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EasyFree Hat Knitting Pattern
Knit a snug, stretchy beanie for kids with this practical, cute pattern. Worked in the round from the bottom up, it features a folded brim for warmth and ribbed texture for fit. Finish with a ready-made pom-pom. Quick, beginner-friendly project using DK-weight yarn; perfect for ages 4–10.
Skills Required/Techniques Used:
--Knit & purl, cast on
--Decreasing: knit 2 together (k2tog), slip-slip-knit (ssk), purl 3 together (p3tog), central double decrease (cdd)
--Working in the round on double pointed needles
Size: Hat circumference is 14" (35 cm) unstretched, 20” stretched; hat stretches to fit most heads 20-21”. Height from edge of brim to top center of crown is 10" (25 cm)
Materials: Targhee Wool, 8 oz/ 460 yds DK weight from AutumnHillLlamas.
Needles: one long needle US #7 (4.5 mm), double pointed needles (dpn) US #5 (3.75mm) OR SIZE NEEDED TO OBTAIN GAUGE
Gauge: 21 sts x 24 rows = 4" x 4" (10cm x 10cm) in rib pattern, stretched.
Notions:
yarn needle, stitch marker, a fur pom-pom
Abbreviations:
k - knit
p - purl
k2tog - knit 2 together
p3tog – purl 3 together
ssk (slip, slip, knit) Slip next 2 sts as if to knit, one at a time, to right needle; insert left needle into fronts of these 2 sts and knit them tog – 1 st decreased.
St, sts – stitch, stitches
cdd - center double decrease: slip 2 sts knitwise on the right needle, knit the third st, pass the 2 slipped sts over just knitted one.
Pattern Notes:
5X3 rib in rounds:
Multiple of 8.
All rounds: *k5, p3 – repeat from * around
Short Overview of the Pattern:
The hat is worked bottom-up in a 5X3 rib, first as a tube. When the work is 7 ½” high (this includes 3” folded brim), decreases start and go on for another 3 inches. The remaining sts are pulled on a yarn. You can work the hat on the dpn. Alternatively, you can work it on circular needle.
Hat
On a long needle, cast on 104 sts. Start working the 5x3 rib on dpn, distributing the sts evenly – 26 sts per each of the 4 needles. At the end of the row join into round and place a marker before the first st.
Continue to work in the round the 5x3 rib until the work measures 7 ½”.
Crown Shaping
The first decrease row: *k5, p3tog – repeat from * around.
Next round: *k5, p1 – repeat from * around. Work 10 rounds like this one.
The second decrease round: *ssk, k1, k2tog, p1 – repeat from * around.
The next round: * k3, p1 – repeat from * around. Work 5 rounds like this one.
The third decrease round: * cdd, p1 – repeat from * around.
Next round : *k1, p1 – repeat from * around.
Cut yarn, leaving a 10" (25 cm) tail. Pull through all the sts and secure.
Finishing:
Use the tail to stitch a pom-pom in place. Weave in all yarn ends.
Have fun!
