A hat is a great project for the first cold weeks. You can finish one in a few evenings, it takes little yarn, and you can wear it the moment you weave in the ends. The biggest decision comes before you cast on: knit it flat on two straight needles, or in the round on a circular needle. That choice decides how you start, how you shape the crown and whether your hat has a seam.
Before you start: 4 questions that shape your hat
- Can you knit in the round yet? If you have only knit flat, a flat hat with a seam is a calm first step. Knitting in the round is not hard, but it takes a little getting used to.
- Thin or thick? A fine yarn gives a soft, close-fitting hat that fits under a hood. A bulky yarn is done in an evening and traps more warmth.
- Who is it for? Measure the head circumference just above the ears and eyebrows. You need that number to work out your stitch count.
- Do you want a folded brim? Knit the ribbing twice as long and fold it up for a double layer over the ears.
| Method | Level | Seam? | Good if you... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two straight needles | Beginner | Yes, at the back | have not knit in the round yet |
| 16 in (40 cm) circular needle | Advanced beginner | No | want a neat, seamless hat |
| Circular needle plus double-pointed needles for the crown | Advanced beginner | No | want to decrease the crown all the way in the round |
How to knit a hat on two needles
On straight needles you knit the hat as a long, flat rectangle and sew it closed afterwards. Cast on, work a brim in 2x2 ribbing (knit 2, purl 2), then continue in stockinette (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side) or keep going in ribbing until the piece is long enough. Decrease over a few rows for the crown, thread the yarn through the remaining stitches and pull tight.
Close the seam with mattress stitch, which is almost invisible from the outside, and wear the seam at the back. New to the basics? Casting on, knit, purl and binding off are explained step by step in how to knit for beginners.
How to knit a hat in the round
On a circular needle you knit in a spiral, so there is no seam. For an adult hat, a 40 cm (16 in) circular needle is the usual choice. Cast on, check that the cast-on row is not twisted anywhere, and join by knitting the first stitch from the left needle. Place a stitch marker there so you always know where a new round begins.
Knitting in the round has a nice bonus: stockinette becomes knit, knit, knit, because you never turn the work. Curling is less of an issue on a hat too, because the ribbed brim holds the edge flat. If you are curious why plain stockinette curls and ribbing does not, our guide to knitting stitches for beginners explains the difference.
Near the top, the round gets too small for the circular needle. Switch to double-pointed needles there, or use magic loop with a long circular needle.
How many stitches to cast on for a hat
Your stitch count depends on your yarn and your tension, so start with a gauge swatch. Count how many stitches fit in 10 cm (4 in), then multiply by the hat circumference in cm and divide by 10. Make the hat about 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) smaller than the head, because a knitted hat needs to stretch a little to stay on.
A worked example: you get 22 stitches per 10 cm and want a hat of 52 cm (about 20.5 in) for a 56 cm (22 in) head. 22 x 52 / 10 = 114.4 stitches. Round to a number that suits both the ribbing and the crown decreases. 112 works for 2x2 ribbing (a multiple of 4) and for decreasing in 8 sections (a multiple of 8).
Which yarn suits your hat
For a soft, warm hat, Durable Comfy is a good pick. It is a 100% microfiber acrylic that does not itch on your forehead, with 266 m per 100 g and a recommended needle size of 3 to 4 mm (US 2.5 to 6). That gives a fine hat with lots of stitches that sits nicely under a coat hood.
Want to finish faster? Choose a heavier yarn for 4 to 4.5 mm needles (US 6 to 7). For a really chunky hat, a yarn for 6 to 8 mm needles (US 10 to 11) gets you there in one evening. If that chunky yarn is cotton, remember that cotton is less elastic and less warm than acrylic or wool. Give it a generous brim so it stays on your head.
Decreasing the crown
When the hat measures roughly from the brim to the top of your crown (about 15 to 18 cm, or 6 to 7 in, for most adults), start decreasing. Divide the stitches into equal sections, for example 8, and knit two stitches together (k2tog) at the end of each section. With 112 stitches that is: *knit 12, k2tog* 8 times, then the next decrease round *knit 11, k2tog*, and so on. Decrease every other round at first, then every round. When about 8 to 16 stitches are left, cut the yarn, thread it through all the stitches with a tapestry needle, pull tight and weave in the end on the inside.
A pompom on top is always an option. Make one with a pompom maker or two cardboard rings and some leftover yarn.
Frequently asked questions about knitting a hat
Is knitting a hat difficult?
No. On two needles you only need knit, purl, decreasing and a seam. Knitting in the round takes a bit of practice, but it gives you a seamless hat.
How many stitches should I cast on for a hat?
That depends on your yarn and tension. Knit a swatch, count the stitches per 10 cm (4 in) and calculate how many you need for a circumference 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) smaller than the head.
What size circular needle do I need for a hat?
For an adult hat, a 40 cm (16 in) circular needle is standard. For the crown, switch to double-pointed needles or magic loop.
How much yarn do I need for a hat?
An average adult hat usually takes one or two balls, depending on the yarn weight, the length and whether you knit a folded brim. Check the yardage on the label: a plain hat in a medium yarn often uses about 150 to 200 m.
Can I crochet a hat instead?
Yes, but a crocheted hat is firmer and stretches less than a knitted one. For a hat that hugs your head, knitting is often the better choice. For a summer hat with a brim, crochet works well: see our crochet bucket hat pattern. Not sure which craft fits you? Read knitting vs crochet.
Conclusion
Two needles and a seam at the back make a perfectly good first hat. Want it seamless? Use a 40 cm (16 in) circular needle. Either way, start with a swatch, calculate a circumference slightly smaller than the head and decrease the crown in equal sections. Happy with the fit? Knit a matching scarf, or crochet one with our guide on how to crochet a scarf. Ready for the next step in the round? Knitting socks uses the same skills plus a heel.
