My First Knit Hat
If you can knit and knit two together, you can knit this hat. My First Knit Hat is perfect for the beginning knitter just learning how to knit a hat. There's no joining, circular knitting, purling, or even binding off. Knitting garter stitch is a guaranteed way to produce fast, beginner-friendly results, and it gives this hat a wonderful nubby pattern. Knit it in one color to produce a bold statement, as shown here, or use a variegated or self-striping yarn for more detail. Your first hat will be finished before you know it.
Knitting Needle Size8 or 5 mm
Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)
Materials:
- Simply Soft (170 g/6. oz;288 m/315 yds); Main Color (MC) Neon Pink (9775)
- Sizes: 4/6, 8/10, Woman, Man - 1,1,1,1 ball
- Size U.S. 8 (5 mm) knitting needles or size needed to obtain gauge.
Gauge: 17 sts and 32 rows = 4” [10 cm] in garter st.
Measurements:
4/6: To fit child 4/6 yrs
8/10: To fit child 8/12 yrs
Woman: To fit average woman's head
Man: To fit average man's head
Abbreviations:
Alt = alternate(ing)
Beg = beginning
K = knit
k2tog = Knit next 2 stitches together.
rem = remain(ing)
rep = repeat
st(s) = stitch(es)
WS = wrong side
Instructions:
Cast on 76 (80-84-92) sts.
Knit every row (garter st), noting first row is WS, until work from beg measures 5 (5-6½-8)" [12.5 (12.5-16.5-20.5) cm, ending on a WS row.
Sizes 4/6, Woman and Man only:
Next row: (RS). *K17 (19-21). K2tog. Rep from * to end of row. 72 (80-88) sts.
Next row: Knit.
All sizes: 1st row: (RS). *K7 (8-8-9). K2tog. Rep from * to end of row. 64 (72-72-80) sts.
2nd and alt rows: Knit.
3rd row: *K6 (7-7-8). K2tog. Rep from * to end of row. 56 (64-64-72) sts.
5th row: *K5 (6-6-7). K2tog. Rep from * to end of row. 48 (56-56-64) sts.
7th row: *K4 (5-5-6). K2tog. Rep from * to end of row. 40 (48-48-56) sts.
9th row: *K3 (4-4-5). K2tog. Rep from * to end of row. 32 (40-40-48) sts.
11th row: *K2 (3-3-4). K2tog. Rep from * to end of row. 24 (32-32-40) sts.
12th row: Knit.
13th row: *K1 (2-2-3). K2tog. Rep from * to end of row. 16 (24-24-32) sts.
Size 4/6 only: 13th row: *K2tog. Rep from * to end of row. 8 sts.
Sizes 8/10, Woman and Man only: 13th row: *K(1-1-2). K2tog. Rep from * to end of row. (16-16-24) sts.
Size Man only: 14th row: Knit.
15th row: *K1. K2tog. Rep from * to end of row. 16 sts.
All sizes: Break yarn leaving a long end. Thread end through rem sts and fasten securely. Sew back seam.
If you like My First Knit Hat, be sure to check out 20 Straight Needle Knitting Patterns You Need for more beginner-friendly knit hat patterns on straight needles!
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lsieb
Feb 18, 2019
I am a complete beginner (just taught myself how to knit) and I don't really understand the instructions here. I don't know how to make sure my hat is the right size either. Can anyone direct me to more detailed instructions or preferably a video? Thanks!
BB
Jan 10, 2019
Hi! I thought that right side(RS) and wrong side(WS) didn't matter when knitting with garter stitch??
Lisa
Oct 29, 2021
Popular misconception, on many projects it may seem that way, but on projects that require shaping, which this project does, it's important to pay attention to right and wrong sides to make sure the decreases, which are the shaping occur on the same side. Hope this helps, happy knitting.
Hippie Chick
Mar 06, 2018
I have been knitting and crocheting and all sorts of different needle and yarn crafts for a very long time. I am a volunteer with a local Girl Scout troop and I also help with our churchs vacation bible school each summer. I am always on the look out for an easy project to show to the girls to help them earn some badges.
Lisa
Sep 13, 2017
The gauge listed on this website is way out, it is actually 17 sts and 32 rows = 4 10 cm in garter st.
KathrynAllison
Sep 14, 2017
Hi Lisa, the correct gauge for this pattern is listed a little farther down the page. We have deleted the other (incorrect) gauge information. Thank you! -Editors of AllFreeKnitting
KathrynAllison
Apr 06, 2017
This bright hat definitely makes a statement. A punch of hot pink is perfect on a gloomy day.
rsdb
Mar 09, 2016
I am so excited to have found this pattern! I made a hat using straight knitting years ago but lost the pattern. Most pattern instructions use circular needles but I really liked my old hat and am curious to see how the hat using this pattern will turn out. Can't wait to try it out!
Ice Cat
Apr 05, 2015
I've been knitting for about a month and I'm happy AirKnitter asked the question ... there is nothing obvious about a mistake in a pattern for beginners I'm sure if we all did this hat in a group it would all become apparent. Quite another situation when one is doing this at home alone for the first time
AIRKNITTER
Dec 18, 2014
Not so sure I would call this a "Beginners" Patter. Why does Row 12 follow Row 13 AND then give separate instructions for multiple sizes. How does one Skip row 14 for three sizes?
Lisa
Dec 19, 2014
This absolutely a beginners pattern, my brownies and girl guides are currently making this hat as gifts for family and to donate to charity. Obviously row 12 13 were reversed, probably accidentally in the pattern. As far as the 14th row goes, it appears to only be required on the decrease for the largest size, the first 3 sizes only require a 13 row decrease, where as the largest size requires another row of decrease to bring it to the correct amount of stitches to finish. Happy knitting!
lsieb
Feb 18, 2019
Hi Lisa, I am a complete beginner as well and am having trouble with this. The instructions aren't very clear for beginners without any guidance. Do you know anywhere with more detailed, clearer instructions or a video? An instructional video might be a good project for the Brownies!
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