How to Knit a Baby Hat
Learn how to Knit a Simple Baby Hat
Baby hats are adorable and so much to knit. I was making them left and right for my own two kids and I love to knit them for others. They can make the sweetest baby gift for the perfect little bundle, or simply a way to bust through your stash. But if you’re used to knitting larger items, or maybe haven’t tried knitting in the round yet, you might not know where to start. Follow along in this post and you’ll learn how to knit a baby hat! I’ll even provide ways to customize the pattern, and give you links to more options.
This post is designed to give very basic instructions for knitting a tiny hat. This way you can quickly gain a familiarity with this type of knitting project. You can knit this hat as it is, or use this as a base to customize the pattern and knit a variety of hats. At the end of this post, I also have links to additional baby hats that you can download for free, or purchase.
I first learned how to knit a baby hat when I was expecting my first child. These are pictures of him and his Andalusian baby blanket below.
What You Need to Knit a Baby Hat:
Yarn
You’ll need a simple worsted weight yarn. Acrylics or acrylic blends are great for babies because they are soft and easier to care for. Babies get spit up in the darnedest of places, and I’ve recently found out that hats are no exception.
If you prefer a more natural option, look for worsted weight or number four yarns. Bamboo and cotton are great options too!
For the hat in the photos, I grabbed Premier Yarns’ Anti Pilling Lion Brand and Caron Simply Soft are other great acrylic options. They’re all really soft yarn that you just pop in the washing machine and watch the fuzz disappear. We put Fynn in a hat made from Premier’s Anti Pilling Yarn in the hospital and he’s been wearing one pretty much ever since.
Needles
Simple US Size 5 Double Pointed Needles are what you need to knit this hat. You’re always welcome to use the magic loop technique. I simply find it a bit more work and opt for DPNs. Many knitters are the exact opposite. (We’re all about as unique as our knits are!).
Baby Hat Knitting Pattern:
Cast on:
Newborn: 78 Stitches Using DPN
3-6 Months: 92 Stitches Using DPN
6-12 Months: 104 Stitches Using Circular Needle
12 months: Cast on 120 STS using Circular needle
Join in the round, taking care to make sure the stitches are not twisted.
Newborn: Rounds 1-7: *KTBL, P1* Repeat until the end of the round.
3-6 Months: Rounds 1-10: *KTBL, P1* Repeat until the end of the round.
6-12 Months: Rounds 1-13: *KTBL, P1* Repeat until the end of the round.
12 Months: Rounds 1-15 0r 20: *KTBL, P1* Repeat until the end of the round.
Body of the Hat:
Round 1: knit all stitches.
Repeat this round until your hat measures the following from the cast on edge:
Newborn: 5 inches
3-6 Months: 5.5 inches
6-12 Months: 6 inches
12 Months: 6.5-7 inches
Decrease Section:
You’re almost done! Now it’s time to shape the top of the hat. There are many different techniques you can use to shape the top of a hat or beanie. I like to keep it simple, by knitting two stitches together (k2tog) around the hat a few rounds.
Round 1: *K2tog, Knit 2* Repeat until last 2 stitches, K2tog.
Round 2: knit all stitches
Round 3: *K2tog, Knit 1* Repeat until last stitch, K1.
Round 4: knit all stitches.
Round 5: *K2tog* Repeat until last stitch.
Round 6: Slide last stitch from Round 5 onto left hand needle and start working the new round: *K2tog* repeat until end of the round.
Free Baby Hat Patterns:
Do you like this simple pattern? I have other free and paid patterns that offer a variety of elements. You can click the links below to be taken directly to the free baby hat patterns. You’ll be knitting for days and all at no cost to you. If you have any feedback on any of these patterns, please send me an email so that I can improve them and offer the very best pattern at the very best price.
Apres Ski Hat
Evenlyn’s Hat
Rabbit Tracks Hat
Reindeer Tracks Hat
Snow Drifts Hat
Other Baby Hat Patterns:
