Waffle Stitch Knit Hat

Looking for the latest style of knitted hat? This waffle stitch knit hat is a popular style this year! What does that mean for you? You get to sport the latest trends at the fraction of the cost and they make great gifts! Especially for those hard to shop for teens, and it’s unisex. :)

Get the free waffle stitch knit hat pattern below or purchase the ad-free, downloadable & printable PDF on Etsy, Raverly or LoveCrafts.

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About the Pattern

This waffle stitch hat is knit in the round from the brim to the crown. Start by knitting a short or fold-over brim, knit in the waffle stitch pattern, which is a 2 row repeat and then you’ll decrease for the crown using knit stitches and decrease stitches.

• Available Sizes: Three Sizes
• Size: 20 – 22″ Inch Head Circumference
• Pattern Format: Written Pattern, No Chart
• Pattern Language: English
• Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
• PDF Format: Printer Friendly
• Bonus: Video

Note: The small size will need to be knit on a smaller cable or in the magic loop method. The medium & large can be knit on a 16″ cable.

Techniques

This is not a beginner pattern, however there’s a video below where I talk about the yarn that I used, mistakes that I made and how to knit the waffle stitch pattern.

Here are some of the knitting skills you need to know before getting started:

• Knit in the round
• Pick-up a stitch
• Knit into the stitch below
• Decrease stitches

Yarn & Substitutions

Yarn Weight: Aran Weight Yarn
Yardage: 210 – 215 yds (192 – 196 meters)
Suggested Yarn: Lion Brand Feels Like Butta Yarn

Aran weight yarn is slightly thinner than a worsted weight yarn, so if you have a worsted weight yarn that’s a bit on the thin side I’d recommend giving it a try. This stitch would look beautiful in a bulky yarn too!

This yarn is so unique, as is the stitch, so different yarns give you different results. I tried about a half dozen different yarns with this stitch for this hat and Feels Like Butta was my favorite, with Lion Brand Heartland coming in as a close second.

Expert tip: This stitch eats up the yarn… it’s a poofy stitch, giving you extra squishiness & extra warmth. It’s double thick & airy and absolutely gorgeous! I highly get recommend getting an extra ball of yarn, so you’re not playing yarn chicken.

Needles & Notions

• Size US 6 (4mm) Circular Needles with a 16” (40cm) Cable
• Extras: 8 Stitch Markers
• Darning or Tapestry Needle
• Scissors

Gauge

16 STS & 22 rounds per 4” (10 cm) square, knit in the waffle stitch pattern below 

As much as I dislike knitted gauges, I highly recommend knitting a gauge for this pattern. For one, to get familiar with the stitch before you cast-on so many stitches and two, to get your tension perfect. It’s important to play with different yarns and needle sizes to see which combination gives you the perfect tension & style you’re looking for.

Sizes

One size (adult medium) fits most, however there’s a small size for younger kids and a larger size for bigger heads, aka big brains, or those of you blessed with thick curly hair. ;)

• Small (Child-Tween): 18-20″ Head Circumference
• Medium Adult (Teen – Adult Women): 20-22″ Head Circumference
• Large Adult (Adult Male): 22-24″ Head Circumference

Pattern Notes

Not reversible.
Knit bottom up.
Knit using the waffle knit stitch.
Knit in the round with a circular needle.
When knitting in the round you’re always knitting the right side of your work.

Video Tutorials

Waffle stitch is a popular stitch pattern that looks beautiful on a knitted hat. I show how to knit a waffle stitch hat with ease.

Get the free waffle stitch knit hat pattern below or purchase the ad-free, downloadable & printable PDF on Etsy, Raverly or LoveCrafts.

Modification Options

• Slouchy vs beanie.
• 1×1 rib or 2×2 ribbed brim.
• Short brim or fold over brim.
• Knit an oversized hat to add a fur, fleece or flannel lining for extra warmth!
• Pompom or no pom-pom???
• Add a small leather label to brand it: small square label, like Carhart, or a folded leather label, like C.C.

Ugh, decisions, decisions! 🤔

Knitting Abbreviations

*– * – repeat between * to end of round
BO – bind-off in pattern
CO – cast-on (long-tail cast-on method)
K – knit stitches (K1 means to knit 1 stitch)
K1B – insert right needle, as if to knit, into the stitch below and then knit
P – purl stitches (P2 means to purl 2 stitches)
PULY+P1 – pick up the long yarn created by the K1B, purl both together
PM – place marker
STS – stitches

PULY+P1 is not in US terms. I made this up to make it easier to read the pattern at a glance.

Save it for Later

• Buy the ad-free, printer-friendly pattern on Etsy, Raverly or LoveCrafts.
• Pin-it to Pinterest for later here.

