Inside: Free needle knit boyfriend hat pattern and tutorial videos. Includes designs for solid color or with added accent stripe.
“What did you do with my hat?”
This is that hat.
The one you always “borrow” from your boyfriend.
And why not? It’s the perfect fitted beanie but with a little extra room so it doesn’t ruin your hair. I’m here to help you keep the peace in your relationship by giving you a pattern that includes sizes for both you and your boyfriend so you don’t have to share.
Knit in the round using the diamond lace stitch, the needle knit Boyfriend Hat has the look of crocheted mesh. (I even have tips to resize with larger needles for a more open mesh.)
You’re going to love the simple contrast stripe and rounded skull cap crown on this reversible beanie. Or work the entire project with a color changing yarn for a unique hat every time.
This intermediate level pattern includes knitting through the back loop and slipping stitches back and forth on your needles to create the unique diamond lace stitch. I’ve got video links for the techniques below to help you out.
Stay tuned next week since I’m filming the special method to shape the hat top soon. I’ll show you how to work the decreases and keep the diamond lace stitch pattern smooth. You’re going to love how great it looks!
Boyfriend Hat Pattern
By Kristen Mangus
MATERIALS
Links below are affiliate links to products I used to create this pattern/video. Clicking the links costs you nothing, but helps support GoodKnit Kisses.
Yarn: Bulky weight yarn Red Heart Italian Story Vera (3.5 oz/100 g; 135 yds/123 m)
Contrast A Latte. 1 ball.
Contrast B Pietra. 1 ball.
US 10.5 (6.5 mm) 16-20” circular needles.
(optional) US 10.5 (6.5 mm) DPNs for crown.
Knitters Pride Dreamz Interchangeable Needles used in sample.
Notions
Tapestry needle
1 Stitch marker to mark beginning of round
7 (9) stitch markers in different color than beginning marker
ABBREVIATIONS
Approx = Approximate(ly)
Beg = Begin(ning)
DLS = Diamond Lace Stitch
K = Knit
ktbl = Knit through back loop (twisted stitch; place needle behind left needle and knit stitch)
P = Purl
PM = Place Marker
Rep = Repeat
Rnd(s) = Round(s)
Slpw = Slip 1 purl wise (slide stitch from left needle to right needle not twisting)
Sl2 prev sts back = Slip 2 previous stitches back (slide 2 stitch from right needle back to left needle not twisting)
Ssk tbl = Slip Slip knit through back loop (twisted decrease; slip 1 knitwise, slip 1 purlwise, place left needle in both stitches in front and knit stitch behind right needle)
St(s) = Stitch(es)
GAUGE
3 sts x 3.5 rows in 1” (2.5 cm) in diamond lace stitch pattern
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate
MEASUREMENTS
Women: 18.5” circumference x 8.5” high [47 cm x 21.5 cm]
(Men: 23” circumference x 9.75” high [58.4 cm x 24.7 cm])
SIZE
Women (Men)
NOTES
Beanie is worked in the round. Notes written as if right-hand dominant knitter; please switch note to left as needed.
To change yarn or needle sizes cast on a multiple of 8.
Red Heart Italian Story Vera is listed as a bulky (#5) weight yarn, but in reality it is a light bulky or heavy worsted weight. Note that if you use a true bulky yarn your finished hat may be slightly bigger.
Alternate sizing: For more open meshwork use a larger needle size. With yarn listed above and needle size US 13 (or size to obtain gauge) to get 2.5 sts per inch. I recommend a cast on of 48 (56).
The crown/top of this hat uses a unique method to decrease due to the diamond lace stitch pattern. The extra stitch markers are essential to maintaining your stitch count while decreasing. Video tutorial showing the decrease method for the diamond lace stitch COMING SOON!
Diamond Lace Stitch (DLS):
- Multiple of 2 stitches.
- All stitches are twisted knit (ktbl – knit through the back loop).
- Each stitch of the round gets worked twice making it twice the height of a standard stockinette row. This is what makes it look crocheted!
