How to Knit a Hat: A Beginner's Guide With a Simple Pattern in Four Sizes

A hat takes one skein, one evening of knitting and one new skill: working in the round. If you've knit a scarf, you're ready. This guide covers the sizes, the yarn, the two ways to knit a tube, the crown decreases that confuse everyone the first time, and a plain beanie pattern you can make in four sizes.

What you need

• Yarn: one skein of worsted weight, about 150 to 220 yards. Worsted is the right first-hat weight: quick, warm, easy to see. Smooth, light colors show your stitches. Silk and silk blends make a hat with drape and sheen; wool makes a warmer, springier one.
• A 16-inch circular needle, US 8 (5 mm) for the body. The 16-inch length matters: longer won't go round a hat.
• Double-pointed needles in the same size (or a long circular for magic loop) for the crown, where the stitch count gets too small for the 16-inch circular.
• A US 6 or 7 needle for the brim if you want it snug (optional).
• Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors.

Hat sizes and how many stitches to cast on

A knit hat should be about 2 inches smaller than the head it's for, because knitting stretches. At a gauge of 18 stitches per 4 inches (typical worsted on US 8):

The cast-on counts are multiples of 4 so the ribbing and decreases work out. If your gauge is different, multiply hat circumference by your stitches-per-inch and round to a multiple of 4. Yarn weights and gauge explained if you want the full chart.

Knitting in the round, explained once

Cast on, then join the first and last stitches into a circle by simply knitting the first stitch with the working yarn from the last. Place a marker before you do, so you know where the round begins. The single rule: make sure the cast-on edge isn't twisted around the needle before you join. Lay it flat, check it, then knit. A twisted join is the one mistake you can't fix without starting over.

In the round you never turn the work, so every round is knit from the right side. That means stockinette is just "knit every stitch," which is why a hat is faster than a scarf.

A simple beanie pattern

Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rounds per 4 inches in stockinette on US 8. Yarn: one skein worsted. Numbers below are for Adult S/M (88 stitches); use the table for other sizes.

1. Cast on 88 with the long-tail cast-on on the 16-inch circular (US 6 or 7 for a snugger brim). Place marker, join in the round without twisting.
2. Brim: *Knit 2, purl 2*, repeat around. Work this 2x2 rib for 1.5 inches (about 10 rounds). Switch to the US 8 if you used a smaller needle.
3. Body: Knit every round until the hat measures 7 inches from the cast-on edge (7.5 for Large, 6 for child, 4.5 for baby). For a slouchy hat, add 2 inches.
4. Crown decreases. Switch to double-pointed needles when the stitches get tight.
   • Round 1: *Knit 9, knit 2 together*, repeat around. (80 stitches)
   • Round 2 and every even round: knit.
   • Round 3: *Knit 8, knit 2 together*, repeat. (72)
   • Round 5: *Knit 7, knit 2 together*. (64)
   • Continue the pattern, knitting one fewer stitch before each decrease on every odd round, until *Knit 1, knit 2 together* leaves 16 stitches.
   • Last round: knit 2 together around. (8 stitches)
5. Finish: Cut the yarn leaving a 10-inch tail, thread it through the remaining 8 stitches with the tapestry needle, pull tight, and weave the tail in on the inside. Weave in the cast-on tail.

For other sizes: Large (96 stitches) starts the decreases at *knit 10, knit 2 together*. Child (76) first works one setup round decreasing 4 stitches evenly to 72, then starts at *knit 7, knit 2 together*. Baby (60) starts at *knit 4, knit 2 together*, which gives ten repeats per round instead of eight; the rest of the sequence is the same.

Three ways to change it

• Pom-pom. The reason most hats get made. Wrap yarn around a 3-inch piece of cardboard 100 times, tie tight through the middle, cut the loops, trim.
• Folded brim. Knit the rib for 3 inches instead of 1.5 and fold it up.
• Stripes. Change color at the start of a round. To avoid a jog, knit the first stitch of the second round of the new color by lifting the stitch below onto the needle and knitting it together.

Common first-hat problems

It's too big. You knit looser than 18 stitches per 4 inches. Next time, swatch, or go down a needle size. There's a gap at the join. Pull the tails snug and weave them to close it. The crown has a hole at the top. Pull the final tail tighter and weave it in a circle before going down the inside. The rib flares. Use a needle one or two sizes smaller for the brim.

What to knit after a hat

Mittens, a cowl or a second hat in a new yarn. If you'd like the yarn to show up with the pattern already written for it, Yarn of the Month sends three hand-dyed skeins a month with a knit and crochet pattern, $29 a month plus shipping. Hats are what most members make from their first box.

Knitting a hat: FAQ

How much yarn do I need to knit a hat?
An adult beanie in worsted weight uses about 120 to 180 yards; one standard skein is enough. Bulky yarn uses about 80 to 120 yards. Add 30 yards for a pom-pom.

Can I knit a hat on straight needles?
Yes: knit it flat as a rectangle in rib or stockinette, decrease the crown over the last rows, then seam the side. It works, though the seam shows and knitting in the round is easier than it looks.

How long does it take to knit a hat?
Four to six hours for a beginner in worsted weight; two to three once you're comfortable in the round. Bulky yarn on big needles can be done in an evening.