Baby Fairy Flower Hat - Knit Pattern

Delicate, stretchy and quick to knit: a soft DK baby hat with a little fairy flower embellishment. Sizes included: Newborn (0–3 months), 3–6 months, 6–12 months. One-skein project for most sizes; perfect for gift knitting.

Designer notes

This hat is worked in the round from the brim to the crown with an easy, evenly-spaced decrease sequence so it sits nicely on a baby’s head. The sweet flower is optional and can be crocheted or knitted; instructions for a tiny crochet flower are included as an optional embellishment.

Yarn

• DK / Light Worsted (8-ply UK) yarn, soft baby-friendly fiber (merino, cotton blend or acrylic). Sample worked in a soft merino blend.
• Suggested skein size: 50 g (112 yards / 102 m) typical DK sample. Yardage needed (approx): Newborn: 30–60 yds (27–55 m); 3–6 mo: 50–70 yds (46–65 m); 6–12 mo: 70–90 yds (64–82 m). One 50 g skein will cover most sizes.

Needles

• Ribbing: 16” / 40 cm circular or DPNs: US 5 / UK 8 / 3.75 mm.
• Main body: 16” / 40 cm circular or DPNs: US 6 / UK 7 / 4.0 mm.
• Set of double-pointed needles in same sizes if you prefer DPNs for the crown decreases.
• Optional crochet hook for flower: US F/5 / 3.75 mm (Metric given).

Note: US, UK Old and Metric needle sizes are provided above. If you substitute yarn or needles, check gauge.

Notions

• Stitch marker for beginning of round
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Small amount of contrasting yarn for flower
• Scissors and optional blocking tools

Gauge

22 sts x 30 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on 4.0 mm (US 6) needles. Adjust needle size if necessary to match gauge.

Finished measurements

• Newborn: circumference ~13 in / 33 cm, depth ~4.5 in / 11.5 cm
• 3–6 months: circumference ~15 in / 38 cm, depth ~5 in / 12.5 cm
• 6–12 months: circumference ~16 in / 41 cm, depth ~5.5 in / 14 cm

Sizes & stitch counts

Cast-on stitches (multiple of 8): Newborn: 72 sts; 3–6 months: 80 sts; 6–12 months: 88 sts.

Abbreviations (US)

• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
• CO = cast on
• pm = place marker
• st(s) = stitch(es)

Notes

• Hat is worked in the round from brim up. Use a stretchy cast-on (long-tail recommended).
• If you prefer a rolled brim, you can work in stockinette without the ribbing for a different look; adjust length.
• When working decreases, pattern shows a decrease round followed by a plain knit round to ease shaping and keep crown neat.

Pattern

1) Cast on & brim

Using smaller needles (US 5 / 3.75 mm), CO 72 (80, 88) sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.

Work in 1x1 rib (K1, P1) for 1.25 in / 3.2 cm (Newborn), 1.5 in / 3.8 cm (3–6 mo), 1.75 in / 4.5 cm (6–12 mo).

2) Body

Switch to larger needles (US 6 / 4.0 mm). Knit every round until total hat depth from cast-on edge measures 4 in / 10 cm (Newborn), 4.5 in / 11.5 cm (3–6 mo), 5 in / 12.5 cm (6–12 mo), ending after a full round. (Depth measured before crown decreases.)

3) Crown decreases

There are 8 decrease "spokes"; each decrease round reduces the total stitch count by 8. After each decrease round, work one plain knit round to settle the stitches. Continue the decrease/plain-round sequence until 8 sts remain, then gather and finish. The specific decrease instructions for each size are listed below (note the "K n, K2tog" repeat counts are exact for the starting stitch counts above).

