Men's Hat Knitting Patterns

The hats men actually wear

Look at what gets worn rather than what gets photographed and the list is short: a close-fitting ribbed beanie, a slightly slouchy stocking cap, a fisherman's rib bobble hat and a cabled beanie for cold mornings. This collection covers all of them, plus simple aran rib beanies, 4 ply unisex versions for milder weather, novelty owl designs, hat and glove sets, and children's sizes worked from the same patterns so you can make a matching pair.

Rib, cable or plain stocking stitch

Rib is the workhorse. A 2x2 or 1x1 rib hugs the head, stretches to fit a range of sizes and stays put in wind, which is why so many men's patterns are ribbed from brim to crown. Fisherman's rib is a step up: it produces a thick, squashy, reversible fabric that is warmer than it looks, though it eats yarn and cannot be unravelled easily if you make a mistake. Cables add interest without colour, which suits people who will not wear pattern. Plain stocking stitch needs a folded rib brim or it will roll, but it is the fastest and the best background for a large bobble.

• Beginner, flat: a rib hat knitted as a rectangle, seamed up the side and gathered at the top.
• Beginner, in the round: a plain beanie on a short circular needle with a rib brim.
• Warmest: fisherman's rib or a double-thickness folded brim.
• Most interesting to knit: a cabled beanie in aran, one repeat at a time.
• Fun to give: bobble hats and owl or elf designs, especially in children's sizes.

Sizing a hat that fits

Measure around the head just above the ears and knit the hat about 2 to 4cm smaller than that measurement, because knitted fabric stretches and a hat that matches the head exactly will slide upwards. In rib you can go towards the larger end of the negative ease because rib recovers. Height matters as much as circumference: roughly 20 to 22cm from brim to crown for a standard adult beanie, and 24cm or more if you want a slouchy fit or a fold-up brim. A folded brim needs the extra depth built in, so add double the depth of the fold.

Yarn and needles

Most men's hats take one or two balls, which makes them ideal for a single special skein. Aran and DK cover the majority of patterns; 4 ply gives a finer, less bulky cap for autumn. Wool and wool blends hold their shape and stay warm when damp, which matters for anyone who spends time outdoors. Superwash and acrylic blends are the practical choice for a hat that will live in a coat pocket and go through the washing machine. You will want a short circular needle or double-pointed needles for in-the-round versions, plus a set one or two sizes smaller for the brim so the rib grips.

Finishing, gifting and care

Thread the tail through the remaining crown stitches twice before pulling tight, and secure it on the inside with a couple of stitches; a hat crown that loosens is the most common failure. Do not over-block a hat, since stretching it flat on a board removes the very elasticity that keeps it on. Instead, steam gently or dry it over a balloon or a folded towel. Hats are the safest knitted gift for men because there is no fit to guess, and a hat and gloves set from the same yarn takes little more than a spare evening.

Men's hat knitting questions

Is there a free men's hat knitting pattern here? Yes, free downloadable beanie and bobble hat patterns sit alongside the paid designs.

How many stitches for a man's beanie? It depends entirely on your yarn and tension. Work a tension square, then cast on for a circumference 2 to 4cm smaller than the head measurement.

Can I knit a beanie on straight needles? Yes. Knit a rectangle in rib, seam the side and gather the top.

Which yarn weight is best? Aran for warmth and speed, DK for an everyday cap, 4 ply for a fine hat that fits under a helmet or hood.

How do I stop the hat rolling up at the edge? Use a rib or garter brim, or knit a doubled folded brim rather than plain stocking stitch.