Baby's Hat in Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Solids - Downloadable PDF

Baby's Hat Knitting Pattern – Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Solids (Free Downloadable PDF)

This free downloadable PDF pattern from Bernat provides instructions for knitting a classic baby's hat sized to fit infants from 3 months through 18 months. The design is straightforward and beginner-friendly, making it an ideal project for knitters who want to create a practical, comfortable hat for a newborn or young baby. The finished hat features a neat rolled or folded brim created through a simple knit-purl sequence, followed by a smooth stockinette body and a neatly shaped, decrease-tapered crown.

Sizes and Fit

The pattern is written for four sizes, covering infants aged 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. Instructions are written for the smallest size first, with adjustments for larger sizes given in parentheses throughout. The cast-on ranges from 70 to 91 stitches depending on the size chosen, and the body length above the brim ranges from approximately 2 to 3¾ inches, ensuring a snug and proportionate fit at each stage of early infancy.

Materials

The pattern is designed to be worked in either of two Bernat yarns:

• Bernat Handicrafter Cotton – a 50 g / 1.75 oz ball with approximately 73 m / 80 yds per ball, a smooth cotton yarn well suited to baby accessories thanks to its breathability and washability.
• Bernat Satin – a 100 g / 3.5 oz ball with approximately 149 m / 163 yds per ball, a silky, soft acrylic blend that gives a lustrous finish ideal for baby garments.

Both yarn options are lightweight and gentle against delicate infant skin. The pattern calls for two sizes of knitting needles — a smaller set for the brim ribbing section and a larger set for the main body — worked in the round, so a set of double-pointed needles or a short circular needle is recommended.

Gauge

The stated gauge is 18 stitches and 24 rows to 4 inches (10 cm) measured over stockinette stitch using the larger needles. Achieving correct gauge is especially important for infant sizing, as even small variations can significantly affect the finished dimensions of the hat.

Techniques and Construction

The hat is worked entirely in the round from the brim upward, which eliminates any seaming and produces a smooth, continuous fabric — ideal for a baby item that will sit against sensitive skin. Construction is divided into three clear sections:

• Brim: Worked on smaller needles, the brim begins with a cast-on and several rounds of knitting followed by alternating knit and purl rounds. This creates a decorative rolled or ridged edge that frames the baby's face neatly.
• Body: After switching to larger needles, the hat is worked in plain stockinette stitch in the round (knitting every round) until the body reaches the required length for the chosen size.
• Crown Shaping: The top of the hat is shaped using evenly spaced k2tog (knit two together) decreases on alternating rounds, reducing the stitch count gradually from the full cast-on number down to a small remaining group of stitches. This method produces a smooth, rounded crown without any abrupt angles.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch – the foundation of the stockinette body and brim
• Purl stitch – used in the brim section to create textural ridges
• K2tog (knit two together) – a basic right-leaning decrease used throughout the crown shaping
• Stockinette stitch in the round – achieved by knitting every round when working circularly

Pattern Format

This pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF from Bernat. It is written in standard knitting abbreviations and notation, with size variations clearly indicated in parentheses. The concise format makes it easy to follow for knitters of most experience levels, from confident beginners to