I have recently been trying to use up my massive yarn stash. Most of this is now baby wool and yarn, leftover from baby knits for my new grandson.

This newborn size baby beanie hat is a very simple design and perfect for using up leftover yarn.

It has a very cute shape and a simple garter stitch detail above the ribbing elevates it somewhat.

This is a very easy to knit baby hat knitting pattern which is suitable for beginners. The hat is knit flat on two needles.

This article includes the free knitting pattern to make this little newborn baby beanie hat. I hope you will enjoy it.

I find a lot of newborn hats too big and this one is nice and small for a new baby.

Read on for this cute newborn baby hat knitting pattern.

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The Yarn Used to Make My Beanie Hats

The newborn baby hats in the photo were made from acrylic baby yarn. A plain and a self-striping yarn called Emu Funfair was also used. This is a new yarn which I bought here from the Knitting Network. I recommend Emu Baby Yarns as they are very soft. The Emu Treasures range is really lovely and comes in plain, spotty and self patterning Fair Isle variations.

Newborn Beanie Hat Free Knitting Pattern

Materials

One pair each of 3.75mm and 4mm knitting needles. That’s US 5 and 6.
Approx 30g of DK yarn, 8 ply to those outside the UK.
Scissors and needle for sewing and finishing.

Yarn Information

The plain hat shown was made from Yarnsmiths Create Baby DK in shade DK20 silver.

The colourful hat is made with a self striping yarn, Emu Funfair, in colourway Helter Skelter. Both yarns are 100% acrylic.

You can use any DK yarn as a substitute. Acrylic is often chosen for baby knits as it is hard wearing and can withstand frequent washing. I found the Emu yarn a lot softer than the Yarnsmiths one. Still, the Yarnsmiths baby range is a little cheaper.

Two hand knit beanie hats for newborn babies

Tension

This hat is designed to be flexible and work with a wide range of DK yarns. The exact tension may vary depending on your yarn choice.

As a guide, a 5cm square using 4mm knitting needles, stocking stitch and Yarnsmiths Create Baby DK yarn contains approximately 11 stitches and 14 rows.

Abbreviations and Terms

K – knit
P – purl
K2tog – knit 2 together
Stocking Stitch – knit right side rows, purl wrong side rows

Instructions

On 3.75mm needles, cast on 56 stitches.

Work 6 rows of 2×2 rib as follows: *k2, p2* across each row

Change to 4mm needles.

K 2 rows.

Commencing with a k row, work 18 rows of stocking stitch.

The right side is facing for the shaping.

Shaping:

*K4, k2tog; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2 (47 stitches remain)
P
*K3, k2tog; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2 (38 stitches remain)
P
*K2, k2tog; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2 (29 stitches remain)
P
* K1, k2tog; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2 (20 stitches remain)
P
* K2tog; repeat from * to end of row (10 stitches remain)
P
* K2tog; repeat from * to end of row (5 stitches remain)

Finishing:

Cut the yarn, leaving a tail to sew up the back seam.
Thread the yarn tail through the stitches that remain. Gather to form the top of the hat.
Sew up the back seam (a flat seam is recommended).
Sew in the loose ends.

Thank you for reading this newborn baby hat knitting pattern.

You can find this knitting pattern and more newborn hat patterns in the collection Teeny Hats for Tiny Heads: 25 Cute Newborn Baby Hat Knitting Patterns.