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This free knitting pattern for a quick and easy baby hat includes 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months and 1-2 year sizes. Using only knit, purl and k2tog, this is an easy pattern, great for a beginning knitter, or for a quick knit in front of the TV. It would make a great present for a new baby or knitted up for charity.
I really love charity knitting – it gives me an excuse to knit, but more importantly it is helping out those in need – and not necessarily because they cannot afford clothing themselves, sometimes just to know someone cares.
Several years ago, my home city, Christchurch in New Zealand, was hit by a massive earthquake. The destruction was something from nightmares. One of the things that still makes me smile is my son, who was about 5 at the time, coming home from school with a knitted hat. Someone (and I wish I knew who!) had organised for lots of knitters to make hats for the children in Christchurch and thousands of children received them. Now, it wasn’t that my son needed a hat (he has a knitter for a mum, of course!) but he needed to know people cared. He was so proud of that hat, that a stranger had been thinking of him and what we were all going through and had taken the time to make it for him. Even now, 7 years on, he still has that hat stashed away in his cupboard.
Materials:
8ply/DK yarn and 4 mm knitting needles (US size 6, UK size 8)
Fits 0-3 Months
Cast on 73 sts
Row 1: (k2, p2) x 18, k last st
Row 2: p 1 (k2, p2) x 18
Work these two rows 12 times (24 rows of rib in total)
Starting with a p row, st-st 25 rows
Shape crown:
Row 1: k1, (k2tog, k7) x 8 (65 sts)
Row 2: p row
Row 3: k1, (k2tog, k6) x 8 (57 sts)
Row 4: p row
Row 5: k1, (k2tog, k5) x 8 (49 sts)
Row 6: p row
Row 7: k1, (k2tog, k4) x 8 (41 sts)
Row 8: p row
Row 9: k1, (k2tog, k3) x 8 (33 sts)
Row 10: p row
Row 11: k1, (k2tog, k2) x 8 (25 sts)
Row 12: p row
Row 13: k1, (k2tog, k1) x 8 (17 sts)
Row 14: p row
Row 15: k1, (k2tog) x 8 (9 sts)
Fits 3-6 months
Cast on 81 sts
Row 1: (k2, p2) x 20, k last st
Row 2: p 1 (k2, p2) x 20
Work these two rows 12 times (24 rows of rib in total)
Starting with a p row, st-st 25 rows
Shape crown:
Row 1: k1, (k2tog, k8) x8 (73 sts)
Row 2: p row
Row 3: k1, (k2tog, k7) x 8 (65 sts)
Row 4: p row
Row 5: k1, (k2tog, k6) x 8 (57 sts)
Row 6: p row
Row 7: k1, (k2tog, k5) x 8 (49 sts)
Row 8: p row
Row 9: k1, (k2tog, k4) x 8 (41 sts)
Row 10: p row
Row 11: k1, (k2tog, k3) x 8 (33 sts)
Row 12: p row
Row 13: k1, (k2tog, k2) x 8 (25 sts)
Row 14: p row
Row 15: k1, (k2tog, k1) x 8 (17 sts)
Row 16: p row
Row 17: k1, (k2tog) x 8 (9 sts)
Fits 6-12 months
Cast on 89 sts
Row 1: (k2, p2) x 22, k last st
Row 2: p 1 (k2, p2) x 22
Work these two rows 15 times (30 rows of rib in total)
Starting with a p row, st-st 31 rows
Shape crown:
Row 1: k1(k2tog, k9) x 8 (81 sts)
Row 2: p row
Row 3: k1, (k2tog, k8) x8 (73 sts)
Row 4: p row
Row 5: k1, (k2tog, k7) x 8 (65 sts)
Row 6: p row
Row 7: k1, (k2tog, k6) x 8 (57 sts)
Row 8: p row
Row 9: k1, (k2tog, k5) x 8 (49 sts)
Row 10: p row
Row 11: k1, (k2tog, k4) x 8 (41 sts)
Row 12: p row
Row 13: k1, (k2tog, k3) x 8 (33 sts)
Row 14: p row
Row 15: k1, (k2tog, k2) x 8 (25 sts)
Row 16: p row
Row 17: k1, (k2tog, k1) x 8 (17 sts)
Row 18: p row
Row 19: k1, (k2tog) x 8 (9 sts)
Fits 1-2 years
Cast on 97 sts
Row 1: (k2, p2) x 24, k last st
Row 2: p 1 (k2, p2) x 24
Work these two rows 15 times (30 rows of rib in total)
Starting with a p row, st-st 31 rows
Shape crown:
Row 1: k1(k2tog, k10) x 8 (89 sts)
Row 2: p row
Row 3: k1(k2tog, k9) x 8 (81 sts)
Row 4: p row
Row 5: k1, (k2tog, k8) x8 (73 sts)
Row 6: p row
Row 7: k1, (k2tog, k7) x 8 (65 sts)
Row 8: p row
Row 9: k1, (k2tog, k6) x 8 (57 sts)
Row 10: p row
Row 11: k1, (k2tog, k5) x 8 (49 sts)
Row 12: p row
Row 13: k1, (k2tog, k4) x 8 (41 sts)
Row 14: p row
Row 15: k1, (k2tog, k3) x 8 (33 sts)
Row 16: p row
Row 17: k1, (k2tog, k2) x 8 (25 sts)
Row 18: p row
Row 19: k1, (k2tog, k1) x 8 (17 sts)
Row 20: p row
Row 21: k1, (k2tog) x 8 (9 sts)
What does st-st mean in pattern. Thank you. Knit one row – purl one row?
Yes, st-st is stocking stitch – knit one row, purl one row 🙂
I used this pattern and it turned out really well! My other half now wants one, don’t suppose you have or know of a very similar pattern for an adult mens hat?
Thank you! I’ve found this pattern on Ravelry which looks similar but is in adult sizes https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beginner-beanie-5
I think the rib is a bit shorter though, so I’d work double the number of rows of rib 🙂 Hope that helps!
Thank you for the lovely patterns very nice of you
What happens with the last nine stitches?
Hi Sue, thread the yarn through those 9 stitches and pull tight and then tie the yarn
Hi. As a beginner knitter, does this knit flat and get sewn up the back seam or using dpns or circular needles? Thanks for your help
Hi Christy, this pattern is knitted flat and then sewn up the back. Thanks for your question 😊
Thank you for this easy to follow pattern. Really enjoyed making it for my new grandson.
Hi there, I’ve just finished knitting this hat (3-6 months size). It’s a lovely hat but I’m not sure how to make it up. Do I thread yarn through the remains nine stitches or cast them off before sewing up? Thanks so much ❤️
Hi Ruth, you can do either. I usually thread the yarn through the remaining 9 stitches though.
Lovely hat. Great that you give it In all sizes. Much appreciated.jean
Thanks Jean 🙂
Just finished my first baby hat and I’m so pleased with the result. It only took a few hours and the pattern was so easy to follow. I’m sure my granddaughter will look gorgeous in it! Turning back more or less of the ribbed section gives two completely different looks! Will be watching for more projects. Thank you!
Thanks, Margaret, so glad you like the pattern 🙂
I made this last winter for my 18 month old granddaughter. It looked quite big but once she had it on it fitted beautifully! She wore it all winter! This autumn my daughter and I hunted everywhere trying to find the paper I had copied it out on.Today I found the website and reckon if I add eight extra stitches when I cast on it should make the new hat just right. She is still wearing the old one this year whilst we searched for the pattern! Thank you.