Toddler Garter Stitch Hat

A cozy, reversible beanie worked entirely in garter stitch. Knit in the round from the brim up with simple decreases at the crown. Designed for beginners.

Skill level: Beginner

Skills used: Long-tail cast-on, knitting in the round, knit, purl, k2tog, gathering live stitches

Size

Toddler (1–3 years)

To fit head circumference: 19–20½" (48–52 cm)

Finished measurements

• Circumference: 17¾" (45 cm)
• Height: 7½" (19 cm)

Hat is shown with about 1¼–2¾" (3–7 cm) of negative ease.

Yarn

Worsted weight (CYC 4), approximately 110 yards (100 m)

Choose a soft, machine-washable wool, wool blend, or acrylic. One standard 200-yard (183 m) skein is enough.

Needles

• US 8 / 5 mm, 16" (40 cm) circular needle
• US 8 / 5 mm double-pointed needles (DPNs), or a long circular for magic loop, for the crown

Use whichever circular method you prefer. Change to DPNs (or magic loop) when the stitches no longer fit comfortably on the 16" needle.

Notions

• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors

Gauge

18 stitches and 32 rounds = 4" (10 cm) in garter stitch in the round, after blocking

Garter stitch in the round = knit 1 round, purl 1 round.

A flat garter swatch (knit every row) measures the same fabric and is fine for checking gauge.

Needle size is a suggestion. Change needle size to obtain the correct gauge.

Abbreviations (US)

Pattern notes

• The hat is worked in the round from the brim to the crown. There is no separate ribbed brim; the entire hat is garter stitch.
• Garter stitch in the round: Knit 1 round, purl 1 round. Two rounds make one visible ridge. If you knit every round, you will get stockinette — alternate knit and purl rounds.
• Cast on loosely so the brim will stretch over a toddler’s head.
• Do not twist the stitches when you join to work in the round.
• Crown decreases are all k2tog and create a gentle spiral. That is intentional and beginner-friendly.
• The fabric is reversible.

Instructions

Body

With circular needle, CO 80 sts loosely using a long-tail cast-on.

Place marker for BOR and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.

Garter stitch in the round

• Rnd 1: Knit.
• Rnd 2: Purl.

Repeat Rnds 1 and 2 until the piece measures 5½" (14 cm) from the cast-on edge, ending after a purl round (so the next round is a knit round).

A 5½" body is 44 rounds at pattern gauge (44 ÷ 32 × 4 = 5½" ✓).

Crown

Change to DPNs (or magic loop) when the stitches feel tight on the circular needle — often around 48–40 sts.

Rnd 1 (dec): *K8, k2tog; repeat from * to end of rnd. 72 sts (80 − 8 = 72 ✓)

Rnd 2: Purl.

Rnd 3 (dec): *K7, k2tog; repeat from * to end of rnd. 64 sts (72 − 8 = 64 ✓)

Rnd 4: Purl.

Rnd 5 (dec): *K6, k2tog; repeat from * to end of rnd. 56 sts (64 − 8 = 56 ✓)

Rnd 6: Purl.

Rnd 7 (dec): *K5, k2tog; repeat from * to end of rnd. 48 sts (56 − 8 = 48 ✓)

Rnd 8: Purl.

Rnd 9 (dec): *K4, k2tog; repeat from * to end of rnd. 40 sts (48 − 8 = 40 ✓)

Rnd 10: Purl.

Rnd 11 (dec): *K3, k2tog; repeat from * to end of rnd. 32 sts (40 − 8 = 32 ✓)

Rnd 12: Purl.

Rnd 13 (dec): *K2, k2tog; repeat from * to end of rnd. 24 sts (32 − 8 = 24 ✓)

Rnd 14: Purl.

Rnd 15 (dec): *K1, k2tog; repeat from * to end of rnd. 16 sts (24 − 8 = 16 ✓)

Rnd 16: Purl.

Rnd 17 (dec): *K2tog; repeat from * to end of rnd. 8 sts (16 − 8 = 8 ✓)

Crown is 17 rounds = 2⅛" (5.5 cm) at pattern gauge (17 ÷ 32 × 4 = 2⅛" ✓). Total height: 5½" + 2⅛" ≈ 7½" (19 cm) ✓.

Finishing

Cut yarn, leaving an 8" (20 cm) tail.

Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle. Draw the needle through the remaining 8 sts, slipping them off the knitting needle as you go. Pull snug to close the top of the hat. Pass the tail through the 8 sts once more, then to the wrong side.

Weave in all ends securely on the inside.

Block lightly if desired: dampen the hat, shape it to 17¾" (45 cm) around and 7½" (19 cm) tall, and let it dry flat. Do not stretch the brim wider than the finished circumference.

Checklist before you gift or wear it

• Brim stretches comfortably over a toddler head and recovers.
• Crown hole is fully closed; no gaps.
• All ends are woven in and trimmed.
• No loose loops a child could catch fingers in.