I love to find quick little knitting projects that I can do in an evening. I previously shared my Favorite Knit Dishcloth Pattern which has received lots of positive comments, so I thought I would share another of my favorite fast and easy knitting patterns that can be completed in a couple hours.
A needlecraft store near my home (Country Needleworks for any of my local readers near Hudsonville, Michigan) has different service projects listed on their website that knitters can help with. I decided I could help by knitting some newborn hats that are used by the maternity ward of our local hospital. But their website did not include any pattern, and after doing some internet searching and not being quite happy with anything I found, I sort of mixed and matched ideas and came up with my own pattern.
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| Vintage Baby Hats – 1986 and 1987 |
My starting point for this pattern, believe it or not, was the baby hats my own two kids came home with from the hospital over 20 years ago. I’m not usually one for keeping too many trinkets as keepsakes, but I did keep those two precious little newborn baby hats all these years. I guess being a knitter made me extra sentimental about them. I laid my first few tries of this pattern over these hats to make sure the pattern I came up with was going to result in hats that were turning out the same size as the vintage ones.
These can be knit in solid colors, or with variegated yarn, or you can jazz them up with some stripes too. I also make a pom pom for the top using a pom pom maker
NEWBORN BABY HAT FOR HOSPITALS
Size 6 Needles
Worsted Weight Yarn (I like to use Bernat Satin Yarn
Gauge: 4.5 stitches per inch (or 2 stitches per centimeter)
Cast on 48 stitches
Work in Knit 1, Purl 1 ribbing for 1″ (about 6 rows)
Knit in Stockinette Stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) for 3″ inches. End with a purl row. Piece will now measure 4″ from the beginning.
Begin Decrease for top of hat:
Next Row: Knit 2 together across row (24 stitches)
Next Row: Purl across
Next Row: Knit 2 together across row (12 stitches)
Next Row: Purl across
Next Row: Knit 2 together across row (6 stitches)
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing up seam. Thread the tail of yarn through a large eye needle and then pull through the stitches to remove them from the needle. Pull stitches tight to gather. Sew seam down side of hat with remaining yarn. Make pom pom and fasten to top of hat.
Last winter I made up a bunch of these, hoping they were in fact the right size for a newborn head. It turned out one of my coworkers is a knitter too, so I shared my pattern with her. When her new grandbaby came along last year, she tried our hats on him and she said they fit perfectly! Yay!
Even if you don’t have a local charity to donate these to, this pattern is handy to have for adding a little homemade touch to a baby gift.
I'm Bev and I love to share ideas for living a more creative and resourceful lifestyle with homemade alternatives we can make for ourselves. 
These are so BEAUTIFUL!
Hey Beverly! Those little hats are precious! I cracked up at the term “vintage hats” from 1986-87! Boy that makes me feel OLD! To me, vintage is 50's and 60's! LOL! They are adorable!
God Bless!
PJ
Hi Bev,
I've been following you for a while now and I love your blog! I too feel like why should you pay good money for things when if it's worth it to make it at home! I love your blog so much that I have featured you twice the second time was today with this pattern I gave it a try and as a novice knitter I found it easy to follow but also looked soooo good! Thank you for posting this pattern and I hope you post more knitting soon! If you would like to have a look at my hat come over and visit me!
http://mommamadeit.blogspot.com/
These hats are adorable! I've been looking for a simple newborn hat pattern like this one for such a long time; all the other patterns I found were too fancy, with animal ears or flowers or bows. Not that those aren't cute, too, but this pattern is classic. I'm going to start knitting right away! Thank you!
Could I use the same pattern, but with size 5 (12 inch long) circular needles, instead of size 6 straight needles?
Hi Artikaur – I'm assuming if you want to use circular needles you might be hoping to make one continuous piece with no seam. This might work, however, I think when you get to the decreases at the top, it might be hard with such a few stitches on the circular needle. Perhaps you could not do as many decrease rows (just knit them straight instead) and simply gather more stitches at the end. I think that would probably work. Hope that helps!
Are these American size 6 needles? And would that match up to 4mm needles?
Hi Joanne – Yes, my size 6 needles are American. The conversion to metric would be 4mm (or UK/Canadian size 8). My gauge on the finished piece is 4.5 stitches per inch, or 2 stitches per centimeter.
Thanks Bev. They seems to have turned out right for me and are a great way to use up all my little ends of wool. Thanks for the pattern. Joanne
I use dp needles to make decreases at the top.
Suggestion: I would include the gauge in the pattern.
