This unisex super bulky knit hat works up super fast – instructions included for how to knit it flat on two needles or in the round!

Design Story and Inspiration for this Hat Knitting Pattern

I designed this hat for the 2021 Holiday Maker’s Challenge, which is an eight week challenge designed to get you making for the holidays!

Each week of the challenge I sent out a different pattern that meets these criteria:

1. Works up quickly

2. Uses stash yarn

3. Is small enough to finish anywhere from an hour to a weekend

4. Is something most people would like to receive

So I designed this unisex hat pattern that would be great to give to anyone!

Want to join us for the Holiday Maker’s Challenge?? Learn more here!

Yarn Options for this Super Bulky Knit Hat

I knit this hat with Lion Brand Yarn Hometown USA, an affordable yarn you can find in any craft stores and even my local Walmart carries it. I had a few skeins left over so I decided to use up my stash for this hat.

You can use any super bulky weight yarn (weight #6) that gets gauge. If you don’t have any super bulky yarn, try holding two or three strands of worsted weight yarn together to get gauge. This also looks great with different colored yarn strands.

This is an acrylic yarn, but you could use any fiber you like for this hat, including wool, which is a favorite yarn for hat making. Just be sure the recipient isn’t allergic!

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Pattern Details for this Knit Hat Pattern

Pattern instructions here are for two sizes, an adult small and adult large.

Instructions are separated into two sections:

1. For a hat knit flat on straight needles and seamed, which includes the addition of a selvedge stitch on each side to make seaming easier.

2. For a hat knit in the round on double pointed needles (dpn’s) or one or two circulars (depending upon your preference for knitting in the round).

This hat is knit using a k2, p2 rib, then is the hurdle stitch, which is 2 rows/rounds of garter stitch followed by 2 rows/rounds of k1, p1 ribbing.

More Free Knitting Patterns for Gift-Giving

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Easy Super Bulky Knit Hat

What You’ll Need

Yarn: Lion Brand Hometown USA, 1 skein – or other super bulky yarn (weight #6)

Knitting Needle Size: US Size 11 (8.00mm) and 13 (9.00mm)

Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, pom pom (optional)

Gauge: 11 sts and 19 rows = 4″ in hurdle stitch with larger needles

Finished Size: Approximately 20″ in circumference (note: fits a larger head size due to stretch)

Stitch Abbreviations
Knit Stitch (k)
Purl Stitch (p)
Knit two together (k2tog)

Easy Super Bulky Hat – Free Knitting Pattern on Straight Needles

With smaller needles, cast on 58 sts.

Row 1: K1, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last st, k1.

Row 2: P1, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last st, p1.

Rows 3-4: Repeat rows 1-2.

Change to larger needles.

Row 5: Knit.

Row 6: P1, knit to last st, p1.

Row 7: K1, *k1, p1; repeat from * to last st, k1.

Row 8: P1, *k1, p1; repeat from * to last st, p1.

Rows 9-28: Repeat rows 5-8.

Shape Top:

Row 1: K1, *k6, k2tog; repeat from * to last st, k1 – 51 sts.

Row 2: P1, *k5, k2tog; repeat from * to last st, p1 – 44 sts.

Row 3: K1, *(k1, p1) twice, k2tog; repeat from * to last st, k1 – 37 sts.

Row 4: P1, *p1, k1, p1, k2tog; repeat from * to last st, p1 – 30 sts.

Row 5: K1, *k2, k2tog; repeat from * to last st, k1 – 23 sts.

Row 6: P1, *k1, k2tog; repeat from * to last st, p1 – 16 sts.

Row 7: K1, *k2tog; repeat from * to last st, k1 – 9 sts.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through remaining 9 sts and pull tightly to close.

Use yarn tail to sew seam using the mattress stitch.

Weave in ends.

Easy Super Bulky Knit Beanie – Knit Pattern in the Round

Use a set of double pointed needles, one circular needle and the magic loop method, or two circulars.

With smaller needles, cast on 56 sts.

Rnds 1-4: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Change to larger needles.

Rnd 5: Knit.

Rnd 6: Purl.

Rnds 7-8: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.

Rnds 9-28: Repeat rnds 5-8.

Shape top:

Rnd 1: *K6, k2tog; repeat from * to end – 49 sts.

Rnd 2: *K5, k2tog; repeat from * to end – 42 sts.

Rnd 3: *(K1, p1) twice, k2tog; repeat from * to end – 35 sts.

Rnd 4: *P1, k1, p1, k2tog; repeat from * to end – 28 sts.

Rnd 5: *K2, k2tog; repeat from * to end – 21 sts.

Rnd 6: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * to end – 14 sts.

Rnd 7: *K2tog; repeat from * to end – 7 sts.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through remaining 7 sts and pull tightly to close.

Weave in ends.

Makes a great matching set with this Simple Knit Cowl!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this free knitting pattern!

Happy Knitting!
Amanda