Make this basic baby hat knitting pattern your go-to for new baby gifts. Our adorable easy baby hat knitting pattern, designed by Kirstie McLeod for Simply Knitting issue 109, is made very simply in stocking stitch, with a neat little rib stitch edging and a softly rounded crown.
As an added extra, a pompom made with the contrasting yarn will set it off beautifully. Haven't created pompoms before? It's easy! Learn how to make a pompom with our step-by-step guide. It's the perfect flourish for our easy baby hat knitting pattern.
We think this basic baby hat knitting pattern is perfect for those exploring knitting for beginners. As you make this basic baby hat you'll learn how to change yarns to create stripes, and how to decrease for the crown of a hat. Plus you'll end up with the cutest little present for a new arrival! If you need something for an even smaller baby, try our premature baby hat pattern.
Basic baby hat knitting pattern materials
Paintbox Yarns Baby DK (55% nylon, 45% acrylic, 50g/167m)
- Yarn A Paper White (1700)
- Yarn B Ballet Pink (752)
A pair of 3¾mm knitting needles
Basic baby hat knitting pattern
Tension
18 sts and 23 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 3¾mm needles
Measurements
Check out our knitting abbreviations for all the terms used in this pattern.
Cast on 80 (88: 96) sts using 3¾mm needles and yarn A.
Row 1 Knit.
Row 2-4 (K1, P1) to end of row.
Change to Yarn B.
Row 5-6 (K1, P1) to end of row.
Change to yarn A.
Row 7-9 (K1, P1) to end of row.
Starting with a knit (RS) row, cont in st st for 4 rows.
**Change to yarn B, st st 2 rows.
Change to Yarn A, st st 4 rows, cont as set from ** rep patt until hat meas 13 (15: 17)cm from the cast on edge, ending on a WS row.
Baby hat crown
Row 1 *K8 (9: 10), k2tog; rep from * to end of row.
Row 2 and all alt rows Purl.
Row 3 *K7 (8: 9), k2tog; rep from * to end of row.
Row 5 *K6 (7: 8), k2tog; rep from * to end of row.
Row 7 *K5 (6: 7), k2tog; rep from * to end of row.
Row 9 *K4 (5: 6), k2tog; rep from * to end of row.
Row 11 *K3 (4: 5), k2tog; rep from * to end of row.
Row 13 *K2 (3: 4), k2tog; rep from * to end of row.
Row 15 *K1 (2: 3), k2tog; rep from * to end of row.
Row 16 *P2tog, P (- :1: 2); rep from * to end of row.
Sizes 6-12 mths & 1-2 yrs only
Row 17 *K ( -: 1), k2tog; rep from * to end of row.
Size 1-2 yrs only
Row 18 *P2tog; rep from * to end of row.
Make up the baby hat
Break yarn, thread yarn through rem sts and pull tight. With the RS facing, sew seam together, matching up the stripes. Weave in loose ends.
Download your basic baby hat knitting pattern
Get this easy baby hat knitting pattern as a download here: Basic baby hat knitting pattern PDF
Please note that in the basic baby hat knitting pattern download, row 13 uses purl stitches, but we recommend Row 13 *K2 (3: 4), k2tog; rep from * to end of row.
Basic baby hat knitting pattern video
See how to shape the crown in our basic baby hat knitting pattern with this ho to knit a baby hat video.
More free baby knitting patterns
Whip up a quick little knit for a new arrival with our knitting patterns for babies.
