Who says that men's beanies must be boring and plain? This beautiful textured, geometric beanie design separates sections of ribbing from sections of garter stitch with simple two-stitch cables. The pattern is recommended for knitters who are ready to try cabling without a cable needle. What a neat and useful trick to know!

Designer: Mat Kladney

Yarn: (Worsted Weight #4)

A sea of stockinette stitch is broken up by little rivets of purl stitches in this basic textured beanie hat from Blue Sky Fibers. The design is knit from the bottom up in the round, so there’s no seaming. While I think this is a good project for beginner knitters, it’s mostly knit stitches with a bit of purl stitches thrown in for some practice.

Designer: Nancy Ekvall for Blue Sky Fibers

Yarn: Spud & Chloë Sweater Worsted (Aran Weight #4)

Named after the Bay of Skaill in Scotland, the textured ripples on this beanie resemble the rhythm of the tides. No special stitches are involved, but rather just a combination of knit and purl stitches. This men's hat is characterized by its lack of brim and its relaxed, slouchy fit. I love that it is both cute and casual, making it the best choice for a laid-back yet stylish look!

Designer: Solveigh Lass-Evans

Yarn: Iolair Yarn Eorsa (DK Weight #3)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

Help him show off his patriotic side with a bright red, white, and blue knit beanie pattern. This is one of those awesome patterns that looks tricky but is actually really easy. The brim uses the mosaic colorwork technique (which is just slip stitches and knit stitches) and the rest of the winter hat is simple stripes of stockinette (all knit stitches).

Designer: Patrick Belanger for Biscotte Yarns

Yarn: Biscotte Yarns DK PURE (DK Weight #3)

The Simple Ribbed Beanie is characterized by its thick and squishy ribbing, offering a cozy option if you need warmth and style. The bulky weight yarn really helps define each individual rib. Of course, the star of the show is the interesting crown construction. It gives the beanie a unique look, and if you need to learn a new crown method, this is your chance!

Designer: Crazy Hands

Yarn: Knit Picks Simply Wool Bulky (Bulky Weight #5)

This intricate ear flap trapper hat design, one of the cozy knit hat patterns for men, was inspired by the people of Peru. The design is extra cozy thanks to the ear flaps and the inner lining, making it perfect for really cold temperatures when extra warmth is needed (especially for the ears). You start by working the ear flaps flat and then join them to begin working in the round from the bottom of the knitted hat up to the crown.

Designer: Janet Stimson

Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Nord (Sport Weight #3)

The next one of our free men's hat knitting patterns is a nod to nature. The stranded colorwork design features one ring of snow-capped mountains, one ring of evergreen trees, and one ring of waves. You’ll need nearly a full skein of yarn for the background color, but you can totally get away with using scrap yarn for the rest. 

Designer: Jennifer Murphy

Yarn: Valley Yarns Northampton (Worsted Weight #4)

Did you know that you can fake the coveted brioche look with the much easier mosaic colorwork technique in knit hat patterns? Try it out with this quick and colorful hat design. The pattern is knit from the bottom up in the round using 4 different colors. This is a great project for scrap yarns and for mini skein packs.

Designer: Mat Kladney

Yarn: (Worsted Weight #4)

Sometimes colorwork can be frustrating because you need different amounts of yarn for each color. This design, however, brings comfort in its simplicity and efficiency. It uses 3 skeins of yarn to make 3 hats - each with the same fair isle design in a different color order. That makes it great for gifts, and the unisex design is perfect for both men and women, offering a comfortable fit and style. The pattern is knit from the bottom up in the round, ensuring a comfortable crafting experience.

Designer: Two of Wands

Yarn: Lion Brand Hue + Me (Bulky Weight #5)

If you’ve been around the knitting block for a time or two, then it might be hard for you to find patterns that really excite you. Pique your curiosity with the remarkable Foxglove Knit Hat. The design involves a combination of special techniques that include cablework, slipped stitches, and reverse yarnovers, making it a truly remarkable project.

Designer: Crazy Hands

Yarn: Schaffhauser Wolle SuperStar (Held Double = Aran Weight #4)

Stranded colorwork (aka fair isle colorwork) may seem intimidating at first, but it’s actually really fun and rewarding once you get the hang of it. There’s nothing quite like seeing the shapes and patterns come to life right before your eyes! This beanie is a good project for beginners because it is knit in the round, so you can do the colorwork section using just knit stitches. 

Designer: DROPS Design

Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Karisma (DK Weight #3)

Free men's hats knitting patterns with a double brim are a popular choice for their coziness and their ability to stay put. (Because nobody wants a hat that’s constantly falling off) The double brim is made using a provisional cast-on, but other than that it’s smooth sailing with just knit and purl stitches along with basic decreases. These hat patterns for men are not only functional but also stylish, offering a variety of designs to suit different tastes and preferences.

Designer: Ashley Coon

Yarn: (Worsted Weight #4)

I love the stitch definition that you can achieve with super bulky weight yarn, especially when using bulky yarn. It makes even the most basic stitchwork look special, and most beginner knitters find it easier to work with than smaller-weight yarns. Try it out with this design that’s knit from the bottom up in the round using bulky yarn. It’s simple and speedy and it features a relaxed fit and an understated rolled brim.

