
How to Knit a Hat with Jumbo Yarn
Love quick knit hat patterns? If you are looking for a FAST, beginner knit hat pattern, you have come to the right place! This is one of the fastest knit hat patterns you will find because it uses Jumbo sized yarn. It is worked in a straightforward stockinette stitch pattern throughout, in a modern striped style. You just need to know how to work knit and purl stitches to make this hat using straight needles. Once you’ve completed this hat (in under 1 hour), you can embellish it with a handmade pom pom, too!

Keep reading for a knit tutorial of this bottom-up simple hat. Whether you are new to knitting hats, or have already made many, you will enjoy the classic simplicity of this timeless stockinette knit hat!
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How to Knit a Hat for Beginners
This easy hat pattern is a great project for complete beginners learning to knit. You will work with straight knitting needles and seam the hat together.
You will need the following supplies to make your own knit hat:
Supplies
- 2 skeins of I Like Big Yarn (33 yds per skein) to make one hat
- Colors: Coconut Milk, Steel
- or similar weight yarn about 25 yds total (NOTE – this yarn is now discontinued by Lion Brand, but there are are Jumbo sized yarns similar to it)
- size 4 yarn for seaming
- Size 19 (15.0 mm) circular needles, 16-19″ length
- Scissors
- tapestry needle (yarn needle)
- Optional: pom-pom maker
Knitting Abbreviations
BO – bind off
CO – cast on
K – knit stitch
K2tog – knit 2 stitches together
P – purl stitch
sts – stitches
Rep – repeat
RS – Right Side
WS – Wrong Side
PATTERN INFORMATION
The easy free knit hat pattern is provided below.
- but you can also get the ad-free, printable pdf beginner KNIT HAT AND BAG PATTERN in the ETSY SHOP! The pdf has helpful photos included, as well as a coordinating clutch bag pattern!

Before we begin on this pattern, are you a new knitter? You may be interested in taking my knitting class first, to master the basics …
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FREE HAT KNITTING PATTERN
Gauge: 4″ (10cm) square = 5 sts by 8 rows
How to knit a hat with straight needles
You will be knitting the hat flat from the bottom to the top in rows, then seaming the sides together. Be sure to use a smaller sized yarn (size 4) to work the seam so it isn’t too bulky.
The pattern creates a basic slouchy style hat. The great news is that one of these hats can be worked in under an hour. You can knock out a knit hat any rainy/snowy afternoon or slow weekend.

How to make a Knit Hat with Jumbo Yarn
NOTES: First, you will begin the bottom of the hat by casting on and working the stockinette stitch pattern.
Next, you will continue the stockinette pattern for the sides & crown of the hat, decreasing on some rows & alternating yarn colors.
Next, you will cut a tail from the working yarn and run it through the last 14 stitches to tighten the top of the hat.
Lastly, you will use smaller size 4 yarn to work a mattress seam (invisible vertical seam) to join the hat together.
The Right Side (RS) will face you for odd-numbered rows, while the Wrong Side (WS) will face you for even-numbered rows..
Instructions are as follows for the chunky hat free knitting pattern …
Jumbo Knit Hat Pattern
With size 19 circular needles, CO 26 sts with size 7 yarn in color ‘Steel’.
Bottom of hat:
Stockinette Stitch Pattern (stockinette st):
Row 1 (RS): Knit across. (26 sts)
Row 2: Purl across.
Rows 3-4: Continue working stockinette st.
Cut ‘Steel’ yarn.
Sides of hat
Rows 5-8: Join with ‘Coconut Milk’ yarn and work stockinette st.
Decrease:
Row 9: K2, *k2tog, k2; rep from * to end. (20 sts)
Row 10: Purl across.
Cut ‘Coconut Milk’ yarn.
Rows 11-16: Join with ‘Steel’ yarn and work stockinette st.
Cut ‘Steel’ yarn.
Rows 17-18: Join with ‘Coconut Yarn’ yarn and work stockinette st.
Crown of hat
Row 19: K2, *k2tog, k1; rep from * to end. (14 sts)
Row 20: Purl across.
Finishing – Knit Hat Pattern
Cut approx. 8″ tail from working yarn.
Thread the tail securely through the remaining 14 stitches on the needles.
Pull tail to close up the top of the hat.
Seam Sides:
Work a Mattress seam (invisible vertical seam) with smaller size 4 yarn to join the sides of the hat together.
Work close to the edge & use a similar yarn color.
Secure the tail to the top of the hat on the WS (inside).
Weave in ends on the WS (inside) of the hat.
Optional:
Use a pom-pom maker with leftover yarn to make a large pom-pom, and attach it to the top of the hat.

The FINISHED SIZE of the hat will be approximately 20″ circumference by 10″ hat length. It should fit a teen or woman’s head size, with head circumference approx. 19-21″.
Important Tips for Knitting your Hat
Some things to keep in mind as you knit the hat are:
- For stockinette stitch pattern, knit on the RS and purl on the WS.
- Always change yarn color at the beginning of the row.
- It is important to work the seam with smaller size 4 yarn near the edges, to ensure the seam isn’t too bulky.
How to wear your stylish striped knit hat
Before wearing your finished hat, try to embellish it if you can. Faux fur or handmade pom poms are a great way to accessorize a knit hat, and you could also add a leather ‘Handmade’ tag to indicate it was made from scratch. These embellishments would be especially nice if you are making the hat for someone else. What a great gift idea, especially if you can personalize your leather tag with your name!
Once the hat is finished, just pull it down over your head and ears. The striped slouchy hat is a stylish accessory for the cold days of winter, adding a cozy layer of warmth for your head. Wool yarn may be the best choice for this project if you really want the warmth.

Did you know this pattern is also available in my winter knit wardrobe collection?…
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Looking for cozy winter knit wardrobe patterns?
Click here to grab 8 winter patterns you will love to knit and wear – they’re simple, textured, and oh-so-warm!
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You CAN work a beginner knit hat pattern!
I hope you enjoyed this FREE knit hat pattern. Once you get the stockinette stitch pattern down, the project will become repetitive and simple. I know you can handle the knitting decrease (k2tog) stitches if you are a beginner. This is a great way to practice those skills, as the pattern isn’t too complicated.
Don’t forget that the jumbo hat knitting pattern is also available in an ad-free pdf pattern. Grab the KNIT HAT AND BAG PATTERN in my Etsy shop. The matching clutch bag pattern included works up quickly, too!

Love knit hats? Check out these other FREE hat knitting patterns…
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