Cozy and practical, the Little Gnome Crochet Hat gives your hands long stretches of soothing garter stitch with tidy ribbing around the face and neck. It's an easy knit for a newer maker, while an experienced knitter can settle into the simple rhythm and enjoy a restful project.
I especially love how the straightforward cast-off shaping forms that playful pointed top without complicated decreases. Choose one of the listed colors or bring in your own shade of Size 3 yarn, then pick the size that suits your child and get your needles ready!
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Why This Pattern Is a Keeper
- Restful main fabric: The body uses garter stitch, so you simply knit every row after the face ribbing and increase row are complete.
- Clear pointed shaping: The point is formed by casting off stitches at the beginning of successive rows. You don't need to manage paired decreases or a complicated shaping chart.
- Useful snug edges: Ribbing frames the face opening and finishes the neck, helping the bonnet sit closely around the child's head and neck.
- Three child sizes: The instructions include separate stitch counts, lengths, and neckband depths for 6/12 mos, 18/24 mos, and 4 yrs.
Pattern Details
- Skill Level: Easy
- Finished Size: 6/12 mos: 17 in.; 18/24 mos: 18 in.; 4 yrs: 19 in.
- Gauge: 21 sts and 40 rows = 4 in. with larger needles in garter stitch.
- Yarn Weight: Light DK Baby Yarn (Size 3)
- Time to Make: about 10-14 hours
What You'll Need
You'll work with one ball of soft Size 3 acrylic yarn and two needle sizes, using the smaller pair for the ribbing and the larger pair for the garter-stitch body.
- Light DK Baby Yarn (Size 3; 100% acrylic; 5 oz / 140 g; 362 yds / 331 m): Soft Red or Heather Gray, 1 ball. Allow 181 yds for 6/12 mos, 207 yds for 18/24 mos, or 236 yds for 4 yrs.: If you substitute yarn, match the stated gauge rather than relying only on the weight label. A different fiber can change the stretch and feel of the ribbed openings.
- US 5 (3.75 mm) knitting needles
- US 6 (4 mm) knitting needles
- 2 stitch holders: The holders keep 7 live stitches safe at each side of the face opening. Those stitches become part of the neckband later, so don't cast them off.
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
Abbreviations
- Beg - Beginning
- Cont - Continue
- Dec - Decrease
- Inc - Increase
- K - Knit
- M1 - Make 1 st
- P - Purl
- Rem - Remaining
- Rep - Repeat
- RS - Right side
- St(s) - Stitch(es)
- WS - Wrong side
How to Crochet the Little Gnome Hat
Read the size key before beginning, mark your chosen numbers, and work the hat flat as directed before sewing the seams.
Instructions are written for 6/12 mos. Numbers read 6/12 mos (18/24 mos - 4 yrs). Garter stitch is worked by knitting every row. The hat is worked flat and seamed at the center back and front neckband.
Face Opening and Body
- Step 1: Beginning at the face opening with smaller needles, cast on 82 (86-90) sts.
- Row 1: RS: K1, *K2, P2; rep from * across to last st, K1.
- Row 2: P1, *K2, P2; rep from * across to last st, P1.
- Rows 3-8: Rep Rows 1-2 3 more times.
- Row 9: RS: K3, P2, K2. Place these 7 sts on a stitch holder. Rib to the last 7 sts. Place rem 7 sts on the second stitch holder. (68, 72, 76 sts)
- Row 10: Change to larger needles. *K4, M1; rep from * across to last 4 sts, K4. (84, 89, 94 sts)
- Sizes 6/12 mos and 4 yrs only, Row 11: Knit, inc 1 st in the center of the row. (85, 95 sts)
- All sizes, Rows 11/12 onward: Cont in garter st until work measures 6.5 (7, 7.5) in. from beg, ending on a WS row.
Shape Pointed Back
The point takes shape through cast-off rows worked from alternating edges, so keep the beginning of each row easy to identify.
- Rows 1-6: Cast off 5 sts at beg of row, then knit to end. (55, 59, 65 sts)
- Rows 7-16 (7-16, 7-18): For the next 10 (10, 12) rows, cast off 3 sts at beg of row, then knit to end. (25, 29, 29 sts)
- Row 17 (17, 19): Cast off all rem sts.
- Step 1: Sew the center back seam.
Neckband
The held stitches and picked-up neck stitches are worked together to create one continuous ribbed band.
