A knit hat is one of the best projects you can pick up after your first scarf. It is small, it is fast, and it teaches you how to knit in the round and shape a crown without a huge yarn bill.
Below you will find 12 free knit hat patterns we opened and checked one by one. There are chunky hats you can finish in an evening, classic ribbed beanies, and a few slouchy styles for when you want something a little different. Each one lists the yarn weight and needle size so you can shop your stash first.
Easy Knit Hat Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- 16-inch circular knitting needles in your pattern size
- Double-pointed needles for the crown decreases
- Soft worsted or super bulky yarn
- Stitch markers, including one in a different color for the start of the round
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Flexible measuring tape
- Faux fur or yarn pom-pom maker (optional)
1. Barley Worsted
Photo: Tin Can Knits
Barley is a plain, cozy beanie with a ribbed brim and a simple textured body, knit seamlessly from the bottom up. It is part of Tin Can Knits’ Simple Collection, a learn-to-knit series, so the pattern walks you through knitting in the round step by step. It comes in sizes from newborn to adult large, which makes it a great “family set” hat.
- Designer: Tin Can Knits
- Skill level: Beginner (learn-to-knit series)
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: US 6 (4 mm) and US 8 (5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Super Bulky Knit Hats
Photo: Ashleigh / Sewrella
This is a classic chunky beanie with a snug K1, P1 ribbed brim and a smooth stockinette body. The full pattern is on the page in ten sizes, from newborn to adult large, and the designer calls it beginner friendly. Thick yarn means big stitches, so you can see exactly what you are doing and finish fast.
- Designer: Ashleigh / Sewrella
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Bulky (#5) in the yarn list; see pattern
- Needle size: US 11 (8 mm) 16″ circular plus 8 mm DPNs
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Basic Beanie
Photo: Emily Bolduan
If you want one go-to hat recipe, this is it. You can knit the Basic Beanie flat or in the round, choose a short or long folded cuff, or keep knitting before the decreases for a slouchy fit. Sizes run from preemie to adult XL, and it works for plain hats, stripes or your first colorwork.
- Designer: Emily Bolduan
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: US 6 (4 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. The Itasca Beanie
Photo: Katey Stolhammer
The Itasca Beanie is a fitted, textured winter hat in super bulky yarn. The designer describes it as perfect for beginners but still addictive for more advanced knitters. It comes in teen/adult small and adult large, and with only a handful of rounds it makes a quick last-minute gift.
- Designer: Katey Stolhammer
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6)
- Needle size: US 13 (9 mm) 16″ circular
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Chedoke
Photo: The Knitty Pine
Chedoke is a slouchy beanie that alternates stockinette with seed stitch for a soft, bumpy texture. It is knit in the round with Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, and the designer pitches it as a quick project for beginners. It is a nice next step once you can knit and purl in the same round.
- Designer: The Knitty Pine
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6)
- Needle size: US 13 (9 mm) and US 15 (10 mm), 16″ circulars
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Tin Star
Photo: Kelly Vu
Tin Star is a squishy, bulky toque with a relaxed, earthy look. You knit it in the round on circular or double-pointed needles, and the thick yarn makes it one of the fastest hats on this list. Make it in a neutral for everyday wear or a bright color for a kid.
- Designer: Kelly Vu
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6)
- Needle size: US 11 (8 mm) and US 13 (9 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Man Hat
Photo: Haven Ashley
Do not let the name fool you: this ribbed, reversible hat fits just about anyone. It is worked seamlessly from the bottom up in chunky yarn, and the stretchy rib means it fits a wide range of heads. The page also gives stitch counts for a worsted weight version, so you can use whatever yarn you have.
- Designer: Haven Ashley
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Bulky (#5), worsted option included
- Needle size: US 8 (5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Double-Thick Cuff Hat
Photo: Staci Perry / VeryPink Knits
This seamless beanie has an extra-stretchy, doubled cuff that keeps your ears warm and holds its shape wash after wash. It comes in two sizes, and the designer has a free video tutorial on her site, which is a big help if you learn better by watching.
- Designer: Staci Perry / VeryPink Knits
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: US 6 (4 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Citrus Hat
Photo: Laura Treadway
The Citrus Hat is a basic knit-and-purl beanie with a fun twist: the crown decreases form a pattern that looks like a sliced orange from above. Sizes go from baby to large adult, and the pattern includes tips for switching yarn weights, so it is easy to adapt.
- Designer: Laura Treadway
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: US 4 (3.5 mm) and US 6 (4 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Bankhead
Photo: Susie Gourlay
Bankhead is a two-part beanie inspired by an old mining town in Banff National Park. The simple stitch pattern hints at train tracks and mine shafts, giving it a bit of texture that is fun to watch grow. It comes in five sizes, from baby to adult XL, and it is a favorite on Ravelry.
- Designer: Susie Gourlay
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: US 7 (4.5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Wurm
Photo: katushika
Wurm is a seamless, unisex hat knit in the round, and the designer made it to fit over many hair types while keeping your ears warm. It is knit in sport weight yarn, so it takes a bit longer than the chunky hats, but it is light enough for fall and spring. Three sizes are included.
- Designer: katushika
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Sport (#2)
- Needle size: US 4 (3.5 mm) and US 6 (4 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Sockhead Hat
Photo: bohoknits (Kelly)
The Sockhead Hat is a long, slouchy beanie knit in one skein of fingering weight yarn. It has a K2, P2 ribbed brim that folds up and a long stockinette body. The only stitches you need are knit, purl and k2tog, so it is simple, just long. A perfect TV knit.
- Designer: bohoknits (Kelly)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Fingering (#1)
- Needle size: 3 mm (US 2.5) 16″ circular plus 3 mm DPNs
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First hat ever? Start with #1 Barley. It is written to teach you, step by step.
- Need a gift by Friday? Grab super bulky yarn and make #4 Itasca or #2 Super Bulky Knit Hats.
- Knitting for the whole family? #3 Basic Beanie and #1 Barley both go from baby to adult sizes.
- Want a little texture? Try #5 Chedoke for seed stitch or #9 Citrus for a fun crown.
- Prefer a light, slouchy hat? #12 Sockhead is long, soft and perfect for fingering yarn.
FAQ
What size needles do I need to knit a hat?
It depends on the yarn. Worsted weight hats usually use US 7 or 8 (4.5–5 mm) needles, while super bulky hats use US 11 to 15 (8–10 mm). Most hats use a 16-inch circular needle for the body and DPNs or magic loop for the crown.
How much yarn do I need for a knit hat?
An adult beanie usually takes about 150–220 yards of worsted yarn, or one to two skeins of super bulky yarn. Always check your pattern, since a deep cuff, slouchy fit or pom-pom will use more. Buying one extra skein is a safe habit.
Can I knit a hat on straight needles?
Yes. Some patterns, like the Basic Beanie, are written to knit flat and then seam up the back. Knitting in the round avoids the seam, but flat knitting is a fine choice if you have not learned circular needles yet.
Pick one hat, cast on tonight, and you might just have a new favorite winter accessory by the weekend.
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