The Big and Little Hats are a pair of sweet matching hats for an adult, toddler and baby. They’re simple, fluffy, warm and great for a beginner knitter. Knit with thick, bulky yarn, each hat is completed in no time at all!
The Big Hat is sized for adults and fits an average-sized woman’s head. The Little Hat is sized to fit a toddler (For reference, Kate, who is pictured wearing the Little Hat, is six-years-old).
Because we couldn’t leave out apple-cheeked babes, we decided last minute to design a baby size. Though not pictured, it’s totally adorable and looks like a mini version of the Little Hat.
This pattern includes written instructions for knitting the hats flat and in the round. The tutorial video includes a demonstration on how to knit the hats flat.
In order to knit this pattern, you should be familiar with how to knit. Need a refresher? Check out How to Knit and come back when you’re ready.
The Big & Little Hats video tutorial covers:
- long tail cast on
- increasing
- decreasing
- 2×2 rib
- how to make and attach a pom pom
- how to seam with mattress stitch (and a half mattress stitch!)
Pattern Information
Yarn: 1 skein of Tjockt Martta the Merino (140 meters/200g) in color Dusty. (Similar yarns are Lana Grossa Ragazza in color Rosenholz #0079 or Malabrigo Rasta in color Almond Blosson #703)
Adult size requires approximately 72 yds/66 m; child size requires 53 yds/48 m; baby size requires 43 yds/39 m
Recommended Needles:
- For flat knitting: one pair of US 15/10mm knitting needles
- For knitting in the round: 16” circular needle size 10mm (US 15) and set of DPNs in the same size
- Use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below – every knitter’s gauge is unique!
Gauge: 10.5 sts = 4″/10cm in stockinette stitch
Finished Measurements: Adult hat circumference is 19″; child hat circumference is 15.9″; baby hat circumference is 13.4″
Notions:
- tapestry needle
- a pair of sharp scissors
- tape measure or ruler
- scrap cardboard
Construction Notes: For flat knitting, hats are knit flat and then seamed together at the end. For knitting in the round, hats are knit in the round with circular and double pointed needles.
Watch the Video Tutorial
After purchasing the pattern, look to the first page of the pattern PDF. It will include a link to a super secret page where all the video tutorials are available to be streamed.
For Older Customers: If you purchased this pattern before June 18, 2019, your PDF pattern will include a password to access the video tutorials. Hold onto this password. In order to view the video tutorials now, use this link structure in your browser: https://sheepandstitch.com/patternpassword to access the video tutorials. For example, if the password is “cutie”, then enter https://sheepandstitch.com/cutie. New customers will not be affected by this change.
If you needle help, just email me at davina [at] sheepandstitch.com. This is part of an overhaul to the video viewing experience. I appreciate your patience!
Buy the Pattern
Don’t have the pattern? Buy the pattern right here and join the fun!
You’ll be purchasing a PDF file of the knitting pattern, which gives you access to the video tutorials.
Once your make your purchase, the PDF pattern will be emailed to you. The first page of the pattern includes the password and instructions for viewing the video tutorials.
Is this pattern released yet?
Hey Zahra, We’re in the middle of a site re-design where the shop will be updated with new yarn, knitting kits and new patterns, including this one! If you’re interested in checking out these patterns *before* they hit the shop, just shoot me an email at davina@sheepandstitch.com and I can send you a catalogue. A number of people have been purchasing these unreleased patterns this way. Otherwise, just hold tight! New patterns will be appearing very soon in the shop! The raglan has been delayed to make way for these new patterns.
Hi Davina,
Just finished knitting the big hat and loved it! I plan to start the baby and kid size ones soon. But was just wondering if I need to block the hats after finishing? I am using lion brand thick and quick. Also, the yarn says it’s machine washable but if I want to wash it, will that ruin the pom pom?
Thanks so much for your help. Love your tutorials, they are great for beginners like me!
Hey SG! Sorry for the late reply. You don’t have to block the hats if you’re happy with how they look after you cast off. It’s up to you entirely! If I remember correctly, the Thick and Quick is an acrylic blend, so it should do fine in the washer. However, pom poms tend to get a bit raggedy in the wash, especially if the yarn is a one-ply. If you’re worried, you can remove the pom pom first, wash the hat, and then reattach the pom. If that sounds like too much work, you can consider handwashing the hat instead of using the washer. Handwashing is gentle enough for the pom that it shouldn’t alter it very much at all. Hope that helps!
Hi Davina! Love your website. It’s helped me hugely to get back into knitting! I just finished the cushy cowl, and am working on the big hat. I somehow ended up with 30 stitches, instead of 33 as I started the decrease process. I finished Row 2 of decreasing, and noticed that my # of stitches wasn’t matching up. The hat looks fine, and I feel as though I could continue, but will this ruin the hat, and cause problems later on, as I move on to Row 3 and start to transfer my stitches onto the 10 mm double pointed needles? Thank you so much for your help! Just wondering if I need to rip out a few rows, or start all over again.