Plymouth Yarn Knit Owl Hat Knitting Pattern

Plymouth Yarn Knit Owl Hat

What Is Being Made

The Plymouth Yarn Knit Owl Hat is a child-friendly knit hat designed as part of the Yarnimals collection. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a fitted hat available in three sizes: Child Small (18 ¾" circumference), Child Large (20" circumference), and Teen/Adult (21 ½" circumference). The hat features a classic owl design with embellishments added after the main construction is complete.

Knitting Techniques Used

This beginner-level pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for those new to the craft. The construction begins with flat knitting in rows to create two earflaps, which are then joined and transitioned to circular knitting to work the main body of the hat in the round. The pattern demonstrates crown shaping through strategic decreases, gradually reducing stitches to close the top of the hat. Knitters will practice casting on and binding off, as well as joining stitches in the round using circular needles and stitch markers.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Plymouth Yarn Knit Owl Hat is constructed primarily in stockinette stitch, the foundational stitch pattern created by knitting every round when working in the round, and alternating knit and purl rows when working flat. The earflaps incorporate make-one increases (m1) worked symmetrically on either side of the piece to create shaping. The crown shaping utilizes knit-two-together decreases (k2tog) positioned at regular intervals to form the tapered crown. These decreases are worked consistently before stitch markers to create an even, structured crown closure.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The pattern requires Plymouth Yarn Yarnimals yarn, with one ball sufficient for all three sizes. The recommended gauge is 18 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch when worked on US Size 8 (5mm) needles after blocking. Construction requires US Size 8 (5mm) needles in both 16-inch circular and double-pointed needle formats, as well as US Size 5 (3.75mm) circular needles in a 24-inch length. Additional notions include seven stitch markers, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and closing the crown, and a small amount of white sewing thread for attaching the owl embellishments.

Pattern Structure and Construction Notes

The pattern is written for the smallest size with larger sizes indicated in parentheses throughout. When only one measurement is provided, it applies to all sizes. The hat construction follows a logical sequence: earflaps are worked first in flat rows using double-pointed needles, then set aside. Both completed earflaps are then joined to newly cast-on stitches for the back and front of the hat on a 16-inch circular needle, and the piece transitions to working in the round. After the main body reaches the appropriate length, the crown is shaped through six rounds of decreases worked at marked intervals, with the knitter switching to double-pointed needles as the stitch count becomes too small for the circular needle. The pattern concludes by drawing the remaining stitches closed and fastening off.