Charlie Hat – Free Knitting Pattern in Four Sizes

The Charlie hat came about after my son, Charlie, requested a hat with “lots of colors.”  He wanted blue, green, black, red, pink, and so on.  Well, I didn’t have a yarn that had every color requested in my stash, and I didn’t feel like switching colors a million times on this project, so I decided to use the multi-colored Peruvian variety of Red Heart Super Saver.

Now, I know what some knitters will be thinking.  Red Heart?  Really?  That itchy, stiff, cheap yarn?  I hear you.  I really do.  I love a nice, soft, luxury wool, preferably hand-dyed locally.  However, that is not always the best choice for every project.  I have two small boys, and they are messy.  They outgrow things, drag them through the mud, and grind them under wet boots.  So, sometimes I need a yarn that is washable and inexpensive.  So, Red Heart it is.  What I discovered is that it really isn’t too stiff, and it doesn’t itch.  If you want to soften it up, run it through the wash.  It helps immensely.  Also, the Peruvian print is really striking knit up.

If you don’t want to use Red Heart, that is no problem.  You can substitute your favorite worsted-weight yarn and have at it.  This is a very classic hat, simple ribbing, standard fit (a break from the slouchy hats), and it looks great in so many different yarns.  Personally, I have a skein of gorgeous Malabrigo in a vibrant pink that I plan to use for this little baby.

The pattern is available in four sizes.  I have tested each of them, and they fit great.  Really, the ribbing allows a lot of give.  It is also easy to customize, so if you do want a slouchier style, just add 1-2 inches to the stated length before the decrease.

I really hope you enjoy this hat as much as I do.  It is my new go-to beanie.

Charlie Hat – Free Knitting Pattern

Materials:

Worsted weight yarn (1 236-yard skein made a toddler, child, and adult hat)

Size 8 Circular Knitting Needles (16″)

Size 8 Double-Pointed Knitting Needles (Set of 4)

Yarn needle

Gauge:

Approximately 17 rows and 19 stitches (un-stretched ribbing)=4″

Sizes:

Baby-0-12 months

Toddler-1-3 years

Child-3-10 years

Adult

Instructions:

Baby:

Using the long-tail cast-on method, cast on 60 sts. with the circular needles.

Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.

Round 1: Work (K1, P2) around.

Repeat Round 1 until your piece measures 5.5″ from the beginning.

Begin decreasing:

Decrease Round 1: (K1, P2tog) around. (40 sts)

Decrease Round 2: (K1, P1) around. (40 sts)

Switch to double-pointed knitting needles.

Decrease Round 3: (K2, K2tog) around. (30 sts)

Decrease Round 4: Knit around. (30 sts)

Decrease Round 5: (K1, K2 tog) around. (20 sts)

Decrease Round 6: (K2tog) around. (10 sts)

Decrease Round 7: (K2tog) around. (5 sts)

Finishing:

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail.

Using the yarn needle, draw the tail through the remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure.

Weave in the loose ends with the yarn needle.

Toddler:

Using the long-tail cast-on method, cast on 66 sts. with the circular needles.

Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.

Round 1: Work (K1, P2) around.

Repeat Round 1 until your piece measures 7″ from the beginning.

Begin decreasing:

Decrease Round 1: (K1, P2tog) around. (44 sts)

Decrease Round 2: (K1, P1) around. (44 sts)

Switch to double-pointed knitting needles.

Decrease Round 3: (K2, K2tog) around. (33 sts)

Decrease Round 4: Knit around. (33 sts)

Decrease Round 5: (K1, K2 tog) around. (22 sts)

Decrease Round 6: Knit around. (22 sts)

Decrease Round 7: (K2tog) around. (11 sts)

Finishing:

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail.

Using the yarn needle, draw the tail through the remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure.

Weave in the loose ends with the yarn needle.

Child:

Using the long-tail cast-on method, cast on 72 sts. with the circular needles.

Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.

Round 1: Work (K1, P2) around.

Repeat Round 1 until your piece measures 8″ from the beginning.

Begin decreasing:

Decrease Round 1: (K1, P2tog) around. (48 sts)

Decrease Round 2: (K1, P1) around. (48 sts)

Decrease Round 3: (K2, K2tog) around. (36 sts)

Decrease Round 4: Knit around. (36 sts)

Switch to double-pointed knitting needles.

Decrease Round 5: (K1, K2 tog) around. (24 sts)

Decrease Round 6: Knit around. (24 sts)

Decrease Round 7: (K2tog) around. (12 sts)

Finishing:

Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail.

Using the yarn needle, draw the tail through the remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure.

Weave in the loose ends with the yarn needle.

Adult:

Using the long-tail cast-on method, cast on 78 sts. with the circular needles.

Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.

Round 1: Work (K1, P2) around.

Repeat Round 1 until your piece measures 9″ from the beginning.

Begin decreasing:

Decrease Round 1: (K1, P2tog) around. (52 sts)

Decrease Round 2: (K1, P1) around. (52 sts)

Decrease Round 3: (K2, K2tog) around. (39 sts)

Decrease Round 4: Knit around. (39 sts)

Switch to double-pointed knitting needles.

Decrease Round 5: (K1, K2 tog) around. (26 sts)

Decrease Round 6: Knit around. (26 sts)

Decrease Round 7: (K2tog) around. (13 sts)

Finishing:

Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail.

Using the yarn needle, draw the tail through the remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure.

Weave in the loose ends with the yarn needle.

If you have any questions about the pattern, please feel free to ask!  Again, I hope you enjoy!