Our personalized name hat free knitting pattern is a way to personalize your knit project with the recipients initial from their name. This free knitting pattern will give you everything you need to make our hat in sizes toddlers, children and women.
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Supplies:
Yarn – Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick (Super Bulky 6).
Order online: (Lion Brand) (Amazon USA) (Amazon Canada) (Michaels) (Love Crafts)
Needles – US 13/9mm or whichever size needed to obtain gauge. Size US 13/9mm circular needles, 16” long and US 13/9mm double pointed needles for the decrease, if desired.
Darning needle, stitch marker, pompom maker, measuring tape and scissors. I use the Clover brand pompom makers – size 2.5” (green) size for the newborn and 0-3 month hats; and the 3 3/8” (blue) size for the larger sizes.
Gauge:
4” x 4” = 9 stitches and 12 rows in stocking stitch (same as pattern). I recommend using US 13 needles, but if you are a loose knitter you may need to drop down to US 11 or go up to US 15 for tighter knitters.
Be sure to check your gauge to ensure the hat will fit your little one properly.
Abbreviations:
K = Knit
P = Purl
K2tog = Knit two together
Size Information:
Before starting your hat, count the number of stitches there will be for the hat size and compare this to the number of stitches needed for the name you will be adding, including a space between each letter to ensure the name will fit. If the name is too long, consider using a shortened name, nickname or initials.
I have included my standard hat pattern in sizes Newborn up to Women. For the smaller sizes, such as newborn, many names will be too long to fit on the hat. The larger sizes will be able to accommodate longer names. Before starting, compare the number of stitches needed for the hat with the number of stitches the full name will require. Don’t forget a space between each letter. Initials are also a great way to personalize the hats if the name is too long.
You will knit the hat in the main color and then the letters are added afterwards using the duplicate stitch.
Directions:
Newborn:
Cast on 24 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 4 rounds.
K all for 7 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all for 1 round.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert the tail into the hat through the middle opening and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat. See chart below to add the design.
0-3 Months
Cast on 26 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 4 rounds.
K all for 8 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2together; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2.
K all for 1 round.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert tail into the hat through the middle and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat. See chart below to add the design.
3-6 Months
Cast on 28 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 5 rounds.
K all for 10 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all for 1 round.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert tail into the hat through the middle and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat. See chart below to add the design.
6-12 Months
Cast on 30 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 6 rounds.
K all for 10 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2. (23 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Next row – *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last 3 stitches, K1, K2together. (17 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert tail into the hat through the middle and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat.
1-3 Years
Cast on 32 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 7 rounds.
K all for 11 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end. (24 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Next row – *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end. (18 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert tail into the hat through the middle and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat.
4-12 Years
Cast on 34 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 7 rounds.
K all for 12 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last two stitches, K2. (26 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Next row – *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last two stitches, K2. (20 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert tail into the hat through the middle and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat. See chart below to add the design.
Women
Cast on 36 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 7 rounds.
K all for 13 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end. (27 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Next row – *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last three stitches, K1, K2tog. (20 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert tail into the hat through the middle and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat. See chart below to add the design.
Adding the letter:
Before starting your hat, count the number of stitches there will be for the hat size and compare this to the number of stitches needed for the name you will be adding, including a space between each letter to ensure the name will fit. If the name is too long, consider using a shortened name, nickname or initials.
Using the duplicate stitch, add the letters of your choice to your hat, starting at the bottom and working your way up, one letter at a time. Depending on which size hat I am making, I like to start it on the 2nd-3rd Knit All rows. Many letters can be easily modified if you would like to make them slightly taller or wider.
Although our patterns are always free on our blog, many prefer our premium ad-free, printer friendly, PDF versions. These are available to purchase HERE.
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