Newborn (CO 72)

1. Round A: *K7, K2tog* around. (Repeat 8 times.) -- 72 -> 64 sts
2. Knit 1 round
3. Round B: *K6, K2tog* around. -- 64 -> 56
4. Knit 1 round
5. Round C: *K5, K2tog* around. -- 56 -> 48
6. Knit 1 round
7. Round D: *K4, K2tog* around. -- 48 -> 40
8. Knit 1 round
9. Round E: *K3, K2tog* around. -- 40 -> 32
10. Knit 1 round
11. Round F: *K2, K2tog* around. -- 32 -> 24
12. Knit 1 round
13. Round G: *K1, K2tog* around. -- 24 -> 16
14. Knit 1 round
15. Round H: *K2tog* around. -- 16 -> 8
16. Break yarn leaving a 6–8 in / 15–20 cm tail. Thread tail through tapestry needle and draw through remaining 8 sts, pull tight to close crown, secure and weave in end.

3–6 months (CO 80)

1. Round A: *K8, K2tog* around. -- 80 -> 72
2. Knit 1 round
3. Round B: *K7, K2tog* around. -- 72 -> 64
4. Knit 1 round
5. Round C: *K6, K2tog* around. -- 64 -> 56
6. Knit 1 round
7. Round D: *K5, K2tog* around. -- 56 -> 48
8. Knit 1 round
9. Round E: *K4, K2tog* around. -- 48 -> 40
10. Knit 1 round
11. Round F: *K3, K2tog* around. -- 40 -> 32
12. Knit 1 round
13. Round G: *K2, K2tog* around. -- 32 -> 24
14. Knit 1 round
15. Round H: *K1, K2tog* around. -- 24 -> 16
16. Knit 1 round
17. Round I: *K2tog* around. -- 16 -> 8
18. Break yarn leaving a 6–8 in / 15–20 cm tail. Thread tail through tapestry needle and draw through remaining 8 sts, pull tight to close crown, secure and weave in end.

6–12 months (CO 88)

1. Round A: *K9, K2tog* around. -- 88 -> 80
2. Knit 1 round
3. Round B: *K8, K2tog* around. -- 80 -> 72
4. Knit 1 round
5. Round C: *K7, K2tog* around. -- 72 -> 64
6. Knit 1 round
7. Round D: *K6, K2tog* around. -- 64 -> 56
8. Knit 1 round
9. Round E: *K5, K2tog* around. -- 56 -> 48
10. Knit 1 round
11. Round F: *K4, K2tog* around. -- 48 -> 40
12. Knit 1 round
13. Round G: *K3, K2tog* around. -- 40 -> 32
14. Knit 1 round
15. Round H: *K2, K2tog* around. -- 32 -> 24
16. Knit 1 round
17. Round I: *K1, K2tog* around. -- 24 -> 16
18. Knit 1 round
19. Round J: *K2tog* around. -- 16 -> 8
20. Break yarn leaving a 6–8 in / 15–20 cm tail. Thread tail through tapestry needle and draw through remaining 8 sts, pull tight to close crown, secure and weave in end.

Optional embellishments

Simple crochet fairy flower (quick)

Using small contrasting yarn and a crochet hook (US F/5 / 3.75 mm):

1. Chain 5, join with slip stitch to form a ring.
2. *Chain 6, slip stitch into ring; repeat from * 4 more times to make 5 petals.
3. Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing. Flatten petals, run a few stitches through the center with tapestry needle to shape, and sew flower to hat side. Optionally add a small bead or French knot with embroidery thread for the center.

Knitted alternative: tiny garter petal flower

1. Cast on 6 sts. Row 1: K across. Row 2: KFB across (12 sts). Row 3: K across. Bind off. Fold and sew forming a petal. Make 4–5 petals and sew together in the center. Attach to hat.

Finishing

• Sew on flower centered slightly to the side or wherever you prefer. Secure stitches well if the hat will be given to a baby who might put it in their mouth.
• Weave in all ends. Lightly block if using natural fibers to shape brim and flower.

Care

Follow yarn manufacturer’s instructions. For merino or blends, hand-wash and dry flat recommended. Acrylic: machine wash gentle and dry flat.

Support & links

Pattern and support: purljam.verde.uk. For help email: team@verde.uk. Share your makes with us on socials: #purljam.

Enjoy knitting—light, quick and full of charm!

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