Repeat working in Yarn B for 6 rounds and then Yarn C for 6 rounds until the piece measures 14 inches from the cast-on edge.

Decrease

You can change your needles to double-pointed needles if the decreases become too tight to knit, or use the magic loop technique.

Keeping the color change sequence, work as follows…

• *K2tog, K8* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K7* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K6* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K5* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K4* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K3* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K2* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• *K2tog, K1* repeat from * to* to the end of the round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• If the last color is not Yarn B (white), change to Yarn B and Knit 6 rounds.
• Cut yarn, thread a tapestry needle, and weave the end through the remaining stitches.
• Pull up tight and secure with a knot.
• Then, weave in any other loose ends.
• Make a pompom in Yarn A.
• Attach it to the endpoint of the hat (stitch it into place securely) and weave any loose ends.

How Do You Size A Knitted Elf Hat?

To size your Christmas elf hat, measure around the head where the brim will sit (just above the ears and eyebrows).

Then choose the closest size from the pattern that’s slightly smaller than the head measurement – this negative ease helps the hat fit snugly and stay in place.

If you’re between sizes, I recommend sizing up for kids and sizing down for adults who like a close fit.

What Type Of Hat Does An Elf Wear?

Elves usually wear a pointed, striped hat with a folded brim and a pom pom on top – just like this knitted elf hat pattern.

It’s cosy, a bit whimsical, and perfect in classic Christmas red, green, and white, but you can also knit it in any colours you like.

Could you share your work with us?

I love seeing your finished projects on social media.

If you enjoyed making the elf hat knitting pattern, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, tag me @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!

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Knitting Lessons

If you are a new knitter and need help with the knitting basics, check out the knitting lessons here – Knitting Lessons (With Video Tutorials)

There, you will find step-by-step tutorials for all the different knitting techniques a newbie needs to know. 

Including how to cast on, how to knit the knit stitch, the stockinette stitch, the rib stitch, the garter stitch, the mattress stitch, short rows, the magic loop method, the linen stitch, the seed stitch, and a list of knitting abbreviations, and more. 

And if you need more video tutorials, check out my YouTube channel here – Handy Little Me – YouTube