Just learning to knit or looking for a simple project to use up your stash? Here’s a super simple hat that’s an easy project to tackle as a beginner and does not take much yarn.

If you knit them in the round, you’ll only need to know the knit stitch and how to decrease by knitting 2 stitches together. There’s no seaming and you’ll get practice using short circular needles and double-pointed needles (for shaping the crown).

If you wish to avoid circular and double-pointed needles, you can easily knit this hat flat, on straight needles. When worked flat, you’ll be alternating knit and purl rows, then adding in knit 2 together decreases to shape the crown. To finish, you’ll seam down the back.

Either way, this is a fun and satisfying project, allowing you to move on from knitting rectangles if you’re a beginner. And they make super cute gifts!

Preemie to Adult sizes are included. The small amount of yarn needed (especially for the smaller sizes) allows you to easily use up leftovers or try a new yarn.

These hats work up beautifully in a variety of worsted-weight yarns. From my stash, I knit up samples in an alpaca blend, a cotton blend, an acrylic and mohair boucle, and a brushed alpaca combined with a mohair silk yarn (incredibly soft!). Consider yourself inspired! Some suggested yarn substitutions are listed.

Approximate yardage needed: 60 (70, 75, 85, 100, 115, 130) yds / 55 (64, 69, 78, 91, 105, 119) m.

APPROX FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: 11 ¼ (12 ½, 13 ¾, 15, 16 ¼, 18 ¾, 20]” / 28.5 (32, 35, 38, 41.5, 47.5, 51) cm around at opening; 4 ¼ (5, 5 ¾, 6 ¼, 7 ¼, 8, 8 ¾)” / 11 (12.5, 14.5, 16, 18.5, 20.5, 22) cm height with brim rolled. TO FIT SIZES: Preemie (Newborn, Baby, Toddler, Child, Adult S, Adult L) or head sizes 9-12 (12-14, 14-16, 16-18, 18-20, 21-23, 22-24)” / 23-30.5 (30.5-35.5, 35.5-40.5, 40.5-45.5, 45.5-51, 53.5-58.5, 56-61) cm.

Samples shown in:
Light Brown in Baby and Toddler sizes: Unfortunately, a discontinued yarn - Cascade Yarns Alpaca Lana D’Oro in #1102 Doeskin Heather (50% Alpaca, 50% Wool), 3.5 oz/100 g; 219 yds/200 m per hank. Lilac in Preemie size: Knit Picks Shine Worsted in #23798 Wisteria (60% Pima Cotton/40% Modal); 1.8 oz/50g; 75 yds/68 m per ball. Grey in Toddler size: 1 strand of each held together throughout: Garnstudio DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk in #3 Grey (77% Alpaca, 23% Silk), 0.9 oz/25 g; 153 yds/140 m per ball AND Garnstudio DROPS Alpaca Mix in #0517 Medium Grey (100% Alpaca) 1.76 oz/50 g; 182 yds/166 m per ball. Light Blue in Adult S size: Unfortunately, a discontinued yarn - Columbia Minerva Himalaya in Frost (70% Acrylic, 20% Nylon, 10% Mohair); 1.75 oz/ 50 g; 93 yds/85 m per ball.

An easy ribbed brim version, #376 Easy Ribbed Hat, is available separately.

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