How to Knit a Chunky Hat for Beginners
May contain affiliate links (what's this?)This chunky hat knitting pattern is perfect for beginners! This free hat pattern produces a warm, cushy fabric that knits up quick. It’s also a great hat pattern for ambitious beginners looking to expand their skills beyond the basics.
With its oversized pom and reverse stockinette stitch peeking out from the brim, this hat manages to be both playful and practical. Made with super bulky yarn, it knits up very quickly!
In this post, you’ll find the free hat pattern and two video tutorials that walk you through the entire hat knitting process.
If you’d like to purchase a PDF file of the pattern, head to the pattern shop or click on the button below. Thank you for your support!
Materials & Notes
Yarn:
- 1 skein Cascade Yarn Magnum in color Ruby
- 1 skein Malabrigo Rasta (colourful and hand-painted)
Recommended Needles:
- 16″ US 15/10mm circular needle
- US 15/10mm double pointed needles (use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below – every knitter’s gauge is unique!)
Notions:
Finished Measurements: circumference is 20” (un-stretched)
Gauge: 9 sts = 4″(10cm) in stockinette stitch
Notes:
2×2 Rib:
Round 1: [K2, P2] to end of round
Repeat this round for as long as you’d like 2×2 rib
Chunky Hat Knitting Instructions:
Using the long-tail method, CO 44 sts on circular needles and join in the round, making sure not to twist stitches. Place a marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Knit in 2×2 rib until piece measures 2.5″ from cast on edge.
Knit in stockinette stitch for 6.5″
Piece should measure 9″ from the cast on edge (2.5″ of rib + 6.5″ of stockinette = 9″).
Move on to the decrease round. (When decreasing, switch to DPNs when stitches become too sparse to knit with circular needles.)
Decrease Rounds:
Rnd 1: *K2, K2tog* to end (33 sts)
Rnd 2: Knit 1 row even
Rnd 3: *K1, K2tog* to end (22 sts)
Rnd 4: Knit 1 row even
Rnd 5: *K2tog* to end (11 sts)
Rnd 6: *K2tog* to end, then K1 (6 sts)
Cut yarn and weave through remaining 6 sts. Bring yarn to the inside of the hat, make a knot to secure and weave in ends.
Pom Pom:
Make a pom pom 3.5 – 3.75″ in diameter and sew to the crown of your hat. Weave in ends.
Not sure how to make a pom pom? Check out this step-by-step tutorial on making the perfect pom pom.
Abbreviations:
* *: repeat sequence between * * as many times as noted
CO: cast on
DPN(s): double pointed needles
K2tog: knit two stitches together
K: knit
P: purl
Sts: stitch(es)
Did You Make a Big Hat? Share your project on Ravelry (aka. Facebook for knitters), add your project for the Big Hat and see over 150 other Big Hats made by knitters around the world!
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Thank you so much for your videos and patterns. Really easy to follow. I am ready to make the big hat. But I want to make for my six-year old daughter. She’s on the small side. How many stitches and rows should I use?
Thanks.
Hi Cyn! Oh! I’m just in the process of filming a video for a Little Big Hat, which is the Big Hat sized for a 6-10 year old! If you’re interested in testing this pattern for me, you can email me and I’ll send it over to you.
Can’t wait to test out the pattern. Just emailed you. Thanks a bunch! Happy holidays.
I love your videos. Cant wait to make the big hat. They are so easily explained. You teach very well. Thank you so much for teaching so patiently. <3
Oh Can you make funky baby hats?? Those are in demand. 🙂
Hey Miriam! Thanks for your nice comment! Funky baby hats, huh? Hmm.. How funky are we talking? Like, animal ears and googly eyes? Or big pom poms and tassels?
I made my first hat its to long but I actually completed my very first hat.
Woot! It looks awesome! I’m sorry it’s too long. You can consider folding up the brim so that the hat shortens a bit. The other option is to rip back to the point where you decrease, and then rip back a bit more (say, 1 or 1.5″ depending on how much shorter you’d like the hat to be). Then, start your decrease and follow the pattern to the end.
