Aviator Hat

Aviator Hat by Aunt Janet's Designs

What Is Being Made

The Aviator Hat is a knitted infant hat designed for babies from newborn through 24 months of age. This project creates a classic aviator-style hat with a structured crown and fitted design suitable for the smallest wearers. The pattern includes instructions for two size options: Size 0–6 Months and Size 12–24 Months, allowing crafters to customize the finished hat to their intended recipient's age and head circumference.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This beginner-friendly knitting project uses fundamental techniques appropriate for those new to the craft. The hat is constructed in the round, which is a core knitting method that creates seamless, cylindrical garments. The pattern begins with casting on stitches and uses a stitch marker to clearly identify the beginning of each round, ensuring consistent and organized work.

The body of the hat is created through alternating knit and purl rounds, which establish texture and structure in the lower portion. Once the desired length is achieved—measuring 4.75 inches from the cast-on edge for the smaller size—the pattern transitions to the crown shaping phase. This involves strategic decreasing using knit-two-together stitches worked through the back loop (K2togTBL) combined with standard knit-two-together decreases (K2tog). These decreasing rounds gradually reduce the stitch count from the initial cast-on number down to a manageable final group of stitches, which are then closed using a yarn needle to secure the crown opening.

Stitches Used

• Cast on: The foundation technique that creates the initial stitches on the needle
• Knit (K): The primary stitch that forms the fabric structure
• Purl (P): The reverse of the knit stitch, used to create textural variation
• Knit two together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease that reduces stitch count
• Knit two together through the back loop (K2togTBL): A left-leaning decrease variation that adds visual balance to the crown shaping

Materials and Tools

This project requires worsted weight yarn in brown, with yardage varying by size: 3 ounces for the Size 0–6 Months option or 4 ounces for the Size 12–24 Months option. Note that the pattern materials section references "Worsted weight," though the product attributes indicate aran weight yarn, which is a comparable medium weight suitable for this project.

Knitting needles in size 11 (8mm) are required. Crafters may choose between double-pointed needles (DPNs) or a 16-inch circular needle; the pattern specifically notes that DPNs are essential for working the top crown decreases where stitch counts become too small for circular needles. Additional supplies include one stitch marker (or two markers or safety pins as alternatives) to track round beginnings, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and closing the crown opening after the final stitches are decreased.

Skill Level

Designed as a beginner project, this Aviator Hat introduces knitters to in-the-round construction and basic shaping techniques without overwhelming complexity. The straightforward stitch patterns and clear decreasing sequence make it an excellent choice for those building foundational knitting skills.