Knit Your Way To Cozy: 15 Warm Hat Patterns

It’s getting colder, which means it’s time for a new knit hat pattern. This winter, I’ve been on the hunt for cozy hats that’ll keep my noggin warm while staying stylish. And what better way to do this than with the help of some fun and interesting patterns? 

How to Knit a Hat for Beginners | Step-by-Step Tutorial
Takeaways
There are many fun and creative ways to customize your hats, such as adding pom poms, color blocking, or choosing a unique yarn type.
Using circular needles can be a great way to simplify the knitting process and eliminate the need for seams.
Don’t be afraid to try new techniques, such as cabling or fair isle knitting, to add interest and texture to your hats.
Gauge swatches are important to ensure your hat fits correctly, and can save you time and frustration in the long run.
Knitting hats can be a great way to practice your skills and experiment with different stitch patterns and techniques.

These 15 knitted hats are just what you need to keep your head nice and toasty all winter long.

Tassle Knit Hat

This hat is a great choice for the beginner knitter who wants to make something special. The pattern is easy and quick, because it’s worked in the round. Tassels are added as you go, which means you don’t have to worry about weaving in ends or attaching them later on.

A quick search on Ravelry will reveal many patterns that can be made with Lion Brand Yarn’s Wool-Ease Thick & Quick yarn (affiliate link). 

This thick and soft wool blend has just enough detail to look good while still being easy to work with. It also produces a cozy hat that fits well and helps keep your head warm!

Looking to improve your knitting skills after making some cozy hats? Our collection of 10 simple scarf patterns for beginner knitters is the perfect place to start!

Snowflake Knit Hat

  • To make a snowflake hat, you’ll need:
  • Size 10 1/2 circular needles (or size to match the gauge below)
  • Large hook for provisional cast on (optional)
  • Cast on 120 stitches with your size 10 1/3 circular needle, being careful not to twist the stitches. Place marker at beginning of round and another one after 60 sts have been cast on.

Join into round by knitting first and last stitch together with a single stitch from next round (120 stitches total). Place additional markers every 30 sts after joining into round if desired – this will help mark off each snowflake panel as it gets worked!

Increase by working [k1fbf] around until you have 160 sts total when counting both sides together (this will be 60 stitches per panel). 

Work even until hat measures 7 inches from starting point or desired length as measured from crown shaping (approximately 20 rounds). 

At end of each round, slip all stitches purlwise wyif back onto left needle; then pass all slipped sts over front leg of ea st across row just worked – no need for SSK here since there are no decreases yet!

Smoky Mountain Knit Hat

Size Small/Large (fits head sizes 18-22 inches)

Yarn: Worsted weight yarn. You will need approximately 125 yards of each color.

Needles: US 8 straight needles or 16″ circular needle. These hats are knit in the round, so you will need a set of double pointed needles if you plan on knitting both hats at once as written below. 

If you choose to knit just one for yourself, use the size and type of needle that is appropriate for your yarn’s recommended gauge.

Gauge: 4 stitches and 6 rows = 1 inch in stockinette stitch

Smoky Mountain Knit Hat Pattern

Yarn TypeNeedle SizeSkill LevelNotes
Bulky weightUS 10.5 (6.5 mm)IntermediateFeatures a beautiful colorwork pattern inspired by the Smoky Mountains.
Super Bulky weightUS 11 (8 mm)BeginnerA simpler version of the Smoky Mountain hat that uses larger needles and fewer colors.
Worsted weightUS 8 (5 mm)AdvancedA more complex version of the Smoky Mountain hat that includes cables and requires more attention to detail.
Sport weightUS 4 (3.5 mm)IntermediateFeatures a fair isle pattern with a small-scale mountain design.
Chunky weightUS 9 (5.5 mm)BeginnerA quick and easy version of the Smoky Mountain hat that is perfect for beginners.

Powder Puff Pom Pom Knit Hat

Pom poms are fun, and they add a lot of texture to a hat. This is a great pattern for beginners who want to learn how to make pom poms.

The pattern itself is very simple, but it looks great.

Keep your little ones stylish and warm this winter with our collection of cozy knitted sweaters for kids! From basic cardigans to adorable animal motifs, we have something for every child.

Hills And Valleys Slouchy Knit Hat

The Hills and Valleys Slouchy Knit Hat is a free pattern that was created by Heatherly Design. It uses bulky weight yarn (size 7 needles) and can be sized down for children. 

That said, it’s still a very fast knit project just think of how many winter hats you could make from one skein!

Heart Of Snow Knit Hat

  • Materials:
  • US 10.5 (6.5 mm) 16″ circular needles and US 10.5 (6.5 mm) DPNs
  • Yarn: Aran weight yarn in two different colors, approx 200 yards of each color (300 yards total). The sample used Cascade 220 Superwash wool in some shades of blue and a bit of white for the eyelet border pattern.
  • Gauge: 4 sts/inch in stockinette stitch

Indian Summer Knit Hat

Here’s a chic, stylish hat that works for any time of year. Not only is this hat perfect for layering over your favorite outfit during Indian summer, but you can wear it all year long too!

This pattern is easy enough to make that even a beginner knitter can master it in no time. It’s also versatile enough to be worn as a slouchy beanie or as a snug-fitting cap—you can choose whichever style suits your mood on any given day.

Cable knitting is a classic technique that adds texture and interest to any project. Our article on the beauty of cable knitting: 15 stunning patterns will inspire your next project and help you master this technique

Cable Knit Earflap Hat

This warm hat is simple enough to make in a weekend, and it’s the perfect gift for men and women alike. The slouchy style is perfect for cold weather, and the cable knit pattern will keep you comfortable no matter where your travels take you.