That looks like the size of mine, but I turned the brim up. I thought that was the way it was supposed to be.
Hey Kathy, yes, the hat is designed so that you can turn up the brim. But if some people like to keep the brim unfolded for a slouchy look, that would work too. You can always play around with the length of the hat for a different look. It’s very customise-able in that way!
Hi Davina,
You’re tutorial video is great! And i wanna make the hat too. I just need some advice from you, because i only have size 13/9mm knitting needles and it’s so hard to find a size15 double point needle here in our place. So what adjustment do i need to do to make the same size hat you made?
Thank you!
Hi Kaye, a 9mm sounds okay. Are you a tight knitter or a fairly loose knitter? If you’re a loose knitter, then you can get away with a 9mm needle. But the best way to ensure if your yarn/needle combo will work out is to figure out if you can get gauge.
The gauge for the Big Hat is 9sts =4″ in stockinette stitch. If you cast on 9sts with your yarn and 9mm needles, knit a couple rows, measure your knitting across, and if it measures 4″ then your needles will work out. Here’s a more in-depth post on gauge: https://sheepandstitch.com/what-is-knitting-gauge/
Hope it helps!
you cannot make out the text on the pdf instructions. the text is all overlapping.
Hey Jane,
Check out the tech support page: https://sheepandstitch.com/technical-support/
I have a feeling one of these options will solve the trick for you. Usually, weird jumbling is caused when the PDF is viewed in a browser. Try opening the PDF in the most recent version of Adobe Reader (which is a free software). If that doesn’t do the trick, email me at davina@sheepandstitch.com and I can send you a .doc version or the PDF converted into a big old jpg!
Love this hat and tutorial! I finally made my way out of scarf-land, phew!
Do you have a tutorial or recs for a tutorial on how to do a hat with an earflap?
Hey Annie,
No tutorial on earflaps yet, but that’s a great idea for a future add-on to the Big Hat.
The Purl Bee has a sweet earflap hat pattern: https://www.purlbee.com/2014/01/23/lauras-loop-garter-ear-flap-hat/ There’s no video, but there is a photo tutorial of sorts. Check it out!
I downloaded the pdf, but the letters are all squished together. Please help!
Hey Melissa!
Check out the tech support page: https://sheepandstitch.com/technical-support/
I have a feeling one of these options will solve the trick for you. Usually, weird jumbling is caused when the PDF is viewed in a browser. Try opening the PDF in the most recent version of Adobe Reader (which is a free software). If that doesn’t do the trick, email me at davina@sheepandstitch.com and I can send you a .doc version or the PDF converted into a big old jpg!
Hi Davina! I loved your video and I have already made my first hat! I am starting on my second one and I have a different kind of yarn. It is bulky homespun instead of super bulky. How many stitches should I cast on? I have the correct needles listed in your video!
Hey Hannah,
You can check out the gauge in the pattern (it’s on the second-page in the sidebar). It says “9 sts = 4″ in stockinette stitch. This means that if you can cast on 9 sts with your homespun yarn, and knit in stockinette stitch for a handful of rows, measure that swatch and get 4″, then you can be assured that your hat will turn out the same size as the hat in the pattern (the finished measurements).
If your swatch measures less than 9” then you’ll need to either switch to a heavier yarn (like a super bulky) or increase your needle size. Gauge is a pretty important concept in knitting, so here’s more info on gauge: https://sheepandstitch.com/what-is-knitting-gauge/
Of course the other option is to wing it, but if you want to ensure that your needles and your yarn will get you the hat that the pattern says you’ll get, then you’ll need to get gauge!
Hey!
