With this cute Christmas Elf Hat Knitting Pattern, you or your little one will be ready to help Santa make toys for good little children this holiday season!
Updated November, 2024
This pattern has been updated to include additional child and adult sizes. For more information on the changes, what’s included and many other questions, click here.
Friends, I don’t know about you, but this Christmas Elf hat knitting pattern is going to be in heavy rotation this year. There is a lot of excitement for Santa to come. A LOT!
For the last year or two I started ordering Christmas jammies early in the season and then one random day near the start of December Rudolph stops by while the kids are at school and drops them down the chimney.
I used to just hang on to them until Christmas Eve but then I got annoyed that they were only getting worn a couple of times. So now we do Christmas all month. Including festive hats like this Christmas Elf hat.
If I’m going to go to all the trouble of being festive, I want it to last, you know what I mean?!
Speaking of Elf hats, my kids LOVE Elf the movie and think that elves are just the best. In fact, they were asking if they could watch it in October. (I said no, I may love Christmas but I’ve got to draw the line somewhere!)
Anyway, I’ve made a Santa hat. I made a Rudolph hat. I even made an adult Santa hat! But until now I didn’t have an Elf hat knitting pattern! So here we go!
Sizes included: 0-3 months, (6 months, 1-2 years, 3-6 years, Child Large/Adult Small, Adult Large) Read our sizing guidelines post for more information.
Gauge: 19 stitches = 4 inches
- Worsted weight yarn
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 16″ circular knitting needles
- US 7 (4.5 mm) double pointed needles
- Yarn needle
(If you need help, my favorite knitting reference book for everyone from beginners to advanced knitters is THIS ONE!)
Looking for the pattern? Here’s how it works: This pattern is available for FREE in one size right here on my site (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, 1-2 years, 3-6 years, Child Large/Adult Small and Adult Large! Thank you for supporting Little Red Window!
Christmas Elf Hat Instructions (age 1-2 size):
Using long-tail cast on, cast on 72 stitches onto your circular needles with the red yarn. Join to knit in the round.
Rounds 1-3: knit all stitches
Switch to green yarn and knit all stitches until the hat is about 5 inches long.
Decrease (divide your stitches evenly between 3 double pointed needles or use magic loop:
Round 1: (k6, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round
Rounds 2-5: knit all stitches
Round 6: (k5, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round
Round 7-9: knit all stitches
Round 10: (k4, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round
Round 11-13: knit all stitches
Round 14: (k3, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round
Round 15-17: knit all stitches
Round 18: (k2, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round
Round 19-22: knit all stitches
Round 23: (k1, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round
Rounds 24-27: knit all stitches
Round 28: k2tog and repeat to the end of the round
Rounds 29-33: knit all stitches
Cut yarn, thread through loops and pull to close. Weave in ends.
To knit the folded brim:
Holding the hat with the cast on edge facing up, (uncurl or block the stockinette edge if it is curling up) pick up 72 stitches with red yarn along the cast on edge with your circular needles and join to knit in the round.
Rounds 1-8: knit all odd rounds, purl all even rounds
Next, to make the pointed peaks, we will work with only 8 stitches at a time. The following rows are knit flat, turning the work after each row. It helps to put the 8 live stitches on double pointed or straight needles.
Rows 1-2: k8
Row 3: k2tog, k4, ssk
Row 4: k6
Row 5: k2tog, k2, ssk
Row 6: k4
Row 7: k2tog, ssk
Row 8: k3tog
Cut yarn and pull through last stitch. Weave in ends.
Repeat these steps with the next 8 stitches on your circular needle until you reach the end of the round. The finished hat will have 9 peaks on the brim. Thread a length of red yarn on your yarn needle and with small, loose stitches, tack the brim in place.
To make the Pom Pom:
Cut a piece of yarn about 18 inches long and set it aside.
Wind the yarn around the three fingers of one hand at least 100 times.
The more times, the denser your pom pom. Tie one end of the yarn piece you set aside very tightly around the center of the wound yarn.
Leave the other end of this center tie long to attach the pom pom to the hat.Using sharp scissors, cut the loops on either side of that center tie to release the pom pom.
Trim your pom pom as necessary to make it nicely and evenly round.
Thread the long end of the center tie on your yarn needle and use it to sew the pom pom to the top of the hat. Make sure it is attached securely as this is an item for babies.
That’s it! Enjoy your Christmas Elf Hat knitting pattern!
Christmas Elf Hat Knitting Pattern
Knit this adorable Christmas Elf Hat with an easy step by step knitting pattern for your baby or toddler this holiday season!
Materials
Instructions
- Knit this adorable Christmas Elf Hat in 12 month size with the pattern on this page
- OR download the super easy to print pdf pattern with instructions for all four sizes!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Lion Brand Yarn 860-180E Vanna's Choice Yarn, Cranberry -
Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Yarn (172) Kelly Green, Kelly Green
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ChiaoGoo Circular 16-inch (41cm) Bamboo Dark Patina Knitting Needle; Size US 7 (4.5mm) 2016-7
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ChiaoGoo 6-Inch Double Point Knitting Needles, 7/4.5mm, Set of 5
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Lion Brand Yarn 400-5-5002 Large-Eye Blunt Needles, Set of 6
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Gingher Inc
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Elaina Palincsar says
Send me those fun ideas.
Elaina Palincsar says
I love craft projects. I can knit, sew, and mux with art materials.