Basic Ribbed Baby/Child Hat
This is a very basic ribbed hat in several sizes.
Sizes:
Preemie – 10″ circumference, 6″ high
Newborn – 12″ circumference, 7″ high
6 month – 14″ circumference, 8″ high
12 month – 16″ circumference, 9″ high
Toddler – 18″ circumference, 9.5″ high
Gauge:
22 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in stockinette
Materials:
0.5 to 2 oz (40 to 160 yards) of DK weight soft 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.
Pattern:
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.
Body:
Repeat k1, p2, k1 across the round. Do this for each round until the piece measures as follows:
Preemie – 4.75″ high
Newborn – 5.75″ high
6 month – 6.75″ high
12 month – 7.75″ high
Toddler – 8.25″ high
Crown:
Repeat across the round
Rnd 1: ssk, p1, k2, p2, k2, p1, k2tog
Rnd 2: k1, p1, k2, p2, k2, p1, k1
Rnd 3: ssk, k2, p2, k2, k2tog
Rnd 4: k3, p2, k3
Rnd 5: ssk, k1, p2, k1, k2tog
Rnd 6: k2, p2, k2
Rnd 7: ssk, p2, k2tog
Rnd 8: k1, p2, k1
Rnd 9: ssk, k2tog
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
do you hav the pattern for the blanket i would like to make the blanket and hat i have two baby’s coming in oct
Which blanket? I will try if you can just let me know what blanket pattern you are seeking.
i will be using a worsted weight yarn for this hat. the child is 5 years old. what modifications do i need to do?
thanks
Use size 8 (5mm) needles and cast on 84.
Good morning. I really would love to try this hat and will be using worsted weight yarn. The hat will be for a 1 year old. What size needles should I use and what number of stitches should I cast on? Thanks.
Sue
Use size 8 needles (5mm) and cast on 72.
I.love this hat but i find the stitches backwards when i start the crown. What am I doing wrong?
When you start the decrease round your stitches on the row previous should be: k1, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, etc.
So the first decrease round (ssk, p1, k2, p2, k2, p1, k2tog) –
The ssk will be on a k and p making the k be on top. The k2tog will be on a p and k, making the k be on top.
I want to make this hat for a 6 month old. I have size 7 needles. How many stiches should I cast on?
Still cast on the 84 stitches. This is such a stretchy hat that it is very forgiving of slight changes.
Hi
If I want to make this hat for a baby whose head measures 15 1/2 inches and I am using sport weight yarn with size five needles what number stitches would you cast on?
Thank you
Cast on 84. This is a very stretchy hat, so is fairly forgiving on exact size.
I want to knit this hat for my grandson who is three Mont old also in a chunky wool how many stiches will . Cast on and what size needles do I use
Use size 10-1/2 needles (6.5mm) and cast on 48 stitches.
I would like to make the hat without folding over the rim. How many inches should I knit up for the 6 month size before decreasing?
5-1/4″
Do you have a baby beanie pattern that is a 1×1 rib.
Thank you
This is a 1×1 rib that has directions from sizes newborn to adult – http://blogs.thetucker.com/knit/2013/01/14/basic-ribbed-hat/
It is made with worsted yarn and size 8 needles.
Thank you so much for sharing this pattern! Can you tell me how many to cast on for a newborn size using worsted weight and size 6 needles?
I’m just having to guess a bit about what gauge that would produce, but I’m guessing in-between 17 stitches per 4 inches (worsted on size 8) and 22 stitches per 4 inches (DK on size 6). I guessed 19 stitches per 4 inches, and with that adjustment, if you cast on as a preemie size, that will work out to be a newborn size.
I love that you have such a great Q & A section! I am a new knitter and need to ask questions when I am trying something new. Going to start this hat today for soon to arrive g’baby. I love that it’s stretchy,so he may get more than one winter out of it. Great site!
Hi! So I have a question. If I’m using size 8 needles and thicker yarn how many stitches do I do still? It’s for a newborn but I’m about halfway through with the needles and yarn I have and it’s HUGE?
