Free Knitted Hat Pattern in 3 Sizes: Ripley Hat

Ripley Hat, a free knitted hat pattern

Ripley Hat is a free knitted hat pattern for this colorful, textured winter beanie! This knitted hat pattern begins with 1 x 1 ribbing. The ribbing resolves into reverse stockinette stitch in a staggered design.

This hat is reversible! If you like the look of traditional stockinette better, you can turn it wrong side out. The texture just isn’t as pronounced  on that side, so I like it this way better.

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How many stitches do I cast on for a hat?

The Ripley Hat is very stretchy! I suggest you make a size that is 4-8″ smaller around than the head of the wearer.

The pattern includes 3 sizes intended to fit toddlers, children, and adults. The sizes are 11 1/2, 13, and 16 inches around. This pattern uses worsted weight yarn and size 9 (5.5 mm) knitting needles. Depending on which size you want to make you will cast on 60, 70, or 80 stitches.

You could even go smaller or larger in multiples of 10 to make a hat smaller or larger than these 3 sizes. Just keep in mind that, as I said, the hat is very stretchy, so you will want to make it at least 4 inches smaller around than the head that will be wearing it.

What materials do I need to knit this hat?

For this knitted hat pattern you will need one skein of Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Aran Splatter. This yarn is SO soft and squishy! It’s not fuzzy, but very soft. I love the splatter dye effect on this yarn, and it comes in several pretty colorways! I’m tempted to purchase more skeins and make more of them!

You can purchase this yarn at your local LYS or order it through them if they don’t have it in stock.

You will also need size 9 (5.5 mm) knitting needles. You can use circulars or DPNs. I used long circulars and the magic loop method. If you need needles, I can recommend this beautiful interchangeable knitting needle set from KnitPicks.

In addition to those basics you will of course need a tapestry needle. If you want to add a pom pom to the top of your hat you will either need a faux fur pom and a button to sew to the inside of the hat for attachment. Or you will need a way to make a yarn pom pom. My favorite method of making yarn poms is the Clover pom pom maker.

Where can I get this free knitted hat pattern?

This free knitted hat pattern is available right here in this post! Scroll down for the free version

If you decide to use the free version, please bookmark this page and come back to it when you work on your project rather than trying to print or screenshot the page. Your time on this page helps me get paid for my work, so thank you!

If you prefer a PDF that is easy to download and print, you can purchase one on Ravelry or Etsy.

Ripley Hat, a Free Knit Hat Pattern

By April Garwood of Banana Moon Studio

(C)2024 April Garwood. As with all my patterns, please do not make paper or digital copies for others. Instead, please direct them to my website to get their own. Thank you!

Difficulty Level: Easy

Available Sizes: Toddler [Child, Adult]. Size shown is Adult.

Finished Measurements: 11 ½ [13, 16] inches circumference stretches 4-8 inches to fit a range of sizes. 8 ½ [8 ¾, 9] inches tall.

Yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Aran Splatter (100% Superwash Merino Wool; 3.5 oz/100 g; 150 yds/137.5 m; CYCA weight 4/Medium): 1 skein #16 Spring Bouquet.

Knitting Needles: 9 (5.5 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge. I used 40 inch circulars and the “magic loop” method. You could also use a set of five 6 inch DPNs, or circulars slightly shorter than the circumference of the hat you are making.

Notions: yarn needle, faux fur pom and button for attachment or large Clover® pom pom maker to make a yarn pom pom.

Gauge: 20 sts x 21 rows = About 4 inches in K1, P1 ribbing.

Hat

Knitting ribbing in the round tutorial.

CO 60 [70, 80] sts, join to work in the round.

Rnd 1: *K1, P1, repeat from * around — 60 [70, 80] sts.

Rnds 2-13: Repeat Rnd 1.

Rnds 14-16: *(K1, P1) 4 times, P2, repeat from * around.

Rnds 17-19: *(K1, P1) 3 times, P4, repeat from * around.

Rnds 20-22: *(K1, P1) 2 times, P6, repeat from * around.

Rnds 23-25: *K1, P9, repeat from * around.

Rnds 26-39: P each st.

Rnd 40: *P8, P2tog, repeat from * around — 52 [62, 72] sts.

Rnd 41: *P7, P2tog, repeat from * around — 44 [54, 64] sts.

Rnd 42: *P6, P2tog, repeat from * around — 36 [46, 56] sts.

Rnd 43: *P5, P2tog, repeat from * around — 28 [38, 48] sts.

Rnd 44: *P4, P2tog, repeat from * around — 20 [30, 40] sts.

Rnd 45: *P3, P2tog, repeat from * around — 12 [22, 32] sts. Bind off with long tail for Toddler size.

Rnd 46: *P2, P2tog, repeat from * around — 14 [24] sts.

Rnd 47: *P1, P2tog, repeat from * around — 6 [16] sts. Bind off with long tail for Child size.

Rnd 48: P2tog 8 times — 8 sts. Bind off with long tail for Adult size.

Finishing

Using a yarn needle, weave end through tops of last rnd of sts and take to inside through center hole. Turn hat WS out, pull end to close hole, weave in ends. If you would like your hat to be reversible, weave in your ends very neatly!

To attach a faux fur pom to your hat, sew a 1/2 to 3/4 inch button just inside the center top of your hat. Use thread that matches your hat so it won’t show much. Use a crochet hook to pull the elastic loop of the pom inside the top center hole of your hat and wrap it around the button to secure your pom.

To make a yarn pom use a Clover pom pom maker or your favorite method. Video instructions for using the Clover pom pom maker can be found here. Leave the ends of the center tie long and use a crochet hook to pull each end through a separate hole at the top of the hat. Tie these in a bow inside the hat.

Be sure to remove poms before washing!

And that finished this free knitted hat pattern. I hope you enjoyed making yours. I’d love to see it! You can share your project on Ravelry or in my Facebook group and I will see it in either place. Or you can share it on Instagram and tag me @bananamoonstudio.

Happy knitting!

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