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24 Easy Hat Knitting Patterns

These free knit hat patterns are perfect for beginners looking for a new challenge, or veterans looking for something relaxing.

For most knitters, hats are the first truly exciting pattern to knit. After potentially months of knitting plain old rectangles in various stitches, in the form of dishcloths, scarves, and blankets, it's always thrilling to be able to create a garment in the third dimension.

Furthermore, hat patterns are a very forgiving first type of clothing item to knit: the fit can look deliberate whether it's tight or slouchy, it's relatively quick to knit up, and it involves mostly techniques that beginners already have under their belts.

It is important, however, to know how to decrease (usually using the simple Knit 2 Together, or K2tog, technique), and how to knit in the round on circular needles and double-pointed needles, or DPNs. Even though these are the basic techniques necessary to learn in order to master any given hat pattern, there are some that are knit flat, or that only use a few of these techniques!

Check out our article on how to knit a hat for the simplest knit hat pattern to begin with, and once you've completed that, move onto our list below of other easy hat knitting patterns for beginners.

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Easy Hat Knitting Patterns: Straight Needles

Knitting a hat doesn't mean going out and buying your first set of circular needles! While knowing how to knit in the round is certainly an important skill in knitting, fresh knitters with little experience may find the technique to be a bit above their skill level. Before beginning a hat in the round, we recommend starting with one of these flat-knit hat patterns.

Never Easier Beanie

2-Hour Butterfly Beanie

Sherbert Beanie Slouch Hat

Grandma's Favorite Garter Stitch Hat

Spring Meadow Seed Stitch Beanie

My First Knit Hat

Golden Garter Knit Hat

Basic Blue Striped Beanie

Chunky Easy Knit Hat

Cozy Bulky Hat Knitting Pattern

Misty Moss Beanie

Crème Brûlée Cable Knit Hat

Simple Knit Hat Patterns: Circular Needles

If you're ready to tackle the circular knitting needles, these easy hat knitting patterns are for you. The benefit to using circular needles is that there is usually no seaming involved, but unfortunately, you'll almost always have to use double-pointed needles near the end of the pattern to accommodate for the small circumference of the hat as you begin to decrease near the top. This may seem daunting, and if so, you may choose to begin with one of the flat-knit beanies above.

Bulky Mustard Beanie

Winter Days Knit Rib Hat

Plait Hat

Marshmallow Fluff Chunky Hat

Beginner Garter Stitch Beanie

Everyday Knit Hat Pattern

Garter Rib Beanie

Nice and Neutral Slouch Hat

Dustweaver Seed Stitch Hat

Lizette Beanie

Faux Cable Beanie

100% Wool Pinstripe Toque Hat Winter Luxury

What was your first knit hat pattern?

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