Good suggestion – Gauge has now been included in the pattern. I had included it in a comment but it is now part of the pattern too
Hi Bev,
I noticed you didn't mention using a loom to make newborn hats. Is it possible to knit one without using a loom?
The finished size of the knitted newborn hats are pretty tiny. I have never used a loom to make hats, but I would wonder if there is a small enough loom to create a newborn hat. If there is a very small loom, then I think it would work. If the loom is too large you would end up with a hat that was too wide for a newborn head. Newborn hats are only about 5″ across when laying flat (about a 10″ circumference).
Bev, thank you for responding and explaining. I look forward to making one one day soon! I really enjoy your blogs.
Thank you!
Hello! I just made my first hat (well, my first knit project ever)for my soon to be born son and the hat looks great (such an easy pattern to follow!!), but the pom-pom is a bit rough (all my fault!).
Any tips on how to make one??
I always use a pom pom maker gadget so that my pom poms turn out a little better looking. You should be able to find one at craft stores like Hobby Lobby or Michaels (or there is link up in my post above too). Make sure you wind the yarn around enough times to create a fairly bushy pom pom. Once you take it off the pom pom maker, you can trim it a little bit more too so there aren't pieces sticking out. I try not to be too obessive about that part because you can trim forever trying to get a perfectly round pom pom
Hope that helps a little bit. Even though you can also make pom poms by just winding yarn around a piece of cardboard, I think my pom poms turned out better once I started using the store bought pom pom makers (and especially because these hats need a pretty small pom pom).
Thank you so much!! I live in the UK, so I'll have to see if I can order one online. I'm working on my second hat today and plan on doing another one (they are such a great starter project!). Also, I *love* your website! Thanks for the tips!
Bev,
I don't know if I have size 6 needles. I think I have size 3 or bigger. How would that make the pattern or hat turn out differently?
Thanks,
April
Hi April,
Switching to a different size needle is where the gauge in the original directions becomes important. My gauge was 4.5 stitches per inch and I cast on 48 stitches. This means my piece was about 10.5″ wide. (48 divided by 4.5). So your goal with different sized needles would be to still knit a hat that is about 10.5″ wide.
Knit a small swatch with your size needles and yarn and see how many stitches per inch you are getting. Let's say you are using smaller needles and are getting 6 stitches per inch. You would multiply 6 times 10.5 inches which gives you 63. Round that up to an even number (64) and that is how many stitches you would cast on. You want an even number of stitches so your decrease rows at the top of the hat are easier.
So to sum that up:
1. Knit yourself a sample swatch
2. Find out how many stitches you have per inch
3. Multiply that by 10.5
4. Round that up to an even number.
That number is how many stitches you will cast on.
Isn't math fun?
Hope that helps!
Just wondering if you have a crochet pattern for these 2 hats.
I'm sorry to say that I don't have a crochet pattern for this newborn hat. I used to crochet a little bit but it was never as easy for me as knitting was and I finally gave up and just stuck with knitting.
However you could crochet a small sample swatch to figure out how many stitches were in an inch. You would then multiply that by 10.5 to find how many single crochets you would need in a row to make a 10.5″ wide hat. To make the decrease rows at the top you could maybe single crochet in every other stitch across a row.
That's about the best crochet advice a knitter like me can come up with
I'm sorry to say that I don't have a crochet pattern for this newborn hat. I used to crochet a little bit but it was never as easy for me as knitting was and I finally gave up and just stuck with knitting. However you could crochet a small sample swatch to figure out how many stitches were in an inch. You would then multiply that by 10.5 to find how many single crochets you would need in a row to make a 10.5" wide hat. To make the decrease rows at the top you could maybe single crochet in every other stitch across a row.That's about the best crochet advice a knitter like me can come up with
Thanks so much for sharing this pattern! One of my second grade students will be a big sister any day now, so I knitted this super cute hat today for the baby so I'm ready!
Marvelous Multiagers!
Thanks so much for sharing this pattern! One of my second grade students will be a big sister any day now, so I knitted this super cute hat today for the baby so I'm ready!
Marvelous Multiagers!
Thanks for sharing this pattern. My second grandson is due Christmas Eve, and I was looking for a simple cap for him to wear. I'm new to knitting, so this is just what I was looking for. I'm already on my second one! Debbie
Thanks for sharing this pattern. My second grandson is due Christmas Eve, and I was looking for a simple cap for him to wear. I'm new to knitting, so this is just what I was looking for. I'm already on my second one! Debbie
This hat is wonderful. I came across this pattern as my daughter is in labor with another little love(her 2nd baby my 3rd grandbaby) So I am knitting it as she is in labor now.
