The Seed Stitch Knit Hat

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  • Post last modified:May 10, 2023

You can purchase the inexpensive ad-free, PDF printable version of this pattern on Etsy HERE  or Ravelry HERE

I love how much texture this hat has, the way the stitches form a pattern in the hat gives it a classy look. The structure of this stitch makes the hat soft not stiff, making it a great pattern to create a slouchy style hat.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning if you decide to purchase something through one of these links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you*

For this hat, I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick. This is a chunky yarn level 6, that is 80% wool 20%. You will only need 1 skein of yarn for this hat. The great thing about using chunky yarn is it’s super warm and the hat works up quickly as well.

The Seed Stitch Knit Hat Pattern

Notes

  • The brim of the hat is about 2”. You can increase or decrease the number of rows to either create a thicker or thinner brim.
  • The hat is 9.5” tall, making it slightly slouchy. You can add more rows to the height of the hat to increase the slouch. Or decrease the number of rows if you would like a less slouchy hat.
  • You can make this hat in smaller sizes, just make sure you cast on an even number of stitches.
  • This pattern is beginner friendly, using knit and purl stitches.

Material

Want to learn to make your own Faux fur poms? Check out my post on how to make your own faux fur pom poms.

Abbreviations

  • K: Knit
  • P: Purl
  • K2tog: Knit two together 
  • **: Repeat stitches within
  • st: Stitch
  • DPN: double pointed needles

Yardage

~65 yards for adult

Gauge: 

4″ square in the same pattern as the hat

9 sts x 12 row = 4″ x 4″

RELEATED: Spiral Beanie Pattern

Pattern

Size: adult 

Other sizes available with the purchase of the PDF pattern on Etsy here or Ravelry here!

Using 8mm circular needles CO 44 stitches, join in the round and place stitch marker — Fit: 21-22″ circumference

Brim of the hat

Rows 1-8: * k1, p1*

Body of the hat — Switch to 9mm circular needles

Row 9: *p1, k1*

Row 10: *p1,k1*

Row 11: *k1,p1*

Row 12: *k1,p1*

Row 13-28 Repeat rows 9-12

Row: 29-30: Repeat rows 9-10

Decrease rounds

Row 31: *k2, k2tog*

Row 32: *k*

Switch to double pointed needles

Row 33: *k1, k2tog*

Row 34: *k2tog*

Cut a long tail and with darning needle, pull tail through the remaining stitches on the needles. Remove needles and pull the top closed.

Weave in ends and add a pom pom! 

Faux fur pom pom available in my Etsy store here!

You can purchase the printable version HERE. Which include sizes 0-6, 6-12, toddler and youth.


This pattern is an original pattern by Meg Hardison of The Northern Moose. Please do not claim this pattern as your own. Please do not reprint this pattern on your site. You may keep a copy of the pattern for your own personal use, but please do not sell the pattern or distribute it.

You may sell products made from this pattern but please clearly credit the design to me Meg Hardison and link back to The Northern Moose Blog. Permission is not granted for mass production or factory manufacturing of any kind. Thank you for being respectful and for your understanding!

This Post Has 62 Comments

  1. C. M.

    What if I have some DK knitting yarn available. How can I adapt this hat pattern to use DK yarn.
    Thank you
    C.M. Fyfe

    1. northernmoose

      Hi! You can adjust the pattern by casting on more stitches. just make sure you cast on an even amount of stitches. If your gauge is around 6 stitches per inch you will probably need to cast on around 120 stitches or so.

    2. Diana Hirsch

      Use two or three (depending on the actual thickness of the dk yarn, and they do vary in thickness) strands held togoether. That will approximate a bulky yarn.

  2. Lil

    Just starting, what is DPN?

    1. northernmoose

      Hi, sorry I should have specified. DPN is double pointed needles.

  3. Krystle

    Love how my hat came out!!! I made brim of hat a bit longer so it could fold over. I Was looking for a pattern that was easy but a hat that looks like good quality, this was perfect!!! Thank you!

    1. northernmoose

      I’m glad you love it!

  4. Elina Ruuni

    Thank you for your help with patterns.They are so clearly done, that even Finnish speaking understands how to make them.

    1. northernmoose

      Thank you so much for your kind words!