I just have to guess not knowing the gauge of your yarn. A typical gauge for yarn that would recommend size 8 needles would be 18 stitches per 4 inches. In that case, cast on 60. If your yarn has fewer stitches per 4 inches and what you have made seems like it is more than a couple of inches too big, then you can cast on 48.
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the pictures on this blog loading?
I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Mama
this is the best site I have ever found for baby hats etc
this will be my go to for special patterns
great job on explain step by step
thanks again
How do I decrease in k2p2 ribbed hat with 84 stiches? I knitted 5.5 inches. Should I decrease now. How?
I need help with this.
thanks in advance for responding so that I can finish my hat.
I am knitted this hat with 4 needles. does this make a difference for decreasing.
If you didn’t divide the stitches in groups of 12, you may have to move stitches around to combine them for the decreases, but that is the only issue.
Body:
6 month – 6.75″ high
Then start the crown section. This will make the hat long for a good size border to flip up.
Do you have any flat hat patterns to be done with long needles?
For child sizes:
http://stitcheryprojects.com/2013/03/18/diamond-trellis-baby-hat-for-straight-needles/
http://stitcheryprojects.com/2013/03/17/faceted-lace-and-cables-baby-hat-for-straight-needles/
http://stitcheryprojects.com/2013/06/10/simple-lines-baby-hats-for-straight-needles/
http://stitcheryprojects.com/2013/11/08/textured-baby-hats-for-straight-needles/
http://stitcheryprojects.com/2014/02/09/wrapped-stitches-baby-hat-for-straight-needles/
http://stitcheryprojects.com/2015/03/16/train-track-baby-hat-for-straight-needles/
For adult sizes:
http://stitcheryprojects.com/2013/01/07/mock-aran-knitted-mens-hat-for-straight-needles/
http://stitcheryprojects.com/2014/02/21/laced-edged-chemo-caps-for-straight-needles/
http://stitcheryprojects.com/2014/02/16/ribbing-and-lacy-chemo-caps-for-straight-needles/
http://stitcheryprojects.com/2015/03/25/two-feminine-chemo-caps-for-straight-needles/
For both:
http://stitcheryprojects.com/2014/02/02/climbing-frame-hat-for-straight-needles/
http://stitcheryprojects.com/2014/09/21/embossed-leaves-hat-for-straight-needles/
Hello,
I would love to make this for an adult lady.
How would I go about doing that?
Thank you!
Use worsted weight yarn and a size 8 (5mm) needle and cast on 96.
Thank you so much for the free pattern! My friend broke her foot, so I am going to make her a little “sock” to cover the bottom of her cast, as her feet are always cold. Your pattern is perfect.
Best wishes for the holidays!
hi,just discovered your wonderful helpful site.it’a my 61st.birthday today and all i wanted to do was make a hat for my husband. I’m not too good on computers and it’s amazing to get so help and free too. He has a large head so I’m going to do k2p2 for 104 sts. thank you so much. birthdays can be touch and I’m happy to find just what I wanted. have been struggling on my own and ripping out and starting over, guessing how many sts. to start with and always wrong. Bless you. Theresa
I have a problem with hats stretching out over time and becoming more like bowls. Which is more stretchy and holds its shape longer: K1P1 or K2P2? Is there a better yarn choice to help with this problem, such as one that is part synthetic? I usually know with pure wool. Thanks for your help.
Synthetic yarns will be more apt to keep their shape than natural ones. K1P1 fits more snuggly, so will have to be stretched more to be worn, so I would think it would have more of a tendency to get stretched out of shape if the yarn has that tendency. I have seen some K2P2 that looked like a bowl, but I think that some knitters (especially less experienced ones) don’t keep the same tension with any ribbing that they do with stockinette.
Kindly explain to me more of how to do the ssk. Am a beginner in Knitting and wanted to try out this pattern. Thanks
Here is a video that demonstrates it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iiu9Ej-LGo
Hi,
I want to knit a matching hat for mum and 6 months old baby using 3.5mm needles, how many stitches I need to cast and how tall in the body for the mum’s? Thank you
Cast on 120. Begin crown at 9.5″
Thank you
I assume that it’s the same as 4.5mm needles? Sorry I keep changing my mind
It might be a bit large. I’d say 108 cast on.
