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 one of my favorite fast projects – a newborn baby hat knitting pattern that can be finished in just 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 didn’t include any pattern and after doing some internet searching and not being quite happy with anything I found, I mixed and matched ideas and came up with my own pattern.
My starting point for this pattern, believe it or not, was the baby hats my own two kids came home with from the hospital almost 30 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 used these two little vintage baby hats as my template and came up with this pattern that’s quick and easy to make, even for beginning knitters. Although many hats are knit in the round on circular needles, for these very tiny hats I decided to create a simple straight needle pattern with a seam, again, following how my little vintage knit hats had been made. I’ve also created this pattern to use the yarns labeled as “4” weight and that’s been helpful for using up some of my yarn scraps too.
Since I first created this pattern, I’ve had a couple grandbabies come along and have been happily knitting for them too. I’ve made them knit afghans and little knit sweaters, and of course these hats, that were just the perfect size for a brand new baby!
When I knit these to give to my local hospital, I try to follow their request to knit the hats in either blues or pinks to make it more specifically for a little boy or a little girl. However if I’m knitting just a solid color hat, I like to try to find a yarn with a few little flecks of color or other interest to it. But this isn’t always easy! I used to be able to find a fun yarn at Hobby Lobby called Lil Britches (the blue hat pictured below) but now I can no longer find that yarn. However I did recently (June, 2017) find a pretty yarn at Michaels under the Poppy brand name (the pink hat below) that was a “4” weight and also came in a pretty shade of blue.
Most of the time I like to add some stripes to give these hats a little pizazz and and then I top them off with a pom pom using the pom pom maker I bought at the craft store. I’ve included more info on how I make the stripes and the pom poms below. I also usually try to use a yarn labeled as “soft” such as Red Heart Soft or Red Heart Soft Baby Steps yarn (just make sure it is a “4” weight). By my calculations it only takes about 35 yards of yarn to make one of these hats so you can get lots of hats from a skein of yarn!
Here’s the pattern and I’ve also included a free pdf printable of the pattern too.
Easy Knit Newborn Baby Hat
Size 6 Needles – American (equals size 8 UK needles)
Medium Weight (4) Yarn (I like to use a soft yarn like Red Heart Soft)
Gauge: 4.5 stitches per inch (or 2 stitches per centimeter)
Finished hat will be about 10″ around
Cast on 48 stitches
Work in Knit 1, Purl 1 ribbing for 1″ (about 6 rows)
Then 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.
Ideas For Striped Baby Hats
Here are a few ways you can add stripes to the knit newborn baby hat pattern. I find it usually takes me 18 rows to make the 3” body portion of the hat after the ribbing. Therefore all these stripe patterns are for 18 rows but they are simple patterns that you could easily adjust as needed. I always do the ribbing in the main color, and then proceed on to do the stripes.
Note: MC = Main Color; CC = Contrasting Color
Wide Stripe Pattern:
Do Ribbing in MC
Then in stockinette stitch:
4 rows: MC
4 rows: CC
4 rows: MC
4 rows: CC (break off contrasting color)
2 rows: MC
Continuing in main color, begin decrease rows and complete the hat
Skinny Stripe Pattern:
Do Ribbing in MC
Then in stockinette stitch:
2 rows: MC
2 rows: CC
2 rows: MC
2 rows: CC
2 rows: MC
2 rows: CC
2 rows: MC
2 rows: CC (break off contrasting color)
2 rows: MC
Continuing in main color, begin decrease rows and complete the hat.
2 Stripe Pattern:
Do Ribbing in MC
Then in stockinette stitch:
4 rows: MC
2 rows: CC
4 rows: MC
2 rows: CC (break off contrasting color)
6 rows MC
Continuing in main color, begin decrease rows and complete the hat.
Making the Pom Poms
To finish off the hat with a pom pom, I always use my pom pom maker that I bought at the craft store several years ago. I have the Susan Bates brand pom pom maker, although my old one looks a little different than the version they are selling now.