  5. ANNETTE VACON

    I would like patterns to knit hats and mittens that are easy for me to do ,I enjoy knitting scarfs, hats mittens, slippers looking forward to a few free patterns thanks

    1. Liz

      Hello, I’m using size 8 circular needles and worsted weight yarn (it’s not thick.) so how can I change the pattern?

      1. northernmoose

        I haven’t tested the pattern with worsted weight. Can you knit a swatch and tell me your gauge?

  6. Diane S.

    This is great, I’ve been searching for a pattern for this hat. 🙂 Just to clarify, on the repeats of rows 7-10, row 28 will be a p1,k1 row?

    1. northernmoose

      Yes you are correct!

  7. Barb

    Loved knitting this hat. I have just started knitting again after many years of disinterest due to knitting too much of the time. It was nice to finish the hat in record time for me. Thanks for this being a free pattern. I have 2 daughters ho will love this hat so I am sure I will be knitting another. I used Lush Alpaca yarn in a lilac colour for this hat.

  8. Lynn

    If I was to use regular red heart yarn would I need to put more stitches on ?

    1. northernmoose

      Hi!
      Yes if you use regular red heart yarn you would need to cast on more stitches.

  9. carolyn

    Is it size 9 needle 5.5 mm or 9mm circular needle?

    1. northernmoose

      9mm circular needle.

  10. Nawel

    Hi ! This hat is beautiful ! It s going to be my next project ^^
    Are you using the magic loop to do the hat with your circular needles please ? Or do you use a small cable (like 20cm)
    Thank you !

    1. northernmoose

      I am using 16″ circular needles.

  11. Michele

    Is A 9mm size knitting needle a size 13 ?

    1. northernmoose

      Yes it is.

  12. Michele

    If I use Lions Pride Woolspun yarn ( which is bulky weight yarn #5) which requires a 10.5 needle, how many stitches should I cast on for the hat ? What a wonderful pattern you have – can’t wait to start early and make it ! Thanks

    1. Emily

      I LOVE this pattern! I wanted a pattern that is easy but looks difficult. I inherited a bunch of yarn when my mother in law passed. I just started a new job. The clinic I work at is just down the hall from the cancer clinic. Th is pattern is absolutely perfect for a warm chemo hat. It’s quick, easy and beautiful. I can’t think of a better use for the yarn!! The best part is it’s extremely easy to adapt to different yarn weights!
      Thank you!

      1. northernmoose

        Im so glad you enjoy the pattern! And that is such a wonderful way to use the yarn!

  13. Danielle Rancourt

    What does DPN mean in the pattern

    1. northernmoose

      double pointed needles

  14. Cathy

    Hi. I’m trying to make the hat , right now. When and how do you connect the yarn into one circle? In the begging or the end? Thank you.

    1. northernmoose

      In the beginning

  15. Christine Bettin

    Love the pattern, Good Looking hat

    1. Christina

      I would like to knit this for a 7 year old. I saw in a previous reply you advised to cast on 42 stitches. I was wondering, if I wish to make the hat non-slouchy when should I begin the decrease? Thank you!

      1. northernmoose

        When the hat measures about 6.5 inches. Then begin your decrease.

  16. Cheryl

    Do you have a pattern like this for a 6 mthh old girl

    1. northernmoose

      I would follow the same pattern but cast on 36 stitches.

  17. Casey

    Hi! Looking to make this hat for my 7 year old daughter using the recommended yarn. How many stitches should I cast on?

    Thanks!

    1. northernmoose

      I haven’t tested the pattern on smaller sizes but I would think 42 stitches.

    2. A

      Do we need the DPNs

      1. northernmoose

        Hello, you could do it without the DPN’s.

  18. Annetta

    Hi, I’m a beginner at knitting and I would like to knit your hat in a size to fit my one year old grandson. I don’t understand how to knit it smaller, please can you help?

    1. northernmoose

      Cast on 36 stitches. And then follow the pattern.

  19. Grace

    Love the look of this beanie. I’m using a lighter weight yarn, and have cast on 105 stitches to meet the gauge. I am close to finishing the body. It’s time to start the decrease rounds, but with 105 stitches, I’m not sure how to adjust the pattern. Also, is an odd number not going to work when decreasing?

    1. northernmoose

      I cannot answer for sure on how this will look in the end. But I would start decreasing by knitting 5, k2tog. Then knit the next round. Then k4,k2tog… and so on.