This hat is wonderful. I came across this pattern as my daughter is in labor with another little love(her 2nd baby my 3rd grandbaby) So I am knitting it as she is in labor now.
THANK YOU I have been searching for months for a pattern that would be easy for beginning knitters. We have an organization in Kentucky called Frontier Nurses that works in rural areas of Eastern Kentucky. They were asking for donations of handmade baby hats. This would be a great first project for some 4-H'ers who are beginning to knit and it would benefit a good cause.
THANK YOU I have been searching for months for a pattern that would be easy for beginning knitters. We have an organization in Kentucky called Frontier Nurses that works in rural areas of Eastern Kentucky. They were asking for donations of handmade baby hats. This would be a great first project for some 4-H'ers who are beginning to knit and it would benefit a good cause.
Hi Bev -
i've been reading here for a while, but somehow had never seen this post. I've been doing hats for preemies for a while now. They are tiny but knit up quick. I use double points and knit in the round, but i recently learned how to use 2 same-sized circular needles to knit in the round. This way you don't have to worry about the whole hat fitting on a circular needles. Enjoy your site, as always.
Hi Bev -i've been reading here for a while, but somehow had never seen this post. I've been doing hats for preemies for a while now. They are tiny but knit up quick. I use double points and knit in the round, but i recently learned how to use 2 same-sized circular needles to knit in the round. This way you don't have to worry about the whole hat fitting on a circular needles. Enjoy your site, as always.
Do you have to top it with a Pom Pom? I was thinking about garnishing it with a flower.
Do you have to top it with a Pom Pom? I was thinking about garnishing it with a flower.
No, you do not necessarily have to top it with a pom pom. It just adds a little something extra. I'm sure a little flower would look cute too
That's whats fun about making things yourself. You can be creative and add your own special touches.
No, you do not necessarily have to top it with a pom pom. It just adds a little something extra. I'm sure a little flower would look cute too
That's whats fun about making things yourself. You can be creative and add your own special touches.
thanks very much, it looked adorable. everybody love it.
thanks very much, it looked adorable. everybody love it.
Just made one of your hats for my niece who is due to arrive on Tuesday! It turned out so adorable – thanks! My question is, can you tell me how to adjust the pattern to make it fit an 18 month old? I really wanted to make one for my daughter too. Thank you!!
Just made one of your hats for my niece who is due to arrive on Tuesday! It turned out so adorable – thanks! My question is, can you tell me how to adjust the pattern to make it fit an 18 month old? I really wanted to make one for my daughter too. Thank you!!
Jennifer – so glad the hat for your neice turned out
To adjust for a larger size, I would measure around your older child's head to get the total circumference. (let's say it's 18″) If you are getting 4.5 stitches per inch like my gauge is, you would then multiply 4.5 x 18. This comes out to about 80 stitches for an 18″ circumference hat. However you might want the hat to be a little smaller than an 18″ circumference to allow for some stretchiness so it is tight enough fitting. You might also have to add an extra inch or so before you start the decrease rows. The decrease rows could be done the same way, knitting two together across the rows alternating with a purl row.
So increase the number of stitches you cast on (probably to something between 70 to 80 stitches). Make sure you cast on an even number of stitches. Then add an inch or so to the length (maybe to 6″ inches from the beginning), then do the decrease rows the same way.
That's my best guess
It will take a little trial and error but that is how you would begin the process. Hope that helps!
Jennifer – so glad the hat for your neice turned out
To adjust for a larger size, I would measure around your older child's head to get the total circumference. (let's say it's 18") If you are getting 4.5 stitches per inch like my gauge is, you would then multiply 4.5 x 18. This comes out to about 80 stitches for an 18" circumference hat. However you might want the hat to be a little smaller than an 18" circumference to allow for some stretchiness so it is tight enough fitting. You might also have to add an extra inch or so before you start the decrease rows. The decrease rows could be done the same way, knitting two together across the rows alternating with a purl row.So increase the number of stitches you cast on (probably to something between 70 to 80 stitches). Make sure you cast on an even number of stitches. Then add an inch or so to the length (maybe to 6" inches from the beginning), then do the decrease rows the same way. That's my best guess 
It will take a little trial and error but that is how you would begin the process. Hope that helps!
I make a similar pattern that I found on the Save the Children webpage. It uses a size 8 and size 6 needle, the band is 1 1/2 inches and the shaping starts after 3 inches of stocking stitch knitting. It can be made with a sport or worsted yarn and I always used a bernat yarn. I want to make them for a friend's new twin grandchildren coming soon. I will try your pattern soon to donate to the local hospital preemie unit.
