
All of the free patterns and tutorials on this website are supported by my amazing Patreons! If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be able to continue to produce or host freebies. We’d love to have you join us and in return, you get exclusive behind-the-scenes material, member-only discounts and early access to new free content. Membership starts at $1 per month. You can also say thanks for the freebie via the Tip Jar.
Hat Description
Thrifter Beanie features a deep ribbed brim which is folded up, and a stocking stitch body. It has balanced decreases which form a cross at the crown.
Pattern Availability
My Patreon supporters and members of The Woolly Hat Society get exclusive early access to new free patterns and tutorials. Once the exclusive period is over, they’re published here on the blog for everyone to use.
Pattern Support
If you have a question about this pattern, pop it in a comment below. Sorry, but I’m unable to help with my free patterns or tutorials via email or private messages.
Social Media
Share your hand-knit Hats online with these hashtags!
#WoollyWormhead
#WWThrifterBeanie
Yarn
138yd/126m/100g
Chunky weight, single ply yarn.
Needles & Notions
Set 5.5mm/UK5/US9 DPNs/Circular or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker as necessary
Tapestry needle
Sample Details
Shown in Manos Del Uruguay Wool Clasica [138yd/126m per 100g; 100% Wool]
Shown in size 23in/58.5cm on model with 21.75in/55.25cm circumference head.
Gauge
16sts x 24rows to 4in/10cm over Stocking Stitch
Sizes
To fit sizes: 19 [21, 23] in/48.25 [53.25, 58.5] cm
Finished size: 16 [18, 20] in/40.75 [45.75, 51] cm
Not sure which size to make? Check my handy size and measuring guide!
Skills Required
Alternate Cable Cast-on
Knitting in the round
Increases and Decreases
Draw-through Bind-off
Blocking a Hand Knit Hat
Abbreviations
K: knit
P: purl
rpt: repeat
R/rnd(s): rounds
st(s): stitch(es)
k2tog: knit next 2 sts together
SSK: slip next 2 sts knitwise, then knit these 2 sts together through the backs of the loops
How To
Using Alternate Cable cast-on method, cast on 64 [72, 80] sts.
Join in the round, taking care not to twist the stitches. Place stitch marker to indicate the start of the round.
Brim
Work K1, P1 rib until work measures 5.5 [6, 6.5] in/14 [15.25, 16.5] cm from cast on edge. (the Brim of this Hat is folded several times, creating that ultra thick and cosy look)
Body
Now knit every round, creating stocking stitch in the round, until work measures 7 [8, 9] in/17.75 [20.25, 22.75] cm from cast on edge.
Crown
Crown
19in size jump to Rnd 5, 21in size jump to Rnd 3 & 23in size start from Rnd 1
Rnd 1: *k2tog, K16, ssk; rpt from * to end [72 sts]
Rnd 2 & all even rounds: Knit all stitches
Rnd 3: *k2tog, K14, ssk; rpt from * to end [64 sts]
Rnd 5: *k2tog, K12, ssk; rpt from * to end [56 sts]
Rnd 7: *k2tog, K10, ssk; rpt from * to end [48 sts]
Rnd 9: *k2tog, K8, ssk; rpt from * to end [40 sts]
Rnd 11: *k2tog, K6, ssk; rpt from * to end [32 sts]
Rnd 13: *k2tog, K4, ssk; rpt from * to end [24 sts]
Rnd 15: *k2tog, K2, ssk; rp from * to end [16 sts]
Rnd 17: *k2tog, ssk; rpt from * to end [8 sts]
Break yarn and draw through remaining 8sts, tighten to close
Finishing
Weave in all ends. Blocking isn’t necessary, however should you wish, a light blocking will help the stitches settle. However, do note that to ensure a good fit, the gauge above should be treated as a post-blocking gauge if you intend to block your Hat.

It’s not really a new pattern – it’s something I wanted to knit for myself based on one of my old Hats from way back when. This green Hat was one of my first keep-forever Hats, that I picked up in a charity shop in Southend. It’s made of something rather chunky and acrylic and I love it. It’s nothing special but it does the job and goes with everything. (and it’s not black, y’see?).
This is the only photo I have of me wearing the original. Taken some, erm, 21 years ago when I was living in Southend – this shot was probably taken in Southchurch Park on an autumn evening (anyone reading hail from these parts?)
As much as the new Hat is for me, Alyx is far more photogenic so whilst we were shooting for the MKAL Hat ‘Erica’, we snuck in a couple of cheeky shots of this one.
The original is seamed up the back but this one is seamless, as is my preference. And I haven’t graded this one – my lurgied head isn’t quite up to that – but the plan is to add in additional sizes some time in the hopefully not too distant future. You know me, I’m not keen on one sized Hat patterns, and I’m not going to try and convince you that this one sized Hat pattern will fit most! (it’ll fit us larger headed folk just right)
Not sure if you can tell from these photos, but can you see where there’s a little point or edge to the start of the Crown decreases? Well, that’s happening because as much as this Hat looks like it fits Alyx, it’s a bit big on her, and the Hat isn’t stretched as snuggly as intended and so the decreases aren’t as smooth as they should be. If this were a finer yarn they’d sit a little smoother, but it’s not, and that slight point is a giveaway that there’s not enough negative ease for Alyx’s head.
Best I go and add this to the Ravelry database, then. This yarn, the Wool Clasica, appears to be listed as an Aran weight on the Ravelry database but it’s not – it’s a classic Chunky weight at this gauge, which is a UK weight that hasn’t made it onto the database… mind, Chunky weight is becoming harder to find, but still – don’t be confused by the yarn weight classification! A typical Aran weight yarn (18sts to 10cm) will give you a smaller Hat, around 17.75in finished size – ideal for a 21in head.
Need Help With This Pattern?
If you’ve a question about this pattern, please pop it in the comments below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can! I’m afraid I’m unable to offer help via email or private message, but you’re welcome to post in our forum.
Print This!
If you’d like to print this free pattern, either use the ‘Print’ button below or right-click in your browser, adjust the settings to suit your needs, and select ‘Save as PDF’ for a digital copy, or your printer for a paper copy. You can use the scale option to reduce or enlarge the font.



Thanks! The cast on makes this hat special, and that's a beautiful shade of green.
I learned something new about a snug fitting hat and ease PLUS a beautiful pattern to keep me cosy. I have just the yarn for this!
I used to hail from those parts – I grew up in Hadleigh, Essex – but left for University in 1963 and never went back except to see my mother in her last years. Southend is almost unrecognisable to me now except possibly the Pier. I was terrified of falling through the cracks in the wooden boarding when I was small!
Such a cozy hat – thank you for sharing! That green color is really lovely – what shade is it? I can't seem to find any Manos del Uruguay yarn that matches that color.