Cable Knit Earflap Hat Pattern

Yarn TypeNeedle SizeSkill LevelNotes
Aran weightUS 7 (4.5 mm) DPNsIntermediateFeatures a classic cable knit pattern with earflaps and a pom pom on top.
Worsted weightUS 8 (5 mm) circular needlesBeginnerA simpler version of the cable knit earflap hat that uses larger needles and minimal cabling.
Bulky weightUS 10.5 (6.5 mm) DPNsAdvancedA more complex version of the cable knit earflap hat that includes multiple cable patterns and requires more attention to detail.
Sport weightUS 4 (3.5 mm) circular needlesIntermediateFeatures a small-scale cable knit pattern with earflaps and a modified brim.
Super Bulky weightUS 11 (8 mm) DPNsBeginnerA quick and easy version of the cable knit earflap hat that is perfect for beginners.

Caramel Apple Knit Hat

This hat is a great way to use up leftover yarn, and it works up super fast. The pattern uses chunky yarn, so you can knit this hat in no time!

The Caramel Apple Knit Hat is knit in the round for extra warmth and comfort. This pattern has been given a test-knit by some of our talented Ravelry members, so you can be sure that it’s easy to follow!

This hat can be made in any size using any weight of yarn—just adjust your needle size accordingly.

Bear With Me Knit Hat

Bear with me knit hat pattern by Gina at the Stitched in Color blog is a great beginner pattern. The construction of this hat is simple and easy, with only one seam that needs to be sewn at the end. It works up quickly, so it’s perfect for last-minute gifts!

If you’re looking to make a quick and cozy gift for someone special, try making this easy-to-knit crochet beanie from Free Crochet Pattern Library! 

This free pattern also comes in three sizes (small/medium, large/extra large) which makes it great for kids and adults alike.

Are you excited to keep knitting after making these hats? Explore our other cozy patterns with our collection of knitting for the home: 15 patterns for beautiful pillows, throws, and rugs!

Forest Friend Owl Beanie Knit Hat

This owl hat pattern is the perfect cold-weather accessory for a beginner knitter. You’ll need to know how to cast on, knit, purl and bind off in order to complete this project.

The pattern includes instructions for knitting your own owl beanie hat using worsted weight yarn and size US 10 needles (6 mm). 

If you have any questions about the pattern or need help with the techniques used in this project, visit our Knitting Help area where we have tons of resources available!

Color Block Slouchy Beanie For The Whole Family To Wear.

For a hat that will match everyone’s wardrobe, this color block slouchy beanie is the perfect choice. It’s a simple knit pattern with easy-to-follow instructions—and it’s available in multiple sizes for all your knitting needs.

  • Sizes include adult and child (8 years & up) versions of the pattern, as well as an “XL” size for those who want to wear their hats extra comfortably on their heads.
  • The pattern works up quickly—it takes less than 1 hour to finish one of these hats!
  • You can customize this hat however you’d like: make it longer or shorter, add stripes or color blocks at different levels of your headwear designs, etcetera.

Starry Night Knit Hat

This hat is so fun and easy to make, that you’ll want to make a million of them. You can use one skein of yarn or two and the resulting hats will have different looks!

The pattern uses basic stitches and techniques, but if you are just starting out there are plenty of tutorials available for each stitch on YouTube. This is a great beginner project for anyone wanting to learn how to knit.

If you have never knit before this project is perfect for learning some techniques like casting on, casting off (which we call binding off), increasing stitches using stitches called “kfb” which stands for knit front back – increase one stitch by knitting into the front then back of same stitch twice (increase made). 

When increasing by making 1 extra stitch in each row/round at end of row/round it helps give your seam better stretch which prevents seams from opening up over time while wearing items made with cotton yarns since they tend not hold their shape well when washed frequently like acrylics do due to lack of elasticity in those fibers!

Ready to take your knitting skills to the next level? Follow our tutorial on how to transform your living room with a hand-knitted throw and create a statement piece for your home.

Chunky Rib Cable Knit Beanie

This pattern can be found on Ravelry, and the designer has made a video tutorial that shows you how to make this hat. You will need:

  • 1 skein of chunky yarn (Madelinetosh Tosh Chunky, Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick or any other bulky yarn)
  • size 10 US 16″ circular needle
  • crochet hook (optional) – if you would like to add a pom-pom to your beanie.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the many hat patterns you can find online. There are so many options, and they all look so cozy that it’s hard to choose just one! 

If you want something a bit more unique, try looking through some knitting books at your local library or bookstore. You might be surprised by what kind of designs you come across there!

Further Reading

Looking for more knitting and crochet inspiration? Check out these helpful resources:

15 Crochet Hat Patterns: Winter Hat Pattern Tips: This Pinterest board is filled with cozy and stylish hat patterns for any skill level.

Knit Hat Patterns: 50 Cozy Hats For Winter: This collection of 50 knit hat patterns includes everything from beginner-friendly designs to more advanced techniques.

Bulky Hats: 20 Quick and Easy Projects: Want to knit a cozy hat in a hurry? These 20 bulky hat patterns are perfect for fast, satisfying projects.

FAQs

What age range are these hat patterns suitable for?

The age range for each hat pattern varies depending on the design, but many of these patterns are suitable for adults and older children.

Are these patterns free or do I need to pay for them?

Some of the patterns linked in this article are free, while others require payment. Be sure to check each individual link for pricing information.

Can I use different types of yarn with these patterns?

While these patterns may work best with the recommended yarn type and weight, it’s possible to use alternative yarns with the proper gauge and fiber content.

What skill level are these hat patterns designed for?

The skill levels vary depending on the pattern, although many of the patterns linked above are beginner-friendly.

Can I sell items that I make from these patterns?

It’s important to check the individual pattern’s terms of use before selling items made from them. Some patterns may allow for commercial use, while others may not.