For a long time I didn’t have a matching hat that would go with my jacket, so I had to wear a casual black one. It didn’t occur to me, that I could make my own 😀 But than suddenly I’ve found your tutorial and I was so keen on knitting my own…
The worst thing for me was finding the super bulky yarn…well I found some, but it was really expensive and there weren’t variety of colours…So I’ve decided to buy the yarn in my local store which offers beautiful colours (the real colour is more like on the picture where I wear it, the photo of the three of them together I took in the evening, so it looks differently). However the yarn is what you call “medium” sized. It’s recommended for 6.5-7mm(should be 10.5 US or so).
Then I read all about the gauge (great post btw ;)) and tried to knit using two threads of medium sized yarn. It turned out that my “testing/measuring sample” was aprox. 1cm (about 0.4″) smaller. I tried to knit with them anyway and it turned out great!
It was easy to follow your instructions although I don’t handle the needles as you do (don’t know why, but it suits me to hold them differently). But from the video I figured it out how to force my fingers to do exact stitches as you did 😉
What I do make a little bit differently are pompoms (we made those in the elementary school). So I made the pompoms as I’m used to, or was used to, because this was my second knitting project in my life 😀
I attended to make just one…Well I loved the first one so much, I simply had to make another one 😀 and then another one…and I really don’t think it’s over yet 😀
Even though I didn’t get the double pointed needles, I used the circular ones which in the last rows was quite harsh. I figured it out how to knit the last two rows using the circular 10mm (15 US) sized needles and the smaller ones (I knitted only on the bigger ones and after every second stitch I put them on the smaller needles :D) (not sure you know what I mean, but it doesn’t matter)
Anyway, I’m sharing a photo with you, so you don’t have to worry if you hesitate to make your own even though you don’t have the super bulky yarn just the regular one 🙂
Thank you Devina for sharing the tutorial with us beginners and making it so simply to follow and understandable 🙂 Can’t wait for your next tutorial!
Mysh
Yeah and one more thing…if you make the first rows (I mean the 2.5″ part) and you think it’s too small that it won’t be a hat, don’t worry, it definitely will! I was afraid, that it will be really small (caused by me using the medium sized yarns), but when I knitted the whole hat and bend over the bottom part, it turned out it is a hat! 😀
Hey Mysh!
Thanks so much for sharing your story. I love it!
Good on you for using two strands of worsted weight yarn held together. If you can get gauge doing that, then more power to you. And look – now you have a matching hat for your jacket! And two extra ones too! Bravo!
that hat looks excellent!!!
I notice that you’re using your right hand to hold the yarn. What style of knitting is that?
Hey Rachel,
Holding the yarn in your right hand is called English Style knitting. Holding it in your left-hand is Continental style knitting. For lefties, Continental tends to feel more natural (and it’s much faster too!). For right-handers, English Style tends to work best. If you’re omnidextrous, you can try both styles!
Hello!
Could you tell me where you bought your double pointed needles and circular needle from for the big hat? I’m struggling to find any big enough made out of wood/bamboo.
Many thanks,
Olive
Hey Olive,
If I remember correctly, the needles are from Crystal Palace Needles. I got them at a fantastic yarn store in San Francisco called ImagiKnits (visit if you get the chance. It’s a wonderful place!). I checked their website, and they’re out of Crystal Palace circulars in a 10mm 16″, but they seem to have the same size and length in a brand called Clover: https://imagiknit.com/collections/needles/products/clover-circular-needles (It’s cheaper than Crystal Palace, so score!)
This size and length of circular needle is a bit unconventional, so your best bet is going online and finding a shop that sells both the DPNs and the circs. ImagiKnits is a good starting point. Another good place is https://www.yarn.com/ and http://www.jimmybeanswool.com
Hope this helps!
hey. i was wondering if you could do this with regular size 10 straight needle. im a full beginner and im working on my first project which is a scarf. it is taking forever. i worked on it for 3 days and its just 6 inches long so far. im so sad.
anyways. how can yoiu make your knitting faster? and where can you get circular needles from? plus, is this project for beginners?
Hey Zahra,
Ah, scarves. Yes, they do take quite some time! That’s why I really love big, thick yarns. The knitting goes by so fast!
Okay, so for this hat, you’ll really need a pair of 10mm needles (size US 15) in order to get a hat that fits your head. A 10mm or a needle that gives you the gauge that’s listed in the pattern.
This pattern is good for beginners. You’ll have a much easier time if you can get all the materials that are listed in the pattern. If you get needles that are too small (like a US 10) and try to knit this pattern, your hat will be too small.
Hope this helps!
thank you so much and yes it did help. as you have done, i also am going to reply to your replies of my comments seperately. sorry for commenting so many times. just happneed through a series of time and had new problems every day.
i was wonderingif you can use circularknitting needles that are longer than 16” because i found these nedleswiththe same size (10mm) but they are 29″ long
Hi Zahra,
So, technically, yes, you can use a 29″ needle, but you won’t be knitting the hat as it’s shown in the video. You could use a technique (which is a little advanced for a beginner) called Magic Loop. You can do it, but I don’t have a video showing you how!
Your best bet if you’re a beginner is to get your hands on a pair of 16″ 10mm needles. In my comment above to Olive I mentioned a few places online where you can look for the needles (both circs and DPNs). You’ll have better luck ordering the needles online than trying to get them in your city – unless you live in a city with well-stocked yarn stores (I’m looking at you, Vancouver and Toronto!).
Otherwise, as a beginner, I would not recommend that you dive headfirst into Magic Loop with big long circulars. Try to find the needles that are laid out in the pattern.
dont worry. I still find it easier and cheaper to order supplies online. i dont go to stores too much so yah, its a waste of time. but thanks again. i ordered the exact size online and can’t wait for them to come. yeah, i tried the magic loop and you are right, its really hard. i kept messing up and was so sad because i was planning to finish the hat the next day, but im alright now
i love your sight. its beautifully designed and creative and i cant stop coming back on it =to see if you’ve updated and added any new designs (seriously, i check every day). i have double pointed needles that are size eight and i was wondering if i could use them. thanks for everything. you are my inspiration
Hey Zahra!
Sorry for the late reply! I’ll reply each of your comments separately. Thanks for your kind words. Appreciate it very much 😀
So about the size 8 needles. Those are too small for this pattern. A size 8 is only 5mm! If you use a super bulky weight yarn with 5mm needles, you’ll get a very, very tight fabric, and a very small hat. So, sadly, a size 8 is not suitable for this pattern.
dont worry. i dont mind the late reply. i can tfind the right size double pointed neeldes so i guess i’ll just have to knit really loosely on them or do magic loop (even though its really hard). thank you for your detailed replies 🙂
hey, davina
i just finished kntting my big hat, but its very loose. i know its supposed to be like that but it keeps slipping off. could i use just bulky weight yarn to make it tighter, with casting on the same nuber of sttiches (44) and knitting together the same way?
Hey knittingqueen,
A commenter named Jill had a similar problem. This was my (very long!) reply to her. Hope it can help you out too:
Hey Jill! I’m so sorry your hat turned out so huge. The issue, I think, is gauge. (More on gauge here: https://sheepandstitch.flywheelsites.com/what-is-knitting-gauge/).
I didn’t talk about gauge in the tutorial video because I wanted to simplify the knitting experience, but in hindsight, I probably should have given it a passing mention. What it boils down to is this: the combination of your knitting tension (how tightly or loosely you knit) + your yarn + your needle size got you a larger gauge than what the pattern specifies (9sts=4″). I think this is why your hat is so much larger than the finished measurements of the hat.
If you tweak one of these variables (drop down a needle size or switch out a less bulky yarn) and get the pattern gauge, then you’ll know for sure that you’ll end up with a hat that’s the same size as the finished measurements on the pattern (20″ circumference and 11″ in height unfolded).
Okay, so now I’ve written you a mini essay on gauge! What can you do to make your hat smaller?
So, if the hat is insanely huge, like there’s no way you can bunch it up with an elastic without it looking like a muffin hat, then… your best course of action is to experiment with either your needles or yarn in order to get the right gauge, and then… knit a new hat. I know! So painful. But it’s the best way to know that you’ll get the exact sized garment as the one in the pattern.
