Basic Knit Hat Pattern

Knitting, Patterns

Check out my free knit pattern for this basic hat – pom pom optional (but oh so amazing!), which fits kids and adults!

Inspiration

So I made a Bandana Cowl with a Caron Cake and wanted to make a matching knit hat.  Since the yarn already has a built-in gradient, I just wanted a simple hat that would stay tight to my head.  I did some googling and looking on Ravelry, just to find how many stitches to cast on and how long I should make it, but didn’t really find anything quickly that made sense for me.

And so… I instead made one up!  It’s the most basic hat ever, but maybe others will enjoy having this pattern easily accessible!  Also shown is the Bandana Cowl I created with the same ball of yarn, you can find that FREE pattern by Purl Soho here.

Materials

  • Aran-weight yarn or required yarn to achieve gauge below (I used Caron Cakes in the Cake Pop colour)
  • 16″ circular needles in 2 sizes, to achieve gauge, can also use magic loop technique on longer circular (I used 4.5 mm and 4.0 mm)
  • Double Pointed Needles in larger size (optional – can use magic loop technique on longer circulars as well)
  • Tapestry Needle
  • Jumbo Pom Pom maker (optional – but amazing!)
  • Sharp scissors

Gauge

18 st and 23 rows in a 4″ x 4″ square of stockinette.

Fit

This hat fits me (adult) as well as my 5 year old daughter.  The secret is to use a stretchy cast on and use smaller needles for the ribbing!

Pattern

Note that this hat is worked bottom up.  For CO I used the super stretchy cast on in this video.

CO 72, join to work in the round, placing a st marker to mark the beginning of the round
Work 1×1 rib (k1, p1) around, or 2×2 (k2, p2) if you prefer for 2″ (~12 rows)
Work in stockinette (k every st) for 4″ (~25 rows)

Now do the decreases, switching to magic loop technique or DPNs where appropriate
*k7, k2tog* repeat to end of round (64 st)
*k6, k2tog* repeat to end of round (56 st)
*k5, k2tog* repeat to end of round (48 st)
*k4, k2tog* repeat to end of round (40 st)
*k3, k2tog* repeat to end of round (32 st)
*k2, k2tog* repeat to end of round (24 st)
*k1, k2tog* repeat to end of round (16 st)
*k2tog* repeat to end of round (8 st)
*k2tog* repeat to end of round (4 st)

Break yarn leaving a tail.  Thread the yarn end on a tapestry needle and pull through remaining 4 stitches, pull the hole closed and fasten.

Weave in loose ends.

Optionally, make a pom pom for it.  I did because I wanted way more blue!  I used this Extra Large Pom Pom maker from Clover:

This makes an amazing pom pom EVERY TIME!  Attach the pom to the hat and VOILA!  Hat is complete!

Please feel free to make and sell items made from this pattern, but please link back to my post if you do. Please do not copy my pattern and claim it as your own, or publish the pattern elsewhere without permission. Happy crafting!

Link to pattern in Ravelry: Basic Knit Hat 5

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