Free knitting pattern ·
Ribbed Hat Knitting Pattern Straight Needles: Free for Beginners
| Finished size | 18 in around unstretched, 8 in tall; fits a 20-23 in head |
|---|---|
| Yarn | Worsted weight, about 160 yd |
| Needles | US 8 (5 mm) straight needles |
| Stitches used | Knit, purl, k2tog, p2tog |
| Level | Beginner |
| Rows | 52, then the top is gathered and the side seamed |
| Price | Free |
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What you need
- Worsted weight (CYC #4) yarn, about 160 yd
- US 8 (5 mm) straight needles
- Tapestry needle and scissors
How it's made, in short
- Cast on. Cast on 90 stitches with the long-tail cast on.
- Rib. Work k2, p2 rib for 46 rows; the right-side rows start and end with k2.
- Shape the crown. Decrease over 6 rows: 68, 45, 23, then 12 stitches.
- Close and seam. Thread the tail through the last 12 stitches, pull the top closed, then mattress-stitch the side seam.
Free guides: Free knitting patterns · Knitting cast on
Tips
- The right-side rows start with k2 and the wrong-side rows start with p2: knit the knits and purl the purls as they face you.
- Count your stitches after each crown row: 68, 68, 45, 45, 23, 12.
- The seam takes one edge stitch from each side, so the two k2 edges close into one k2 column and the rib runs on unbroken.
The free pattern
US knitting terms. The number in brackets is how many stitches you should have.
Size: one adult size, 18 in (46 cm) around unstretched and 8 in (20 cm) tall; the rib stretches to fit a 20-23 in (51-58 cm) head.
Yarn: Worsted weight (CYC #4 Medium) wool or wool blend, about 160 yd (146 m), so 1 skein of 200 yd.
Needles: US 8 (5 mm) straight needles. No circular or double-pointed needles: the hat is knitted flat and seamed.
Notions: tapestry needle, scissors
Gauge: 20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in k2, p2 rib, measured unstretched. A different gauge changes the size and the yarn needed.
Abbreviations: CO cast on, k knit, p purl, k2tog knit 2 together, p2tog purl 2 together, RS right side, WS wrong side, st(s) stitch(es)
Instructions
Rib
CO 90 sts with the long-tail cast on. (90 sts)
Row 1 (RS): k2, (p2, k2) x 22. (90 sts)
Row 2 (WS): p2, (k2, p2) x 22. (90 sts)
Rows 3-46: repeat Rows 1 and 2 another 22 times. (90 sts)
The hat measures about 7.1 in from the cast-on edge, and the right side faces you for the next row.
Crown
Row 47 (RS): k2, (p2tog, k2) x 22. (68 sts)
Row 48 (WS): p2, (k1, p2) x 22. (68 sts)
Row 49 (RS): k2tog, (p1, k2tog) x 22. (45 sts)
Row 50 (WS): p1, (k1, p1) x 22. (45 sts)
Row 51 (RS): k1, (k2tog) x 22. (23 sts)
Row 52 (WS): p1, (p2tog) x 11. (12 sts)
Cut the yarn, leaving a 16 in tail.
Finishing
- Thread the tail onto the tapestry needle and pass it through the 12 stitches left on the needle, slipping them off. Pull tight to close the top and secure it with two small stitches.
- Fold the hat in half with the right side out, so the two side edges meet. With the same tail, sew the side edges together from the top down with mattress stitch, one edge stitch from each side, row by row (52 rows on each edge).
- Weave in the cast-on tail along the seam.
How we checked it: knitlib: 52 rows executed, 0 halts; rib rows 90 sts each, crown 68-68-45-45-23-12; side seam 52 rows, 8.00 in both sides; finished 18.00 x 8.00 in; yarn estimate 160 yd. We work hard to get every number right, but mistakes can still happen; tell us at hello@craftuary.com if anything is off.
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Get the printable PDF freeQuestions
Can I knit a hat on straight needles?
Yes. This hat is knitted flat in rows on straight needles, then the side edges are sewn together, so you need no circular or double-pointed needles.
How many stitches do I cast on for a ribbed hat?
For an adult hat in worsted weight yarn at 20 stitches per 4 in, cast on 90 stitches. That is 18 in unstretched; the rib stretches to fit a 20-23 in head.
How much yarn does a rib hat take?
About 160 yards of worsted weight yarn, so one 200 yard skein.
How do I make the hat longer?
Work more rib rows before the crown: every 6 or 7 rows add about 1 in. Always stop after a wrong-side row, so the crown starts on the right side.
The pictures are drawn from the pattern's own measurements and stitches; your finished piece will vary a little with your materials.
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