Learn how to knit an easy newborn knitted hat using the double seed stitch – an alternating knit one, purl one pattern.
Design Story and Inspiration for This Easy Hat Pattern
If you’ve been around here for any length of time you know that I love making baby things. They are so small and cute!!
I didn’t have a hat pattern specifically for newborns, and I wanted something I can whip up fast when I have a baby to make for, so I decided it was time to design a knit hat pattern specifically for newborns.
Yarn Options for the Seed Stitch Newborn Knitted Hat
I designed this knitting pattern with Premier Yarns Just Yarn Tweed, which is available at your local Dollar Tree! Most all Dollar Tree stores have it and if you can’t get it in-store you can order online. You just need to order 6 skeins at a time (which is only $6).
You can read my review of this yarn here – it’s tested to be free from harmful levels of over 350 substances, which makes it perfect for sensitive baby skin.
This is a worsted weight yarn, although in my experience it is a lighter weight worsted, so an aran or heavier worsted would not substitute well.
You can use any worsted weight yarn that gets gauge to knit this baby hat pattern. You don’t need a lot of yardage for this project, so it’s a wonderful stash buster.
Newborn Hat Pattern Details
This free knitting pattern is knit from the bottom up, starting with the ribbing. You work a k2, p2 rib, then begin with double seed stitch, which is simply k1, p1 alternated.
The crown is shaped using the raglan shaping method of only decreasing at four points.
How to Customize this Easy Hat Pattern
This hat is designed for the average baby’s head. If baby is smaller than a typical newborn (average weight for a newborn is 7-8 lbs), or if you are making a hat for a preemie, you would want a gauge of 5.5 sts per inch instead of the 5 sts per inch gauge in this pattern. This would give you a 10″ circumference which fits a preemie or smaller newborn’s head nicely.
More Free Baby Knitting Patterns
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This pattern is completely free and can be viewed in its entirety below. However, many readers have requested ad-free PDF’s of my patterns so I provide an inexpensive option for these.
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Seed Stitch Newborn Knitted Hat
What You’ll Need
Yarn: Premier Just Yarn Tweed (available at the Dollar Tree), 1 skein Gray Tweed
Needles: US Size 7 (4.50mm) and 8 (5.00mm) dpn’s or circular needle for magic loop
Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker
Gauge: 20 sts and 24 rows = 4” in seed stitch with larger needles
Finished Size: 12” circumference and 4” tall
Stitch Abbreviations
Knit (k)
Purl (p)
Slip, slip, knit (ssk) – slip first stitch knitwise, slip second stitch purlwise, insert left needle into front of stitches and knit together and slide off right hand needle.
Knit Two Together (k2tog) – insert right hand needle into next two stitches as if to knit, knit together and slide off left hand needle.
Notes
Sample was made using the magic loop method. You can use any method of circular knitting that you feel comfortable with.
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Newborn Beanie Hat Pattern
With smaller needles, cast on 60 sts. Join, being careful not to twist.
Rounds 1-4 (Ribbing): *k2, p2; repeat from * around.
Change to larger needles.
Rounds 5-6: *k1, p1; repeat from * around.
Rounds 7-8: *p1, k1; repeat from * around.
Repeat rounds 5-8 two times more. You may repeat this an extra time or two if you would like your hat to be a bit longer than 4″.
Shape Crown
Round 1 (Dec Rnd): *Ssk, k1, k2tog, (p1, k1) five times, ssk, k1, k2tog, (k1, p1) five times; repeat from * – 52 sts.
Round 2: *K3, (p1, k1) five times, k3, (k1, p1) five times; repeat from * to end.
Round 3 (Dec Rnd): *Ssk, k1, k2tog, (k1, p1) four times, ssk, k1, k2tog, (p1, k1) four times; repeat from * – 44 sts.
Round 4: *K3, (k1, p1) four times, k3, (p1, k1) four times; repeat from * to end.
Round 5 (Dec Rnd): *Ssk, k1, k2tog, (p1, k1) three times, ssk, k1, k2tog, (k1, p1) three times; repeat from * – 36 sts.
Round 6: *K3, (p1, k1) three times, k3, (k1, p1) three times – repeat from * to end.
Round 7 (Dec Rnd): *Ssk, k1, k2tog, (k1, p1) two times, ssk, k1, k2tog, (p1, k1) two times; repeat from * – 28 sts.
Round 8: *K3, (k1, p1) two times, k3, (p1, k1) two times; repeat from * to end.
Round 9 (Dec Rnd): *Ssk, k1, k2tog, p1, k1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1, p1; repeat from * – 20 sts.
Round 10: *K3, p1, k1, k4, p1; repeat from * to end.
Round 11 (Dec Rnd): (Ssk, k1, k2tog) four times – 12 sts.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Use tail end to pull remaining 12 stitches tight.
Weave in ends. Block if desired.
