Daring Pirate Skull and Crossbones Hat Knitting Pattern

This cute and swashbuckling pirate skull and crossbones hat knitting pattern is super easy and created with duplicate stitch for knitting!

child in black and white striped shirt wearing a black knit hat with a white skull and cross bones knit on the front and looking down at their lap

As I have mentioned many times before, where we live, it is often cold on Halloween. When I was growing up even farther north, it often snowed. So I am a big fan of incorporating a knit hat into a Halloween costume and this pirate skull and crossbones hat knitting pattern is no exception.

Of course, pirates are certainly welcome any time of year, not just for Halloween! But add a little red and black outfit or parts of our favorite pirate costume to this cute knit pirate hat and you’re all set (and warm and cozy)!

child in black and white striped shirt wearing a black knit hat with a white skull and cross bones knit on the front and looking off to the left and smiling

Now, if you’ve been here a while, you know I am a big fan of Fair Isle colorwork which is when you knit using more than one color of yarn per row or round. I really enjoy stranded knitting, it’s very satisfying for me. But I know that is not the case for everyone. Furthermore, there are some designs that don’t lend themselves to Fair Isle which works best for repeated motifs that cover the entire field.

child in black and white striped shirt wearing a black knit hat with a white skull and cross bones knit on the front and looking down nd smiling

If you want to knit a motif or design centered on a plain stockinette background then you pretty much have two options: Intarsia knitting or duplicate stitch. I, personally, find intarsia to be even more difficult that Fair Isle. So I thought it was high time to start doing some duplicate stitch knitting patterns for you!

child in black and white striped shirt wearing a black knit hat with a white skull and cross bones knit on the front and looking off to the right and smiling

Duplicate stitch is awesome because you use yarn on a yarn/tapestry needle to literally embroider duplicate stitches on top of already knit stitches. You can add duplicate stitch designs AFTER the project is complete. If you want to know more, check out my guide on How To Do Duplicate Stitch for Knitting, it’s full of great info including how to read a duplicate stitch chart!

You can place your design wherever you like on the finished hat and then stitch it just like you would counted cross stitch. Some people even like to mark the stitches with disappearing ink fabric pen. It’s up to you! Are you ready to get started on this cute pirate skull and crossbones hat?

child in black and white striped shirt wearing a black knit hat with a white skull and cross bones knit on the front and looking down and right and smiling

Pirate Skull and Crossbones Hat Knitting Pattern

(includes Sizes 0-3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 2T+)

Gauge: 20 stitches = 4 inches

Please note: this pirate hat knitting pattern requires basic knowledge of duplicate stitch for knitting.

(If you need help, my favorite knitting reference book for everyone from beginners to advanced knitters is THIS ONE!)

This cute pattern is available for sale only. When you purchase this pattern, you’ll get an instant download PDF pattern in a few nicely formatted easy-to-print pages that includes written instructions and step by step photos. This pattern is available in my Etsy shop or on Ravelry where it will also be permanently stored in your Ravelry pattern library.

Happy Knitting!

If you liked this, you may also like some of my other posts…

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Cassie May

Craft and Knitwear Designer at Little Red Window Design

Welcome to Little Red Window! I’m Cassie, a professional craft and knitwear designer working in the field for more than 10 years. I have a degree in Art History from Northwestern University and a Master's Degree in Architecture and Design from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I've designed more than 300 separate knitting patterns, hundreds of craft projects, and I love to bring joy to your crafts and knitting with well-designed, easy to understand tutorials and patterns.

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