This Cute Bow Baby Hat Knitting Pattern is our most popular knitting pattern and for good reason, it’s a adorable and a quick easy knit!
updated January, 2023
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.
So recently I’ve been obsessed with making cute little knit bow baby hat after cute knit bow baby hat. They make for easy and super adorable gifts and I have had a bunch of friends recently have girls.
I first saw a baby bow hat on pinterest linked to this post from Twenty Something Granny (which is an awesome blog name, by the way) but it doesn’t look like she’s blogged regularly in almost five years. And that bow baby hat pattern is for a teeny tiny hat for a newborn and is knitted flat and I wanted to make a bigger version for baby V knit in the round.
So I basically used my standard hat pattern and added a stripe and bow. Here’s my version, inspired by hers.
Oh and prepare yourself for waaay too many pics of Baby V. You know that saying that second children never have as many photos taken of them as first children? Yeah, that’s not going to happen here, lol!
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!
Knit Bow Baby Hat
(size 12 months, see PDF version for other sizes)
Gauge: 19 stitches = 4″
Knit Bow Baby Hat Knitting Pattern Supply List:
- Worsted weight yarn in a main color and an accent color
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 16″ circular knitting needles
- US 7 (4.5 mm) double pointed knitting needles
- Yarn needle
(If you need help, my favorite knitting reference book for everyone from beginners to advanced knitters is THIS ONE!)
Knit Bow Baby Hat Knitting Pattern Instructions:
Using long-tail cast on, cast on 72 stitches onto your circular needles with the main yarn color. Join to knit in the round and knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches in a rib stitch for 5 rows.
Stay with main color and knit 2 rows.
Switch to accent yarn and knit 4 rows.
Switch back to main yarn and knit until the hat in about 5 inches long.
Decrease (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.
The Bow:
Cast on 14 stitches
All rows: k all stitches for 7 or 9 rows
Cast off and weave in loose ends.
Then, take a long piece of yarn and tie it around the middle of the knit rectangle like this:Trim the short end and then wrap the long end around and around the middle of the bow, neatly until the center is as big as you want it. Thread the long end on a yarn needle, turn your bow to the back and insert it through the wound yarn and knot to secure the end. Then, using that same long tail, use your yarn needle to securely stitch the bow to the front of the hat on the stripe. Make sure you attach it really well since this is an item for babies.
Now die of cute overload…
I used some sparkly silver yarn for this next one…
I’m pretty sure she likes her bow baby hat…
Knit up this adorable Bow Baby Hat knitting pattern with this cute and easy baby hat knitting pattern! Tips and Tricks for knitting the Bow Baby Hat knitting pattern: As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.Bow Baby Hat Knitting Pattern
Materials
Instructions
Notes
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- Learn to Knit – How To Use a Pom Pom Maker - August 29, 2024
peg cheloc says
In the pattern, it says”: switch back to main yarn and knit until the hat is about 4 inches long (I am making the newborn hat). Do you mean the whole hat (including the knit two, purl stitch) Thanks!
Betty J Ollar says
Yes, when the whole hat is 4 inches long then you start with the decreases.
Jackie Kabat says
Hi,
How do you switch colors? Do you use a technique to avoid a jog or do you simply start knitting with the new color? If you use a special technique can you recommend a video that would be helpful?
Thanks – Jackie
Dianne says
Going back to the question about knitting all rows in knit stitch. When I did this the colored band ended up looking like garter stitch. And then going back to the main color you can see the join line. What am I doing wrong?
Cassie May says
Hi Dianne! Thanks for stopping by! you said “rows” so it sounds like you are knitting flat? This pattern is designed to knit in the round specifically. To get stockinette stitch in the round you do knit all stitches for all rounds. But if you were to knit all stitches for all rows while knitting flat then you would get garter stitch like you’re describing. Knitting in the round should solve your problem. Hope that helps!
Rachelle says
This is super cute! I have some sock yarn (fingering weight?) that I would love to use. Would I need to cast on additional stitches since it’s a thinner yarn?
Cassie May says
Yes, you could try adding 8 or 16 more stitches and see if you can get the same size. 🙂
Rebecca says
Can someone explain transferring from the circular needles to double pointed needles please? Or point me to a good resource? This is my first time using something other than good old straight needles. Thank you!
Amy McGlynn says
Just start knitting with a double pointed needle. You don’t have to transfer to start. It is nice when somethings work out easily, isn’t it!
Cassie May says
Yep, what Amy said, just start knitting with the DPN in your right hand. The new stitches will end up on it. When you get about 1/3 of the stitches on the first DPN, continue knitting with the second DPN… 🙂 If you want to transfer before knitting, just slide the stitches from one needle to the other. Simple as that!
Cristiane says
Hi Rebecca! It’s been my first time using circular needles too, so I have the same question as you. But here is what I found online and I thought it’s helpful.
https://youtu.be/_OwA7EYbLRw (explains how to transfer the stitches)
https://youtu.be/s0LkNM2ojZA (explains how to actually knit on DPNs)
I just started knitting the hat so I am not at the point to transfer the stitches yet, but I am curious about your outcome! If you get any additional tips, please let me know!! I am a beginner!!! 🙂
Happy knitting!
Cristiane says
Here is another very good tutorial (better than the first one I shared on the previous comment) that explains how to transfer the stitches!! 😉
https://youtu.be/_uFD3y8Ndws
trish Ziegler says
Hi,
I love this pattern and trying out the Magic Loop on it. When you switch colors do, you break the thread? Or is there a way to continue on with the main color while doing the narrow band of alternating color?
