A Free Knitting Pattern by Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Friends! Today, I was trying to spruce up the cabin for our Christmas festivities, when I noticed that this grumpy llama needed some handmade holiday joy. So I decided to whip up a quick Santa hat to cheer him up. While I was at it, I wrote down the Christmas knitting pattern to share with you here as a little gift. I think this mini Santa hat ornament will add cozy magic to any tree, garland, wreath, or gift box. Or use a mini-holiday hat to make your everyday home decor just a bit more festive, like I did with our grinchy llama. 🦙
About this Mini Santa Hat Ornament Pattern
This little mitten ornament pattern is great for beginner to intermediate level knitters who have an understanding of knitting in the round with double point needles or knitting in the magic loop (directions are included for both methods). You’ll also need to know how to knit, purl, decrease with knit two together, and draw the yarn thru the remaining stitches to remove it from the needles. You will craft it by knitting from the bottom up in a simple rib and stockinette pattern.
Making this Mini Santa Hat Ornament Free Knitting Pattern
Materials
Knitting Needles:
Double Point Needles (DPNs)
- 7-inch (18 cm) long US No. 5 (3.75 mm) DPNs (or three sizes smaller than needles used to obtain gauge)
- 7-inch (18 cm) long US No. 8 (5.0 mm) DPNs (or size needed to obtain gauge)
Or Long Circular Needles
36-inch (91 cm) long US No. 8 (5.0 mm) circular needle (or size needed to obtain gauge)
36-inch (91 cm) long US No. 5 (3.75 mm) circular needle (or three sizes smaller than needles used to obtain gauge)
Yarn:
One 315-yard (6 ounce) skein each of worsted weight yarn* in your choice of colors. (Shown in Caron Simply Soft Yarn in “White” [Color 1] and “Red” [Color 2]).
- Ornament size uses about 15.75 yards (0.3 oz.) of Color 1 (including 1-inch pom-pom) and 15.75 yards (0.3 oz.) of Color 2
*Weights estimated with Caron Simply Soft yarn; other yarn weights may vary. Weight does not include gauge swatch. A 4×4 inch gauge swatch with a 2 row by 3 stitch border uses an additional 21 yards (0.4 oz.).
Other Tools:
One stitch marker, a measuring tape, and a darning needle.
Gauge
18 stitches x 24 rows = 4 x 4 inches in stockinette stitch on No. 8 (5.0 mm) needles.
Abbreviations
- k = knit
- p = purl
- ** = repeat the pattern between the asterisks
- k2tog = knit two together
Instructions: Mini Santa Hat Ornament
(3.5 inches (8.89 cm) by 5 inches (12.7 cm) tall, without pom-pom)
Use the Long-Tail Cast On method. Knit in the round. For Double Point Needles, follow DPN instructions written in italics. For circular needles, follow Magic Loop instructions in bold. If desired, use a stitch marker to keep track of the beginning/ends of your rows/rounds by placing it between the last and first stitch of each row/round.
[Using No. 5 DPNs or long circular needles] [With Color 1/White] Row 1: Cast on 32 stitches. Divide onto 3 DPNs (12 on 1st, 8 on 2nd, and 12 on 3rd DPN). Or separate stitches on long circular needles for Magic Loop (16 on each side). (32 stitches)
Row 2: Join the round (taking care not to twist stitches) and *k, p* x 16. (32 stitches)
Rows 3 – 5: *k, p* x 16. (32 stitches)
[Switch to No. 8 DPNs or long circular needles] [With Color 2/Red] Rows 6 – 18: k 56. (56 stitches) {Work should measure 6 inches at this point.}
{Begin decreases.} Row 19: *k 2, k2tog* x 8. (24 stitches)
Row 20 – 22: k 24. (24 stitches)
Row 23: *k, k2tog* x 8. (16 stitches)
Rows 24 – 26: k 16. (16 stitches)
Row 27: k2tog x 8. (8 stitches)
Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail. With darning needle, draw yarn tightly through remaining 8 stitches. Weave in ends. Block if desired.
Attach a tiny (about 1 inch [2.54 cm] in diameter) white pom-pom to the closed end of the hat.
Optional Mitten Holiday Ornament Hanger
Choose a pretty ribbon and tie it in a loop with a bow to the cuff of the mitten. Alternatively, using the same yarn or a contrasting color, you can use a size F/3.75 MM crochet hook to chain a 6-inch cord by following these instructions:
Ensuring you leave a 4-inch tail before your slip knot, chain 35. Cut yarn and pull through, leaving a 4-inch tail. Pull one end of the chain through an open knitted loop on your Ornament Sized Santa Hat. Tie a bow using the two loose yarn tails of the chain.
Print the Mitten Holiday Ornament Free Knitting Pattern
Printable Mini Santa Hat Ornament pattern PDF by Liz @PurlsAndPixels
Make Full Size Santa Hats with Matching Gloves
If you like these tiny Santa hats, you can make them for your whole family to wear, as well! My knit Santa Hat & Glove pattern in all sizes is available for download here on my PurlsAndPixels.
More Holiday Craft Ideas
Love DIY Christmas and holiday projects? Find more handmade holiday craft ideas at my Holiday Pattern Roundup Post.
©2024, Liz Chandler of PurlsAndPixels.
This pattern is for personal use, gifting, and charitable donation of completed items. You may also sell handmade items created using this pattern. Do not copy this pattern and distribute it. If you’d like to share the pattern, refer your friends to my website, purlsandpixels.com so they may obtain a copy.
If you find any errors or have any questions, email purlsandpixels@gmail.com and I will do my best to help.
See purlsandpixels.com for more great patterns or to order this item handmade by me. I’d love to see your finished work! Tag your photos with @PurlsAndPixels on Twitter or Instagram.
