Adorable Knitted Lil Kitty Hat Pattern — Sizes from Preemie to Child
The Knitted Lil Kitty Hat is an easy, quick-knit baby hat with charming pointy ears — perfect for photo props, gifts, or keeping little heads cozy. This pattern uses worsted-weight yarn and size 7 needles (or magic loop on circulars) and includes step-by-step instructions for sizes from small preemie up to child.
Materials: worsted weight yarn (I used Lana Gatto Class) appx 60-120yds, size 7 (4.5mm) double pointed needles or circular for magic loop method, yarn needle
Gauge: 4sts = 1in ~Gauge is important! Be sure you check before you start~
Sizes (appx finished head circumference): sm preemie (10ins), md preemie (11ins), lg preemie (12ins), newborn (13ins), 0-3mth (14ins), 3-6mths (15ins), 6-12mths (16ins), toddler (17ins), child (18ins)
Kitchener Stitch: Hold the two pieces of knitting parallel to one another with the wrong sides facing. Thread the working yarn with a yarn needle. *Insert the yarn needle knitwise into the first stitch on the front knitting needle. Draw through the stitch and slip the stitch off of the front needle. Insert the yarn needle purlwise into the next stitch on the front knitting needle. Draw through the stitch. Leave the stitch on the needle. Insert the yarn needle purlwise into the first stitch on the back knitting needle. Draw through the stitch and slip the stitch off of the back needle. Insert the yarn needle knitwise into the next stitch on the back knitting needle. Draw through the stitch. Leave the stitch on the needle. Repeat these steps beginning at the * until all of your stitches have been grafted together.
Lil Kitty Hat Pattern
Small Preemie
Cast on 40 sts and join in the round.
Rounds 1-6 – k2 p2 around
Work in stockinette stitch until your work measures 3.5ins from the cast on edge.
Divide your stitches onto 2 needles. Cut yarn leaving appx 3 times the length of your work laying flat. Work kitchner stitch. Finish off.
Cut 2 pieces of yarn (one for each ear) appx 8-10ins and tie a bow around the top corners to form the ears. I like to use a needle to weave the yarn through the corner of the hat to be sure the bow doesn’t slip off but it’s not necessary.
Medium Preemie
Cast on 44 sts and join in the round.
Rounds 1-6 – k2 p2 around
Work in stockinette stitch until your work measures 4ins from the cast on edge.
Divide your stitches onto 2 needles. Cut yarn leaving appx 3 times the length of your work laying flat. Work kitchner stitch. Finish off.
Cut 2 pieces of yarn (one for each ear) appx 8-10ins and tie a bow around the top corners to form the ears. I like to use a needle to weave the yarn through the corner of the hat to be sure the bow doesn’t slip off but it’s not necessary.
Large Preemie
Cast on 48 sts and join in the round.
Rounds 1-6 – k2 p2 around
Work in stockinette stitch until your work measures 4.5ins from the cast on edge.
Divide your stitches onto 2 needles. Cut yarn leaving appx 3 times the length of your work laying flat. Work kitchner stitch. Finish off.
Cut 2 pieces of yarn (one for each ear) appx 8-10ins and tie a bow around the top corners to form the ears. I like to use a needle to weave the yarn through the corner of the hat to be sure the bow doesn’t slip off but it’s not necessary.
Newborn
Cast on 52 sts and join in the round.
Rounds 1-6 – k2 p2 around
Work in stockinette stitch until your work measures 5ins from the cast on edge.
Divide your stitches onto 2 needles. Cut yarn leaving appx 3 times the length of your work laying flat. Work kitchner stitch. Finish off.
Cut 2 pieces of yarn (one for each ear) appx 8-10ins and tie a bow around the top corners to form the ears. I like to use a needle to weave the yarn through the corner of the hat to be sure the bow doesn’t slip off but it’s not necessary.
0-3mths
Cast on 56 sts and join in the round.
Rounds 1-6 – k2 p2 around
Work in stockinette stitch until your work measures 5.5ins from the cast on edge.
Divide your stitches onto 2 needles. Cut yarn leaving appx 3 times the length of your work laying flat. Work kitchner stitch. Finish off.
Cut 2 pieces of yarn (one for each ear) appx 8-10ins and tie a bow around the top corners to form the ears. I like to use a needle to weave the yarn through the corner of the hat to be sure the bow doesn’t slip off but it’s not necessary.
3-6mths
Cast on 60 sts and join in the round.
Rounds 1-7 – k2 p2 around
Work in stockinette stitch until your work measures 6ins from the cast on edge.
Divide your stitches onto 2 needles. Cut yarn leaving appx 3 times the length of your work laying flat. Work kitchner stitch. Finish off.
Cut 2 pieces of yarn (one for each ear) appx 8-10ins and tie a bow around the top corners to form the ears. I like to use a needle to weave the yarn through the corner of the hat to be sure the bow doesn’t slip off but it’s not necessary.
6-12mths
Cast on 64 sts and join in the round.
Rounds 1-7 – k2 p2 around
Work in stockinette stitch until your work measures 6.5ins from the cast on edge.
Divide your stitches onto 2 needles. Cut yarn leaving appx 3 times the length of your work laying flat. Work kitchner stitch. Finish off.
Cut 2 pieces of yarn (one for each ear) appx 8-10ins and tie a bow around the top corners to form the ears. I like to use a needle to weave the yarn through the corner of the hat to be sure the bow doesn’t slip off but it’s not necessary.
Toddler
Cast on 68 sts and join in the round.
Rounds 1-8 – k2 p2 around
Work in stockinette stitch until your work measures 7ins from the cast on edge.
Divide your stitches onto 2 needles. Cut yarn leaving appx 3 times the length of your work laying flat. Work kitchner stitch. Finish off.
Cut 2 pieces of yarn (one for each ear) appx 8-10ins and tie a bow around the top corners to form the ears. I like to use a needle to weave the yarn through the corner of the hat to be sure the bow doesn’t slip off but it’s not necessary.
Child
Cast on 72 sts and join in the round.
Rounds 1-8 – k2 p2 around
Work in stockinette stitch until your work measures 7.5ins from the cast on edge.
Divide your stitches onto 2 needles. Cut yarn leaving appx 3 times the length of your work laying flat. Work kitchner stitch. Finish off.
Cut 2 pieces of yarn (one for each ear) appx 8-10ins and tie a bow around the top corners to form the ears. I like to use a needle to weave the yarn through the corner of the hat to be sure the bow doesn’t slip off but it’s not necessary.
Quick Tips
- Always check your gauge before starting; 4 sts = 1 in is the target for this pattern.
- Use magic loop on a circular needle if you prefer that to double-pointed needles.
- To make the ears more secure, weave the yarn tail through the corner of the hat with a yarn needle as described above.
- Adjust the finished length if you want a slouchier or more fitted look.