Tolsa Greenberg
I make a similar pattern that I found on the Save the Children webpage. It uses a size 8 and size 6 needle, the band is 1 1/2 inches and the shaping starts after 3 inches of stocking stitch knitting. It can be made with a sport or worsted yarn and I always used a bernat yarn. I want to make them for a friend's new twin grandchildren coming soon. I will try your pattern soon to donate to the local hospital preemie unit.Tolsa Greenberg
my mom use to work at country needleworks!!! its where i learned to sew, knit and do needle point!!!! still one of my favorite places to go!!!!
my mom use to work at country needleworks!!! its where i learned to sew, knit and do needle point!!!! still one of my favorite places to go!!!!
Thank you for this! I had been searching the net and having the same problem you describe – nothing was quite what I wanted. THIS is what I wanted. I’m teaching my daughter how to knit hats for the hospital and this is nice and simple for her
I love these hats! hey are easy to do,and will even stretch a little to fit a variety of newborn heads.
Thanks so much for sharing, Im fairly new to knitting and find it so hard to find patterns that are simple to follow. Thanks again x
Thanks for this pattern. One of my friends is due to have her baby in 3 weeks and, although she loves hand knits, she doesn;t want anything “fussy”. This little hat is perfect for her and knits up so quickly – I’m making loads in all different colours to match the cardigans I’ve already made. Thanks for sharing this
I love how fast these knit up too. Like you said, you can knit up a bunch in lots of colors!
im expecting my second baby and was gutted when i couldnt keep the first hat my son wore as it was hospital property so am looking up on how to make my own to take with me. im not an experienced knitter at all, only knitted squares or rectangles, if there any way i can learn to make these as i dont understand your instructions. thanks
That’s a bummer that your hospital doesn’t let you keep the hats
This pattern is pretty easy for beginners. The basics that you need to know for this pattern are how to cast on (put stitches on your needle so you can get started), know how to purl (so you can do the ribbing which is knit one stitch, and then purl one stitch and keep doing that all the way across a row), and you need to know how to decrease (make fewer stitches on your needle) by knitting two stitches together at a time. If you can do those things, you can knit these hats. Perhaps you could watch some YouTube videos to help you learn “How to do Ribbing” and “How to Decrease” and then start making your hats!
Thank-you for posting this pattern. I’m so happy with my hat…now I just have to wait to try it on my baby girl when she arrives! Do you have a similar pattern for baby Booties?
It’s been many years since I knitted booties but I know I have some patterns somewhere! I’ll look them up again
Thanks so much for this pattern – it’s just what I was hoping to find! I am getting ready to knit one (or more) of these hats for my newest grandchild (due in April). I’d like to use DK yarn instead of worsted. How should I adjust the pattern to use DK yarn so the hat is the right size?
Marilyn -
You will want to knit yourself a sample swatch with the DK yarn to see how many stitches you are getting per inch. These hats are about 10.5″ wide (when laying flat before the final seam is sewn). This means you’ll have to find out how many stitches you have per inch and then multiply it by 10.5 to get the total number of stitches to cast on, remembering that you want to cast on an even number of stitches.
For instance, let’s say you are getting 6 stitches per inch with the DK yarn. You’ll want to multiply that by 10.5 which would give you 63 stitches. You would then round that up to 64 to have an even number and cast on that number of stitches. From there you should be able to follow the pattern along with a few minor adjustments.
Wonderful! Thanks so much for the help – I’ll get started right away on my hats with confidence they will turn out just right using the DK yarn!
I have just made this hat and I am so pleased with it. I was given some pale blue shiny wool (no idea what type it is) but thought I would just try this out as it seemed a nice simple pattern to try. I used 3.75mm needles and it has turned out great. Small but fairly stretchy. Thank you I will be making this again.
So glad your hat turned out and that you found that pattern helpful.
Yes we have just started a Knitting and prayer group at our church to make gifts for people in need. Shawls, baby clothes etc so this will be included. Thank you once again
I just knitted this pattern in pure white and i love it. I used size 4.5mm neddles and it is rather but very streatchy.thank you so much for sharingthis patter
Hi,
Thank you so much for the beanie patterns. My new grandson arrives in 9 weeks and winter is just a few weeks away in Australia. I also have twins due around the same time. I have knitted beanies for premmie babies for many years until I was diagnosed with early stages of MS. I desperately wanted to do a shawl for the new baby ( 4 years work) and he will need beanies as well. Thanks again for sharing your pattern as my pattern book was borrowed and not returned. Regards Robyn
So glad you found the pattern helpful. Enjoy the new grandbabies