A knit baby hat is the perfect small project. It takes very little yarn, you can finish one in an evening, and it makes a sweet gift for a new baby. Baby hats are also a great way to practice knitting in the round and crown decreases before you try a bigger hat.
We checked each of these 15 free knit baby hat patterns. You will find easy beanies, lacy bonnets, an earflap hat, a sun hat, preemie hats for charity and a few fun ones with leaves and flowers.
Knit Baby Hat Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Soft washable baby yarn
- 16″ circular needles
- Double-pointed needles for the crown
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Pom-pom maker (optional)
1. Barley Hat
Photo: Tin Can Knits
Barley is part of the Tin Can Knits learn-to-knit series, so it is written with beginners in mind. It is a seamless, bottom-up hat with ribbing and a simple texture. Make it snug or add an inch for a slouchier fit. Sizes go from newborn to adult large, so you can knit matching hats.
- Designer: Tin Can Knits
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Needles: 4 mm (US 6) and 5 mm (US 8)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Sweet Striped Hat
Photo: Lion Brand Yarn
This simple striped hat from Lion Brand is rated easy and uses worsted yarn. It measures about 15 inches around and stretches to fit babies and toddlers. Pick two cheerful colors for a quick gift.
- Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Needles: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Baby Confection Hat
Red Heart’s Baby Confection Hat is rated easy and comes in one size. It is a nice first baby hat if you like working from a clear brand pattern. Check the PDF for yarn and needle details.
- Designer: Red Heart
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: see pattern
- Needles: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Slouchy Baby Hat
Photo: Cassie May / Little Red Window
This relaxed hat sits toward the back of the head for a cute slouchy look. It is a quick worsted-weight knit in the round. The free version is the 12-month size, and the designer notes it runs a little large.
- Designer: Cassie May / Little Red Window
- Skill level: see pattern (described as quick and easy)
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Needles: US 7, 16″ circular and double-pointed
- Price: Free written pattern (one size) + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Liquorice Twist Hat
Photo: Jaele Rollins
This ribbed beanie uses a twisted-rib trick to make a faux cable, and the twists meet in the crown. Bulky yarn makes it quick. Wear it plain or add a pom-pom or ribbon. It fits 0-12 months, with notes for adjusting the size.
- Designer: Jaele Rollins
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: bulky (#5)
- Needles: 5 mm, 5.5 mm or 6 mm (US 8, 9 or 10)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Cinnamon Knot
Photo: Marjut Lund-Rahkola
Cinnamon Knot is an easy, tiny beanie for babies and toddlers. It is knit in fine yarn, so it is light and soft. Sizes run from 0 to 4 years.
- Designer: Marjut Lund-Rahkola
- Skill level: see pattern (described as easy)
- Yarn: lace (#0)
- Needles: 2.5 mm (US 1.5)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Trailhopper Hat
Trailhopper is a warm earflap hat with I-cord ties and mock-cable ribbing. It is knit bottom-up in the round. The ties help keep it on little heads on windy days. Sizes go from newborn to 24 months.
- Designer: Rachel Brockman for Universal Yarn
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Rico Baby Merino Print (see pattern for weight)
- Needles: 3.25 mm (US 3) and 2.75 mm (US 2)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Baby Sun Hat
Photo: Kristi / Treefrog Knits
A simple bucket-style sun hat knit in the round, with a folded, seamed brim and a ribbed body. An optional I-cord drawstring helps it stay put. It comes in newborn to large sizes, perfect for summer babies.
- Designer: Kristi / Treefrog Knits
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Needles: 4.5 mm (US 7) and 3.75 mm (US 5)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Otis Baby Hat
Photo: Joy Boath / Skilly Skally Designs
Otis has three offset cable panels, so it looks great no matter how it sits on the head. It uses only about 45 yards of DK yarn, making it a smart leftover project. It is sized for newborns in their first weeks.
- Designer: Joy Boath / Skilly Skally Designs
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needles: 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Berry Baby Hat
Photo: Michele Sabatier / RandomStitches
The Berry Baby Hat has a deep rolled brim and a little stranded leaf section, with leaves on top that stand up and twist. It looks just like a berry. It is sized for infants, with notes for toddler and child sizes.
- Designer: Michele Sabatier / RandomStitches
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Needles: 4.5 mm (US 7) and 5 mm (US 8)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Little Flower Hat
Photo: Ewelina Murach
This seamless hat starts at the top with a lacy flower motif and is worked down to a 2×2 rib brim. You need to know knitting in the round, yarn overs and decreases. Sizes go from preemie to adult small.
- Designer: Ewelina Murach
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needles: 4 mm (US 6) and 3.25 mm (US 3)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Lilacs for Lila
Photo: knittedblissJC
Lilacs for Lila is a lacy bonnet knit flat in one piece with I-cord ties. It has a simple lace pattern and soft texture. Sizes run from 1-3 months to 2-4 years, and it uses 50 to 100 yards of DK yarn.
- Designer: knittedblissJC
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needles: 3.5 mm (US 4)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Princess Bonnet
Photo: Rian Anderson
This garter stitch bonnet is knit flat in one piece with eyelet rows. The designer based it on photos of a bonnet worn by a royal baby. It is marked intermediate, not for total beginners, and is sized 0-3 months.
- Designer: Rian Anderson
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: light fingering (#1)
- Needles: 2.75 mm (US 2) and 3 mm (US 2.5)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
14. Braided-Edge Baby Hat
Photo: Becky Colvin
A pretty cable braid runs around the edge of this newborn hat. There are two versions: a cuffed hat with a slim braid, and a scalloped one with a wider braid as the band. Fine merino yarn keeps it soft.
- Designer: Becky Colvin
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: fingering (#1)
- Needles: 2.25 mm (US 1)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
15. Itty Bitty Bear Cubs
Photo: Carolyn Ingram
These tiny bear cub hats are made for premature babies, which makes them a great charity knit. They are worked bottom-up in the round with little ears. The designer explains how to size up with bigger yarn and needles for newborns.
- Designer: Carolyn Ingram
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: sport (#2)
- Needles: 3.25 mm (US 3) and 3.5 mm (US 4)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First baby hat? Start with #1 (Barley) or #2 (Sweet Striped Hat).
- Need it fast? #5 (Liquorice Twist) in bulky yarn knits up in no time.
- Knitting for a cold-weather baby? Try #7 (Trailhopper) with earflaps and ties.
- Want something heirloom-pretty? Pick #12 (Lilacs for Lila) or #13 (Princess Bonnet).
- Knitting for charity? Make a few of #15 (Itty Bitty Bear Cubs).
FAQ
What size should a knit baby hat be?
A newborn head is usually around 13 to 14 inches around, a 6-month-old about 16 inches, and a 1-year-old around 17 to 18 inches. Knit the hat an inch or two smaller than the head so the ribbing hugs gently. When in doubt, go a little bigger, since babies grow quickly.
What yarn is best for baby hats?
Choose a soft, machine-washable yarn such as superwash merino, a merino blend or a soft cotton blend for summer. Avoid scratchy wool and very fuzzy yarns. Worsted and DK are easy to work with and knit up fast, while fingering yarn gives a lighter, finer hat.
How long does it take to knit a baby hat?
Most baby hats take two to four hours. Bulky and worsted hats are fastest, often done in one evening. Fine-yarn hats, bonnets with lace and hats with cables take a little longer, but they are still a quick project compared to a sweater.
Cast on a few of these, and you will always have a handmade gift ready for the next new baby.