Knit a sweet watermelon hat for anyone with this adorable and easy summery hat knitting pattern!
Updated April, 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.
So I know, watermelon is a summery food. And knit hats are a wintery thing. But you know what, I don’t know about where you live, but a lot of times, the air conditioning is out of control inside, especially in public places. Even in our house, where we keep the a/c at a reasonable level, our basement is freeeeeezing.
So when I take Baby V down to play while I exercise or O is busy, I actually have to bundle her up. I’d turn the a/c down (or up? less cold is what I mean…) but then our second floor becomes nine thousand degrees. Old houses, man!
Watermelon Hat Knitting Pattern
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!
Sweet Watermelon Hat Knitting Pattern Instructions (1-2 year size)
Using long-tail cast on, cast on 72 stitches onto your circular needles with the green yarn color. Join to knit in the round and k2, p2 in a rib stitch for 6 rounds. Switch to the white yarn and knit all stitches for 3 rounds. Then switch to the pink yarn for the rest of the hat.
Knit all rows until the hat is 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.
To make the watermelon seeds:
Thread your needle with a long length of black yarn and pull it halfway through so that you are sewing with double thickness. Make small vertical stitches (about three rows high) all over the hat to make the seeds. Cut, knot and weave in yarn ends either as you go or when you’re finished. And that’s it! Enjoy your watermelon hat!
If you liked this, you may also like some of my other posts…
- Summer Picnic Wreath Knitting Pattern - June 16, 2025
- Free Printable Yarn Inventory - May 29, 2025
- Bold Butterfly Hat Knitting Pattern - May 27, 2025
Jane Anchill says
Just wondered exactly what pink worsted yarn you used for the watermelon hat–brand, color? It is a great color. Looking forward to making this cute hat.
Cassie May says
Hi! I believe it’s Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in Raspberry, but I’m having trouble finding it online and am wondering if that particular color has possibly been discontinued…
Monika Schwartz says
Could you show a picture of the underside with the seeds? I’m not exactly sure what I’m cutting and knotting and how to carry the yarn from seed to seed.
Shirley nasci says
For seeds I opted to use embroidery thread (3 Or 4 strands) ..instead of yarn,is much easier to weave in/hide on backside..😀 sn.
tess says
Thank you for all of your free patterns. I’ve made a half dozen of these little watermelon darlings to donate.
I k5melon k1brown across on every 6th row to create an allover pattern of seeds but I can’t for the life of me hide the carried brown yarn effectively.
I’ve tried knitting in the ends as I go. I’ve tried weaving in ends w a yarn needle. I’ve searched the web & tried all sorts of methods for weaving in ends w no luck. What’s your secret.
Cassie May says
This is tough when you have one color that’s much darker. If you’re knitting the seeds in as you go along, honestly, I would just carry the brown yarn inside up to the next row that you need it. Every 6th row is a little bit long to carry it, but it would be worth it not to have ends for each of those rows! If you can reduce the number of ends that will really help!
Lesley Brown says
My daughter is 21 and loves watermelon – might just knit this in her size…thanks for the idea!
Cassie May says
That would be amazing, I’d love to see a pic, lol!!
Kate from Vancouver now in London says
Hi!
Adorable pattern!
Just one question though… I note that the printed pattern says K1 P1 rib, but the photos show K2 P2 rib – is this a typo or did you mean for it to be K1 P1?
Just curious… will be making this up for my little girl in the near future. 🙂
Cassie May says
Hi Kate!
You know what? I do hats both ways, so really it doesn’t matter, you can pick which you think looks better. But you’re right, the pattern and the hat don’t match. I should update that! Thanks for pointing it out! Happy knitting!
Randi says
Such cuteness! Pinned this one for sure!
Have a lovely day!
Cassie May says
oh yay! Thank you so much!!