- Row 1: With RS facing and a smaller needle, rib across 7 sts from the first stitch holder. Pick up and knit 56 (60, 64) sts along the neck edge. Rib across 7 sts from the second stitch holder. (70, 74, 78 sts)
- Row 2: WS: P1, *K2, P2; rep from * across to last st, P1.
- Row 3: K1, *K2, P2; rep from * across to last st, K1.
- Rows 4 onward: Rep Rows 2-3 until the neckband measures 2 (2.25, 2.5) in., ending on an RS row.
- Step 1: Cast off in ribbing.
Finishing
- Step 1: Sew the front neckband seam.
- Step 2: Weave in all yarn ends.
Crochet Tips
- Swatch the garter stitch: Check gauge with the larger needles in garter stitch. The row gauge matters as well as the stitch gauge because the body is worked to a measured length before shaping.
- Mark your size: Highlight every number for 6/12 mos, 18/24 mos, or 4 yrs before you cast on. This is especially helpful at the size-specific increase row and during the pointed shaping.
- Spread the picked-up stitches: Distribute the 56 (60, 64) picked-up stitches evenly along the neck edge. Divide the edge into smaller equal sections with markers if that helps you avoid crowded or bare patches.
- Keep cast-off edges relaxed: Don't tighten the first few stitches of each shaping row. A firm edge can pucker the center back seam and make the point harder to join neatly.
Ways to Make This Gnome Hat Your Own
- Try another Size 3 acrylic: A smooth baby acrylic with the same gauge is the simplest swap. Check that you have at least the listed yardage for your size, since ball sizes vary.
- Use a wool blend: A wool or wool-blend yarn can add warmth and elasticity, but it may feel different against sensitive skin and will require care suited to that fiber. Always confirm gauge after washing the swatch.
- Change the color: The hat can be worked in any solid shade without changing the instructions. A light or medium color also makes the knit and purl columns easier to read while you're establishing the ribbing.
- Add contrast ribbing: Use a second color for the face opening and neckband if you'd like stronger definition at the edges. Join the body color when changing to the larger needles and allow extra yarn for joining and weaving in ends.
- Work flat on a circular needle: A circular needle can replace straight needles as long as you work back and forth rather than joining in the round. The flexible cable may feel more comfortable when all the body stitches are on the needle.
Keeping the Ribbing and Shaping on Track
- The ribbing shifts out of line: Check that each face-opening row begins and ends with the single edge stitch shown. If one stitch is missed or added, the K2, P2 columns won't stack correctly on the next row.
- The body count looks wrong: After placing 7 stitches on each holder, you should have 68, 72, or 76 working stitches. Complete the M1 row before checking again, and remember that only the smallest and largest sizes receive the additional center increase.
- The neck edge puckers: Make sure the picked-up stitches are spread evenly and that the pickup row isn't worked too tightly. The exact pickup count combines with the two groups of 7 held stitches to produce the stated neckband total.
Washing & Care
Acrylic yarn is practical for a child's hat, but wash it according to the yarn label because heat settings vary by brand. Use a gentle wash, avoid high heat, and reshape the bonnet before laying it flat to dry. A different fiber should be washed according to its own care requirements.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 18/24 mos size receive the extra center increase?
No, the 18/24 mos size skips that increase row. Its stitch count is already 89 after the M1 row, while the 6/12 mos and 4 yrs sizes each need one additional stitch to reach 85 and 95 stitches. Following that size-specific instruction keeps the later shaping counts aligned.
How many stitches should I have after picking up the neck edge?
You should have 70 (74, 78) stitches in total. That number includes 7 held stitches from the first side, 56 (60, 64) stitches picked up along the neck, and 7 held stitches from the second side. Counting each group separately is the easiest way to catch a missed pickup.
Can I knit the hat on circular needles?
Yes, circular needles work as long as you knit back and forth in rows. This bonnet isn't joined in the round because the pointed back is shaped by casting off at the beginning of successive rows, then sewing the center back seam. Choose the same needle sizes and check the stated gauge.
Why are 7 stitches placed on each holder?
Those 14 stitches remain live so they can flow directly into the ribbed neckband. Casting them off would create extra edges at the sides of the face opening and interrupt the ribbing. When the neckband begins, work across the first 7, pick up along the neck, then work the final 7.
Little Gnome Crochet Hat will be one of those calm, practical projects you reach for again when a small, cozy knit is needed. Tell me in the comments which size and color you're making.
