Knitters and hats go together like tea and biscuits – they're a perfect match! What better way to show off your knitting skills, and favourite yarns, than with a hat? They're such popular projects that we thought we'd round up our top hat knitting patterns to help you find your next go-to knit.
Whatever you're looking for, whether it's a basic beginner hat or something to keep an experienced knitter on their toes, we've got something in this list. There are beanies and berets, bobble hats and bonnets, and patterns for all ages, from newborn to adult. You'll find plain and striped hats; hats worked in rib stitch, simple knit and purl patterns or complex lace knitting; fitted and slouchy hats; and so much more.
Read on for our round-up of the best hat knitting patterns, and then check out our list of the best scarf knitting patterns for a neck-warmer to pair with your new headwear…
In our hat knitting patterns round-up you'll find:
29 of the best hat knitting patterns
Hat knitting patterns for babies
Make a basic baby hat
Everyone needs an easy hat knitting pattern in their repertoire, and we love this stripy stocking stitch design by Kirstie McLeod. It comes in three sizes, from newborn to toddler.
Cast on the basic baby hat knitting pattern.
Cast on a cute animal hat
Choose from six adorable designs (a chick, cat, dinosaur, bear, bunny and piglet) and whip up Rosee Woodland's quick animal hat for a baby or toddler.
Cast on the animal baby hat knitting pattern.
Try a traditional bonnet
Aren't these baby bonnets sweet? LilyPinkKnits' picture-perfect knits make a great outfit for newborn photos, and come in sizes from preemie to five years.
Get the pattern from Etsy.
Make a matching onesie and hat
You could make Monica Russel's bobble hat by itself, but we're pretty sure you won't be able to resist casting on the stripy onesie too! (Don't know how to make a pompom? Check out our guide for help.)
Cast on the easy knitted baby onesie and hat.
Knit a baby sunhat
Get little ones summer-ready with this sweet, stripy hat by Tina Barrett. Made from lightweight cotton, it'll keep the sun off without making them too hot. Find the free hat knitting pattern here on Gathered!
Cast on a free knitted baby hat pattern.
Wrap up warm in a helmet hat
With its fur trim and ear flaps, this knitted hat is guaranteed to keep baby cosy. Knit it for newborns up to seven years in Sirdar yarn – and don't forget the matching jacket and bootees!
Get the pattern from The Knitting Network.
Knit for a premature baby
If you have a teeny-tiny new arrival to knit for, welcome them to the world with this snuggly hat, specially sized for premature babies.
Cast on a free premature baby knitting pattern.
Hat knitting patterns for children
Double up with this pompom hat
Great for boys and girls, and quick to knit up in chunky yarn, this kids' hat is an all-round winner. And it looks fab in variegated yarn too!
Cast on a pom pom hat knitting pattern.
Stand out in bold stripes
Got a little sports fan in your family? Knit King Cole's stripy bobble hat and matching snood in their team's colours and they'll want to wear them all year long.
Get the pattern from Ebay.
Keep them cosy in an earflap hat
We love a Peruvian-style hat for keeping the cold wind out of little ears. This one by LoveFibres can be knitted flat or in the round, and the textured stitch pattern makes it a fun knit too.
Get the pattern from Etsy.
Make a festive Santa hat
Use loopy stitch to make the fluffy brim of this traditional Santa hat. Kids will love how tactile it is – and you'll love that it keeps them toasty all season long.
Cast on a Santa hat knitting pattern.
Twin with the kids in this stripy hat
Add some colour to their wardrobe (and yours!) with these stripy hat and jumper sets from Stylecraft, which come in sizes from child to adult.
Get the pattern from The Knitting Network.
Knit a hat for your little pudding
Little ones will feel oh-so festive in this scrumptious Christmas pudding hat, complete with holly and berries. (Feeling left out? Don't worry – there's an adult version too!)
Cast on a Christmas pudding hat knitting pattern.
Make a big cat hat
Roar! Kids will have fun pretending to be a tiger in this fab hat from Animal Hats to Knit by Luise Roberts, which features 20 wild hat designs for children and adults.
Get the book from Amazon.
