Bulky hat knitting patterns for quick knitting gifts

Knitting Gifts for Knitters and from Knitters

This is the time of year when many knitters find themselves stitching madly to finish dozens of knitted gifts before a looming end-of-the-year deadline. So many of us overcommit, not just in our knitting but in countless areas of our lives, so why not simplify where we can? How about a quick bulky hat for your husband, or your grandkids who live up north, or the kind neighbor who waters your plants while you’re away? Top it off with a luxurious pom pom and finish it with a charming tag, and even a Beautifully Basic stockinette stitch hat is elevated to the next level. It will look like it came from a posh boutique, and your knitworthy loved one will be warm, cozy, and stylish.

A Happiness in a Hat Kit is perfect for that knitting friend who has everything. You know what I’m talking about: a closet full of project bags, tote bags, doubles or even triples of every interchangeable needle size, a stash that long ago reached SABLE (Stash Achieved Beyond Life Expectancy)… I feel like I’m personally calling myself out over here, and I’m sure many of you are with me. Even with all of these supplies on hand, it can still be a challenge to pull a complete gift project together. For the non-knitters reading this, I’ll explain this incredibly common phenomenon: I have a cabinet full of bulky yarn, but I don’t want to break up a sweater or shawl quantity; all of my single skeins are single-ply, which my non-knitting semi-knitworthy loved ones will certainly destroy in the wash; and the pom poms I have are precious treasures that you’ll have to pry out of my cold, dead fingers.

Knitting Patterns

I’ve compiled a list of fun knitting patterns for bulky hats from wonderful designers whose names you’ll recognize from our knitting magazine. Each of these hats can be made with just one skein of Why Knot Fibers’ Swift, making them a perfect match for our Happiness in a Hat Kit. Even our dear turtle knitting friends should be able to cast on and finish one in a weekend. If you need more inspiration for cast-ons, browse through this Ravelry search.

Click on the picture to go directly to the pattern information on Ravelry.

FREE KNITTING PATTERNS

From Jerry Burch’s Ravelry listing:

Who doesn’t like a snow day? When the wind blows and the heavy snow falls and it’s time to hunker down, the perfect hat can make all the difference. So, when its time to tackle the elements, why not do it in style.

PAID KNITTING PATTERNS

Beautifully Basic Hat by Melissa Kemmerer

I designed this hat as a recipe for using any weight of yarn for any sized head, and I’ve narrowed the directions down to bulky, so it’s easy to just pick up your needles and cast on (after swatching, of course).

Ponyfish Hat by Christina Danaee

You may remember Christina from issue seven : michigan; she designed the beautiful Agate Falls cardigan. Her Ponyfish Hat is a fun and quick knit in easy ribbing with a cozy folded brim.

Paid Hat Knitting Patterns

Afreet Hat-Blaze by Fatimah Hinds

Fatimah Hinds collaborated with us on issue five : vermont, designing the beautiful Green Mountain Mitts. A cable expert, Fatimah designed this stunning hat using a combination of 2×2 cables, ribbing, and reverse stockinette. We’re excited to be working with Fatimah again for issue ten!

Last Minute Man Hat by Rose Beck

Rose has shared two of her fabulous sweater designs with us, and is working on a third for issue ten! Stowe Away from issue five is the epitome of a classic woolly pullover, and Rosa from issue six : mississippi/ louisiana/ alabama is absolutely adorable. I’ll be casting on a Last Minute Man Hat for my brother, who has just recently become knit-worthy. Rose’s combination of Stockinette and Garter stitch make this a fun and easy project. The only question is to pom or not to pom.

KISS Headband by Cassondra Rizzardi

Okay, I know this isn’t technically a hat, and it probably doesn’t need a pom pom, but it’s just so adorable that I had to share it here. Perfect for the girly girl in your life, it’ll be beautiful in whichever colorway you choose. I have two little nieces who will be getting their own headbands from “Aunt Missa”. Cassondra shared her cozy Mirror Lake shawl and her incredible photography with us for issue seven : michigan.

Totally Bodacious by Laura Dobratz

Laura is a dear friend who has supported and encouraged us from the very beginning, even before we dreamed up Nomadic Knits! She has designed two shawls and a sweater for three different issues, and is always up for yarny adventures. All of Laura’s Nomadic Knits designs have been named for local craft brews: Three Philosophers, Shape Parade, and Third Coast; which one is your favorite? My dad is getting a Totally Bodacious hat (I’m keeping the pom pom for myself!) and a growler of Three Philosophers, which is brewed right near me in upstate NY! Laura’s Totally Bodacious hat will fly off your needles and you’ll be wishing you picked up a second kit to cast on again.

Spiced Wine by Laura Aylor

Laura Aylor is an incredible knitting designer, and we were thrilled to work with her on the Anacostia Cowl from issue four : maryland/ dc/ virginia. Her Spiced Wine hat is a fun project using twisted stitches to outline zigzagging lines of stockinette and reverse stockinette above a simple garter band.

Braided Beanie by Julee Mackessy

Julee will be joining us for issue ten : texas, and we can’t wait to see her new design! In the meantime, you can cast on this fun Braided Beanie. It starts with knitting a flat cable, then stitches are picked up to work the crown.

What’s next?

Head over to our Home for the Holidays Hat Kit listing to pick your favorite color and your favorite pom pom, then while you’re waiting to cast on,

Make a list.
Check it twice.
Decide who’s knitWORTHy.
Or nice.

Happy knitting, everyone!

xo

Melissa