Introducing the perfect whale hat knitting pattern. This free toque knitting pattern comes in sizes baby, toddler, children, women and men. You’ll be making hats for everyone you know!
* Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.
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.
Supplies:
Yarn – Any worsted weight (#4).
The yarn used in the photos is Loops & Threads Impeccable. Colors: Navy, Smoke, Lapis (whale) and Aqua (water).
Purchase online: (Amazon USA) (Amazon Canada) (Michaels)
Needles – Please check your gauge before starting as you may need to go up or down a needle size to get the fit just right. Size US 6 /4mm 16” long circular needles for the brim. Size US 7/4.5mm, 16” long circular needles for the body; US 7/4.5mm double pointed needles for the decrease.
Darning needle, stitch marker, measuring tape and scissors.
Gauge:
4” x 4” = 16 stitches and 23 rows in stocking stitch.
Be sure to check your gauge to ensure the hat will fit properly. When checking your gauge, use the needles recommended for the body of the hat (not the brim).
Abbreviations:
K = Knit
P = Purl
K2tog = Knit two together
Sizes:
0-3 Months, 3-12 Months, 1-2 Years (toddler), 3-12 Years (child), Teen/Women, Men
Recommended head circumference for each size:
0-3 Months – 13-15” 3-12 Years – 19-21”
3-12 Months – 15-18” Teen/Women – 21-22″
1-2 Years – 18-19” Men – 23-24”
Directions:
Completing the Wave Design
** The whale is added after the hat is completed using the duplicate stitch technique.
Begin the hat in the main color. Start following the chart on the first K all row, after you have completed the ribbing. Repeat the 8 stitch chart row until you get to the end of each round. The chart is the same for all sizes.
In the pattern, you will see it says to “K all until your work measures ___” total length”. This normally takes 20-22 k all rows (plus the brim) to complete the recommended length for each size with the given gauge. The chart is 18 rows. Once you have completed the chart, measure your work. If you have not yet reached the recommended height, continue working in your main color. If your work happens to measures slightly longer than the recommended length once you complete the chart, that is ok. Once you have completed the chart and your work measures, at minimum, the recommended height, begin decreasing.
0 – 3 Months:
Cast on 48 stitches on your smaller circular needles.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 6 rounds.
Switch to your larger circular needles.
Follow the instructions for the wave design chart above and K all until your work measures 4.25” total length.
Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):
*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2together; repeat from * to end.
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.
Your hat should measure approximately 12” around (unstretched) and 5.75” total length.
Add the whale design using the duplicate stitch technique using the chart, found at the bottom of this pattern.
3-12 Months:
Cast on 56 stitches on your smaller circular needles.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 7 rounds.
Switch to your larger circular needles.
Follow the instructions for the wave design chart above and K all until your work measures 5” total length.
Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):
*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2together; repeat from * to end.
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.
Your hat should measure approximately 13” around (unstretched) and 6.5” total length.
Add the whale design using the duplicate stitch technique using the chart at the bottom of the pattern.
1-2 Years (toddler):
Cast on 64 stitches on your smaller circular needles.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 8 rounds.
Switch to your larger circular needles.
Follow the instructions for the wave design chart above and K all until your work measures 5.25” total length.
Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):
*K6, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2together; repeat from * to end.
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.
Your hat should measure approximately 14” around (unstretched) and 7” total length.
Add the whale design using the duplicate stitch technique using the chart at the bottom of the pattern.
3-12 Years (child):
Cast on 72 stitches on your smaller circular needles.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 8 rounds.
Switch to your larger circular needles.
Follow the instructions for the wave design chart above and K all until your work measures 5.5” total length.
Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):
*K7, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K6, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2together; repeat from * to end.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches.
Your hat should measure approximately 16” around (unstretched) and 7.5” total length.
Add the whale design using the duplicate stitch technique using the chart at the bottom of the pattern.
Teen/Women:
Cast on 80 stitches on your smaller circular needles. Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 9 rounds. Switch to your larger circular needles.
Follow the instructions for the wave design chart above. K all until your work measures 6.25” total length.
Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):
*K8, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K7, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K6, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2together; repeat from * to end.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Your hat should measure approximately 18” around (unstretched) and 8.5” total length.
Add the whale design using the duplicate stitch technique using the chart at the bottom of the pattern.
Men:
Cast on 88 stitches on your smaller circular needles. Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 10 rounds.
Switch to your larger circular needles.
Follow the instructions for the wave design chart above and K all until your work measures 7” total length.
Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):
*K9, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K8, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K7, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K6, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all.
*K2together; repeat from * to end.
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.
Your hat should measure approximately 20” around (unstretched) and 9.5” total length.
Add the whale design using the duplicate stitch technique using the chart at the bottom of the pattern.
Completing the Whale Design
Once you have completed the hat, use the duplicate stitch to add the whale to your hat. If duplicate stitch is new to you, this video is very helpful! Start at the bottom and work your way up, completing one color at a time. Start the design on the 4th Knit All row. Complete the eye in the same color as the background. Although that stitch is already that color, adding the extra stitch will make the eye pop.
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.
Follow Fox & Pine Stitches on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Pattern and photos are the property of Fox & Pine Stitches. Copying, altering or sharing the pattern and claiming it as your own is strictly prohibited.
You have permission to sell items made with this pattern but credit must be given to the designer in any online listings/websites:
Pattern Credit: www.foxandpinestitches.com
You may not use our photos for your own listings.
Tagging us on social media is greatly appreciated.