Free Knitting Pattern! Toddler Rugby Hat…

Toddler Rugby Hat
By Jennifer Dickerson

The Toddler Rugby Hat is a super warm and quickly knit hat for little ones with bulky yarn and large needles. Directions given for knitting in the round and flat. Have fun making a few of these as a super fast stash buster!

Materials:

  • 1/2 skein Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick in the colorway of your choice 
  • Scraps of a contrasting color for stripes (if desired) 
  • US15 (10.0 mm) 16” circular needle (round version) 
  • Set of 4 US15 (10.0 mm) DPNs (round version)
  • US15 (10.0 mm) straight needles (flat version) 
  • Stitch Marker 
  • Tapestry Needle 


Sizing:

  • Toddler (1 & 2 years old)


Abbreviations:

  • CO: Cast On 
  • PM: Place Marker 
  • RPT: Repeat 
  • K2tog: Knit two together 
  • MC: Main color 
  • CC: Contrasting color 
  • St st: Stockinette stitch

 


Instructions for knitting hat in the round:

CO 36 sts with MC
PM
Join in the round being careful not to twist.
Round 1: K2, P2 to end of round
Repeat 3 more times
Continuing to work in MC, work in st st for 3 rounds (knit every round)
Switch to CC and knit for 2 rounds in st st
Work MC for 2 rounds in st st
Work CC for 2 rounds in st st
Work MC for three more rounds in st st

Decrease:
(Switch to DPNs when needed and work entire decrease portion with MC)Round 1: K2, K2tog to end of round.Round 2: KnitRound 3: K1, K2tog to end of roundRound 4: KnitRound 5: K2tog to end of roundUsing tapestry needle, break yarn leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining stitches and pull tightly. Weave in ends. Add a large pom pom if desired.

Instructions for knitting hat flat:

CO 36 sts with MC
Row 1: K2, P2 to end of row
Continue to work in est rib pattern for 3 more rows
Continuing with MC, work in st st for 3 rows
Switch to CC and knit for 2 rows in st st
Work MC for 2 rows in st st
Work CC for 2 rows in st st
Work MC for three more rows in st st (ending on WS row)

Decrease:

(Work entire decrease portion with MC)
Round 1: K2, K2tog to end of round.
Round 2: Purl
Round 3: K1, K2tog to end of round
Round 4: Purl
Round 5: K2tog to end of round

Using tapestry needle, break yarn leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining stitches and pull tightly. Seam up the back and weave in ends. Add a large pom pom if desired.

© Jennifer Dickerson 2013
Please note: Patterns are for personal and charity use only. In addition, if you enjoy the pattern, please link to it, but do not copy the pattern to your own website or blog (including other languages). Thank you!

Related Posts

25 thoughts on “Free Knitting Pattern! Toddler Rugby Hat…

    1. I would try the "Her Royal Highness" hat pattern (you can find it in the "free knitting patterns" tab above. It is a basic hat pattern for older kids…and of course change the yarn in your boy's favorite colors! 🙂

    1. Yes, if you're knitting this size for a child, I would strongly recommend sticking with this needle size. However, if you're an experimental knitter like me…you could always try to go down a needle size or two for a smaller child, or go up a needle size or two for an older child.

    1. Sure! I used to have a print button on on this site, but it began to malfunction and caused more trouble than good…

      An easy way to print is to highlight needed text, select "copy" with your right mouse button, paste it to a Word document, and print.

  1. Jennifer – I absolutely love your site and have used so many of these patterns for my 6 nieces and nephews. This Christmas I am making them the rugby hats in the preschooler and toddler sizes, they are super quick and great! But I am ready to add the pom poms and I didn't know if there were instructions on how to make these or if you buy them, they seem to match your hats too perfectly to be bought. Any direction on how to make them would be great!

    Thanks so much!

  2. love love love your patterns!! i've already made your infinity scarf! i'd love to make these for a best friend that is having a boy in march… any advice on how to size it down? i've been knitting for awhile now but haven't figured out yet how to change sizes! Thanks!!

    1. Thanks so much for your kind comment! So glad you liked the infinity scarf.

      As for the hat…sure! The easiest thing is to decrease the number of cast on stitches by fours (that way the decrease stays correct). I hope that helps!

  3. LOVE this hat. I am not an experienced knitter and want to make this for a 4 year old and an 18 month old. Any suggestions on how to do this?

  4. Do you have a tension test for this pattern! I might have thick wool but not as thick as your recommending and needle size might need to be different??

  5. I really am enjoying knitting this hat. Thank you for your pattern. I have one question on the knitting flat pattern. In the decrease row. Is it *k2, K2tog* or is it K2, * K2tog to the end of the row*
    shankela8

    1. What did you do in the end, I’m currently knitting my first hat with this pattern and wondering the same !!

  6. thank you for sharing this great pattern! I'm just wondering if I increase the stitches should the crown be changed to add in k3 k2tog? thanks!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *