Wrapped Stitches Baby Hat
This is a simple baby hat in several sizes. The wrapped stitches look more complicated than they are. I have included a photo tutorial on the technique.
This is an in-the-round pattern. There is a straight needle version here.
There is also a pattern available for a coordinating baby blanket.
Sizes:
Small preemie – 8″ circumference, 4″ high
Preemie – 10″ circumference, 5.5″ high
Newborn – 12″ circumference, 6″ high
6 month – 14″ circumference, 7″ high
12 month – 16″ circumference, 7.5″ high
Toddler – 18″ circumference, 8″ high
Gauge:
22 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in stockinette
Materials:
0.5 to 1 oz (40 to 80 yards) of DK weight baby yarn
Size 6 (4 mm) 40″ circular needle (for magic loop) or set of size 6 (4 mm) double pointed needles
Yarn needle
Abbreviations:
k = knit
p = purl
k2tog = knit two together
ssk = slip one knitwise, slip one knitwise, insert left needle into front of both slipped stitches and knit.
w2s = wrap two stitches – with yarn in back, slip two stitches to right needle purlwise. Bring yarn to front and slip the same two stitches back to left needle purlwise. Bring yarn to back and slip same two stitches back to right needle purlwise. Bring yarn to front and slip same two stitches back to left needle purlwise. Bring yarn to back and knit each of the two stitches.
Pattern:
Small preemie – Cast on 48
Preemie – Cast on 60
Newborn – Cast on 72
6 month – Cast on 84
12 month – Cast on 96
Toddler – Cast on 108
Join to knit in the round. Divide stitches between double pointed needles or needles for a magic loop. Divide with multiples of 12 on each needle.
Ribbing (6 rounds for preemie size, 8 rounds for other sizes): k2, p2 repeated across round
Repeat each instruction across the round:
Rnds 1 and 2: k
Rnd 3: w2s, k4
Rnds 4, 5 and 6: k
Rnd 7: k3, w2s, k1
Rnd 8: k
Repeat these eight rounds (end with an even row) until the hat measures the desired height for size including the ribbing:
Small preemie – 3″ high
Preemie – 4.25″ high
Newborn – 4.75″ high
6 month – 5.75″ high
12 month – 6.25″ high
Toddler – 6.75″ high
Crown:
Repeat across the round
Rnd 1: k4, k2tog, ssk, k4
Rnd 2: k
Rnd 3: k3, k2tog, ssk, k3
Rnd 4: k
Rnd 5: k2, k2tog, ssk, k2
Rnd 6: k
Rnd 7: k1, k2tog, ssk, k1
Rnd 8: k
Rnd 9: k2tog, ssk
Cut the yarn with several inches to work with. With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops, secure and weave in end.
Edits:
12/17/15 – replaced a broken link for Magic Loop method
Awesome projects. A friend just sent me the link to your potholder and I can’t wait to try it. My mother has made potholders from acrylic for more years than I can remember.
Love this project!
Are you still on Ravelry? If so, what’s your Ravelry name or group?
Warm regards,
DeeAnna
I don’t know how to use double pointed needles, but need to make preemie and children’s hats. Can I use a regular circular needle. I saw the blog, since I’m a beginner, I would like to use the circular or straight needles. Love your patterns.
If you use a regular circular needle or straight needles on the small hats, you will probably have to make them with a seam. You might try the magic loop (link in the pattern). I think it is by far the easiest way to knit in the round with small items.
You can also use a short length circular needle. I made the Wrapped Stitches Baby Hat using a 16in length and it works great.
Looking for the hat above directions for an adult size
Thank you
To make an adult size, I’d use worsted weight yarn and size 8 (5mm) needles. Cast on as follows:
Adult small – 72
Adult medium – 84
Adult large – 96
Just saw your instructions for ADULT-size Wrapped Stitch Hat–going to start one right now. THANK YOU!
so adorable and i love doing baby hats, i give them to the hospital when i get a lot done.
I’m searching for a knitted new born sized cap pattern for
our December babies at Mercy Hospital, Coon Rapids. Right now each December baby goes home in a big red & white flannel ‘boot’ that I have been sewing for years.
I think a cap would add to the charm.
(Approximately 200 babies each December!)Alice
In the instructions for Wrapped Stitch Baby Hat, could you please tell me the meaning of W2S and SSK? And if the W means wrap, how do you do it? And for the SSK, should I slip one stitch and then Knit that slipped stitch or Knit the next stitch? My thanks–Ann
These are defined in the abbreviations section of the pattern – I’ve copied them here. I think they answer your questions. There are also photos of the w2s in addition to the written instructions.
ssk = slip one knitwise, slip one knitwise, insert left needle into front of both slipped stitches and knit.
w2s = wrap two stitches – with yarn in back, slip two stitches to right needle purlwise. Bring yarn to front and slip the same two stitches back to left needle purlwise. Bring yarn to back and slip same two stitches back to right needle purlwise. Bring yarn to front and slip same two stitches back to left needle purlwise. Bring yarn to back and knit each of the two stitches.
Like to make some hat. Need insturction .what kind you want.
I’m from Troy ..Michigan I have a group ..we make blanket and
Donate to the hospital.
i absolutely LOVE this pattern…
but i must be slow.. i don’t quite understand the video pics of how to w2s ..
:/
i really want to know…
Thanks !
Anne
I will try to make a video of that in a next few days. It’s really not hard, but I understand it not coming through in the photos.
Hi Mama !! i did it !! and wow it is an awesome pattern and alot more easy than i was thinking.. i think the part that confused me was that you wrap the yarn around twice.. i was thinking once.. Once agai, Thank you for this awesome pattern !The baby blanket wil be awesome as well i cannot wait to get started on that !
Thanks Anne
I have been trying to knit the Wrapped Stitches baby had and I am having trouble with a hole before every wrap. The stitch on the right side of the wrap ends up being a huge knit stitch and I have tried to figure out why.
I have started this hat 4 times with the same result.
What am I doing wrong, wrapping wrong or what.
I will appreicate any help you can give me. Thank you, Joann
When doing the wraps you definitely have to keep it tight. Any slack can work it’s way into the stitches and cause them to extend.
i woulod like to know
wherw I could get the magic loop
Your patterns are AWSOME,
Verda
I use Addi Turbos for my magic loop knitting because the nylon is very flexible, so works well for it and they are also so well made where the nylon meets the needle so that yarn doesn’t get hung on that join. For magic loop knitting I like to have a 40″ or 47″ circular. This is the web site for Addi Turbos, but I have been able to find them at local yarn shops.
http://www.additurbos.com/
I can’t wait to make this hat in both baby’s and adults. I think it will be perfect for cancer patients.
I recently made a small hat and found I needed a size needle I did not have. I did have 2 circular short needles in that size. I found you can use 2 circular like double points except you can use just 2.
Have you done any experimentation with the wrapped portion being a contrasting color? I’m trying figure out a great way to do an easy newborn hat that appears like a watermelon.
I haven’t done experimentation with that. I think it would be easier to add the “seeds” afterward with a yarn needle.
Hi. I just think your patterns are pure genius!! My only problem is that I have tried to knit with a circular needle & just cannot do it. Is there any way you could convert this hat into a straight needle pattern? I asked you this about the man’s hat & you did it for me & it is much appreciated.
That one is a pretty quick convert. Just cast on one extra than what is called for on the size you want –
Ribbing (6 rows for preemie size, 8 rows for other sizes):
Row 1: * k2, p2 * k1
Row 2: p1, * k2, p2 *
Repeat between * across the row:
Row 1: k
Row 2 and all even rows: p
Row 3: k1 * w2s, k4 *
Row 5: k
Row 7: K1 * k3, w2s, k1 *
Row 8: p
Repeat these eight rows (end with an even row) until the hat measures the desired height for size including the ribbing:
Small preemie – 3″ high
Preemie – 4.25″ high
Newborn – 4.75″ high
6 month – 5.75″ high
12 month – 6.25″ high
Toddler – 6.75″ high
Crown:
Row 1: k1 * k4, k2tog, ssk, k4 *
Row 3: k1 * k3, k2tog, ssk, k3 *
Row 5: k1 * k2, k2tog, ssk, k2 *
Row 7: k1 * k1, k2tog, ssk, k1 *
Row 9: k1 * k2tog, ssk *
Cut the yarn with several inches to work with. With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops. Secure. Seam the side and weave in end.
I love this pattern. I am knitting one for a sweet girl I work with and it will be the perfect gift for her new little girl. I was skeptical about the level being “easy”, but with the picture tutorial, I picked up on it right away. Easy as pie and I’m onto the blanket next!
“”
GREAT pattern. I thought this pattern was easy to follow and creates a nicely shaped hat.I made one in each size. I am looking forward to trying some of your other patterns
Am not understanding the w2S. Do not understand the order of the pictures. Is there a video? Thanks
I haven’t made a video yet. I’ll put it on my to-do list. I’m glad you were able to figure it out.
Initially had some trouble understanding the w2S. The suggestion to use a cable holder when transferring the two stitches back and forth, helped bring the concept together for me. I used a dp needle instead. Finished project is precious baby wear. Will make a sentimental, beautiful gift. Thank you!
Thank you for making these patterns available and for all the fabulous responses to the comments. It is much appreciated!
Thanks for posting such a great pattern. A little more challenging than what I have been doing…was a good challenge and I’m pleased with the end result. The only thing I’m not entirely clear on is the reason for decreasing with both k2tog and ssk. They seem so similar. Is that what is giving the nice gathered look to the top?
They both decrease two stitches to one stitch. The difference is the slant of the remaining stitch. In my pattern they are arranged so that it gives the appearance of spokes coming out from the crown of the hat.
do you have a crochet patter n for this?
Sorry I don’t. There isn’t really a crochet equivalent for the stitch. I did look around on Ravelry for a similar pattern, but I couldn’t find anything.
Have been lookin for a ice pattern for my grit grandson. He is 3 was old.
Love your site. Thank you. Mal
You made it very easy for me to understand the knitting concept involved. Thank you for the pictures and the encouragement that it looks more complicated than it is.
Love it!
Hi, do you think the toddler size would fit a four year old? Thank you so much for your lovely patterns!
My son wore a toddler sized hat to age 5 or so, and his head is on the large side. Because they are stretchy they allow room to grow.
Started the 12 month. This thing seems like it would be too big for me, nevermind my baby….. I’m confused.
It’s probably a gauge difference. The sizes in the pattern are based on a gauge of 22 stitches per 4 inches. At that gauge the 12 month cast on of 96 will be a 17-1/2 inch circumference hat. If yours is larger than that you will need to cast on for a smaller size.
I’m making a preemie size of this hat to donate. I haven’t been knitting very long. Most adult beanies I have been making have a body of 5.5 inches, so 5.5 inches for the preemie seems long. Is this a tall hat? Obviously I won’t be able to try it on.
It’s sized to be a bit roomy to grow into and to be able to flip up the brim. You can definitely make it shorter if you prefer to not flip the brim and have it fit closer on top.