Knit Hat Pattern List

I can't possibly list them all, but I will share my favorite free knit hat pattern links and the best hat knitting pattern books.

If you are making a hat for the first time, you need some basic projects that will teach you how to knit a hat. The best ones I've found for this are:

ABC: Alison's Beginners Cap You will need to know how to cast on, knit, and purl.
Easy Slouch More practice decreasing, doing yarn overs, and repeating a pattern.
Beyond the Basics Hat An easy introduction to basic lace, colorwork, and cables.

Try these first, and the other patterns will make more sense!

Free Knit Hat Pattern Links

These are the best knit hat patterns for beginning knitters and advanced beginners. Pay attention to the gauge and adjust your needle and yarn size as needed.

Baby Hats

There are other knit hat patterns listed on this page that come in baby size, but these are the classic cap patterns that do not include adult size instructions.

Acorn Cap and Swaddle Sack So cute!
Baby Hat in Two Colors Includes optional pom-pom and earflaps.
Huck's Baby Hat Simple rib, quick to make.
Pom Pom Hats Intermediate level texture with several pom-poms on top.
Preemie Hats Very easy and a good way to experiment with designs.
Ruffle Hat Looks great in a self-striping jacquard yarn.
Tea Cozy Baby Hat Knit a rectangle, and then sew the short sides together. Gather a long side, sew, and top with a pom-pom.

Classic Caps

Amelia Earhart Aviator Cap Learn how to turn corners.
Appi Slopes Brimmed Hat (.pdf) Use plastic canvas to make the brim stand up.
Big Ribs Beanie Easy and quick to stitch.
Classic WWII Watch Cap (.pdf) A vintage pattern updated for modern knitters.
Dizzy Hat An eyelet spiral cap that looks amazing from the back.
Embroidered Simple Pinwheel Beanie Super easy and great for beginners.
Fake Isle It uses only two types of yarn, one of which is a variegated color to make the pattern look more complex than it is.
Felted Bucket A great introduction to felting.
Fjord and Kid Merino Knit Hat with Matching Fingerless Gloves This is a super easy ribbed hat, plus you can make matching hand warmers.
Fossil-Inspired Brim Hat The brim stands up due to row shaping and the use of two strands of yarn for thickness.
Jimmy's Bulky Beanie An easy pattern using bulky yarn.
Pythagorean Hat and Scarf An interesting triangle and rectangle pattern.
Robin's Egg Blue Features a large decorative button. Very popular.
Roll Brim Spiral Hat A very easy spiral design and rolled brim make this a great beginner project.
Scandi Snowflake Hat You need to know about colorwork, but this pattern only uses two colors. I love the classic snowflake design and choice of edging to make it more masculine or feminine!
Schwartz' Stocking Cap A nice long stocking cap with sizes available for a child or adult.
Scrap-Happy Celebration A great way to use up leftover yarn scraps.
Simple Fair Isle Hat Ready to try fair isle knitting with four colors? It's not too hard with this design.
Stocking Cap A striped stocking cap with a long tail.
Wavy Gravy Hat Self-striping yarn fits into this stretchy wave pattern.

Berets, Tams, and Slouches

All Day Beret The diagonal lace is reversible for two different looks.
Baroness Beret (.pdf) Beautiful star pattern from the top.
Eyelet Slouch Decorative and not too hot.
Grace Lace Beret The brim ribbing flows right into the pattern.
Gwen Slouchy Beret An easy vine lace pattern.
The Journey Hat Knit holding two strands of yarn together.
Lazy Day Lace Hat The buttonhole tab and ponytail opening are a little advanced, but I love that feature! Great photos.
One Day Beret Worked top down so don't worry about the gauge, just make it to fit.
Purl Beret Solid purl decreases with an I-cord stem. Very easy!
Reverie Beret A more advanced pattern, but it makes a pretty spiral.
A Slouch for All Seasons Advanced beginner or intermediate with a Double eyelet star pattern.
Slouched Tuva Easy to make and can be used as a snood to hold all of your hair.
Three Tams Beginner's Fair Isle with only two yarns, one of which is a variegated yarn to give the illusion of a more complex design.
Tweedy Tam Very easy with nice photos and instructions, including the basic math for how to make patterns work.

Ear Flap Hats

Basic Ear Flap Hat Explains how to assemble the hat and attach the flaps.
Cameron's Cap (.pdf) Available in all sizes, baby through adult.
Iceland Earflap Hat Design with a small point on top.
Ski Hat with Ear Flaps Worked from the top down for easy size adjustments.

Ski Masks and Balaclavas

Easy Balaclava An easy ribbed design.
Helmet Liner Knit one to donate.
WWI Balaclavas A vintage pattern in modern terms.

Silly Hair

Hallowig A great way to use neon leftovers, ha ha!
Hairy Cap Natural colors are great for chemo patients, but colors are great for fantasy costumes.
Eyelash Yarn Hat Similar to the hairy cap but different yarns.
Bearded Toque (.pdf) I had such a good laugh over this one when I first saw the pattern! Too funny.
The Lion King of Texas (.pdf) Try taming this mane.

Holiday Hats

Baby Pumpkin A favorite anytime of year.
Candy Corn Hat Cone shaped in Halloween colors.
Skull Hat (.pdf) Colorwork to create a skull design on a basic cap.
Witch's Hat The pointy hat needs an insert to stand up. Knit one as suggested or use a piece of cardboard.
Elf's Hat A striped stocking cap.
Santa Hat Fancy yarns add fuzz.