- DLS in the round is like a spiral.
INSTRUCTIONS
With contrast A, cast on 56 (72), PM and connect in the round. This beginning marker will get slipped back and forth each round in order to work last stitch for the 2nd time in the diamond lace sequence.
Brim:
Foundation Rnd: *K, p. Rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 1: *Slpw, ktbl, sl2 prev sts back, ktbl. Rep from * to end of round.
Rep Rnd 1 for Diamond Lace Stitch/DLS pattern until approx 3 ½ (4) inches in length. Cut A leaving 6 inch tail.
Accent Band [Optional – If using one color only, work 2 more DLS rnds in contrast A]:
Rnd 2: With B join at first stitch tbl by repeating Rnd 1 instructions. Slip the next stitch to the previous round and work in A once more. Continue round using B.
Rnd 3: Repeat Rnd 1 in contrast B. Cut B leaving a 6 inch tail.
Remaining Pattern:
Rnd 4: With A repeat Rnd 1.
Rep Rnd 1 two (four) more times or until length reaches approx 5 (6) inches.
Shape Top:
Rnd 1: Rep DLS as rnd 1 until 6 sts on right needle and working yarn on 6th st. Decrease – Slpw, ssk tbl, sl2 prev sts back, ktbl, PM. [7 sts on right needle between markers]. Rep from * working DLS and decrease sections until 8 sts remain on left needle from beg marker. Rep DLS until 5 sts on right needle after previous marker. Decrease – Slpw, ssk tbl, sl2 prev sts back, ktbl. [49 (63) sts remain after all decreases].
Rnd 2 and alternate rnds: Repeat DLS pattern and remove markers as you go.
Rnd 3: Rep DLS as rnd 1 until 5 sts on right needle and working yarn on 5th st. Decrease – Slpw, ssk tbl, sl2 prev sts back, ktbl, PM. [6 sts on right needle between markers]. Rep from * working DLS and decrease sections until 7 sts remain on left needle from beg marker. Rep DLS until 4 sts on right needle after previous marker. Decrease – Slpw, ssk tbl, sl2 prev sts back, ktbl. [42 (54) sts remain after all decreases].
Rnd 5: Rep DLS as rnd 1 until 4 sts on right needle and working yarn on 4th st. Decrease – Slpw, ssk tbl, sl2 prev sts back, ktbl, PM. [5 sts on right needle between markers]. Rep from * working DLS and decrease sections until 6 sts remain on left needle from beg marker. Rep DLS until 3 sts on right needle after previous marker. Decrease – Slpw, ssk tbl, sl2 prev sts back, ktbl. [35 (45) sts remain after all decreases].
Rnd 7: Rep DLS as rnd 1 until 3 sts on right needle and working yarn on 3rd st. Decrease – Slpw, ssk tbl, sl2 prev sts back, ktbl, PM. [4 sts on right needle between markers]. Rep from * working DLS and decrease sections until 5 sts remain on left needle from beg marker. Rep DLS until 2 sts on right needle after previous marker. Decrease – Slpw, ssk tbl, sl2 prev sts back, ktbl. [28 (36) sts remain after all decreases].
Rnd 9: Rep DLS as rnd 1 until 2 sts on the right needle and working yarn on 2nd st. Decrease – Slpw, ssk tbl, sl2 prev sts back, ktbl, PM. [3 sts on right needle between markers]. Rep from * working DLS and decrease sections until 4 sts remain on left needle from beg marker. Rep DLS until 1 st on right needle after previous marker. Decrease – Slpw, ssk tbl, sl2 prev sts back, ktbl. [21 (27) sts remain after all decreases].
Rnd 10: Sl1 pw, *ssk tbl. Rep from * until end until all sts worked. [11(14) sts remain].
Break yarn, leaving a long end. Thread end through rem sts and draw up tightly. Fasten securely. Weave in all tails in pattern and block.
Tutorial Videos for the Needle Knit Boyfriend Hat:
How to Shape Hat Top in Diamond Lace Stitch
Check out my other boyfriend-friendly patterns: