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!
Help Support Sheep & Stitch!
While the pattern instructions and video tutorial are free and available above, for the price of a fancy coffee, you can support Sheep & Stitch by purchasing a PDF file of this pattern.
This 3-page PDF file is beautifully laid out and ready to be printed and marked up by you!
Upon purchase, the pattern PDF file will be delivered to you by email. Thank you for your support!
THANK YOU SO MUCH for teaching me how to knit! This so fun and your instructions made it so easy. I can’t wait to make more big hats!! Thank you for your videos.
Davina
I have been just about in tears (ok I was in tears) over not being able to find a functional pattern for one gorgeous skein of Malabrigo Rasta…..then I found your site. Oh my goodness Davina, you are an OUTSTANDING teacher. I have never watched a video that had so much clear instruction, calm repetition and encouragement ever. Your work is exceptional. Thank you very much.
(……and I made a hat!…..and I’m going to make another one now!…woohoo!!!)
H
Hello, I came across your blog & decided to give this Big Hat a try.
For some reason I cant seem to get a pearl stitch and knit stitch right for the hat brim. Do you have any tips? Im bringing my yarn to the front to knit my pearl, but all my stitches seem to look like a knit stitch.
Thanks for your help. I know once I get past this part, its gets easier but I love the design and just cant seem to get it right.
Holly
I just found your You Tube video on learning to knit and loved it . It’s really easy to follow and I am now having fun knitting .. thank you for sharing
Help….I love your pattern..I found all my supplies, at…Hobby Lobby…and Michaels….and got a discount on all of them…they were all very reasonable…but at both places, I had no luck finding, the…Yarn…My best option was…Bernat Softee Chunky, ( 8mm..U.S.11 ), in Black, my grandson who’s …11… Almost…12… Wants a Black Hat…I measured his head, and it’s …21 …inches around his head….I seen where you told someone else, they could use a chunky, just add on …4 more cast on’s….but that was for a …Lion Brand Yarn, and this is a … Bernat….I was wondering the same thing, do I need to add on more stiches, more than …48… Are do I need to just try it at…44…. My needles are …16 inches long…Just like you said….and my next question, is, I to noticed you hold your work in your right hand, it does confuse me, and my stiches don’t work out and look pretty, if I use my left hand, even thou I’m right handed, I like to hold my working hand in my left hand…thank you so much, this will be my first hat with knitting needles, I have made several on the loom….thank you.
Hi Davina,
I am hoping to make the big hat and am struggling to find the circular needles you have listed above in New Zealand where I from. I have clicked on the link to purchase them through Amazon but the link is for 6mm needles not 10mm…I am a little confused. Is it the correct link? I am new to knitting so excuse me if I am asking a silly question here, just would really appreciate you clarifying what size circular needles are needed.
Many Thanks,
Naomi.
I changed the pattern to straight needles. I love the color of your hat.
I love the hat pattern but hate double pointed needles so I changed the pattern to straight needles. It was easy to do. Just purl on the wrong side and on row 6 just p2tog instead of knit then k1. See you don’t have to use double pointed needles if you don’t want to.
Hey Devina! Can I use 24 inch circular needles to knit the big hat?
Hi Tonya, a 24″ inch needle might be too big. The stitches will be stretched across the needle, but it can be done. It may just be a bit uncomfortable.
Hi! I followed the instructions on size of yarn (super bulky), 16” US15 circular needle, and CO 44 sts. However it felt it was too few? The cord is definitely longer than number of sts. I added 4 sts, was still too short for needle. Then added more. A total of 16 sts more. Joined in the round and started knitting, however it was very uncomfortable and still definitely too small for cord/needle length. No idea what happened! I am using Clover interchangeable needles for reference.
When you first join in the round the stitches will be a bit tight. But you can sort of pull it along the needle to stretch them out. As you knit a few rounds, the knitting will relax and spread out a bit more, making it less tight around the needle. Hope that helps!
Hi! Will this hat fit a 22″ head if I get gauge? Or should I adjust the gauge in some way for it to fit a 22″ head?
If you get gauge this will absolutely stretch to fit a 22″ head.