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Knitting Patterns for Colorwork Hats – Cozy Beanies to Try

October 13, 2025 by Sarah White

There are so many great hat knitting patterns out there, but as I start thinking about knitting for winter (which is the only time I really wear hats) I want my hats to be as colorful as possible. And of course there are new colorwork hat knitting patterns being released all the time, but here are some that have caught my eye. 

You couldn’t ask for more color than is found in the Ridged Stripe Hat knitting pattern from Yarnspirations. This one uses a multicolored yarn to make the stripes easy, and slipped stitches to make those elongated stitches that move the colors around. It also has a foldover ribbed brim for plenty of warmth, and comes in one size to fit an adult. It’s a free pattern. 

Speaking of slipped stitches, they’re the key to mosaic knitting, which is how the Fold in the Cheese hat is done (shoutout to the Schitt’s Creek fans!). This one is worked in two colors of a DK or light worsted weight yarn, and using a multicolored yarn makes it look more interesting without any more work. It comes in three sizes and you can knit it as a beanie or slouchy if you prefer. You can find this pattern from Mary Annarella on Ravelry.

The color is subtle on Carrie McKie’s Surprise Hat (a free download from Ravelry) but it wouldn’t have to be. I wanted to include this one because I like the idea of it, having a colorwork pattern that looks good on either side so you can reverse the hat when you want to change up the look. This one also uses slipped stitches, and it’s fun to see how you can get different looks with such a simple technique.

The simplest way to add color to a project, apart from stripes, is by adding little stitches of color. A single knit stitch in a contrasting color looks like a heart, which is where the Loving Hat gets its name. This is super simple stranded colorwork done in bulky yarn, and the free pattern from Garter Stitch Witch includes sizing for babies through adults. 

If you’re ready for more detailed Fair Isle knitting, check out A Foray into Fair Isle from Little Blue Pedal Car on Etsy. This colorful hat knitting pattern would be a great stash buster because you can change colors with every band of colorwork. It uses worsted weight yarn and looks adult sized. 

Take stranded knitting in a totally different direction with the Bad Medicine Beanie from A Lil Loopy. This bold hat features large skulls all around the hat that are worked in a multicolored, super bulky yarn. The hat has one adult size and looks like it would be a lot of fun to knit. 

Bands of Colorwork Add Direction to This Sweater [Knitting]

Colorwork Cardigan Knitting Patterns [Knitting]

Knit Matching Colorwork Hat and Mitts [Knitting]

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A Single Skein Shawl to Knit for Summer

Even more than normal this year I’ve been trying to use yarn that I already have. I’m doing lots of odd ball projects, scrappy things and small projects, but it’s also nice sometimes to be able to use a whole skein, and just a single skein, on a project for yourself or for a gift. 

The Sunburst Shawl by Jem Arrowsmith is a great option if you have a single skein of sock yarn (100 grams or 400-425 meters, which is around 437 to 465 yards) that you don’t want to make socks out of. 

The design includes a section of stockinette with blocks of simple lace mesh offset to make a zig-zag design across the shawl that looks sort of like the rays on a drawing of the sun. 

The lace is just yarn over, knit 2 together repeating, so this would be a great first lace knitting project if you haven’t tried that before. The designer also has a video tutorial on their website if you need more help with the technique. 

You can use any sock yarn you have on hand, but this one is especially fun with the brightly colored, variegated, speckly and sparkly yarns that you might not otherwise know what to do with. The solid section lets the colors play uninterrupted, while the lace part adds a bit of texture and gives a different look to the yarn. 

This asymmetrical triangle shawl measures about 73 inches or 185 cm in wingspan and is 18 inches/45.5 cm deep. 

There are several completed projects on Ravelry already so you can see who the design looks in different colors and types of yarn, from self stripping to more solid and tonal options. 

The pattern is available for free on Ravelry (note: on the designer’s website it says the pattern is free through Aug. 31, 2026, so I’m not sure if it will be free after that on Ravelry), and if you don’t happen to have the perfect skein of yarn to make this project, the designer also offers kits on their website that include the yarn, pattern and a stitch marker. 

[Photo: Jem Arrowsmith]

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