I was cleaning up my craft area the other day and randomly grabbed a couple leftover skeins of yarn to put away when I looked down and realized I was holding a very cute Valentine-y color combination. I didn’t actually have anyone in particularly to make this hat FOR, but you know, sometimes you just have to knit for the sake of knitting. Do you know what I mean? So I made a little hat. And then I put a little heart on it. And then I was in love. (which is appropriate for a Valentine’s Day Hat, right?) Now I just need someone to have a baby girl who’s 6 to 12 months around mid-February and I’m all set! Scroll on down for the free pattern!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Looking for the pattern? Here’s how it works:ย This pattern is available for FREE in one size right here on my siteย (keep scrolling down). Or for just a few dollars, you can choose to purchase an upgraded PDF pattern that is nicely formatted and easy to print. Besides being easy to print, the PDF pattern also contains MORE SIZES with instructions for additional sizing including 0-3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 2T+! Thank you for supporting Little Red Window!
Be My Valentine Heart Hat Knitting Pattern
(12 month size, for other sizes, see PDF version)
Gauge: 20 st. = 4 inches
3 partial skeins worsted weight yarn in 3 colors
US size 7 16 inch circular needles
set of US size 7 double pointed needles
(If you need help, my favorite knitting reference book for everyone from beginners to advanced knitters is THIS ONE!)
Be My Valentine Heart Hat Knitting Pattern Instructions
Using long-tail cast on, cast on 72 stitches with the 1st color onto your circular needles. Join to knit in the round and knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches in a rib stitch for 4 rounds. Switch to the 2nd color yarn and then knit all stitches for 4 rounds. Switch to the 3rd color yarn and knit all stitches for 4 rounds. Repeat this stripe pattern with all three yarn colors and knit all stitches until the hat is about 5 inches long.
Decrease (continue with stripe pattern & divide the stitches between 3 double pointed needles and knit with the 4th):
Round 1: (k6, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round
Round 2: Knit all stitches
Round 3: (k5, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round
Round 4: Knit all stitches
Round 5: (k4, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round
Round 6: Knit all stitches to the end of the round.
Round 7: (k3, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round
Round 8: Knit all stitches to the end of the round
Round 9: (k2, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round
Rounds 10: Knit all stitches
Round 11: (k1, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round
Rounds 12: Knit all stitches
Round 13: k2tog repeat to the end of the round
Cut yarn, pull through loops and close. Weave in ends.
To make the Heart:
Row 1: kfb, kfb
Row 2: pfb, p2, pfb
Row 3: kfb, k4, kfb
Row 4: pfb, p6, pfb
Row 5: kfb, k8, kfb
Row 6: pfb, p10, pfb
Row 7: knit
Row 8: purl
Rows 9-12: Repeat Rows 7-8
At this point you should have 14 stitches on your needle. Split your stitches, moving 7 onto a third double pointed needle.
Working with only the 7 stitches on the right side:
Row 1: k2tog, k3, ssk
Row 2: p2tog, p1, p2tog
Row 3: Bind off, cut your yarn leaving a 7 inch tail.
Now repeat those 3 rows with the 7 stitches on the left side.
Using your yarn needle, weave in all the ends on the back side of the heart except the long cast-on tail at the point of the heart.
Using the long cast-on tail, carefully whipstitch the heart to the hat and weave the end in on the inside.The PDF printable also contains instructions for sizes 0-3, 6 months and 2T+!
If you liked this, you may also like some of my other posts…
- 30+ Best Valentine’s Day Knitting Patterns - February 6, 2025
- Valentine Heart Wreath Knitting Pattern - February 5, 2025
- Julehjerte Knit Woven Heart Knitting Pattern - February 4, 2025
Karla Twomey says
Thank you for this darling pattern! Iโm adding it to my Valentineโs theme posts this month! It is not yet live but you can check out http://www.karlasmakingit.com and it will be posted in the next week!!
Cassie May says
Great! Thanks for stopping by!
Gail Hossler says
Would love to make this hat for my 18 month and 4 yr. old granddaughters but have
no idea how to increase the size. Can you help????
