This cute gathered heart hat knitting pattern is a perfect project to knit for your baby or toddler this Valentine’s Day!
After I knit up the Gathered Bow Hat, I decided that a gathered brim on a baby hat is just about the cutest thing ever. This cute Gathered Heart Hat knitting pattern is a perfect Valentine’s Day variation on that!
This easy baby hat knitting pattern is a fun holiday knit but because it’s heart themed, your little one can really wear it all year round. There’s never a bad time for hearts on baby gear, am I right?
It also makes an AMAZING gift for a baby shower, bonus points if it’s for a February baby!
I also like the gathered brim style for baby and toddler hats for practical reasons. I don’t know about you, but Baby V is forever pulling her hat down over her eyes accidentally when she puts it on.
Or when she was younger and I’d put the hat on I’d either accidentally tug it over her eyes or it would ride down in the carseat. The gathered brim is perfect because it keeps the front of the hat out of your little one’s face but still goes plenty low on the sides to keep their ears warm! It’s perfect!
Gathered Heart Hat Supply List
Gauge: 20 stitches = 4 inches
(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, 12 months and 2T+! Thank you for supporting Little Red Window!
Gathered Heart Hat Instructions
Size 12 months
Using long-tail cast on, cast on 72 stitches onto your circular needles with the light pink yarn. Leave a 12 inch cast on tail to gather the hat. Join to knit in the round and knit all stitches for 14 rounds. The brim will begin to roll and that’s ok. Then purl all stitches for 3 rounds. Finally knit all stitches until the hat is about 5 inches long (including the rolled brim).
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
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
Round 7: (k3, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round
Round 8: knit all stitches
Round 9: (k2, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round
Round 10: knit all stitches
Round 11: (k1, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round
Round 12: k2tog and repeat to the end of the round
Cut yarn, thread through loops and pull to close. Weave in this end.
To knit the heart shape:
Using long-tail cast on and double pointed needles as straight needles, cast on 1 stitch (you can use the starting slip knot as that first stitch) with dark pink yarn. Leave a long cast on tail to stitch the heart to the hat.
Row 1 (WS): kfb
Row 2 (RS): kfb, kfb
Row 3: purl all stitches
Row 4: k1, m1R, k2, m1L, k1
Row 5: purl all stitches
Row 6: k1, m1R, k4, m1L, k1
Row 7: purl all stitches
Row 8: k1, m1R, k6, m1L, k1
Row 9: purl all stitches
Row 10: k1, m1R, k8, m1L, k1
Row 11: purl all stitches
Row 12: knit all stitches
Row 13: purl all stitches
Put the first 6 stitches onto their own double pointed needle and for the next 3 rows work with only 6 stitches at a time.
Row 1: ssk, k2, k2tog
Row 2: purl all stitches
Row 3: ssk, k2tog, lift the 1st stitch on the right needle up and over the 2nd to cast off.
Cut yarn and pull through remaining stitch to finish. Weave in this end. Repeat rows 1-3 with the other 6 stitches.
Block your heart shape.
To assemble the hat:
Thread the hat’s cast on tail onto a yarn needle. Wrap it around the cast on edge and purl rows of the hat several times to form the gather as shown. Tie a knot inside the hat and weave in that end.
Next, thread the long cast on tail of the heart shape on a yarn needle and use it stitch the heart to the front of the hat over the gather as shown. It may help to pin it in place.
If you liked this, you may also like some of my other posts…
- Easy DIY Knit Halloween Costumes (Just Add Pajamas) - October 10, 2024
- Witchy Black Cat Hat Knitting Pattern - October 7, 2024
- Big Squishy Pumpkin Knitting Pattern - October 2, 2024
Barbara says
I love this hat but need it in a size for a 4 year old. Can you up size the pattern?
I don’t know how to do that . I am really a beginner and love knitting.
Mary Pat Valarik says
Love the heart hat. And thank you. A long time ago I knitted slippers and even sweaters. I don’t have Any of those patterns and today’s patterns are so different. Don’t forget to pass on that darling hat. 💕🍀💚