Just found your blogs. Very cool.
If I’m not knitting in the round how do I decrease. Still haven’t mastered knitting in the round. Thanks
If you are not knitting in the round, you still decrease the same way. Usually you want to do the decrease rows on your right side rows.
Hi. Love your site.
Want to knit the hat for a 1 year old but all in garter stitch, would I need fewer stitches?
Thanks for your help in advance.
Regards
Geraldine
Garter stitch would behave too differently from ribbing to use a ribbing pattern in garter. I looked around for a garter stitch pattern for free and only found one:
https://theartfulthrifter.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/baby-knits/
Thank you for your reply and help
Geraldine
Hi I’d love to do do this in a 3 and 4 yr old is that possible please
This is a very stretchy hat. My 8yo son is still wearing his toddler sized hat with this pattern.
Hi, thank you for the pattern. I knit on the ‘ loose side’ I would like to make a hat for a year old. I’ m using dk and size 4 needles . Since I tend to knit big, how many stitches should I cast on?
I think knitting with the smaller needles should help keep it the right size without adjusting the cast on.
I always have trouble sizing hats b/c I knit too loose. I would like to make a 12 month baby hat or toddler hat. I’m using dk and US 4 needles. How many do I cast on in my case?
I think knitting with the smaller needles should help keep it the right size without adjusting the cast on.
Hello,
I just made this hat for my son, it’s so beautiful! I want to make a matching one for my husband, who has a very large head and lots of curly hair. I’m using size 6 circular needles. How many stitches do you recommend I cast on? Thank you!
132
Can you make this hat with two needles?? How would you do he decrease rows?
Do the odd rows of the decrease on the front side.
What does that mean? I too would rather use just 2 needles but don’t what you mean “Do the odd rows of the decrease on the front side” Can you rewrite the pattern for flat knitting?
Here is a flat knitting version:
Cast on one extra than given in the in-the-round version.
Body:
Repeat these two rows for the body until the piece measures the length given below:
Repeat between the * for the row.
Row 1: *k1, p2, k1* k1
Row 2: p1*p1, k2, p1*
Preemie – 4.75″ high
Newborn – 5.75″ high
6 month – 6.75″ high
12 month – 7.75″ high
Toddler – 8.25″ high
Crown:
Repeat between the * across the row
Row 1: *ssk, p1, k2, p2, k2, p1, k2tog*k1
Row 2: p1*p1, k1, p2, k2, p2, k1, p1*
Row 3: *ssk, k2, p2, k2, k2tog*k1
Row 4: p1*p3, k2, p3*
Row 5: *ssk, k1, p2, k1, k2tog*k1
Row 6: p1*p2, k2, p2*
Row 7: *ssk, p2, k2tog*k1
Row 8: p1*p1, k2, p1*
Row 9: *ssk, k2tog*k1
Cut the yarn with several inches to work with. With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops and secure. Sew seam, secure and weave in end.
my yarn size is worsted 4. How many should I cast on for a new born for this hat? Thank you Mama
60.
what size needle should?
Holly
Size 8 (5mm).
I am really excited to have found your patterns !! May i just double check something please? To make basic ribbed beanie for a 2 yr old in dk, is cast in 108 stitches on 4mm straight needles? Thank you so much ! ☺
I’m sorry it took me so long to respond. I agree with that.
I would like to knitt a matching baby and mother hat, what adjustments will I need to make for the mothers hat?
Thankyou x
Cast on 120 and knit the body to 9.5″.
I’ve used your pattern several times, and it always turns out perfect!
I’d like to make it for my grandson; his head measures 21”. I’m going to k1p1 for this hat. Using the same weight yarn as suggested in your pattern and size 6 circular needles, will it be enough to cast on 120 stitches? How many inches should I knit before decreasing? Thank you for your help and your time.
