Free Pattern: Knit Striped PomPom Hat

Helloooo! Hope everyone is staying warm amongst the mountains of snow (at least, here in upstate NY). It’s time for an updated free knit pattern!

This has become my go-to pattern for hat gifts. My first rendition was a ‘mommy and me’ set for a new mother and her baby boy. Her favorite color was a sort of seafoam green, which worked well for both mother and son. This is a truly unisex hat – I’ve made it for men, women, and small people of all sizes. I love making sibling sets, school colors, holiday colors… the possibilities are endless.

This hat, by no means, reinvents the wheel of knitted hats. It’s just a striped hat. In fact, I’ve already published two separate sizes of this. But, as I keep coming back to it, and making different versions, I thought it nice to consolidate it all here. (Plus I’ve gotten more efficient at writing patterns…) I’ve made it in both bulky and super bulky yarns. Using a roving yarn gives it a nice plushy squishy feel, and makes the most satisfying pompoms.

Materials:

Bulky OR super bulky weight yarn (I’ve used Bernat Roving and Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick in the photos) – two contrasting colors, A and B
For bulky yarn: size 10 (6mm) or 10.5 (6.5mm) 16″ (41cm) circular knitting needles (check the recommended needle size on the yarn band), and matching DPNs
For super bulky yarn: size 13 (9mm) or 15 (10mm) 16″ (41cm) circular knitting needles (size 13 makes an average sized adult head, size 15 makes an XL sized adult hat), and matching DPNs
stitch marker to mark the end of row
(optional) pompom maker
large eyed needle for weaving in ends

PATTERN:

This pattern is written for baby (child, adult) sizes

SUPER BULKY YARN:

Using color A and size 13 circular needles (or 15 for XL adult), cast on 36 (38, 42). Join to work in the round and place marker. (Note: if you’re having trouble joining for the baby size, I like to cast on, knit the first row straight, then join it on the second row. I weave in the cast on tail later to close up any gaps.)

Rows 1-5 (6, 8): k1, p1 rib

Row 6 (7, 9): switch to color B. Knit one round.

Row 7 (8, 10): switch back to color A. Knit one round.

Continue to knit, switching colors every round, until hat measures approximately 4″ (5″, 6″) in length (10, 13, 16 cm). This was approximately 10 (12, 14) rows of stripes. End with color A. If needed, you can continue knitting in color B for a few more rows before beginning the decrease.

DECREASE (transfer stitches to DPNs as needed):

Row 1: switch to color B (you’re now done with color A) and begin decrease. *k4 (k4, k5), k2tog*. Repeat around (for child size, k2tog last two stitches).

Row 2: knit around

Continue rows 1 and 2, decreasing one st every other row until you have (12, 13, 14) st left on your needles, ending with row 2. (For child size, continue knitting the last lone stitch every row.) K2tog around (6, 7, 7) st. Cut yarn, weave tail through remaining live stitches and cinch tightly. Fasten off.

Add optional pompom!

BULKY YARN:

Using color A and size 10/10.5 circular needles, cast on 48 (56, 64). Join to work in the round and place marker. (Note: if you’re having trouble joining for the baby size, I like to cast on, knit the first row straight, then join it on the second row. I weave in the cast on tail later to close up any gaps.)

Rows 1-6 (10, 12): k1, p1 rib

Row 7 (11, 13): switch to color B. Knit one round.

Row 8 (12, 14): switch back to color A. Knit one round.

Continue to knit, switching colors every round, until hat measures approximately 4″ (5″, 7″) in length (10, 13, 18 cm). This is about 12 (14, 18) rows of stripes. End with color A. If needed, you can continue knitting a few rows in color B until desired length before beginning decrease.

DECREASE (transfer stitches to DPNs as needed):

Row 1: switch to color B (you’re now done with color A) and begin decrease. *k6, k2tog*. Repeat around.

Row 2: knit around

Continue rows 1 and 2, decreasing one stitch every row until you have 12 (14, 16) st left on your needles, ending with row 2. K2tog around. Cut yarn, weave tail through remaining live stitches and cinch tightly. Fasten off. (If you want a less pointy top and a more gathered, scrunchy top, skip the k2tog round and weave through the 12 (14, 16) stitches.)

Add optional pompom!

Notes: when knitting stripes in the round, carry the alternate color up on the right side every time you switch colors. This prevents gaps. Give the yarn a little tug to tighten up the last stitch from the row below. (These photos were taken from my #hatnothate striped kids hat pattern, but the premise is the same.)