Knitted Hat Patterns on Circular Needles

This collection of knitted hat patterns was designed with you in mind. These patterns range from easy to intermediate and vary in style, technique, and construction.

There's a knitted hat pattern for every knitter.

A quick disclaimer. The knitting patterns included in this collection are not my designs but the works of some generous designers. If you have any questions or concerns about a specific pattern, please reach out to the designer directly.

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Easy Knitted Hat Patterns

To knit these easy knitted hat patterns, you’ll need to know your knitting basics. Specifically, how to knit and purl, but also how to knit in the round with circular needles.

You can do this with one or two circulars, magic loop, or by using double pointed needles (DPNs). Other aspects, like knowing basic knitting decreases, are also important.

The patterns which follow below fall into the category of these knitting basics. They’ve been carefully reviewed to ensure they're easy enough for beginners to knit. If you’re a more experienced knitter, consider knitting them while you binge watch tv. Enjoy!

Great Beginnings Hat

This knit beanie hat is an easy knitting pattern for any skill level. Using Caron Simply Soft yarn, this easy knit hat works up in worsted weight yarn.

You’ll need to know how to knit garter stitch in the round, knit two together (k2tog), and slip slip knit (ssk).

Pike Street Hat

This easy knit hat makes a quick knitting project using super bulky yarn. You can make this Lion Brand pattern with Wool Ease Thick & Quick, as shown here.

You’ll need to know how to knit in the round and knitting in stockinette stitch. You'll also use a simple knitting decrease, knit two together (k2tog), to shape the crown.

Don't forget your stitch markers, double pointed needles (dpns), and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends when you’re done.

Guernsey Tam

This fun knitted tam pattern was inspired by The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society film. If you saw it, no doubt you fell in love, too.

This free beret knitting pattern works up with just one hank of worsted weight yarn in so soft Berocco Ultra Alpaca.

You’ll need your circular knitting needles to make this beret knitting pattern. You’ll also need to know how to knit garter stitch, knit 2 together (K2TOG), and a German twisted cast on. Don’t forget to knit a swatch first to check gauge.

Basic Beanies

Every knitter needs to have a basic beanie knitting pattern in their knitting kit. This is a good one. 

This easy knit hat pattern comes with knitting instructions for two style versions. You can make a traditional knit beanie or a slouchy knit hat. Both versions work up with Paton’s Kroy Sock yarn, a super fine yarn (fingering weight), and are easy one skein knitting projects. 

To make this basic knit hat pattern you’ll need to know how to knit a hat in the round. Also, how to purl stitch and basic knitting decreases. The pattern includes written instructions.

Simple Texture Slouch Hat

Knitting a hat for beginners never was so lovely. Here’s another free slouchy hat knitting pattern. This one is full of texture, which keeps your knitting interesting.

Knit with Lion Brand Heartland, a worsted weight acrylic yarn, this simple knit hat is easy enough for beginners.  To knit this hat in the round you’ll need to know a few simple knitting techniques. They are stockinette stitch, knitting in the round, and knit front back (KFB). Easy enough to do.

Plus, this is another one skein yarn project that would be a great knitting gift idea. Choose some Heartland yarn, grab your knitting needles, and cast on this easy winter hat knitting pattern.

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Intermediate Knitted Hat Patterns

No doubt, when it comes to attaching a label of difficulty to a knitting pattern, it all becomes relative. That is to say, you may find some of these intermediate knitted hat patterns easy – or difficult. It all depends on your own knitting experience.

What is certain is that the following patterns go beyond knits and purls. They include knitting increases and decreases. Some knitted hat patterns feature knit cables, colorwork knitting, or different constructions.

Diagonal Rib Stitch Hat

If you’re looking for a knit hat pattern on circular needles with lots of knit texture, this diagonal rib stitch does the trick.

This knit hat uses Lion Brand Feels Like Butta yarn in polyester, which is a medium weight yarn, also known as worsted weight yarn.

It’s a simple knit hat pattern despite what looks like a complicated stitch texture. The knitting pattern instructions call for a tubular cast on, but also give instructions if you’d rather use a traditional cast on like the long tail. If working the tubular cast on in the round, you’ll need a cable needle to help cast on. 

You’ll need to know how to knit (k) and purl (p), knit two together (k2tog), and purl two together (p2tog). You’ll also need some working knowledge of slipping a stitch with yarn in front (sl1 wyif). 

Try this affordable polyester yarn (link below), or feel free to use your favorite fiber and brand of worsted weight yarn. 

Yawl Hat

Here’s a free knit hat pattern from Berroco that creates so much texture using a broken rib stitch.

It’s a simple knit hat pattern using circular needles. In this case, the pattern recommends you cast on with double pointed needles (DPNs). You’ll need to be comfortable knitting in the round with DPN knitting or two circular knitting needles.

