How to Knit a Cloche Hat (Free Pattern + Video)
Cloche Hat Free Knitting Pattern
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to knit a Cloche Hat (1920s fashion inspiration)… lovely!
This free pattern comes in 4 sizes: Toddler, Child (up to 10 years), teenager, and adult, and it’s easy and fun to make, and pretty stretchy!
Besides, it’s pretty versatile, as I divided the project into 3 parts:
1) The Brim is made in Garter stitch, but you can use a classic 1×1 Rib stitch, and work half of the rounds, to convert it into a traditional cap.
2) The rest of the hat is knitted in Granite stitch, and you can also change it to the pattern of your preference (the only requirement is that the pattern needs an even number of stitches).
3) For the Crown or Decreasing Section, I used the Stockinette stitch and a simple decrease (left-leaning decrease), which can be replaced with another left-leaning decrease known as ssk.
Even more, if it’s easier for you, you can change it to knit two together (a right-leaning decrease).
Last but not least, there are several options to knit this Cloche Hat:
I decided to make it in the round, using one pair of super short interchangeable needles and cord or cable for most of it, ending with a longer cord for the crown, using the Magic Loop Technique.
Without a doubt, this is the most comfortable option for me 😉
However, if your needles are not interchangeable, you can use one pair and a long cord to knit the whole hat with the Magic Loop Technique.
And if you know how to knit in the round with double-pointed needles, you can use them to finish the hat (for the crown section).
It’s entirely up to you!
Ok, it’s time to knit, but before, please read the instructions throughout, and don’t forget to knit a swatch 😉
Materials
Short Interchangeable circular needles (4 in / 10 cm long) US 8 size or 5 mm #ad
One marker, tapestry or darning needle, scissors, and measurement tape
Worsted Weight yarn, medium, nº 4, or 10 ply in the following quantities (approximately).
This one is 100% Merino wool yarn, super smooth, easy to work with, and Superwash #ad
Size
XS: 60 gr.
S: 70 gr.
M: 100 gr.
L: 140 gr.
24 in / 60 cm (or longer) cord #ad
Sizes and Measurements
Age Head Circumf. / Size
Toddler (1 – 3 years) 19 in (48 cm) / XS
Child (up to 10 years) 20 in (51 cm) / S
Teenager 21 in (53 cm) / M
Adult Woman 23 in (58.5 cm) / L
Gauge
A 4 x 4 in (10 x 10 cm) square knitted in Stockinette stitch equals 24 stitches and 27 rounds.
Please take time to knit your swatch, and remember, if your gauge is different, the size of your hat will be too!
If you’re getting more stitches per in, go up one (or more) needle sizes.
If you’re getting fewer stitches, go down one (or more) needle sizes.
Abbreviations
CO: Cast on
st: Stitch
RS: Right side of the work
k: Knit
p: Purl
sd: Simple left-leaning decrease. Slip one as if to knit, knit the next, and pass the slipped stitch over
Notes Before Starting
The pattern is written for the size XS; the instructions for other sizes are in parentheses.
Please check this tutorial first, if you haven’t tried to knit in the round yet.
And then, take a look at how to knit in the round using the Magic Loop Technique here.
How to knit a Cloche Hat
Garter Stitch Section (The Brim)
With the short cable, CO 66 (72, 84, 92) stitches.
Note: As shown in the video tutorial, I have a trick to join in the round in a neater way, to prevent a long strand. If you want to use it, CO 1 stitch more.
Work 1.75 (2, 2.5, 3) in / 4.5 (5, 6.5, 7.5) cm in Garter stitch, as follows:
1º and every odd round: K across
2º and every even round: P across
Granite stitch section (8-row repeat)
1º, 2º, 5º and 6º rounds: K across
3º and 4º rounds: *K1, P1*
7º and 8º rounds: *P1, K1*.
Work rounds 1 – 8 until the Cloche Hat measures 6 (7, 8, 9) from the CO round.
Decreasing section (The Crown)
Size XS
Round 1: *K9, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (60 st remain)
Round 2: K around
Round 3: *K8, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (54 st)
Round 4: K around
Round 5: *K7, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (48 st)
Round 6: *K6, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (42 st)
Round 7: *K5, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (36 st)
Round 8: *K4, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (30 st)
Round 9: *K3, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (24 st)
Round 10: *K2, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (18 st)
Round 11: *K1, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (12 st)
Round : 12: *sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (6 st remain).
Size S
Round 1: *K6, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (63 st remain)
Round 2: K around
Round 3: *K5, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (54 st)
Round 4: K around
Round 5: *K4, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (45 st)
Round 6: K around
Round 7: *K3, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (36 st)
Round 8: K around
Round 9: *K2, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (27 st)
Round 10: K around
Round 11: *K1, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (18 st)
Round 12: K around
Round 13: *sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (9 st remain).
Size M
Round 1: *K10, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (77 st remain)
Round 2: K around
Round 3: *K9, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (70 st)
Round 4: K around
Round 5: *K8, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (63 st)
Round 6: K around
Round 7: *K7, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (56 st)
Round 8: *K6, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (49 st)
Round 9: *K5, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (42 st)
Round 10: *K4, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (35 st)
Round 11: *K3, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (28 st)
Round 12: *K2, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (21 st)
Round 13: *K1, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (14 st)
Round 14: *sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (7 st remain).
Size L
Round 1: sd, K to last 2 st, sd. Repeat from * to *, to end (90 st remain)
Round 2: *K8, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (81 st)
Round 3: *K7, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (72 st)
Round 4: K around
Round 5: *K6, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (63 st)
Round 6: K around
Round 7: *K5, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (54 st)
Round 8: K around
Round 9: *K4, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (45 st)
Round 10: K around
Round 11: *K3, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (40 st)
Round 12: *K2, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (30 st)
Round 13: *K1, sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (20 st)
Round 14: *sd*. Repeat from * to *, to end (10 st remain).
How to finish de Cloche Hat (all sizes)
Cut the yarn leaving a nice tail (around 5 in), and pass it through the remaining stitches. Close to secure.
Weave in the ends, and… congratulations! Your Cloche Hat is finished!
Click on the link below to watch the video tutorial:
How to Knit a Cloche Hat step by step
I hope you like it!
Hugs, and happy knitting,
Carolina – So Woolly
PS: Don’t forget to share the love 😉
