How to Knit a Garter Stitch Hat: A Guide for Beginners

One of the easiest projects you can make is a Grater Stitch Hat, which is made with only knit on every row and very simple decreases.
It will be a super cozy and fun hat that is easy to make with easy-to-find tools and materials!

Materials You’ll Need

• Size 11 US (8mm) knitting needles: These large needles make the project go faster and give the hat a nice, chunky texture.

  

• Worsted or chunky weight yarn: Choose a yarn that is soft and warm. You’ll need around 100-150 grams to complete the hat.

• Tapestry needle: For weaving in ends and sewing the hat together.

• Stitch markers: To help keep track of sections while shaping the crown of the hat.

• Scissors: sharp, like crafting scissors.

• Measuring tape: To check the length of your knitting.

Gauge

Guage helps you determine how many stitches and rows you need for a knitted piece (area) and we all have different gauges because of the tension of our hands.

For this pattern, you’ll need to knit a small swatch to check your gauge.

Gauge: 4” (10 cm) = 12.5 stitches in garter stitch.

Instructions for Knitting a Garter Stitch Hat

This hat is worked flat (back and forth) on two needles and later seamed together to form a hat. The beauty of the garter stitch (knitting every row) is that it’s easy and produces a stretchy fabric, making it an ideal stitch for beginners.

1. Casting On
Cast on 66 stitches with the 11 US (8mm) knitting needles.
This will create a hat with a circumference of about 21 inches, which is a medium adult size.

2. Knit the Body of the Hat
Knit every row in garter stitch until your piece measures 5.5 inches (14 cm).
This will form the main body of the hat.

2.Shaping the Crown
After reaching 5.5 inches, it’s time to begin shaping the crown of the hat.
This is done by gradually decreasing the number of stitches.

•  Mark the Right Side of Your Work

  Place a stitch marker on the right side of your work. This helps you keep track of which side is which, especially during the crown shaping section that follows.

Crown Decrease Pattern

For the crown, you will be decreasing on odd-numbered rows and knitting all stitches on even-numbered rows. Remember that odd-numbered rows are the right side.
Row 1 (Right Side): Knit 9 stitches, knit 2 together, pass marker. Repeat until the last 2 stitches, knit together. You’ll now have 60 stitches.
Row 2: Knit all 60 stitches.
Row 3: Knit 8 stitches, knit 2 together, pass marker. Repeat to the end. Last 2 stitches, knit together. You’ll now have 54 stitches.
Row 4: Knit all 54 stitches.
Row 5: Knit 7 stitches, knit 2 together, pass marker. Repeat to the end. Last 2 stitches, knit together. You’ll now have 48 stitches.
Row 6: Knit all 48 stitches.
Row 7: Knit 6 stitches, knit 2 together, pass marker. Repeat to the end. Last 2 stitches, knit together. You’ll now have 42 stitches.
Row 8: Knit all 42 stitches.
Row 9: Knit 5 stitches, knit 2 together, pass marker. Repeat to the end. Last 2 stitches, knit together. You’ll now have 36 stitches.
Row 10: Knit all 36 stitches.
Row 11: Knit 4 stitches, knit 2 together, pass marker. Repeat to the end. Last 2 stitches, knit together. You’ll now have 30 stitches.
Row 12: Knit all 30 stitches.
Row 13: Knit 3 stitches, knit 2 together, pass marker. Repeat to the end. Last 2 stitches, knit together. You’ll now have 24 stitches.
Row 14: Knit all 24 stitches.
Row 15: Knit 2 stitches, knit 2 together, pass marker. Repeat to the end. Last 2 stitches, knit together. You’ll now have 18 stitches.
Row 16: Knit all 18 stitches.
Row 17: Knit 1 stitch, knit 2 together, pass marker. Repeat to the end. Last 2 stitches, knit together. You’ll now have 12 stitches.
Row 18: Knit all 12 stitches.

3. Finishing the Crown
Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail (around 10-12 inches).
Using a tapestry needle, thread the tail through the remaining 12 stitches. Pull tight to close the top of the hat.

4. Finishing the Hat
Once you’ve finished the crown, it’s time to finish up the hat by sewing it together and weaving in any loose ends.

5. Sewing the Seam
Fold the hat so the two sides meet, with the wrong side facing out.
Using the long tail of yarn, sew up the side of the hat using a mattress stitch or whip stitch. This will close the hat and form a tube-like shape.

6. Weaving in the Ends
After sewing the seam, use your tapestry needle to weave in any loose ends on the inside of the hat. Trim any excess yarn.

Optional: Adding a Pom-Pom
For a fun finishing touch, add a pom-pom to the top of your hat. You can make one using leftover yarn or purchase a pre-made one.
Just attach the pom-pom securely to the top of the hat by sewing it in place with yarn or thread.

This was a fun project to work with, right? Easy.
We have many more beginner projects for you, just check out the links below:

How To Knit A Scarf For Beginners

Best Way To Seam Your Knits

7 Beginner Knitting Techniques You Need To Know

RESOURCES

 How To Knit: The Absolute Beginners Guide

The Beginners Toolkit

100 Popular Knitting Definitions

Beginner Knitting Projects

Knitting Basics Playlist on our YouTube channel

Needle Size Conversion Table