Design a hat knitting pattern
If you're feeling inspired by what you've seen here, why not design your own hat? Find out how with our guides on how to design a hat knitting pattern and how to design a Fair Isle hat pattern, plus in-depth advice on how to shape the crown of a hat.
Hat knitting patterns for teens and adults
Cast on a hat knitting pattern for the homeless
This brilliant cable hat knitting pattern is free right her on Gathered and has been uploaded to supports the Hats for the Homeless charity camping. Knit this hat knitting pattern it to help keep folks living on the streets warm, but we also think it would make a wonderful warm gift for anyone you want to keep warm during winter.
Find the hats for the homeless hat knitting pattern
Make a hat for a good cause
If you like knitting hats but already have more than you need, consider making a few for charity. This unisex bobble hat pattern from Rico Design is perfect to knit for a good cause.
Cast on a bobble hat knitting pattern.
Discover brioche stitch
Have a go at squishy brioche stitch with this free pattern from Purl Soho. It comes in sizes from baby to adult, so you can make them for the whole family!
Cast on the Classic Brioche Hat pattern.
Try a twist on a classic
A fierce mix of big stripes and colourwork make this Honey Badger hat from madebykellyo a real head-turner. Plus it boasts a doubled-up rim for super-toasty ears.
Get the pattern from Etsy.
Go geo with creative colourwork
We could fill a whole list just with Woolly Wormhead's awesome hat patterns, but if we had to pick one we'd go for this eye-catching colourwork creation. Choose high-contrast shades for maximum impact.
Get the pattern from Etsy.
Get creative with cables
Show off a special skein of yarn with Kirstie McLeod's free hat knitting pattern. Those little twists are a fun way to learn how to cable knit too.
Cast on a cable hat knitting pattern.
Stand tall in this oversized hat
Bigger is better with this super-chunky Colour Pop Hat by Lauren Aston, an ideal project for circular knitting beginners. You can buy her easy hat knitting pattern on its own or get it as a kit here.
Get the pattern from Etsy.
Have fun with Fair Isle
We just love a colourful Fair Isle pattern, and this eye-catching accessory set by Sophie Jordan, made up of a cosy bobble hat and fingerless gloves, is one of our favourites. Go wild with neon brights – if you dare!
Cast on a Fair Isle knitting pattern: hat and gloves.
Think big with a super-chunky hat
Super-sized pompom and super-chunky yarn? Yes please! We love a hat that knits up in a flash, and this Stylecraft design is sure to become a go-to for quick gifts.
Get the pattern from The Knitting Network.
Sparkle in this textured hat
Cast on a hat knitting pattern with a touch of glam – the sparkly James C. Brett yarn gives this hat the wow factor. Add a matching scarf and mitts to complete the look.
Get the pattern from The Knitting Network.
Knit a classic bobble hat
It's a timeless classic! This two-colour bobble hat is a joy to work and perfect for gifting. Why not make a few to match your favourite outfits?
Cast on a bobble hat knitting pattern.
Feel chic in a beret
Add some Parisian style to your wardrobe with this knitted beret from Woman's Weekly. Team with the matching wrist warmers for an elegant winter ensemble.
Get the pattern from The Knitting Network.
Cosy up in a chunky accessory set
How cosy do these look? Make yourself Rosee Woodland's chunky hat and matching cowl and you'll never feel the chill again! Grab your favourite super-chunky yarn and cast on today…
Cast on a hat and cowl set knitting pattern.
Turn heads in cables and lace
With its tubular cast on and dainty lace and cable pattern, this hat by Kirstie McLeod is all about the detail. Treat yourself to a skein of your favourite hand-dyed yarn and cast it on today.
Get the pattern from Ravelry.
Be tempted by traditional Fair Isle
Mary Henderson creates beautiful Fair Isle designs (see more of her work in our vest knitting patterns collection), and this stunning hat is one of them. Knit it in alpaca yarn for extra cosiness.
Get the pattern in issue 116 of The Knitter, available as a digital issue.
Love these? Find more designs to make today in our knitting patterns section, and see how to knit for more technical tips.
