I recently shared a collection of flat hat knitting patterns, so now it’s time to step it up a little bit and share some hat knitting patterns that are worked in the round. A hat is a great first circular knitting project because it doesn’t usually have a lot of shaping or changing up of patterns so you can focus on the technique of working in the round (which is super easy to get the hang of and you’ll be a pro by the end of your hat!).
The most basic hat worked in the round would be something like the Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy Hat by Taylor Rutledge, which is a free download on Ravelry. This hat is worked entirely with knit stitches (which means it has a little curl at the bottom) and a little shaping at the top for a good fit. It’s sized for kids ages 5-10, but if you’re willing to do the math you could make it bigger.
A step up from a totally knit hat is a knit hat with ribbing at the bottom. This keeps the edge from curling, which a lot of people prefer. The Easy Tweed Hat from Lion Brand Yarn is a great basic hat in this style that’s worked with medium/worsted weight yarn and meant to fit a range of teen to adult heads. The foldover brim adds extra warmth.
Or try the super bulky Hat Shaped Hat from Lindsay Ingram, a free pattern on Ravelry, which also has a foldover brim and is super quick to knit (and sized for men and women).
Elise Mann has another simple ribbing and stockinette stitch hat, this time worked in DK weight yarn, which means it will take a little longer to knit but is still really easy. You can find this one as a free download at LoveCrafts.
Add some slouch and an even thinner yarn with the Sockhead Slouch Hat by Kelly McClure. This free Ravelry pattern is sized from babies to adults and you can pick your slouch level based on how tall you make the hat.
Allover ribbing is another great option for an easy hat, like the Classic Ribbed Hat from Purl Soho. Worked in allover knit 1, purl 1 ribbing, it’s still really easy to knit and has a lot of stretch to fit a range of heads (and is sized for babies through adults).
How about adding ear flaps? The 1898 hat is a super interesting pattern, with the ear flaps worked first in garter stitch and the hat part picked up and worked in the round from the edge. It was designed by Kristine Byrnes for the Seaman’s Church Institute, based on a pattern from the early 1900s. You can find the pattern as a PDF here.
Add a different texture to the body of your hat with this double moss stitch hat from PURE by Linda Whaley on Etsy. This one can actually be worked flat or in the round, and it has a fun yarn pompom on top, too. It’s worked in worsted weight yarn and sized for babies through adults.
And if you’re ready to get even more intricate with your stitch patterns, grab the Mossy Lane hat from Etsy seller Daleside Knits. This one incorporates twisted stitches (but no cable needle required) and ribbing for tons of texture and uses worsted weight yarn