The knitting instructions for this knitted hat pattern includes knits, purls, knit two togethers (k2tog), and slip slip knits (ssk).

The knitting pattern uses Berroco yarn in Catena and includes written knitting instructions only.
NOTE: Unfortunately, Berroco yarn has discontinued Catena but I've included two yarn substitutions below to try instead.

Schuyler Hat

This Fair Isle hat knitting pattern is a good project for intermediate knitters. Fair Isle knitting is stranded knitting, which means knitting with two color strands of yarn, but not like mosaic knitting.

When you knit this pattern you’ll be knitting with two colors. As such, you’ll need to know how to change colors when knitting in the round. You’ll also need to know yarn overs (YO), how to slip slip knit (ssk), and a centered double decrease (cdd).

This knit hat pattern requires two different colors in Manos del Uruguay’s Silk Blend, a merino wool blend yarn in DK weight.

You'll find written knitting instructions and a knitting chart with this pattern download.

Knotted Rib Hat

If you’ve never knit cables before, begin with this easy cable knit hat pattern from Cascade Yarns. I did and I loved it. I quickly learned cables are not as hard as I originally thought.

You’ll need to know how to knit a hat with circular needles. You’ll also need a cable needle and need to know how to cable 4 back (C4B) to knit this hat pattern. It includes written instructions only – no worries about reading knitting charts.

This one skein knitting pattern uses Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash in 100% merino wool. It's a great warm winter knit hat. You can learn more about superwash yarns here.

Storm's Eye Hat

This stranded knitting pattern is an intermediate knit for a couple of reasons. For one, it has a 48 round colorwork knitting chart. Secondly, as this hat knits up with light fingering yarn, i.e., smaller stitches, there’s more to pay attention to. Thirdly, the knitting techniques are a little more involved.  

To knit this eye-catching knit hat for women you’ll need to know Make 1 Left / Make 1 Right (M1L / M1R) knitting increases. You’ll need to be able to read colorwork knitting charts and switch colors in knitting.   

Knit this free hat pattern using Saki Bamboo, a self-striping yarn in a superwash merino blend.

Rouge Beret

Here’s a slouchy beret knitting pattern from Yarnspirations for Intermediate knitters.

It’s knit in the round with double pointed needles using Bernat Satin yarn. The lace pattern gives the effect of cabling from simple knitting increases and decreases.

You’ll need to know how to knit with double pointed needles (DPNs). Additionally, how to knit one through the back loop (k1tbl) and make one knitting (M1).

The knit beret hat pattern includes written knitting instructions and charts.

October Hat

This stylish cable knit hat pattern is part of Kelbourne Woolens Year of Hats. It uses only one skein of Kelbourne Woolens Germantown, an aran weight yarn.

As for knitting skills, you’ll need to know knit 2 purl 2 ribbing (k2, p2), cable knitting, and a provisional tubular cast on. You’ll also need to be familiar with reading knitting charts and knitting cables with (or without) a cable needle.

Want to use a yarn substitute? Check out the recommended yarns below for alternatives.

Nonna Rosalie's Toque

Here’s a free knitted hat pattern that works well with a variety of DK weight yarns., so long as it gets you gauge. This means you’ll need to knit a gauge swatch in the round.

It’s a double brim knit hat pattern that includes knitting instructions for a regular and a slouchy knit hat. You can use your favorite stretchy cast on method, too.

You’ll need to know how to knit one below (k1b), knit two together (k2tog), and join the brim.

Two of the yarns used were Premier Yarns Everyday acrylic yarn and Sublime Extra Fine Merino DK (merino wool yarn). You can find links to them below.

Summer Slouch Eyelet Beret

Looking for a cool summer beret? This slouchy hat knitting pattern knits up with Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima in 100% cotton yarn.

The free beret knitting pattern includes written knitting instructions. With a simple eyelet knitting pattern and stockinette stitch, it’s easy enough to do.

You’ll need to know how knit, purl, knit through back loop (ktbl), and basic increases and decreases.

This one skein knitting pattern uses about 180 yards of this DK weight cotton yarn.

Cumulus Hat

This free knit hat pattern is all about twisted rib stitches, lace knitting stitches, and a motif pattern. 

Knit in the round with circular needles and Manos del Uruguay fingering weight yarn, the knitting pattern includes three hat sizes. 

If you’d like to knit this hat, you’ll need to know how to read knitting patterns among other knitting basics. As expected, there are also knitting increases and decreases to create the lacy motif pattern and hat crown. 

There’s also a chart but you don’t necessarily have to know how to read knitting charts. There are written knitting instructions in case you can’t. 

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I hope you've enjoyed these free knitted hat patterns on circular needles. I've certainly enjoyed collecting them for you.

But don't stop here. Be sure to check out our collections of free knitting patterns for easy knitted cowls, baby blankets, and more.