Knitted Hat Patterns on Circular Needles

This collection of knitted hat patterns was designed with you in mind. These patterns range from easy to intermediate and vary in style, technique, and construction.

There's a knitted hat pattern for every knitter.

A quick disclaimer. The knitting patterns included in this collection are not my designs but the works of some generous designers. If you have any questions or concerns about a specific pattern, please reach out to the designer directly.

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Easy Knitted Hat Patterns

To knit these easy knitted hat patterns, you’ll need to know your knitting basics. Specifically, how to knit and purl, but also how to knit in the round with circular needles.

You can do this with one or two circulars, magic loop, or by using double pointed needles (DPNs). Other aspects, like knowing how to decrease in knitting and using double pointed needles, are also important.

The patterns below each fall into the category of these knitting basics. They’ve been carefully reviewed to ensure they're easy enough for beginners to knit. If you’re a more experienced knitter, consider knitting them while you Knitflix and chill. Enjoy!

Great Beginnings Hat

This knit beanie hat is an easy knitting pattern for any skill level. Using Caron Simply Soft yarn and circular knitting needles, this easy knit hat works up in worsted weight yarn.

You’ll need to know how to knit garter stitch in the round, knit two together (k2tog), and slip slip knit (ssk).

Pike Street Hat

This easy knit hat makes a quick knitting project using super bulky yarn. You can make this Lion Brand pattern with Wool Ease Thick & Quick, as shown here.

You’ll need to know how to knit in the round and knitting in stockinette stitch. You'll also use a simple knitting decrease, a knit two together (k2tog), to shape the crown.

Don't forget your stitch markers, double pointed needles (dpns), and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends when you’re done.

Guernsey Tam

This fun knitted tam pattern was inspired by The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society film. If you saw it, no doubt you fell in love, too.

This free beret knitting pattern works up with just one hank of worsted weight yarn in so soft Berocco Ultra Alpaca.

You’ll need your circular knitting needles to make this beret knitting pattern. You’ll also need to know how to knit garter stitch, knit 2 together (K2TOG), and a German twisted cast on. Don’t forget to knit a swatch first to check gauge.

Basic Beanies

Every knitter needs to have a basic beanie knitting pattern in their knitting kit. This is a good one. 

This easy knit hat pattern comes with knitting instructions for two style versions. You can make a traditional knit beanie or a slouchy knit hat. Both versions work up with Paton’s Kroy Sock yarn, a super fine yarn (fingering weight), and are easy one skein knitting projects. 

To make this basic knit hat pattern you’ll need to know how to knit a hat in the round. Also, how to purl stitch and basic knitting decreases. The pattern includes written instructions.

Marled Hat

If you’re looking for a knitted hat pattern for men for a quick knit gift, here’s a unisex hat pattern that’ll fit the bill. It’s also an easy super bulky knit for using up your yarn stash. 

It uses two strands of worsted weight yarn held double, which makes a super bulky yarn with about 5-6 wraps per inch (WPI). The end result is a unique marbled fabric from making a thicker yarn. 

If you have a lot of leftover yarn, this is a great project to mix yarn colors and use up your odds and ends. Check out this yarn held double chart for more ideas! 

You could also make a couple of Magic Yarn Balls and mix them together for a really funky yarn. If you don’t have a lot of worsted yarns in your stash, I’ve included several yarn substitutions below in 100% merino wool, superwash wool, and acrylic yarn. 

You’ll need size 7 circular knitting needles for the twisted rib cuff and size 10 circular knitting needles for the chunky knit hat itself. For knitting techniques, you’ll need to cast on and knit in the round, knit 1 through the back loop (k1tbl) for the twisted rib, make an m1 increase, and stockinette stitch in the round. Super easy! Add a faux fur pom pom for this knitted hat or make your own pom poms. 

Seeded Columns Hat

Love textured knits? This pink knit hat features a 3x1 rib knit brim and seed stitch knitting. As you can see, the purl and knit stitch combination creates an interesting knitting design. 

This hand knit beanie uses Premier Basix Yarn, which is a worsted weight acrylic yarn. Did you know that you can wash acrylic yarn? You can! 

To make this bottom-up custom knit beanie, you’ll need to be able to purl 2 together (P2tog) and knit 2 together (K2tog). Both are easy right leaning knitting decreases. 

This seed stitch hat pattern includes written instructions and five (5) knit hat sizes. 

Simple Texture Slouch Hat

If you're looking for a one skein knitting project that would make a great knit gift, this is it. This free slouchy hat knitting pattern uses Lion Brand Heartland acrylic yarn and circular knitting needles.

You’ll need to know a few knitting techniques to knit this simple hat in the round. They are stockinette stitch, and knitting increases and decreases - knit front back (KFB) and K2tog . Easy enough to do.

Knitting a hat for beginners was never so easy. Choose some worsted weight yarn from your yarn stash, grab your knitting needles, and cast on this easy winter hat knitting pattern.