To use a pom pom maker, you wrap the yarn around two rings of plastic. You then snip the yarn apart around the edges, pull the two rings slightly apart, and tie things together with another small length of yarn. Once it is tied in the middle, you can pull the plastic rings off and fluff up your pom pom.
Snip away any uneven or long pieces to even out the pom pom. I try not to obsess for too long on this step because you can ALWAYS find a few more pieces to snip away on!
I then use the two long pieces from tying the pom pom together to attach it to the hat. I often use two colors of yarn to make the pom poms for my striped hats.
I hope you enjoy this pattern too. They’re rather addicting to make and before you know it you may have a whole pile of these newborn knit baby hats laying around! Here’s the link again to print the pattern:
Hi I am knitting for charity hospitals for babies birth to 3months.i came across your site and definitely going to use it and also the striped with pompoms look so cute Thank you once again.
Hi Bev, my name is Vivienne Dillon and I’m from Bangor Co Down, Northern Ireland .
I have been looking for a baby hats pattern for the hospitals and I came across your website. The hat pattern is so easy and I’ve got hooked now. Many thanks for your help. Two of my grandchildren needed care in hospital after birth and were given hats initially. I feel now I am doing something worthwhile . Kind regards.v
Thanks for the cute pattern. I knit hats for the Navy NICU and PICU here in San Diego area. Where can I get the cute “Welcome Baby ” tag? They would be perfect to attach to my hats.
The tag was pictured by someone on Instagram who used my knitting pattern, but made her own tag. I’m not sure where to find it either!
Love this hat and the adorable tag that is with it. Could you please inform us where we could get the tag information. Many thanks!
Been looking for this pattern a long time
I’m glad you were able to find the pattern here! 🙂
Thank you Beverly for all of your free patterns. They are really appreciated.
I am working on the keyhole scarf right now then the sweet baby hats for charity
Thank you! How do I do decrease if I cast on 60 stitches?
If you start with 60 stitches, I would do the last 5 rows as follows:
K2 tog across (30 sts)
Purl
K2 tog across (15 sts)
purl
K2 tog across to last stitch, K1 (8 sts)
Remove from needles and gather
Hi, do the hospitals accept hats with pom-poms?
I have donated hats with pom poms and have never heard of any objection. Always make sure the pom poms are very securely attached with any donated hats too.
I just finished my first baby hat and am very pleased with how it turned out. Thank you so much for an easy and quick pattern. Is there any possibility that you would have an easy knit pattern for a pair of booties?
At this time I don’t have a bootie pattern, but I will put it on my to-do list!
i love this pattern.
I love this pattern!! Thank you so much for sharing. You are so correct that it is addicting. I made two solid hats in three days. I am looking forward to getting some time this weekend to knit more of these adorable hats. I am going to start donating them to a local charity for children with health issues. Do you have this pattern for older children? If so, can you share with me? Thanks again! You’ve brought purpose to my life during this challenging time!
❤️🥰
Thank you for your patience and understanding you have just helped me to make a hat with your pattern 🙂🙂🙂 l have just lost my mum and fee very low and your pattern has been just what I need to keep me busy thank you ❤️
So sorry about the loss of your mum. These little hats are definitely a simple and quick project to keep your hands busy and I’m glad it could be of some help to you.
Thank You so much for sharing this good piece of information as I was seeking baby caps for my Lil princess.
Thank You so much for sharing this information about baby caps. Now it will be easier for me to know and perform the same.
Hi there. Loved making your hat. I am going to try and make it bigger.
AWESOME – I MAKE THIS HATS FOR HOSPITALS !!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING.
Sounds easy to do will try as s00n as I can for our new premi great grand daughter. Thank you so much for the pattern.
I was at a loss for a pattern for someone so small.
8mm needles for uk size seems quite large, is this the size I should be using? I am very new to knitting and am trying to knit my first baby hat. What size of yarn, in uk mm should I be buying and what size of needles should I use for this? Or do you have a link for yarn that works well with this, I’m a total beginner teaching myself and have only knitted a basic baby blanket before.
