Hats are the knitting trifecta: small projects that are useful and make great gifts. You can get most hats done in a short time, and many are one-skein wonders.

Here is a variety of hat patterns that should suit your gift-knitting needs this season and for years to come.

Calbuco by Cassandra Milani

This hat is perfection for any guy on your list, or any gal for that matter! Just change the color to suit the recipient, and cast on. Use wonderful Manos del Uruguay Maxima to knit Calbuco, and you'll end up with a fabulous gift.

Traveling Cables Beanie by Linda Daniels

If you're a beginning cable knitter, Traveling Cables is your project. It'll teach you how to knit easy cables that deliver big stye. Knit it up in shop-favorite HiKoo Sueno.

Diamonds are High by Heather Hill

This a wonderful hat pattern for anyone, but especially for those teens on your list. They'll love the high-contrast diamond pattern and the big pom pom. You'll love Diamonds are High, too, because it knits up super fast in Universal Deluxe Bulky yarn. Fast + cute = WINNER!

Fair Isle Hat by Vanessa Ewing

Looking for an easy colorwork pattern? The Fair Isle Hat uses a solid for the colorwork and a self-striping yarn for the main color. The result looks like you used several colors in the design instead of just two! Let the yarn do the work for you here. Knit this in Adriafil Knitcol and Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine.

Bristled Cone Beanie by Linda Daniels

This hat is all about texture. The stitch pattern evokes the look of a pine cone, hence the name Bristle Cone. The shape of this hat is so flattering on everyone, too. It's flatter on top, because the crown is shaped with four decreases per decrease round instead of the usual six or eight. Knit it up in fabulous HiKoo Sueno, and the Bristle Cone Hat will become a favorite! 

In this pretty hat, the yarn does all the work. The Chevron Hat is knit with Plymouth Gina, a lovely self-striping yarn that knits up beautifully. Vanessa used an easy chevron pattern that adds a great drape and interest that complements the yarn perfectly. Any stylish gal will love this slouchy hat!

Hot Hats Collection

This free eBook contains nine wonderful hat patterns, all topped with chic pom poms. Use economical Universal Deluxe Worsted to knit up these beauties. Hot Hats features toppers for both men and women, boys and girls. Just check out the options below!

Baby & Kids' Stocking Cap by Vanessa Ewing

I couldn't put together a hat collection without including something for the little ones, so I give you the Baby & Kids' Stocking Cap! So darling, and it's sized for babies through teens, so you can knit a family of these cuties. Knit with shop favorite Adriafil KnitCol, you'll get a different stripe with each hat you make.

Pocket Slouch Hat by Kelley Hobart

Shop owner Kelley designed this hat with one of her favorite yarns, HiKoo SimpliCria. It's so super-soft and squishy that you can put it in your pocket, so she called it the Pocket Slouch. Simple and warm, this hat goes with everything, and since it fits in your pocket, you're less likely to lose it!

Hooded Cowl by the Plymouth Design Studio

This one has been so popular with our customers! Although technically not a hat, it does the job—with the added bonus of keeping your neck warm. This is a quickie knit because it's made with super-bulky yarn. The Hooded Cowl can be knit up in a weekend with Plymouth Encore Mega. You need just three balls, so you can make this project for under 20 bucks!

I hope you love this collection of free hat knitting patterns, and that it helps you get ready for the holidays!

As a bonus, here's a Technique Tuesday episode where Kelley shares tips on how to knit a hat that actually fits! 

Cheers,