Quality Spiral Hat

If you’re looking for knitted gift ideas, this easy two color knitting pattern is a great option. This spiral hat knitting pattern works up in fun knitted stripes using aran weight yarn from Manos del Uruguay. 

You’ll change colors while knitting in the round, slip stitches, and alternate skeins as you knit. Aside from that, you’ll need to knit with two knitting needle sizes and make right leaning decreases. You can learn more about knitting needle conversions here. 

Now all you have to do is choose your favorite solid color and multi-color yarn and start knitting this gift for Christmas. Don’t forget to check your yarn label for yarn weight and wash instructions.

Knitted Beret

If you love the look of a classic knit hat, you’ll want this free beret knitting pattern. It’s a simple one skein knitting project that looks great in hand painted yarn or variegated yarn. If you want a more classic look, knit this beret hat in a solid color as shown above. 

You’ll start by casting on and knitting with circular needles. You’ll knit 1x1 rib (k1 p1 rib), then stockinette stitch for this hand knitted hat before you decrease for the crown. Then you’ll switch to double pointed needles (DPNs) to finish this white knit hat.

For this women’s knit beret, you’ll need size 7 knitting needles, stitch markers, and a soft worsted weight yarn. The recommended yarn is discontinued but other knitters have successfully used different yarn substitutes in acrylic yarn, wool and wool blends in superwash and non superwash yarns (listed below). You can see their finished knitting projects here.

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Intermediate Knitted Hat Patterns

No doubt, when it comes to attaching a label of difficulty to a knitting pattern, it all becomes relative. That is to say, you may find some of these intermediate knitted hat patterns easy – or difficult. It all depends on your own knitting experience.

What is certain is that the following patterns go beyond knits and purls, and knitting increases and decreases. Some of these knitted hat patterns feature knit cables, colorwork knitting, or different constructions. Take a look.

Diagonal Rib Stitch Hat

If you’re looking for a knit hat pattern on circular needles with lots of knit texture, this diagonal rib stitch does the trick.

This knit hat uses Lion Brand Feels Like Butta yarn in polyester, which is a medium weight yarn, also known as worsted weight yarn.

It’s a simple knit hat pattern despite what looks like a complicated stitch texture. The knitting pattern instructions call for a tubular cast on, but also give instructions if you’d rather use a traditional cast on like the long tail. If working the tubular cast on in the round, you’ll need a cable needle to help cast on. 

You’ll need to know how to knit (k) and purl (p), knit two together (k2tog), and purl two together (p2tog). You’ll also need some working knowledge of slipping a stitch with yarn in front (sl1 wyif). 

Try this affordable polyester yarn (link below), or feel free to use your favorite fiber and brand of worsted weight yarn. 

Tumble Weave Beanie

Looking for a free beanie knitting pattern? This hand knit beanie pattern is designed for monochromatic colors, which gives you a ton of options. 

It features a fun checkered pattern, also known as basketweave stitch, and knits up best in solid colors of DK weight yarn.  I've included an option for a yarn substitute below. 

To make this knitted hat, you’ll need to know how to knit and purl, the rib stitch, and centered double decreases. Hate playing yarn chicken with your cast on? This tutorial will help you figure out exactly how much yarn you need to cast on.

With this download, you’ll find a knitting chart and written knitting instructions for this basket weave pattern.

Yawl Hat

Here’s a free knit hat pattern from Berroco that creates so much texture using a broken rib stitch.

It’s a simple knit hat pattern using circular needles. In this case, the pattern recommends you cast on with double pointed needles (DPNs). You’ll need to be comfortable knitting in the round with DPN knitting or two circular knitting needles.

The knitting instructions for this knitted hat pattern includes knits, purls, knit two togethers (k2tog), and slip slip knits (ssk). You can learn more about knitting abbreviations and terms here.

The knitting pattern uses Berroco yarn in Catena and includes written knitting instructions only.

NOTE: Unfortunately, Berroco yarn has discontinued Catena but I've included two yarn substitutions below to try instead.

Schuyler Hat

This Fair Isle hat knitting pattern is a good project for intermediate knitters. Fair Isle knitting is stranded knitting, which means knitting with two color strands of yarn, but not like mosaic knitting.

When you knit this pattern you’ll be knitting with two colors. As such, you’ll need to know how to change colors when knitting in the round. You’ll also need to know yarn overs (YO), how to slip slip knit (ssk), and a centered double decrease (cdd).

This knit hat pattern requires two different colors in Manos del Uruguay’s Silk Blend, a merino wool blend yarn in DK weight.

You'll find written knitting instructions and a knitting chart with this pattern download.

Knotted Rib Hat

If you’ve never knit cables before, begin with this easy cable knit hat pattern from Cascade Yarns. I did and I loved it. You can see my finished project here. I quickly learned cables are not as hard as I originally thought.

