Knit a sweet watercolor bow baby hat with this free knitting pattern!
Oh, this hat, you guys. It gave me trouble. I think it turned out super cute but I could not for the life of me get the bow to tie the way I wanted it to. What should have been pretty easy got me so frustrated. So I’m going to suggest that you thread the ribbon the way I show you and then tie a separate bow and sew it on. I think you’ll be happier that way. That’s what I’ll write in the instructions, but if anyone comes up with a better idea, please share! Anyway, it turned out adorable and I love how it showcases that pretty watercolor ribbon (which is perfect for babies who don’t have much hair…ahem, Baby V…)
Watercolor Ribbon Bow Hat Knitting Pattern (size 6 months)
You will need:
US 7 16″ circular knitting needles
1″ wide watercolor ribbon (see my watercolor ribbon tutorial)
(If you need help, my favorite knitting reference book for everyone from beginners to advanced knitters is THIS ONE!)
Using long-tail cast on, cast on 64 stitches onto your circular needles with the gray yarn color. Join to knit in the round and knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch in a rib stitch for 5 rounds.
Knit all rows for 4 rows
Row 5: (yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k12) repeat 3 more times.
Knit all rows until the hat is about 4 1/2 inches long.
Decrease:
Round 1: Knit 6, Knit 2 stitches together and repeat to the end of the round.
Round 2: Knit all stitches
Round 3: Knit 5, Knit 2 stitches together and repeat to the end of the round.
Round 4: Knit all stitches
Round 5: Knit directly onto 3 of the double pointed needles:
- Needle 1: Knit 4, Knit 2 stitches together, repeat two times.
- Needle 2: Knit 4, Knit 2 stitches together, repeat two times.
- Needle 3: Knit 4, Knit 2 stitches together, repeat one time.
Round 6: Use the fourth double pointed needle to knit all stitches to the end of the round.
Round 7: Knit 3 stitches, Knit 2 stitches together and repeat to the end of the round.
Round 8: Knit all stitches to the end of the round
Round 9: Knit 2 stitches, Knit 2 stitches together and repeat to the end of the round.
Round 10: Knit all stitches to the end of the round
Round 11: Knit 1 stitch, Knit 2 stitches together and repeat to the end of the round.
Round 12: Knit all stitches to the end of the round
Round 13: Knit 2 stitches together and repeat to the end of the round.
Cut yarn, pull through loops and close. Weave in ends.
To add the ribbon, loosely weave it through the eyelets that you created in Row 5 as shown. 
Create a separate bow out of the same ribbon, finish any ribbon ends by melting or adding fray check and then sew it securely to the front of the hat. 
If you liked this, you may also like some of my other posts…
- Solid Rainbow Swirl Hat Knitting Pattern - March 17, 2025
- Learn to Knit – s2kp or s2kp2 (slip 2, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over) a centered double decrease - March 17, 2025
- Free Printable Knit & Crochet Yarn Labels - March 13, 2025
Trish says
Thank you for such a cute hat……