Designer: Churchmouse Yarns and Teas

Yarn: Rowan Big Wool (Super Bulky Weight #6)

As far as free men's hat knitting patterns go, it doesn’t get much cozier than this! This design features mitered earflaps to keep his ears protected from the cold. The mitered technique avoids having to make the earflaps separately and saves you from weaving in any extra ends. As an added feature, the back of the hat is longer to offer cozy coverage for the neck. 

Designer: Painted Luck Designs

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Rios (Worsted Weight #4)

Can you recognize the icon that inspired this particular hat’s color scheme? That’s right, the old-school sock monkey gets a modern refresh in this cozy knit hat. Among knitted hats, this design stands out as it is knit from the bottom up in the round using two distinct styles of rib stitch patterns. Finish it off with a pom pom and you’re good to go.

Designer: Katie Pomper

Yarn: Estelle Yarns Worsted (Worsted Weight #4)

Give your guy some options with a handmade hat that can be worn with the brim folded up for a snug fit, or unfolded for a casual and slouchy fit. The design features a deep ribbed brim and an attractive spiral at the top that’s formed by decreasing your stitch count. There are no special stitches and the design is very straightforward, making it suitable for adventurous beginners. This handmade touch adds a unique and personal element to the hat, ensuring it's not just functional but also a special gift.

Designer: The Knit McKinley

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Solids, Heathers & Twists (Aran Weight #4)

Are you looking for men's hat knitting patterns that are beginner-friendly? If you can knit a dishcloth, then you can knit this hat! Yes, really! You’d never guess by looking at it, but this handsome hat actually starts out as a humble garter stitch rectangle. Seam it along one side and cinch it up at the top and you’ve got yourself one smart-looking beanie.  

Designer: Knot My Designs

Yarn: Vardhman Chinar (DK Weight #3)

Help him show off his love for his favorite sport with this easy and adorable football beanie, a perfect project for crafting enthusiasts. The design is knit from the bottom up in the round, offering a delightful crafting experience. You’ll only be switching colors for the wide stripes of white, adding a touch of creativity to the process. The laces of the football are added on afterward using the duplicate stitch embroidery technique, further enhancing your crafting skills.

Designer: Fox & Pine Designs

Yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable™ Tweed (Aran Weight #4)

Shades of blue and silhouettes of trees are the hallmarks of this seasonal-themed men’s beanie, one of the best-knit hat patterns for those looking to explore colorwork. The design is knit in the round using the stranded colorwork technique, making it a visually striking and enjoyable project. The pattern recommends a bundle of mini skeins of yarn, but you could also use scraps of yarn leftover from other projects, adding to its appeal for knitters who appreciate both style and sustainability.

Designer: Mary Pranica for Blue Sky Fibers

Yarn: Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok Worsted (Worsted Weight #4)

The next one of our knit hats for men features a wide folded brim and a cozy fitted crown. Knitting in the round, you’ll start off with a circular needle and finish off with double-pointed needles as the crown narrows near the top. The straightforward design and average-weight yarn make this project a good choice for beginner knitters. 

Designer: DROPS Design

Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Alaska (Aran Weight #4)

This very detailed and beginner-friendly tutorial, infused with wonderful guidance, will walk you through exactly how to knit a hat using a basic ribbed stitch pattern. It can be knit using the magic loop method or with double-pointed needles, and the pattern lets you choose between slouchy and fitted crowns. Tips are included for working with a different weight of yarn.

Designer: Nimble Needles

Yarn: Pascuali Tibetan (Worsted Weight #4)

Upgrade a basic beanie with a trendy color block design. With just knit and purl stitches, you can make this loose-fitting, slouchy-style beanie. After the ribbed brim, the pattern is mainly stockinette stitch with a few rounds of garter stitch thrown in when the colors change for some added texture and interest. 

Designer: SweeKnits

Yarn: Daruma GEEK (Bulky Weight #5)

Keep it simple with an easy ribbed hat that is knit from the bottom up. The hat is long enough to fold over once for a slouchy fit or to fold over twice for a fitted crown and an extra cozy double-thick brim. The allover ribbed design is continued seamlessly into the crown shaping for a really polished finish.  

Designer: Michelle Porter

Yarn: Ancient Arts Fibre Crafts 100% Superwash BFL (Fingering Weight #1)

Super bulky weight yarn is a good choice for beginner knitters because it makes it really easy to see your stitches and you get to work with nice big needles. Try it out with this design that’s knit from the bottom up in the round. The easy 2-stitch cables are a good choice for your first time experimenting with cablework. 

Designer: 99 Percent Coffee

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick (Super Bulky Weight #6)

Have you seen those new yarn donut things? They’re kind of like cake yarns in that they come with multiple pre-matched colors all rolled into one skein. As an added bonus, it’s also supposed to be really easy to find the start. Try it out with this design knit in the round from the bottom up on double-pointed needles.

Designer: Yarnspirations

Yarn: Caron Colorama O'Go (Bulky Weight #5)