You’ll need to know how to knit a hat with circular needles. You’ll also need a cable needle and need to know how to cable 4 back (C4B) to knit this hat pattern. It includes written instructions only – no worries about reading knitting charts.

This cable knit beanie is a one skein knitting pattern and uses Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash in 100% merino wool. It's a great warm winter knit hat. You can learn more about superwash yarns here.

Storm's Eye Hat

This stranded knitting pattern is an intermediate knit for a couple of reasons. For one, it has a 48 round colorwork knitting chart. Secondly, as this hat knits up with light fingering yarn, i.e., smaller stitches, there’s more to pay attention to. Thirdly, the knitting techniques are a little more involved.  

To knit this eye-catching knit hat for women you’ll need to know Make 1 Left / Make 1 Right (M1L / M1R) knitting increases. You’ll need to be able to read colorwork knitting charts and switch colors in knitting.   

Knit this free hat pattern using Saki Bamboo, a self-striping yarn in a superwash merino blend.

Love self-striping patterns? Check out these easy baby blanket knitting patterns for more ideas.

Rouge Beret

Here’s a slouchy beret knitting pattern from Yarnspirations for Intermediate knitters.

It’s knit in the round with double pointed needles using Bernat Satin yarn. The lace pattern gives the effect of cabling from simple knitting increases and decreases.

You’ll need to know how to knit with double pointed needles (DPNs). Additionally, how to knit one through the back loop (k1tbl) and make one knitting (M1).

The knit beret hat pattern includes written knitting instructions and charts.

Unfortunately, the recommended yarn has been discontinued, but I've included a yarn substitute below.

October Hat

This stylish cable knit hat pattern is part of Kelbourne Woolens Year of Hats. It uses only one skein of Kelbourne Woolens Germantown, an aran weight yarn.

As for knitting skills, you’ll need to know knit 2 purl 2 ribbing (k2, p2), cable knitting, and a provisional tubular cast on. You’ll also need to be familiar with reading knitting charts and knitting cables with (or without) a cable needle.

Want to use a yarn substitute? Check out the recommended yarns below for alternatives.

Nonna Rosalie's Toque

Here’s a free knitted hat pattern that works well with a variety of DK weight yarns, so long as it gets you gauge. This means you’ll need to knit a gauge swatch in the round.

It’s a double brim knit hat pattern that includes knitting instructions for a regular and a slouchy knit hat. You can use your favorite stretchy cast on method, too.

You’ll need to know how to knit one below (k1b), knit two together (k2tog), and join the brim.

One of the yarns used was Premier Yarns Everyday acrylic yarn. You'll find it listed below.

Summer Slouch Eyelet Beret

Looking for a cool summer beret? This slouchy hat knitting pattern knits up with Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima in 100% cotton yarn.

The free beret knitting pattern includes written knitting instructions. With a simple eyelet knitting pattern and stockinette stitch, it’s easy enough to do.

You’ll need to know how knit, purl, knit through back loop (ktbl), and basic increases and decreases.

This one skein knitting pattern uses about 180 yards of this DK weight cotton yarn.

Love cotton yarn patterns? Try this Eenie Meenie Baby Blanket knitting pattern.

Cumulus Hat

This free knit hat pattern is all about twisted rib stitches, lace knitting stitches, and a motif pattern. 

Knit in the round with circular needles and one hank of yarn in fingering weight. This knitting pattern also includes three hat sizes. 

If you’d like to knit this hat, you’ll need to know how to read knitting patterns among other knitting basics. As expected, there are also knitting increases and decreases to create the lacy motif pattern and hat crown. 

The pattern includes a knitting chart but you don’t necessarily have to know how to read knitting charts. There are written knitting instructions in case you can’t. 

Marla Hat

If you’ve been looking for a knitted bucket hat pattern, add this one to your bucket list. This casual knit accessory uses Schachenmayr’s Catania sport weight yarn, which is a mercerized cotton yarn. 

The cotton bucket hat, also known as a knit cloche hat, features lace knitting stitches as well as a cable knitting pattern. To make this knit bucket hat pattern, you’ll need to know how to read a knitting chart, how to use a cable needle, and make an i-cord bind off in the round.

You’ll also need to know how to join yarn without a knot. Try this Russian Join yarn tutorial. 

As far as knitting tools, you’ll need a cable knitting needle, circular needles and DPNs, and 2 balls of yarn.

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I hope you've enjoyed these free knitted hat patterns on circular needles. I've certainly enjoyed collecting them for you. But don't stop here. Check out our collection of knitted Halloween hats, accessories, and decor!

Like what you see? Drop me a note and let me know. I'd love to hear from you!

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• Slip Stitch Knitting Patterns
• Knit and Purl Stitch Patterns for Beginners
• Knitting 101: How to Knit a Swatch in the Round
• How to Cast On for Knitting in the Round