If you want to do a k1p1 instead of a k2p2, I’d recommend another one of my patterns that goes up to larger sizes and has the k1p1 pattern. The problem with doing k1p1 with this pattern is that the crown reductions are made to work with the k2p2 pattern.
I’d recommend using –
http://stitcheryprojects.com/2016/01/29/my-favorite-ribbed-hat/
Hi love this hat pattern. Could I make an adult size and how many stitches ⁉️ And what size needles would I use ⁉️ Would the crown be the same stitches ⁉️ Sorry I’m new to knitting ‼️Thanks
If you use worsted weight yarn and size 8 (5mm) needles, the 96 cast on will make a small/med adult hat and the 108 cast on will make a large/xl adult hat.
Do you have booties to match the ribbed hat? I am making hats and booties for charity,
Sorry I don’t have any bootie patterns. If there is a basic bootie pattern you like, one with a ribbed top would coordinate.
I think this pattern is wonderful for charity knitting but wish there was a pattern like this for flat knitting and also included an adult size.
This is a similar pattern that is knitted flat and has more sizes:
http://stitcheryprojects.com/2016/01/29/my-favorite-ribbed-hat-for-straight-needles/
Hi there! This pattern looks great! I would like to knit a preemie size but my yarn is 4-medium weight. Could I use size 8 needles and go down to 48 stitches? Thanks!
Yes, that should work well.
Thank you! Came back to say that I had so much fun knitting this little cap! It’s my 1st full rib hat and I’m pretty pleased. Looking forward to trying your other patterns!
I love this baby hat but I need to make it for 3 months withsize 3 US circular needles. How do I adjust?
I also have size 10 US circular needles. Too big?
Or could they also be adjusted and how would I do it?
Thank you.
The hat is stretchy and pretty forgiving for fit. I think if you used the size 3 needles and made the 6 month size it would work out.
I would just like to say, I love all of your patterns
Thank you so much for sharing.
I am going to knit three of these hats for my twin nephews and their older sister for this Christmas
Have a lovely Christmas and a fabulous new year x
Very nice pattern. Wanted to ask if the hat is a 2×2 rib because the instructions say k1, p2, k1 across.
Thanks, Nancy
It is a a 2×2 rib. It’s k1, p2, k2, p2….k1. I have the round beg/end split one of the k2 fields to make the decreases work out later.
See it now! Thank you very much. Makes sense!
Hi, I have started a baby hat that is 1×1 ribbing in a classic mariner style. Do you have any general advice for how to decrease with ribbing for the crown? Thank you!
I like to use a slip-2, knit 1, psso-2 type of reduction where the center stitch of the reduction is on a knit rib. This will make the stitches on either side seem to go under that center stitch.
I want to make jthis using Peaches and Cream – what size do I use and do I have to change the pattern any
Use size 8 needles (5 mm) and cast on for a size smaller than what you want.
I will be making this hat for a 1 yr old and also a two yr old. How many stitches do I cast on using “I love this yarn” and how would a pom pom look attached.
Use size 8 (5mm) needles and cast on for a size smaller to move up to this heavier yarn. I have seen pictures of this hat with a pom pom and it looks really cute.
For a 6 month old, I am using Caron lattecake. What size needles/how many stitches to cast on?
I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to respond. That is a bulky yarn so would need 6.5 mm needles which is a US size 10-1/2. Cast on for the smallest size but make the lengths like the 6 month size.
Could you start this on 16 inch circular needles, knit in the round and then transfer stitches to double pointed when too small for the circulars?
Absolutely. I have done it that way several times.
I think that would just make a beanie size without any length to fold up.
Thanks for the pattern. I have just done the 12 month size and am half way through the 6 month size. The decreases on the crown are very neat
I seem to have misread the pattern and have ended up doing K1 P2 rib (which actually looks quite nice) but how will it work out when I start decreasing?
I’d like to make this hat in the toddler size with bulky yarn. Do I need to adjust the cast on number or needle size? I’m a beginner!
Thanks
Would Love to knit this Beanie in DK but on two needles Please
Do you have a top down version for this pattern please.