Seed Stitch Baby Hat with Ribbed Brim

Easy Worsted-Weight Beanie (Beginner)

A soft, stretchy baby hat worked in the round from the brim up. The brim is classic k2, p2 rib for a snug, comfortable fit; the body is simple seed stitch for texture and warmth. Crown shaping uses easy decreases. Perfect first in-the-round project.

Sizes

Newborn (6–12 months, 12–24 months) To fit head circumference approx 13–14 (15–16, 17–18)" / 33–35.5 (38–40.5, 43–45.5) cm

Finished circumference (unstretched): 12½ (14¼, 16)" / 32 (36, 40.5) cm
Finished height (brim to crown, unstretched): 5½ (6¼, 7)" / 14 (16, 18) cm

Shown in size 6–12 months. Choose size with 1–1½" / 2.5–4 cm negative ease.

Yarn

Worsted weight yarn (CYC #4)
Approx 60 (80, 100) yd / 55 (75, 90) m
Example: 1 skein soft washable wool or cotton-blend worsted

Needles

US 7 / 4.5 mm and US 8 / 5 mm, 12–16" / 30–40 cm circular and/or double-pointed needles (DPNs), or sizes needed to obtain gauge
(Use smaller needle for brim, larger for body, or same size throughout if preferred.)

Notions

Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors
Optional: pompom maker or ready-made pompom

Gauge

18 sts and 28 rnds = 4" / 10 cm in seed stitch on larger needles, blocked
(Take time to check gauge; hat circumference depends on it.)

Abbreviations (US)

CO cast on
k knit
p purl
k2tog knit 2 together (1 st decreased)
p2tog purl 2 together (1 st decreased)
rnd(s) round(s)
st(s) stitch(es)
pm place marker
sm slip marker
rep repeat

Notes

• Hat is worked in the round. Join carefully without twisting; pm for beginning of rnd.
• Seed stitch in the round (even number of sts):
  Rnd 1: *k1, p1; rep from * to end.
  Rnd 2: *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
  Rep Rnds 1–2 for pattern. (Each stitch is the opposite of the stitch below it.)
• Brim uses smaller needle for a firmer edge (optional but recommended).
• When working crown, switch to DPNs when stitches no longer fit comfortably on circular needle.
• Inline counts are validated with ✓.

Pattern Instructions

Brim

With smaller needles and long-tail (or preferred stretchy) cast-on, CO 56 (64, 72) sts.
Join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist; pm for beg of rnd.
(56 ÷ 4 = 14, 64 ÷ 4 = 16, 72 ÷ 4 = 18 ✓ — multiple of 4 for k2p2.)

Rib rnd: *k2, p2; rep from * to end.
Rep Rib rnd until brim measures 1¼" / 3 cm from CO edge.

Body

Change to larger needles.

Work in seed stitch as follows:
Rnd 1: *k1, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 2: *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Rep Rnds 1–2 until piece measures 4¼ (5, 5¾)" / 11 (12.5, 14.5) cm from CO edge, ending after a Rnd 2 (so next rnd begins with k1).
Stitch count remains 56 (64, 72) sts ✓.

Crown Shaping

Continue with larger needles (switch to DPNs when needed). Decreases keep the fabric tidy for beginners; seed texture softens as stitches reduce.

Rnd 1 (dec): *k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2tog; rep from * to end.
56 (64, 72) sts → 49 (56, 63) sts (7 / 8 / 9 reps of 8 sts → 7 sts each: 7×7=49, 8×7=56, 9×7=63 ✓).

Rnd 2: *p1, k1; rep from * to last st, p1.
(Work stitches as they appear / maintain seed as possible.)

Rnd 3 (dec): *k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, k2tog; rep from * to end.
49 (56, 63) → 42 (48, 54) sts (7 / 8 / 9 reps of 7 → 6: 7×6=42, 8×6=48, 9×6=54 ✓).

Rnd 4: *p1, k1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 5 (dec): *k1, p1, k1, p1, k2tog; rep from * to end.
42 (48, 54) → 35 (40, 45) sts (7×5=35, 8×5=40, 9×5=45 ✓).

Rnd 6: *p1, k1; rep from * to last st, p1.

Rnd 7 (dec): *k1, p1, k1, k2tog; rep from * to end.
35 (40, 45) → 28 (32, 36) sts (7×4=28, 8×4=32, 9×4=36 ✓).

Rnd 8: *p1, k1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 9 (dec): *k1, p1, k2tog; rep from * to end.
28 (32, 36) → 21 (24, 27) sts (7×3=21, 8×3=24, 9×3=27 ✓).

Rnd 10: *p1, k1; rep from * to last st, p1.

Rnd 11 (dec): *k1, k2tog; rep from * to end.
21 (24, 27) → 14 (16, 18) sts (7×2=14, 8×2=16, 9×2=18 ✓).

Rnd 12: Purl.

Rnd 13 (dec): *k2tog; rep from * to end.
14 (16, 18) → 7 (8, 9) sts ✓.

Size Newborn only: Next rnd: k2tog 3 times, k1 — 4 sts remain.
Size 6–12 mo only: Next rnd: *k2tog; rep from * to end — 8 sts remain.
Size 12–24 mo only: Next rnd: *k2tog; rep from * to last st, k1 — 5 sts remain.

(Final counts ready for cinching: 4 / 8 / 5 sts ✓.)

Finishing

Cut yarn, leaving an 8" / 20 cm tail. Thread tail through remaining stitches, pull tight to close top, and secure on wrong side.
Weave in all ends.
Block lightly if desired (pat into shape; do not stretch rib excessively).
Optional: Attach a pompom securely to the crown.

Tips for beginners

• Count stitches after the cast-on and after each decrease round.
• If seed stitch “columns” of knits/purls appear, you repeated the same round twice — frog back one round and alternate.
• For a slouchier hat, work body ½–1" / 1.5–2.5 cm longer before crown.
• Machine-washable yarn is ideal for baby knits.

Enjoy your seed-stitch baby hat!