I love knit hats on my son! He has a giant noggin (measures about 20.25″) and has grown out of the store-bought baby section but youth sized knit hats are harder to find. I figured with Spring coming it was a perfect time to try some of the free patterns I’ve seen floating around – and wanted to share the results. Let me know if I missed any that you’ve used before!
I mostly used upcycled t-shirts for these, but if you’re in the market for new knit fabric you can see some of my favorite shops in this post.
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I think beanies are such a fun gift; I sewed these for my toddler son but one of them goes down to baby sizes – I have over 100 free baby sewing patterns, here!
I tried 4 patterns; from top left clockwise ,thanks to See Kate Sew, imagine gnats, Delia Creates, and Heidi & Finn. They all have a different size range, which I included in the notes for each one, but they’re all my favorite price – free.
I think it’s important to remember that fit and aesthetics are going to depend greatly on the fabric you use – if it feels nice and thick, with a good amount of stretch, it will look and wear better. Don’t forget to always use a stretch stitch and ballpoint needles with knit fabric! I tried each one in ugly, junk knit to check sizing before I used stuff I liked.
I used my serger* for all seams and then on the darts, used my sewing machine to round them off so they weren’t as pointy. The top two I just re-used the existing hems and adjusting the pattern’s length accordingly.
Pin this post of free kid’s beanie sewing patterns for later, here:
Free kid’s beanie sewing patterns
Pattern: Ribbed Beanie by Delia Creates
Size: Includes Newborn through 4-10 years. Sewn in size 18m-3y.
Fabric: Upcycled t-shirt(s) + ribbing from Jo-Ann Fabrics
Thoughts: This pattern is the only ‘non-slouchy’ one and it fits the tightest as well (taking the lining out would make it looser). This was my son’s favorite, I think he likes how snug it was across his forehead. The pattern printed strangely, cutting off the bottom, but I just used the bottom of the page as the bottom of the pattern. It has little bear ears too, which would be cute!
Pattern: Slouchy Beanie by Dandelion Drift for imagine gnats – [this is no longer online 🙁 I’m sorry yall!]
Size: Includes Baby through adult small. Sewn in size child small.
Fabric: Upcycled t-shirt
Thoughts: This one is unique! I like the shape of the top. It fit the loosest; I have a big head and the adult size fit me just fine. I think this is my favorite, although I might need to tighten the seam allowance a little for better fit on his face.
Update – I sewed another one when he was older, see the free knit beanie sewing pattern in a bigger size here!
Pattern: Slouchy Beanie by See Kate Sew
Size: One size, toddler only.
Fabric: Upcycled t-shirt
Thoughts: This is the simplest and very quick to sew. It was a little gnome-y on him, but that might be different with a different shaped head. I probably wouldn’t sew this one again.
Pattern: Slouchy Beanie by Heidi & Finn
Size: Includes 6m-12m through 3T-6 years. Sewn in size 12m-2t
Fabric: Art Gallery Commuter Knit from imagine gnats
Thoughts: This is my close second favorite, I think the shape is really nice. It does take more fabric because of how it’s drafted; none of my t-shirts were wide enough to upcycle!
There are a few I saw that didn’t appeal to me for a toddler, you can check them out!:
- Knit Cap from small dreamfactory
- Knit turban from llevoelinvierno
- Sweet Pea Pilot Cap & Snow Pixie Hat from Sew Liberated
Are you sewing any beanies for your kid(s) or yourself this spring? I am sure some of these will be making appearances in other outfit posts – I am a sucker for “hipster” baby styles. These hats would be so cute paired with some matching knit pants, like the set I sewed in this post, and then check out 4 free baby pants patterns in this post.
Stephanie
Friday 1st of October 2021
Thanks for the great post! I'm also looking for the Imagine Gnats pattern. Any luck finding it? Thank you! :)
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Tuesday 4th of July 2023
looks like the website shut down :(
Stephanie
Friday 1st of October 2021
Aha, literally just found it. Never mind! :D
Ella
Wednesday 7th of April 2021
Hi there! I am really looking forward to making the Slouchy Beanie by Dandelion Drift for imagine gnats soon. I just can't sem to find the PDF pattern link for this hat. I realize you answered this question in previous comments, but from what is on my screen it doesn't seem to be there. If you could re-post or send me the pattern that would be amazing!! Thanks so much!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Tuesday 4th of July 2023
Ella, I'm so sorry, she seems to have taken it down :( I'll work on finding something similar!
Jo
Sunday 31st of January 2021
Hello! Thank you for this post - I’m searching for the Imagine Gnats pattern but the original link no longer works. Do you happen to know anywhere it’s still available? Thanks.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Sunday 31st of January 2021
Hi Jo! Oh no! I didn't think about it but imagine gnats shut down. Let me see if I can track it down somehow and get back to you.
Brenda Gascs
Saturday 12th of December 2020
Tha nks for sharing been looking for a knit free beanie hat please send pattern
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Tuesday 15th of December 2020
Hi Brenda, all these patterns are linked to the sites where I downloaded them in the text!
Michelle
Saturday 10th of September 2016
You have some awesome ideas. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Thursday 15th of September 2016
Thanks for reading Michelle!