Cassie May says
Hi Gail, you can increase the pattern in increments of 8 stitches. So just cast on 8 or 16 or 24 etc. additional stitches. You’ll have to measure their heads or try them on, it will depend on the size of their heads and your gauge to see what would fit. However, after you add more stitches, you can just do the rest of the pattern, including the decrease, exactly the same. Make the heart the same size as well. Does that help? Good luck!
pcs says
Thanks! This is helpful. So to clarify, an 8-stitch decrease should be OK for a newborn, right? The baby is still in utero, so unless I can locate a newborn head soon, I won’t have anywhere to try it on. ๐
Cassie May says
Hi! It will truthfully depend on your yarn and your tension but my two moth old is wearing a hat from the same pattern that started with 56 stitches cast on (so 2 8-stitch decreases). It was slightly too big for her when she was born but she was under 7lbs. My son on the other hand was almost 9lbs so it would’ve fit him right away. Does that help? Good luck!
Pam Smith says
Since I have difficulty knitting in the round, can you just use straight needles for this hat? Love it and so cute.
Cassie May says
I actually don’t know how you’d knit a hat with straight needles, I’m sorry. I know knitting in the round can be tough, just keep practicing!
Lori Johnston says
Hi Cassie, I love this cute little hat and I wanted to let you know that I’m featuring at our Making Monday link party which goes live Sunday eve at 8pm eastern.
http://www.abrightandbeautifullife.com/?p=9787
Come take a look! And we’d love to have you share more of your great projects. ๐ Have a fantastic weekend.
Lori @ A Bright and Beautiful Life
http://www.abrightandbeautifullife.com
Cassandra May says
Awesome! Can’t wait to see it, thanks Lori!
jlawsrn says
I love this hat. It is so cute. My niece wants one to fit her ~ she is 32yrs. old. I told her I will have to adjust the pattern to fit her and it will have to be for next valentine’s day. She said she will wait. โฅ Thank you for the very sweet design.
Cassandra May says
I would LOVE to see a grown up version!!!
jlawsrn says
Will do. Not sure when I will get to it, but I will post photos. Do you want to follow each other? I will follow you on your sites and you can return the like if you wish.
http://www.facebook.com/lawsofknitting
Cassandra May says
great! Love making new knitting friends! I followed you on FB! Have a wonderful week!
jlawsrn says
Thanks! You have a wonderful week as well.
Amber says
Very cute hate!! My 10 yo daughter would love it…..have any suggestions how to make it to fit her?? ๐
Amber says
Ooops *hat not hate
Cassandra May says
Hi Ambers,
I am not sure if my comment reply notification is working so I sent you and email! ๐
Laura Smalley Prascher says
Super cute! I found you through the Keeping it Simple link party this week ๐ Love it!
Cassandra May says
Thanks for stopping by!!
Bonnie @ The Pin Junkie says
Thanks for sharing your cute knitted hat at The Pin Junkie. It was featured in today’s Valentine’s roundup. http://www.thepinjunkie.com/2014/01/valentines-day-crafts.html Please stop by to grab a featured button and don’t forget to join the party this evening! Hope to see you there!
Cassandra May says
Awesome Bonnie! Thanks so much!!! This made me day! ๐
Kay says
Very Pretty Valentine’s Hat!
Tammy says
This hat is just adorable. I use to knit way back and would to take it up again. Your instructions are so clear. Glad I found your site.
Cassandra May says
Thanks Tammy!!
Marni @ Haberdashery Fun says
This is so cute. Love the soft pink colors you selected..
Angela says
This makes me wish i was a knitter because its so stinkin cute!
Jennifer Dawn says
This precious! I want one for my daughter and me now. Although I don’t knit, my mom does. I will certainly be sharing this with her. I’d love for you to share this at my weekly link party. Hope to see you there! http://www.thelifeofjenniferdawn.com/2014/01/a-little-bird-told-me-link-party-74.html
Kimberlee says
Cute hat! Love the little heart. Makes me wish I had little ones still to knit or crochet for.