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SMALL Pattern Instructions : Knit in the Round

Small (Child): 18-20″ Head Circumference

CO 64 STS, using the long-tail cast-on method, or stretchy cast-on of your choice, PM, join in the round.

Ribbing for the brim:
Rounds 1-6: *K1, P1*

Hat body (waffle stitch):
Round 7: *K1, K1B*
Round 8: *P1, PULY+P1*
Round 9: *K1B, K1*
Round 10: *PULY+P1, P1*
Repeat Rounds 7-10, for about 6″ (21.5cm), or until desired height.

End on a round 7 or 9 before decreasing for the crown to avoid a bumpy row before starting the decrease. :)

Decrease for the crown / top of the hat:
Round 1: Knit all stitches (place a stitch marker every 8 stitches, optional)
Round 2: *K6, K2TOG*
Round 3: *K5, K2TOG*
Round 4: *K4, K2TOG*
Round 5: *K3, K2TOG*
Round 6: *K2, K2TOG*
Round 7: *K1, K2TOG*
Round 8: *K2TOG*

To finish, go to the “End ALL Versions” section below.

MEDIUM Pattern Instructions : Knit in the Round

Medium (Tween – Adult Women): 20-22″ Head Circumference

CO 72 STS, using the long-tail cast-on method, or stretchy cast-on of your choice, PM, join in the round.

Ribbing for the brim:
Rounds 1-6: *K1, P1*

Hat body (waffle stitch):
Round 7: *K1, K1B*
Round 8: *P1, PULY+P1*
Round 9: *K1B, K1*
Round 10: *PULY+P1, P1*
Repeat Rounds 7-10, for about 8″ (21.5cm), or until desired height.

End on a round 7 or 9 before decreasing for the crown to avoid a bumpy row before starting the decrease. :)

Decrease for the crown / top of the hat:
Round 1: Knit all stitches (place a stitch marker every 9 stitches, optional)
Round 2: *K7, K2TOG*
Round 3: *K6, K2TOG*
Round 4: *K5, K2TOG*
Round 5: *K4, K2TOG*
Round 6: *K3, K2TOG*
Round 7: *K2, K2TOG*
Round 8: *K1, K2TOG*
Round 9: *K2TOG*

To finish, go to the “End ALL Versions” section below.

LARGE Pattern Instructions : Knit in the Round

Large Adult Size (Some Adult Women & Adult Males): 22-24″ Head Circumference

CO 88 STS, using the long-tail cast-on method, or stretchy cast-on of your choice, PM, join in the round.

Ribbing for the brim:
Rounds 1-6: *K1, P1*

Hat body (waffle stitch):
Round 7: *K1, K1B*
Round 8: *P1, PULY+P1*
Round 9: *K1B, K1*
Round 10: *PULY+P1, P1*
Repeat Rounds 7-10, for about 10″ (21.5cm), or until desired height.

End on a round 7 or 9 before decreasing for the crown to avoid a bumpy row before starting the decrease. :)

Decrease for the crown / top of the hat:
Round 1: Knit all stitches (place a stitch marker every 11 stitches, optional)
Round 2: *K9, K2TOG*
Round 3: *K8, K2TOG*
Round 4: *K7, K2TOG*
Round 5: *K6, K2TOG*
Round 6: *K5, K2TOG*
Round 7: *K4, K2TOG*
Round 8: *K3, K2TOG*
Round 9: *K2, K2TOG*
Round 10: *K1, K2TOG*
Round 11: *K2TOG*

To finish, go to the “End ALL Versions” section below.

End ALL Versions

Without binding-off, cut the yarn leaving a 10” {25cm} tail. Thread the darning needle and thread it through the remaining STS, pull tightly, push through the top hole to the inside and then weave in the ends.

No blocking necessary.

Note: I ended up with a “seam” where the stitch marker was when I transitioned to the next round. I tried to tighten the stitch, but it didn’t work as well as I’d hoped. You can sew it up to bring it together better. However, once you have it on, it’s not really noticeable that you have the seam in the back.

Print this Pattern

I know many of you enjoy working from a paper copy of your knitting pattern that’s why I offer a printer-friendly PDF completely ad-freeon Etsy, Raverly or LoveCrafts.

That way you can have lifetime access to it and download it to any device and view it from anywhere, without ads {and the pattern might not be around forever}.

The ads on this website make it possible for me to offer the patterns for free, that way you can try it before you buy it. :)

More cozy knit hat patterns you’ll love

Get the free waffle stitch knit hat pattern below or purchase the ad-free, downloadable & printable PDF on Etsy, Raverly or LoveCrafts.