  20. Gillian Lyons

    Hi. I’m a newbie, so apologies for this question: Are the instructions for finishing off the hat with double pointed needles vs. circular needles the same? I wasn’t sure what was meant by “Switched to DPN’s or if you do not like to use DPN’s then finish of hat here.”
    Thanks.

    1. northernmoose

      Using double pointed needles will allow you to decrease the top of the hat more, giving it more shape. But the hats will be very similar looking in the end, especially if you top your hat off with a Pom Pom.

  21. Shalini Bodani

    This is beautiful and I shall make it my next project. But I have never used dpns. How many of them will I need to finish the beanie and any tips on how I am meant to use them to finish this lovely piece. Thank you so much

    1. northernmoose

      You can finish your hat off with the circular needles if you prefer!

      Otherwise you’ll need 4 double pointed needles. And I suggest watching YouTube tutorials on tips for using them. I find visual is easier to learn.

  22. vivian Walmsley

    I made the spiral beanie , loved how came out! Thanks for the awesome patterns.

  23. Sally

    My daughter gave me this pattern. I Love it! I’ve made 3 in one week. Very simple to do, Thank you!

  24. Judy

    Thank you so very much for sharing such a beautiful pattern.
    I have used Butter Cream Yarn “Angel Hair” which is a 5 Bulky weight. Purchased the yarn at Joanns.
    The hats are so beautiful and warm. I have gifted 20+ to charity and am still knitting up a storm.

  25. Jay

    I made this hat today for my aunt, who will start chemo next week. I used Wool-ease thick and quick, in purple. My first try with moss stitch. It turned out beautiful, thank you so much for the pattern! One thing I noticed during the decrease rounds, I did the k4, k2tog, repeat, but I never had an extra 2 sts for the final k2 listed at the end of each decrease. I counted the stitches before decreasing, and the count was right, but not sure what exactly I did! Thank you

  26. Patricia

    I made the spiral hat and the hurdle hat in one day and I absolutely love both. I made the hurdle shorter and think I like that length the best. I also used an 8mm needle for the brim and then switched to the 9 for the hat. Thank you for the patterns. Think I will try the Diamond and the Seed stitch next.

  27. Daphne

    For the decrease, is it repeating the k2tog only until the last 3 stitches or [k3, k2tog] until last 3 stitches?

    1. northernmoose

      It repeating the k3, k2tog until the last three stitches for the first row of decreases

  28. Haley

    How wide does this hat end up being? I just finished the ribbing and my hat is looking a little small.

    1. northernmoose

      If your using chunky yarn the hat should come out quite wide. The hat is designed to be loose fitting and slouchy.

      I know sometimes the ribbing does look small in the beginning. But this hat has a lot of stretch.

  29. Thelma

    Hi, this is my first time knitting a hat so sorry about the dumb question: when casting off (I’m not using DPNs) how do I cast off so that the hat is closed at the top?

    1. northernmoose

      I would add another 3 rows before you start decreasing, and then decrease until it says to switch to dpns and instead of switching, just cut a long tail and weave into the remaining stitches on your needles and then pull the stitches tight to close.

  30. Carolyn

    I love this hat! I made it a few times and want to make it again but I think the pattern has changed? Was it originally a pattern casting on 48 stitches on 9 mm circular needles? This is the pattern I want to use. Can you help? Thanks!

    1. northernmoose

      Hello,

      The pattern has changed slightly: Casting on with 8mm needles instead of 9mm is just to create a neater looking bring that is slightly tighter. But you can still cast on with 9mm that is totally fine! I also decreased the amount of stitches to cast on because I found the other version to be too loose, if you send me an email I can explain the pattern better. But you can follow the pattern with casting on 48 stitches as well.

  31. Jess

    Hi I copied your pattern from the website into my knitting journal when I don’t have access to my phone, however, I was double checking on my phone (didn’t have the journal with me) and I had bought a copy of the pattern from Ravelry ‘The Willow Beanie’ but I noticed the decrease rows are different

    On the website it’s K2, K2tog but on the Ravelry pattern its K1, P1, K2tog

    Which one should I follow?

    I have loved the pattern thus far and will be casting on another as soon as I figure out how to decrease lol

    1. northernmoose

      Hi! Follow the decrease from the pattern from Ravelry, that is the updated pattern for the willow beanie.

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