Orchard Harvest Apple Hat Free Pattern – Knit a Whimsical Baby Beanie
Knit the Orchard Harvest Apple Hat: A Whimsical Baby Beanie Pattern
Wrap your little one in the charm of a hand-knitted apple orchard with this adorable hat featuring a leafy stem and cozy ribbed brim. Perfect for crisp autumn days or playful photo shoots, this pattern is a delightful blend of whimsy and warmth. Whether you're a seasoned knitter or just starting your journey, this beginner-friendly project is a joy to create and an even greater joy to gift.
This free knitting pattern guides you through crafting a snug, rounded beanie with a rich red body, a vibrant green leaf, and a curly brown stem. The result is a hat that looks good enough to eat—and your baby will look absolutely adorable wearing it. Let's get those needles clicking!
Materials Needed
Before you begin, gather the following supplies. All materials are readily available at your local yarn shop or online.
- Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in three colors:
- MC (Main Color): Red – approximately 100-150 yards for the hat body
- CC (Contrasting Color): Green – small amount for the leaf
- SC (Stem Color): Brown – small amount for the stem
- Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) 16-inch circular needles and double-pointed needles (or size needed to obtain gauge)
- Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors
Gauge: 20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Always check your gauge before starting to ensure the correct fit.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Sizes and Finished Measurements
This pattern includes three sizes to fit growing babies:
- Newborn: Finished circumference 12 inches
- 0-3 months: Finished circumference 13 inches
- 3-6 months: Finished circumference 14 inches
- 6-12 months: Finished circumference 15 inches
Abbreviations
Familiarize yourself with these standard knitting abbreviations before you begin:
- CO: Cast on
- K: Knit
- P: Purl
- K2tog: Knit two stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- SSK: Slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- St(s): Stitch(es)
- Rnd(s): Round(s)
- MC: Main color (red)
- CC: Contrasting color (green)
- SC: Stem color (brown)
- Yo: Yarn over (increase)
Hat Body (Worked in the Round)
Follow these instructions carefully to create the main body of the apple hat.
- Cast On: With MC, CO 60 (66, 72) stitches onto your circular needle. Place a stitch marker and join in the round, being extremely careful not to twist your stitches. The marker indicates the beginning of each round.
- Ribbed Brim: Work K1, P1 ribbing for 1 (1.5, 1.5) inches. This stretchy brim will keep the hat snug on your baby's head. Continue in this rib pattern until you reach the specified length for your size.
- Stockinette Body: Switch to stockinette stitch by knitting every round. Work even (knit all stitches) until the hat measures 4 (4.5, 5) inches from the cast-on edge. This measurement is taken from the bottom of the ribbing to the current row on your needles.
Decrease for Crown
Now we'll shape the top of the hat with a series of decreases. Follow the instructions for your specific size.
- Rnd 1: *K8 (9, 10), K2tog*; repeat from * to * around. You will now have 54 (60, 66) stitches.
- Rnd 2: Knit even (knit all stitches in the round).
- Rnd 3: *K7 (8, 9), K2tog*; repeat from * to * around. You will now have 48 (54, 60) stitches.
- Rnd 4: Knit even.
- Continue Decreasing: Keep decreasing in this manner—knit one fewer stitch before each K2tog decrease, then knit an even round—until 12 (12, 12) stitches remain on your needles. For example, the next decrease round would be *K6 (7, 8), K2tog*, then knit even, then *K5 (6, 7), K2tog*, and so on.
- Finish: Cut the yarn, leaving a 10-inch tail. Thread the tail through a tapestry needle, then slide the needle through the remaining 12 stitches, removing them from the knitting needle. Pull the tail tight to gather the crown, and secure with a knot. Weave in the end on the inside of the hat.
Leaf (Make 1)
This leaf is worked flat in rows. It uses yarn overs to create the increases and simple decreases to shape the point.
- With CC, CO 3 stitches.
- Row 1: K1, yo, K1, yo, K1. You now have 5 stitches.
- Row 2: Knit all stitches.
- Row 3: K2, yo, K1, yo, K2. You now have 7 stitches.
- Row 4: Knit all stitches.
- Row 5: K3, yo, K1, yo, K3. You now have 9 stitches.
- Row 6: Knit all stitches.
- Row 7: K2, K2tog, K1, SSK, K2. You now have 7 stitches.
- Row 8: Knit all stitches.
- Row 9: K1, K2tog, K1, SSK, K1. You now have 5 stitches.
- Row 10: Knit all stitches.
- Row 11: K2tog, K1, SSK. You now have 3 stitches.
- Row 12: K3tog (knit three stitches together). Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
Stem
The stem is made using the I-cord technique, which creates a neat, tubular cord.
- With SC, CO 4 stitches onto a double-pointed needle.
- I-Cord: *Knit these 4 stitches. Do not turn your work. Slide the stitches to the other end of the needle. Repeat from * until the cord measures 1.5 inches. The yarn will be pulled across the back of the work, creating the tube.
- Bind off all stitches, leaving a tail for sewing.
Finishing
Now it's time to assemble your apple hat!
- Attach the Leaf: Position the leaf at the top of the hat, slightly off-center. Using the tail from the leaf, sew it securely to the hat with a few hidden stitches. Weave in the end.
- Attach the Stem: Sew the stem next to the leaf, curling it slightly for a natural, whimsical look. Secure it with the tail and weave in the end.
- Weave in All Ends: Use your tapestry needle to weave in any remaining loose ends on the inside of the hat to keep the outside clean and polished.
Optional Embellishments
For an extra touch of charm, consider adding a small brown button to the center of the leaf or embroidering tiny seed details on the leaf using brown yarn. This adds a lovely, personalized detail that makes the hat even more special.
Your Orchard Harvest Apple Hat is complete! This cozy, whimsical beanie is sure to become a favorite for autumn adventures and adorable photo moments. The soft, stretchy texture and snug fit will keep your little one warm and stylish all season long. Happy knitting!
