Free bobble hat knitting pattern

Knit warm clothing for those in need with this free bobble hat knitting pattern. UK Hand Knitting have brought it to you as part of their Commit to Knit campaign, which encourages knitters to make items for charity. For the 2020 campaign they're asking you to join their Hats for the Homeless appeal by casting on a hat such as this one for a good cause.

Last year's Hats for the Homeless campaign, in conjunction with Commit to Knit, was a big success, and this year's is looking set to be even bigger.

Warm hats are always welcome items of clothing when it’s chilly, and Rico Design’s free bobble hat pattern has a ribbed brim to make it extra snug. The cables create a lovely texture, and once you’ve mastered the cabling pattern the hat will knit up quickly. If you're new to cables our how to cable knit guide will show you how it's done!

Send your finished hat to UK Hand Knitting Hats for the Homeless, Stylecraft, Spa Mill, New Road, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield HD7 5BB, and visit UK Hand Knitting for more about Commit to Knit and other campaigns.

You can find this and more charity patterns in the Commit to Knit supplement from issue 147 of Simply Knitting magazine.

To make this bobble hat knitting pattern you will need:

• Rico Design, Essentials Merino DK (100% wool, 50g/120m), 2 balls of Burgundy (009)
• A pair of 3¼mm (US 3) needles
• A pair of 4mm (US 6) needles
• A cable needle

Bobble hat knitting pattern

Tension

27 sts and 31 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over pattern on 4mm needles

Measurements

53cm (21in) diameter

Abbreviations

C10B Slip 5 sts onto cn, hold at back of work, K5 from left-hand needle, K5 from cn.

C6B Slip 3 sts onto cn, hold at back of work, K3 from left-hand needle, K3 from cn.

For a full list see our knitting abbreviations.

Bobble hat

Cast on 142 sts using 3¼mm needles and thumb method.

Row 1 *K2, P2; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2.

Row 2 *P2, K2; rep from * to last 2 sts, P2.

These 2 rows will now be referred to as 2x2 rib stitch. Cont in 2x2 rib until work measures 9cm, ending with a RS row.

Next row P to end inc 3 sts evenly across row. [145 sts]

Change to 4mm needles and work as follows:

Row 1 *P6, K10; rep from * to last st, P1.

Row 2 K1, *P10, K6; rep from * to end.

Rep rows 1 & 2 once.

Row 5 *P6, C10B; rep from * to last st, P1.

Row 6 As row 2.

Rep rows 1 & 2, 4 times.

These 14 rows form patt.

Work 28 rows more in patt.

SHAPE CROWN

Row 1 *P2togtbl, P2, p2tog, K10; rep from * to last st, P1. [127 sts]

Row 2 K1, *P10, K4; rep from * to end.

Row 3 *P2togtbl, p2tog, K10; rep from * to last st, P1. [109 sts]

Row 4 K1, *P10, K2; rep from * to end.

Row 5 *P2, C10B; rep from * to last st, P1.

Row 6 K1, *P10, K2; rep from * to end.

Row 7 *P2, sl1, K1, psso, K6, k2tog; rep from * to last st, P1. [91 sts]

Row 8 K1, *P8, K2; rep from * to end.

Row 9 *P2, sl1, K1, psso, K4, k2tog; rep from * to last st, P1. [73 sts]

Row 10 K1, *P6, K2; rep from * to end.

Row 11 *P2, C6B; rep from * to last st, P1.

Row 12 K1, *P6, K2; rep from * to end.

Row 13 *P2, sl1, K1, psso, K2, k2tog; rep from * to last st, P1. [55 sts]

Row 14 K1, *P4, K2; rep from * to end.

Row 15 *P2, sl1, K1, psso, k2tog; rep from * to last st, P1. [37 sts]

Row 16 K1, *P2, K2; rep from * to end.

Row 17 *P2tog, k2tog; rep from * to last st, P1. [19 sts]

Row 18 K1, *p2tog; rep from * to end. [10 sts]

Break yarn and thread through rem 10 sts. Fasten off.

Make up the bobble hat

Weave in ends and sew back seam, reversing sewing for 8cm for turnback. Make a 12cm diameter pompom (follow our how to make a pompom guide for full instructions) and attach to the crown. Cover with a clean, damp tea towel and leave until dry. See ball band for washing and further care instructions.

Download your bobble hat knitting pattern:

Get your free bobble hat knitting pattern PDF and cast on today!