10 Free Knit Hat Patterns to Take Your Winter Outfits to the Next Level!
Level up your winter OOTDs with knitted beanies!
10 Free Knit Hat Patterns to Take Your Winter Outfits to the Next Level!
Beanies are just as fun to make as they are to wear! Knit hats put the finishing touch to any outfit. They make great gifts and can be the perfect “palate cleanser” between bigger projects. Tired of knitting socks or the endless feeling of knitting sweater sleeves? Time to cast on a hat!
Most knit hats are easy to make, but some are much more complicated to make, but hey, it’s worth all the work! Knitted beanies are stylish and functional items of clothing that everyone should have in their wardrobes.
Today I’m sharing the awesome (and FREE!) knitted beanie patterns from some of my favorite designers. If you’re a beanie lover like me then stick around and keep reading!
Taking an Outfit to a Whole New Level
You can change the vibe of an outfit depending on what type of beanie you wear. Some beanies are plain and give a chic, effortless look. While other beanies are fun, loud, and packed with tons of texture for the ultimate statement! Other knit hats feature a show-stopping pom pom to top them off (we’ve got a tutorial for that!).
Today I’ve put together a list that covers the full range of handknit hats. They’re all free and include some that are basic, plain knits, and others that are totally unique patterns that will turn heads wherever you go.
What You Need for Free Knit Hat Patterns
Knitted beanies are awesome projects to take on for most beginners as they don’t really need expensive or special materials. But there are still a few things you might want to have on hand! Take a look:
- Knitting Needles – A pair of sturdy knitting needles is the most important tools you need to complete any knitting project. For beginners, we recommend that you start with wooden needles as the wooden texture is better for stopping your yarn from slipping of while you work! Unless your hat is knit flat, use your DPN knitting needles or circular knitting needles to make things easy breezy!
- Yarn – Make sure to check the pattern to see what yarn weight to use. Each pattern should list a recommended brand or weight in the “suggested yarn” section of the free knit hat patterns you’re following! If you want your hat to be machine washable, choose an acrylic or cotton yarn to make it even easier.
- Scissors – A pair of scissors is another important tool that you will use for all of your crochet projects. You’ll need them to cut the yarn and trim any leftover yarn tails when you’re done!
- Stitch markers – You might need stitch markers to keep track of where you are if you’re following a stitch pattern. If you don’t have stitch markers, you can use a strand of scrap yarn—preferably in a different color so it’s easy to see.
- Yarn/darning needle – You will need a yarn needle or darning needle to sew in the loose ends.
- Free knit hat patterns – Finally, don’t forget to pick out your favorite free hat knitting patterns from the list!
Free Knit Hat Patterns to Level Up Your Winter Outfits!
Okay, I hear you! I know you’re excited to get to the patterns. I’m very excited for you to see what’s in store too. Here are the top 10 of the coolest free knit hat patterns to level up your winter OOTDs!
Disclaimer: This article contains links to external unaffiliated websites.
1. Cinnamon Beanie
By: DROPS Design
YARN: DK
SIZE: Small – Large
Nothing beats a classic knitted beanie! Some days, we just don’t want to wear any loud colors or big textures.
Having a couple of basic knitted beanies on hand can be super handy. Luckily, plain knit beanies are quite easy to make — especially for beginners!
2. Classic Ribbed Hat
By: Purl Soho
YARN: DK
SIZE: Baby – Adult
There’s more than one way to knit a basic beanie. The Classic Ribbed Hat by Purl Soho is the perfect example of that.
This 1×1 rib knit beanie is super stretchy so it’ll fit just about everyone in the family. It’s definitely at the top of my gift-knitting list!
3. Dylan’s Beanie
By: Woolly Wormhead
YARN: Worsted
SIZE: Small – Large
This free beanie knitting pattern is for those who aren’t too fond of the slouchy or pointy beanies.
If you’re looking for a basic beanie that fits snuggly around your head, then the Dylan’s Beanie pattern might be the one you’re after. Plus it’s knit in midweight Worsted yarn so it’s perfectly cozy for fall and winter days.
4. Beanie Bopper
By: Woolly Wormhead
YARN: Bulky
SIZE: Small – Large
A fun twist to a plain knit is this Beanie Bopper pattern. The pattern is simple enough so that beginners can easily follow along, but also has fun, new textures like a thick ribbed brim and pom pom! This is a great chance to break out those fun multicolored yarns too.
5. Handspun Beanie
By: Woolly Wormhead
YARN: Super Bulky
SIZE: Small – Large
Special, hand-spun yarn deserve special free hat knitting patterns too! This Handspun Beanie pattern gives you a fun project to use those quirky balls of yarn you got from the last vacation you went on. We all have one of those special skeins yeah? Just me?
6. Salacia Beanie
By: Emily Marie Davies
YARN: Bulky
SIZE: Child – Adult
Beanies come in so many different shapes and sizes. This stunning Salacia Beanie pattern is the perfect example of that.
Just look at all that texture!
Sure, this project is a bit more complicated compared to the other free knit hat patterns on this list, but it’s still a great pattern for experienced beginners who are looking to challenge their own knitting skills!
7. The Prudy Beanie
By: Nina Hagerty
YARN: Super Bulky
SIZE: Adult
Love texture? So do I! That’s why this particular free beanie knitting pattern stood out to me.
The Prudy Beanie is more of an intermediate-level project. But the bulky yarn and thick cables make it a fantastic “leveling-up” project for beginners! It’s a totally doable project for someone just trying cables for the first time.
8. Daisy Chain Beanie
By: Amy Small
YARN: Super Bulky
SIZE: Adult
Got a ball of super bulky yarn that you’re not sure what to make with? Try a beanie!
This Daisy Chain Beanie is one of my favorites on this list specifically because it’s so chunky.
If you are looking for a beginner-friendly project that you can quickly knit up, this one is for you!
9. Tombreck
By: Ysolda Teague
YARN: Aran
SIZE: Medium
Texture doesn’t always mean “chunky” or “bulky”. This pattern uses basic knitting stitches (knits and purls all the way!) to create a fun texture look while keeping the peace flat and smooth.
10. Antler Toque
By: tincanknits
YARN: Worsted
SIZES: Baby – Adult
Matching family beanies are so cute! I saw this free beanie knitting pattern and knew that I had to add it in.
The pattern is more for intermediate and experienced knitters. But all the work and effort involved in stitching up these knitted hats is so worth it in the end! While this pattern looks intimidating the stitches are actually more beginner-friendly than you might think at first glance!
The Rundown on Free Knitted Hat Patterns
Well, that was a fun list, wasn’t it? Just as you thought that you’ve seen all the ways a knitter can knit up a beanie, you stumble onto another list of awesome free knit hat patterns!
Beanies come in different shapes and sizes. The possibilities are endless when it comes to knitting our favorite accessory.
My favorite free knit hat patterns on this list were the Antler Toque, Daisy Chain Beanie, and the Salacia Beanie! I’m definitely making those for future family trips!
Looking for more free beanie knitting patterns? Check out our round up of 12 free beanie knitting patterns or dabble in some adorable crocheted winter hats!
