Our classic Canadian Hudson Bay inspired hat is a popular color combination for winter hats. This free knitting pattern will give you all the details to make this hat in sizes newborn, toddlers, children and women.
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Supplies:
Yarn – Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick (Super Bulky 6). Colors – Fisherman, Cranberry, Grass, Mustard, Navy.
Order online: (Lion Brand) (Amazon USA) (Amazon Canada) (Michaels) (Love Crafts)
Needles – US 13/9mm or whichever size needed to obtain gauge. Size US 13/9mm circular needles, 16” long and US 13/9mm double pointed needles for the decrease, if desired.
Darning needle, stitch marker, pompom maker, measuring tape and scissors. I use the Clover brand pompom makers – size 2.5” (green) size for the newborn and 0-3 month hats; and the 3 3/8” (blue) size for the larger sizes.
Gauge:
4” x 4” = 9 stitches and 12 rows in stocking stitch (same as pattern). I recommend using US 13 needles, but if you are a loose knitter you may need to drop down to US 11 or go up to US 15 for tighter knitters.
Be sure to check your gauge to ensure the hat will fit your little one properly.
Abbreviations:
K = Knit
P = Purl
K2tog = Knit two together
Sizes:
Newborn, 0-3 Months, 3-6 Months, 6-12 Months, 1-3 Years, 4-12 Years, Women
Color Changes:
I like to use the jogless stripe method when switching colors to have a smooth color change up the rows. This video is how I learned to do the jogless stripe.
Directions:
Newborn:
Cast on 25 stitches on your circular needle using the color Fisherman.
Join.
Purl 1 row.
Switch to Navy. K 2 rows.
Switch to Fisherman. K 2 rows.
Switch to Mustard. K 2 rows.
Switch to Fisherman. K 2 rows.
Switch to Cranberry. K 2 rows.
Switch to Fisherman. K 2 rows.
Switch to Grass. *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last stitch, K1.
K 1 row.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert the tail into the hat through the middle opening and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat.
0-3 Months
Cast on 26 stitches on your circular needle using the color Fisherman.
Join.
Purl 1 row.
Switch to Navy. K 2 rows.
Switch to Fisherman. K 2 rows.
Switch to Mustard. K 2 rows.
Switch to Fisherman. K 2 rows.
Switch to Cranberry. K 2 rows.
Switch to Fisherman. K 2 rows.
Switch to Grass. *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last two stitches, K2.
K 1 row.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert tail into the hat through the middle and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat.
3-6 Months
Cast on 28 stitches on your circular needle using the color Fisherman.
Join.
Purl 1 row.
Switch to Navy. K 2 rows.
Switch to Fisherman. K 2 rows.
Switch to Mustard. K 2 rows.
Switch to Fisherman. K 2 rows.
Switch to Cranberry. K 2 rows.
Switch to Fisherman. K 2 rows.
Switch to Grass. *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end.
K 1 row.
Switch to Fisherman. *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last stitch, K1.
K 1 row.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert tail into the hat through the middle and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat.
6-12 Months
Cast on 30 stitches on your circular needle using the color Fisherman.
Join.
Purl 1 row.
Switch to Navy. K 3 rows.
Switch to Fisherman. K 2 rows.
Switch to Mustard. K 3 rows.
Switch to Fisherman. K 2 rows.
Switch to Cranberry. K 3 rows.
Switch to Fisherman. K 2 rows.
Switch to Grass. K 1 row.
Next row – *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last two stitches, K2.
K 1 row.
Switch to Fisherman. *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last three stitches, K3.
K1 row.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert tail into the hat through the middle and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat.
1-3 Years (Toddler)
Cast on 32 stitches on your circular needle in color Fisherman.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 7 rounds.
Switch to Navy.
K all for 11 rounds. During these rows and the decrease, you will knit two rows of each color in the following order – Navy, Fisherman, Mustard, Fisherman, Cranberry, Fisherman, Grass, Fisherman. There will only be one Fisherman row at the very top before you finish the hat.
Decrease: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end. (24 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Next row – *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end. (18 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert tail into the hat through the middle and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat.
4-12 Years (Child)
Cast on 34 stitches on your circular needle in color Fisherman.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 7 rounds.
Switch to Navy.
K all for 12 rounds. During these rows and the decrease, you will knit two rows of each color in the following order – Navy, Fisherman, Mustard, Fisherman, Cranberry, Fisherman, Grass, Fisherman.
Decrease: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last two stitches, K2. (26 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Next row – *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last two stitches, K2. (20 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert tail into the hat through the middle and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat.
Women
Cast on 36 stitches on your circular needle in color Fisherman.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 6 rounds.
Switch to Navy.
K all for 14 rounds. During these rows and the decrease, you will knit three rows of each colored stripe and two rows of Fisherman in the following order – Navy (3), Fisherman (2), Mustard (3), Fisherman (2), Cranberry (3), Fisherman (2), Grass (3).
Decrease: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end. (27 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Next row – *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last three stitches, K1, K2tog. (20 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert tail into the hat through the middle and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat.
Although our patterns are always free on our blog, many prefer our premium ad-free, printer friendly, PDF versions. These are available to purchase HERE.
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