Thank you!
in UK this would be dk yarn and 4mm needles. I have a similar pattern in the uk and was amazed how small it is but was assured it was fine. Good luck.
Yes, UK size 8 is equal to the US size 6 that I use for this pattern. I also use the yarn labeled as “4” weight which I believe is sometimes called Aran yarn in the UK.
Beverly,just found your patterns for the baby beanies and am starting right now to kni them up. Last year I turned 90 in Sept. well in Feb. my daughter asked me what I wanted to do for my 90th birthday and I said I was going to make 90 beanie hats in various designs for the kids at St. Judes Hospital. I finished the 90th on Aug. 21,one month before my birthday. Since my daughter and her husband and I are full time rovers,my knitting was done last year from Ga. to Ohio to Colorado and back to Ga. I have 10 great grandchildren so they have my knitting and now I am set on the newborns can’t wait. Thank you for the patterns. Margorie.
Your comment warmed my heart Margorie ❤️ I hope if I make it to 90 that I’ll be able to still knit at that kind of pace! And thank you for blessing the children at St. Jude’s with your handiwork too. 🙂
I would like to make n donate to hosp
Hi . Can you please advise me on the baby hats you have knitted. I have followed instructions. But my hat has turned out very small.i used double knitting wool on size 4 mm . Can you explain were I am going wrong please
These hats are about 10″ around so they are quite small and intended for newborns. However if yours is still a bit smaller, I would try going up a needle size and see if that gives you a little hat that has a 10″ circumference.
YOUR REPLY TO JUNE WAS FINE. THE HATS ARE EXTREMELY SMALL BUT I AM TOLD JUST PERFECT FOR PREMMIE BABIES. SO TELL HER TO KEEP KNITTING. GOOD LUCK
If I want to make a hat for a 3-6 month old how many stitches could I cast in?
I have made a slightly larger version of this hat where I cast on 72 stitches and knit the hat until it was 5″ from the beginning. (I think I had to improvise a bit on the last decrease row as the stitch count did not come out quite the same).
Fabulously simple pattern .
I loved this pattern… so so easy to do I’m making a whole bunch for the Orem babies at my local hospital!!!
THANKYOU!!!!
May I ask how you would resize these hats to make bigger for older babies please
Knitting for fifty years and this is the best instructions for making a
Lovely Pom Pom.
I am a “new again” knitter who loved it as a new mom. After my 2nd child life sped up and knitting was left behind. As a grandmother, I have begun to knit again after 50 years – yikes!
All that to say that your instructions are the best and easiest to follow that I’ve seen! I’ve researched a lot of patterns – my 4th blanket since Covid is almost done. Thanks sooooo much for your outstanding instructions! I’ll be looking for more of your patterns 😘💕
Thanks so much for your pattern. I signed up for the newsletter.
My 14 year old granddaughter, an 8th grader, is trying very hard to knit. I have not knitted for the past 7 to 8 years, but I am now interested once again – thanks to Nina.
What kind of yarm do you recommend for the newborn hat pattern?
Thanks ~ Ann. K
Denver, CO
This pattern uses “4” weight yarn (worsted) and I usually suggest looking for a soft one such as Caron Simply Soft. I hope you and your granddaughter have some good times knitting together!
Thank you so much. Such a cute baby hat. I am currently using your pattern in pink for my first grandchild. I was wondering what method you use to stitch the seam? I have only tried the mattress stitch (on a baby sleep sack) and it left a very bulky seam and I don’t think it will work for this hat.
Thanks!
Hi
I’ve done one of these using UK size 5 needles, because UK size 8 are really big, so I wasn’t sure if that was right.
I don’t suppose you can let me know the dimensions of one of the finished hats – just so I can check what I’ve produced isn’t too small?
Thanks very much 😊
The knit newborn hats are quite small. I measured one I did and it has an 11 inch circumference and is about 4.5 inches high. If you need that in centimeters that would be about a 28 cm circumference and about 11.5 cm high.
