Home»Free Knitting Patterns»How to Knit a Hat for Beginners + Video Tutorial
If you’re brand new to knitting, a super quick hat is a fantastic beginner project! This step-by-step tutorial will teach you how to knit a hat from start to finish. You can check out the free pattern on this page, or if you prefer, you can purchase the ad-free, printable PDF from our shop.
UPDATED: DECEMBER 13, 2023 BY BRITTANY
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Skill Level | Beginner
Finished Size | Fits 17″-22″ Head Circumference; 9″ length
My easy knit hat is a great place to start if you’re brand new to knitting and looking for a first project. Especially if you’re not a scarf or headband person!
A hat is a practical way to learn and practice essential knitting skills, and this one covers them all. Plus by using a super bulky yarn, you’ll have it finished in a matter of hours.
In this easy-to-follow guide, I’ll walk you through the simple steps to knit a hat.
Don’t know how to knit yet? No worries! We have a complete How to Knit guide that’ll walk you through all the basics. Check that out first, and jump back to this project.
How to Knit a Hat Step-by-Step
This easy knit hat pattern for beginners provides a great foundation for learning the basic knitting stitches and techniques, helping you gain confidence and build your skills as you embark on your knitting journey.
Through this project, you’ll learn the fundamentals of every knitting project, including casting on, and basic knit stitches. Plus you can apply these techniques in a practical and enjoyable way.
Keep reading for more frequently asked questions, and pattern details, or jump down to the free pattern.
Pattern Overview:
- Supplies
- Buy the ad-free, printable pattern
- Abbreviations
- Pattern Notes
- How to Knit a Hat – Pattern Instructions
- Can This Hat Be Made In Other Sizes?
- How to Knit a Hat Step-by-Step Tutorial
- More Knitting Tutorials + Patterns for Beginners
- More Easy Knitting Patterns That a Beginner Can Make
You can view the pattern completely free on this page. But, if you prefer having a digital copy that you can save or print, we’ve got you covered with that option as well.
If you’d like to support our work here at B.Hooked, purchasing the digital pattern is a wonderful way to do so!
Recommended Supplies
- Approx 106 yds; Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick (Colorway pictured: Marble)
- US 11 Circular Needle 16″ (measured tip-to-tip)
- Yarn Needle, Large
- Scissors
Abbreviations
- CO Cast On
- k Knit
- p Purl
These abbreviations are industry standards and are used to simplify the pattern and make it easier to read. Whenever you see a “K” simply tell yourself to knit and whenever you see a “P”, that’s your cue to purl.
Pattern Notes
As a new knitter, you won’t need to worry too much about gauge right now. Just know it is a very important metric in the overall size of the easy knit hat. If your hat turns out much bigger or smaller than the size listed above, you may want to measure a section of the hat and compare that to the gauge. If your hat measurements are completely different, that’s why!
Gauge helps bridge the gap between my particular knitting style and yours. We’re all unique! Fortunately, the easy knit hat is very simple and the gauge usually doesn’t cause any issues.
Gauge: 7 sts x 4.5 rounds = 2″ worked in stockinette stitch
Finished Size: Fits most 17″-22″ head circumference; About 9″ long
Not sure what gauge is? Check out our comprehensive guide to learn all about it here.
Easy Knit Hat Pattern Instructions
Cast on 44 stitches using the long tail cast on.
Rounds 1-6:k1, p1.
Rounds 7-26:K all stitches.
A digital pattern is available in our shop so you can print out the pattern
Finishing
To close up the top, trim your yarn leaving a tail that is approximately 24″ long. Feed the tail through each stitch with your darning needle, removing them from your knitting needle as you go. Once you have fed the tail through every stitch, pull the tail to draw it up.
Pull it as tightly as you can without breaking your yarn. Using the darning needle, run the tail around the center of the closure several times to secure it. Run the tail through the center of the hat, tie a knot, and trim.
By using this pattern, you agree to our terms of use:
This pattern is for personal use only. You agree not to modify, publish, transmit, sell, create derivative works or in any way exploit any of the content within this page, in whole or in part. If you wish to share this pattern, share a link to this webpage only. You may sell finished items made from this pattern.
Copyright, B.Hooked Crochet, LLC
How to Knit a Hat In Other Sizes?
This pattern is currently available in one size, but it’s pretty simple to make adjustments for a different-sized hat. The two main things you need to change are:
- The number of cast on stitches (more for bigger, fewer for smaller)
- The total number of rounds in the hat (more for bigger, fewer for smaller)
To estimate the number of cast-on stitches, you will need to know the hat circumference you need. Once you have this measurement, check out our hat sizing guide to learn how to calculate your cast on number of stitches.
How to Knit a Hat Step-by-Step Tutorial
Video not displaying? Watch this tutorial on YouTube instead.
More Knitting Tutorials + Patterns for Beginners
Making step-by-step tutorials for beginners is kind of our thing. If you aren’t ready to knit a hat yet, check out some of our other tutorials with free knitting patterns specifically for beginners:
- Beginner Knit Scarf
- Easy Knit Baby Blanket
- Cozy Knit Shrug
- Really Easy Knit Baby Hat
More Easy Knitting Patterns That A Beginner Can Make
- Faux Turtleneck Knit Cowl
- Easy Knit Pom pom Scarf
- Simple Seed Stitch Cowl