There are a few other hacks that don’t involve re-knitting the entire hat, but they’re for slightly loose hats and not “comically giant” hats. You can check them out and see if they’re worth pursuing. The tutorial is put out by TechKnitting, a super geeky knit blog I love: https://techknitting.blogspot.hk/2008/04/how-to-line-hat-headband-style-with.html and https://techknitting.blogspot.hk/2011/02/socks-falling-down-consider-elastic.html
The latter link is about tightening up socks, but the principle still applies. These tutorials are pretty involved, and I suspect it might take less time to reknit the hat. Either way, let me know what you decided! You can always send me a picture of the hat using the comment form. (There’s an upload image option right below this comment field).
Best of luck!
thx sooo much. i guess i could just use elastic thread to make it tighter. also, i made an experiment and cast on with 36 sts (so 4″ tighter), and made is 10″ before decreasing, and it worked out perfectly. ill send you a picture when im done 🙂
Hi Davina! I am buying what I need to make this hat, but I was unsure about the needles. What brand do you recommend? The only needles I own right now are Brittany’s. Should I experiment with steel? Do you think these would be good: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DX86ICU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3H90IYX99MD2Q ?
I am trying to keep it affordable 🙂 Also, do you recommend getting the same brand/style for both the circular needles and double sided needles?
Hiya! Whoa! Sorry for the late reply. Yes, these ChiaGoo needles look great. I’ve used the brand before and they’re nice and sturdy. As for keeping the brand consistent, it really doesn’t matter at all. For circulars, it’s important to have a smooth join (where the wire joins the needle).
I made this hat when I am only 11 years old. It is so cool and easy to make!!!!!!!
Whoohoo! Awesome job!
Hi Davina,
I really enjoy watching your videos.
I’m a beginner and very new to circularkntiting.
I’m stuck at the last stitch of row 1 (the 2×2 rib).
When I purl the very last stitch of 1 row (so it must be on the first cast-on, but I did the cast-on right, so simple), the long tail feel like slip away and not making the right loop like the previous knit/purl stitches. It makes no stitch or knot, just a twisted loop and it maybe apart If I untangle.
And I don’t know how to hide the long tail, I’m afraid it it break apart when I cut it.
OMG did I actual cast-on wrongly from the beginning?
Please help!!!
Hey Tam! Sorry for the late reply. Have you figured out this last-stitch issue? It’d be great if you can upload a photo. It’s hard to imagine what this loose stitch looks like. If you’re worried about the long tail slipping out, you can tug on it to keep it secure as you’re knitting that last stitch. When you say you don’t know how to hide the longtail, I’m not sure what you mean exactly. Do you mean that it’s long? Because it should be long! When you’re done knitting your hat, you can weave in the longtail into the wrong side of your fabric. If you’re worried it will fall out, weave in the tail into six or so stitches on the wrong side (or more if you’re really nervous!) to make sure it’s really secure. Hope that helps!
Hello there! I found this super rad videos on how to knit hat but I have straight needles that is not double pointed and i have worsted, medium yarn that is not bulky but is not too thin. Would I still be able to knit the same way or are the yarn and needles mandatory?
I’m not a fan of the word “mandatory” (brings up visions of grumpy school marms!). But in this case, yes, the pattern is designed for super bulky weight yarn and super bulky weight yarn requires big needles like a 10mm needle. A worsted yarn and its accompanying needle size (4-6mm) requires a different pattern. Sorry about that!
I tried downloading the pattern from the shop and it looks like this. Help please! 🙁
Hey! Yikes! What a word jumble. Check out this page on troubleshooting your PDF: https://sheepandstitch.com/technical-support/ Usually the trouble lies with the browser. Try saving the file to your computer first. Then opening the file in a PDF reader (like Adobe Reader, which is free). If you open the file in your browser, it may render the PDF like the crazy word puzzle you’ve attached. Hope this helps!