Thank you so much for posting such an easy-to-follow pattern! I only learned to knit 3 years ago (lifelong crocheter). I’m expecting my 7th baby and this is the first baby I’m having since learning to knit, so I’m excited to make some baby things.
Also, do you have a pattern for a very small baby blanket- almost like a “lovie”?
One thing you can try for knitting a small Lovey, is to use my diagonal dishcloth pattern. Just use a soft baby yarn, and make it a larger square (perhaps a 14″ square instead of the 9″ size of a dishcloth). Here’s the link to that dishcloth pattern: https://www.themakeyourownzone.com/2-ways-to-knit-diagonal-dishcloths-holes-or-no-holes/
Hi, can you knit this hat on circular needles?
If you use circular needles, this hat will get too small with too few stitches at the top to keep using them. However you could try then switching to DP’s or using the magic loop to finish things off.
Thank you for this pattern. I’m so happy to have one that’s done on straight needles
I have been knitting baby hats (new-born) every time I finish something and have wool to spare. I feel I should manage a round needle, but so far I don’t like using it much. Now I’ve been asked for similar hats for 6 – 9 months old, so I’d appreciate a pattern. All my knitting goes for charity. apart from presents for friends and family. Thank you for practical advice. Sincerely, Marjorie Quarton.
Thank you
Thank you so much for this pattern. My grand daughter has just had premmie twins at 28 weeks, so I am going to just love making these for them. Kindest regards.
Thank you! I loved your story about your two little baby hats Very generous of you to share. I hope to make some for my “wanna be a Grandmother stash” and family friends.
Just like this one
Lovely pattern and very easy to do… giving them to a local hospital for the prem babies…
Thanks for this pattern Bev, I made the small 5 hour sweater and brought the pattern forth on this hat. Such a cute gift for a new babe.
A very easy pattern to follow, thank you.
Thank you so much for the simple pattern! I’ve been knitting piles of these cuties!!!!
Do you have a pattern for the next size hat.i knitted this one and i think it’s for a prem.baby
This knitting pattern does create quite a small hat as they are intended for newborns. However if you are a little bit of a tighter knitter, yours may have turned out closer to a preemie size. When I want to make this pattern slightly larger, I cast on 72, and instead of knitting until 4″ from the beginning, I knit until 5″ from the beginning. From there you can proceed on with the decrease rows at the top.
thanx so very much great help
Addendum to previous comment. I do like baby yarn 3 weight on #6 needles. I find a 54 or 64 Cast on a good size.
When you do 54 and 64 when do you start to decrease and do you follow the same instructions for decrease as this pattern does?
I also make baby hats for our local hospital. Your pattern is pretty straight forward but I prefer a no seam. I use Magic Loop.
Hi. Do you have a picture of what the hat will look like with the seam? I’d rather not have a seam, if possible. I’m going to try it with round needles and then gather it up on the top to avoid the seam. Has anyone tried this yet?
Sorry. I meant without decreasing at the top.
I make knitted newborn hats all the time and donate them to the local hospital. I use size 8 needles – 16” circular and size 8 double pointed to finish the top. I usually cast on about 60 – 64 stitches in a baby weight yarn although I’ve used worsted weight as well (I don’t like worsted weight, they are too stiff for a baby). This pattern makes a bit bigger hat – about 28 to 30 cm. I haven’t put pompoms on mine but I certainly could. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for the pattern. The hats are going to the Maternity Unit at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, Scotland.
I’m sure your generosity to those little ones will be appreciated!
I love this pattern! But I found it to be a little small – about 28cm using the recommended 48 stitches and size 6 needles. The average newborn head measures between 32-38cm, so I think next time, I’ll need to make it a little bigger.
Thank you. Need to knit a hat and it’s a nice simple pattern for a beginner.
Thank you. Just became great grandmother again last night nd need to knit a hat for it it’s a nice simply pattern.
Thank you for the pattern, from a neighbor in Ionia. Love Country Needleworks!
