Knitted Christmas hat: Santa hat knitting pattern

Knitted Christmas hats are a great way to add some fun to any festive outfit, so we think you'll love this Santa hat knitting pattern by Kirstie McLeod. It's easy to work up in just a few evenings, and would make a fun gift or stocking filler for kids and young teens.

The loopy cuff and pom-pom on this Santa hat, which was designed for Simply Knitting magazine issue 100, are so much fun! The sequins add festive sparkle – and they’re in the yarn, so you don't have to sew them on yourself. If you can't find sequinned yarn, the hat would look good in any plain chunky yarn too. Why not choose a colour other than red for a modern twist on a traditional style?

To create the fluffy brim on this Santa hat knitting pattern, Kirstie has used a loop stitch. It's easy to work once you know how, so give it a go and you'll soon have it mastered. Practise on some scrap yarn until you get the hang of the technique, then you'll be ready to cast on for real.

For more festive makes don't miss our other Christmas craft ideas.

To make this knitted Christmas hat you will need:

• King Cole, Galaxy Chunky (56% acrylic, 42% wool, 2% payette, 50g/71m), 1 ball each of: Yarn A Saturn (684) Yarn B Red (686) If you can't find this yarn, you could substitute any chunky-weight wool/acrylic yarn, or use King Cole Galaxy DK and hold the yarn double. Remember to do a swatch to check your tension before you cast on.
• A pair of 5mm (US 8) knitting needles

Knitted Christmas hat pattern

This pattern uses our standard knitting abbreviations.

Tension

18 sts and 23 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over stocking stitch using 5mm needles

Size

Approx 50cm circumference to fit child/teenager

Santa hat cuff

Cast on 20 sts using 5mm needles and yarn A.

Row 1 (WS) Knit.

Row 2 (RS) K1, * K1 - (keeping the st on the left-hand needle, bring yarn to the front, wrap yarn round left thumb to form a loop, take the yarn back, knit the st on the left-hand needle again, yo right-hand needle and then pass the 2 sts back over the yo), K1; rep from * to last st, K1.

Row 3 (WS) Knit.

Row 4 (RS) K1, *K1, K1 - (keeping the st on the left hand needle, bring yarn to the front, wrap yarn round left thumb to form a loop, take the yarn back, knit the st on the left-hand needle again, yo right-hand needle and then pass the 2 sts back over the yo); rep from * to last st, K1.

Rep these 4 rows until knitting meas 55cm ending with a row 1 or 3.

Cast off.

Santa hat knitting pattern

With the RS of the cuff facing, using 5mm needles and yarn B, pick up and K46 sts evenly along the side edge of the cuff.

Row 1 (WS) Pfb into every st. [92 sts]

Row 2 Knit.

Row 3 Purl.

Cont in st st until 7 rows worked, ending with a P row.

Next row *K21, k2tog; rep from * to end of row. [88 sts]

Starting with a P row, st st 3 rows.

Next row *K20, k2tog; rep from * to end of row. [84 sts]

Starting with a P row, st st 3 rows.

Cont to decrease in this fashion until 56 sts remain.

Next row (WS) Purl.

Next row K12, k2tog; rep from * to end of the row. [52 sts]

Rep these 2 rows until 4 sts rem.

Santa hat pom-pom

Change to yarn A.

Row 1 (WS) Knit.

Row 2 and every alt row (RS) As row 2 of the cuff.

Row 3 (WS) Kfb into each st. [8 sts]

Row 5 As Row 3. [16 sts]

Row 7 K1, kfb; rep from * to end of row. [24 sts]

Row 9 Knit.

Row 11 K1, k2tog; rep from * to end of row. [16 sts]

Row 13 K2tog, to end of row. [8 sts]

Row 15 As Row 13. [4 sts]

Cast off.

Making up the Santa hat

With RS facing and starting at cuff, sew along the seam using a matching thread. When you reach the pom-pom turn the right way out, stuff with a little of the leftover yarn A and sew the seam closed. Fold over the cuff and slip stitch the sides together. Weave in all loose ends.

Download the knitted Christmas hat pattern:

Get a PDF version of this pattern here: Santa Hat Knitting Pattern PDF