I got such wonderful response from my first knit hat pattern, I decided to write another one! This hat starts the same way, but the ribbing goes all the way to the top. It is super stretching and can be worn cuffed or slouchy. This pattern is written for a child's size, it fits my five year old perfectly, but it should fit him for a very long time, because it fits me too!
UPDATE: Here's another fun version of this hat!
One cool thing about this pattern is that the ribbing doesn't swirl at the crown, it is eaten up in more of a star shape (you'll find a photo towards the end of the post). This hat is slightly more advanced than this super simple knit hat, but not much. I still managed to knit the whole thing on a 16" circular needle, no need to switch to double points. As you'll see from the pictures the pattern lends itself to color blocking, but also looks great in a solid. I love how it looks with a giant pom pom, but it would look nice unadorned or with a more reasonable poof as well. If you're looking for a fun and easy go to hat pattern, this is it!
Note some of these photos are from our trip to Tahoe last winter! Talk about taking my time sharing a tutorial, better late than never right? I swear they loved the snow although you wouldn't know it from the photo, ha! I made both boys red caps, Jude's is this ribbed version and Ronan's is the Basic Knit Hat with a folded brim (to modify the pattern simply knit an extra two inches of ribbing).
Simple Knit Ribbed Hat Pattern
Note: As with my last tutorial, I've linked to helpful YouTube videos to make the process more clear for beginners. This pattern was inspired and adapted from this pattern.
You'll need:
- US size 8 16" circular needles
- Worsted weight yarn, this is Vanna's Choice
- Crochet hook or tapestry needle
For a child's sized hat cast on 72 stitches (I use the long tail cast on)
Note: If you would like to make the hat smaller or larger simply subtract or add stitches in multiples of 8 and knit it slightly shorter or longer respectively.
Place a marker and join in the round.
Work in k2, p2 (knit two, purl two) for 9 inches. If you would like a color blocked hat, k2, p2 for 3 inches, switch colors for for the remaining 6 inches. (Note: this is my favorite way to switch colors without having to fuss with weaving in ends)
Decrease as follows:
Note: you can switch to double points or magic loop if you'd like. When the stitches become few I simply pull my cord out from the middle of my work (adjusting it regularly) and muscle through, totally doable and easier for me than fussing with switching needles.
Rnd 1: k2, p2, k2, p2tog (purl 2 together), repeat pattern to marker (63 stitches)
Rnd 2: k2, p2, k2, p1, repeat pattern to marker
Rnd 3: k2, p2tog, k2, p1, repeat pattern to marker (54 stitches)
Rnd 4: k2, p1, k2, p1, repeat pattern to marker
Rnd 5: k2, p1, k2tog (knit 2 together), p1, repeat pattern to marker (45 stitches)
Rnd 6: k2, p2tog, p1, repeat to pattern marker (36 stitches)
Rnd 7: k2, p2tog, repeat to pattern marker (27 stitches)
Rnd 8: k2tog, p1, repeat to pattern marker (18 stitches)
Rnd 9: k2tog, repeat to end (8 stitches)
Break yarn and pull it through the remaining 8 stitches.
Weave in the ends.
Optional: Add a giant pom pom. I made mine by wrapping lots of yard around a large canning jar, slip off the bundle, tie in the middle, cut the loops, and trim like crazy.
Wear cuffed or slouchy, either way you're little one is sure to be stylishly warm!
Happy Knitting!!