I also make hats and donate them all, had75 last year I donated. Which hospital in GR takes donated hats? Thanks Pam
It would be helpful if you said what size circular needle for us beginners even though you used straight needles.
Because this is a very small hat, circular needles can be hard to use. I don’t recommend it unless you are using circulars with the magic loop method.
I have knit for years and do not know what a “4” yarn is.
This is a newer numbering system that is on all yarn now (in the info on the yarn label, there will be a small black & white picture of a skein of yarn with a number on it, the numbers go from 1 through 7). The 4 weight is the traditional worsted weight yarn. I was unsure of this system at first too as I’ve also been knitting for years, but it’s actually very helpful because there are so many fancy specialty yarns now and it’s a good way to be able to determine their thickness so you know if you can use them in a pattern.
I crochet only !
Thank you for your patterns .I’m going to try to make for a friend who works in a Maternity unit .
I’d like to knit a hat for a 2year old toddler. They live in another country so I can’t take the measurements. Could and would you help me? I thought of giving it together with a vest in similar colors. Thanks in advance
Hadass Rosenthal
I have this pattern on my clipboard. Made 25 hats for newborns using Loops & Threads yarn from Michaels last year.
This is my ‘go-to’ pattern because I can use up my stash for stripping and pom poms.
Have also made simple knitted booties matching the stripes.
Love this pattern but I found it a little small , so I will adjust it till it measures about 40cm in diameter. I used 4.5mm Aust needles and followed the pattern but it was only about 26cm in diameter . 😀
Love this baby hat! Do you have a baby mitten pattern?
No, I’m sorry I don’t currently have a baby mitten pattern. I do remember making my own pattern for knit baby mittens for my children 30 years ago, but I didn’t write down what I did. Never dreamed I would have a blog someday and the pattern might come in handy again!
Have you a premature baby booties
Dk I can print
Sorry Yvonne, I do not have any bootie patterns at this time.
Found to be relaxing,and something towards a charity
After looking for a free pattern for knitting hats for newborns and not finding anything (maybe it’s me as I am not very computer savvy) I found your site. Thank you, thank you. thank you for actually having a pattern that I could print out!
This pattern is so easy I can remember it. Changed it up slightly by doing K2, P2 instead of K1, P1 for the first six rows because I like the look better. I also used the tail cast on method because it allows for more stretch.
Agree with Beverly. Garter stitch is pretty especially with variegated baby yarn. However, using two sets of circulars and knitting in the round is all stockinette. You might want to practice the purl, though, because a ribbed edge won’t curl. Try practicing with a DK weight on US size 8s till that is comfortable then do a swatch with 6s till that is comfortable. After that you will feel like a PRO ! Happy Knitting.
Can this hat be made with circular needles and if so what size?
The top of these hats are very small so circular needles will probably not work unless you do the magic loop method.
You can use double pointed needles at the top
What do I do with the 6 stitches? I’m a crocheter and this is my first time knitting.
When you get to the end and have the six stitches left on your needle, you will cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread that tail of yarn onto a blunt, large-eye needle and thread it through the stitches on the needle, then remove the stitches from the needle and pull them tight to gather them together. Then sew the seam and your hat will be complete!
I love this pattern, but how can I also make newborn. I have been making the preemie for the hospital and they would also like some for newborn. I’m a beginner knitter. Thank you.
For me, this pattern does make a newborn hat so if you are getting a preemie size you are probably a “tighter” knitter than I am. Perhaps to get a newborn size you could switch to a larger needle and/or try a heavier yarn. There are some fuzzy baby yarns that are labeled as Bulky 5 size, but are still soft and would probably work for a newborn hat.
Circulars; absolutely! The secret is to use two sets or circulars with half the stitches on each set. I usually use sets with different colored needles or different colored cables. That way you can easily pick up the right needle for the side on which you are working. There are plenty of YouTube videos which demonstrate this technique.
HI CAN I MAKE THEM IN JUST KNIT AND LEAVE THE PURL AS MY PURL ISNT VERY GOOD THANKS.