Cassie May says
For only three rounds, I just carry the other color along inside, no need to break the yarn and fewer ends to weave in!
Debbie Stidham says
I purchased the Knit Bow Baby Hat PDF but I’m not seeing how to adjust for larger size.
Cassie May says
The alternate size stitch counts and measurements are in parenthesis throughout the pattern!
Cassie May says
The alternate stitch counts and measurements are in parenthesis within the pattern!
Melissa says
Is there a reason for switching to dpn or can you just decrease on the circular needles? I haven’t quite mastered dpn and they intimidate me still. Hahah.
Cassie May says
Eventually you will have too few stitches to fit the circular needles. So yes, unless you know how to do magic loop, you do need to use dpn’s. 🙂
Cassie May says
You have to switch to DPN’s otherwise eventually you will have too few stitches to fit on the circular needles.
Susie says
Do you have a pattern for this hat to be done on straight needles?
Cassie May says
I’m working on one, I suggest signing up for my newsletter so you know when new patterns come out! littleredwindow.com/subscribe
Helen Porter says
yes please a two needle hat would be great 🙂
Cassie May says
I have one now! https://littleredwindow.com/easy-knit-flat-baby-hat-knitting-pattern/ You’d knit the basic hat as written in the flat pattern but just add a stripe for the bow. Then follow the bow instructions from the bow hat pattern! 🙂
Kathryn O'Neil says
I absolutely love this pattern! This is one of the cutest baby hats I’ve seen. I’m a sucker for quick and easy patterns and you nailed it with this adorable hat! Pinning this for later!
Joanne says
Can’t wait to start my next baby project
Pauline Aubé says
This is adorable! Thanks for sharing!
Nikki says
Hi Cassie – Do you have a yarn suggestion? I love the taupe/grey color with the silver sparkle in the pictures! Thanks!
Cassie May says
Hi! To tell you the truth, I have no idea what that one was, I’m so sorry! Most of the time I use Lion Brand’s Vanna’s Choice yarn because I like their color choices but that was something I had leftover in my stash. Any worsted weight yarn will do though! Sorry I’m not more help! 🙂
Deborah says
Lovely pattern…thank you for sharing it…PRECIOUS wee baby!
Cassie May says
thank you so much!
Rachel Gill says
Are you able to translate this pattern for a round loom?
Cassie May says
Oh gosh, if you can believe it, I have never used a round loom! I’m sorry! Thanks for stopping by!
candyinvt says
I’ve made this in two colorways for my future granddaughter (due in May). It’s very quick to make and I am not a fast knitter. I made one in a weekend when I found time here and there. It is absolutely adorable and I can’t wait to see baby Ellie in her hats!
Cassie May says
Oh wonderful! I’m so glad to hear that! Congratulations future grandma!!
candyinvt says
Thanks!! 🙂 I am sure my daughter will send a photo & I’ll share!
candyinvt says
Thanks! Hopefully my daughter will share a photo I can post here! 🙂
Cassie May says
I’m very sorry, I don’t speak French!
Leslie says
Such an adorable hat! Could you please clarify the following for me…for the body of the hat, the instructions say to knit all rows. The photos look like it is the stockinette stitch.
Cassie May says
Hi Leslie! Yes, the hat is knit in the round so you do knit all rounds! 🙂
Leslie says
Thank you for clearing that up for me…have only knit in the round once before. I will be trying this little hat next!
Tari says
Hi Cassie! We Love this baby cap! You wouldn’t happen to know where we can find this type pattern for Crochet??
Cassie May says
I’m sorry, I don’t. I haven’t pulled out my crochet hooks in a while but I might have to do it and translate this pattern. I’ll keep you posted!
Cristiane says
These hats are so adorable!!! Love it!! I am super excited to knit it to my 1 year old daughter! However, she is as big as a 2 years old girl… I am new at knitting… Could you please help me to figure out how I should increase the size of the hat? Many thanks!!!
Theresa @DearCreatives says
Adorable! baby & pattern. Pinned & shared. Thanks for joining the Inspiration Spotlight party @DearCreatives
Kim (TheKimSixFix) says
These are so darling and your model is adorable! Thanks for linking up at You’re Gonna Love it.. i’m sharing it on Facebook! <3
Julie says
That’s gorgeous, pinning for the next person I know having a girl!
I think the crochet hat thing is because crochet is so quick, you can make a baby hat in the time it takes to watch a film, but sometimes you just wanna knit, don’t you?
I made a huge effort to photograph baby 2 and 3 and still it seems like I have a fraction of the number of pictures. You end up with lots of group shots or older siblings photobombing if you are not careful so the idea to take lots of them on their own is lovely – they will appreciate it in later years!
Cassie May says
Thank you Julie! I think you’re right about crochet. It’s also a little easier to learn for some people. But for whatever reason I find knitting more soothing. Baby V is lucky her big brother is in school all day, she gets lots of undivided attention 🙂 now I’m having the opposite problem, I’ve got to remember to take more pics of O, lol!
Jessy @ The Life Jolie says
This is adorable- I wish I could knit! Love it!
Cassie May says
It’s a pretty easy project, you could learn! 🙂
Sole says
Wauw, Cassie, that’s gorgeous!! Thank you!!
Cassie May says
you are welcome!
Nichole Hoehn says
Oh I love these hats! And I love that baby!!!!