Learn How to Sew a Baby Hat With a Top Knot With This Sewing Tutorial and Free Pattern. This Step-by-Step Photo Tutorial Also Includes a Video and It's Perfect for Beginners.
If you've been following along with me for a while, then you know I'm completely obsessed with sewing for babies! I get giddy when I find out one of my friends is expecting and I start sewing like crazy.
I actually keep a box full of handmade baby gifts just for baby showers. That's why I'm so excited to share this Double Top Knot Baby Hat Pattern with you! This is my tried and true baby pattern that I used with all three of my babies.
The best part about sewing for babies is that you can use up your scraps and the projects come together so quickly!
This hat is easy enough that a beginner can sew it and I've included step by step photos as well as a video. I'm also sharing a few of my favorite tips for stress-free sewing with knit fabric.
Be sure to check out the posts listed below for even more FREE baby patterns!
Free Leggings Pattern, Free Baby Bandana Bib Pattern, Free Baby Burp Cloth Sewing Pattern, All The Best Hair Bow Tutorials
New to sewing with Knit fabric? Read THIS post for even more tips on sewing with knit fabric.
Looking for an ad-free experience and printable instructions?
Head to the Sweet Red Poppy Shop to get my Baby Sewing Pattern Ebook for only $9! You'll get access to 11 different baby projects with printable patterns and tutorials.
Table of Contents
Beginner-Friendly Baby Hat Sewing Pattern
Create adorable baby hats with this easy-to-use sewing pattern!
This download includes a professionally drafted, color-coded double top knot baby hat and a single top knot baby hat sewing pattern in 6 different sizes.
Step-by-step detailed photos and detailed written instructions are also included.
Sizes
- Newborn
- 3-6 Month
- 6-12 Month
- 12-18 Month
- 18-24 Month
- 2 Years
Pattern Includes:
Included in this pattern is a professionally drafted and graded color-coded pattern. Use the 1x1 inch printing guide to ensure accuracy and quickly put this pattern together with its no-trim pieces.
Step-by-step detailed photo and written instructions are also included.
FABRIC REQUIREMENTS
For this pattern, I recommend using a medium-weight knit fabric with a content of 95% Cotton, 5% Lycra/Spandex. Having at least 5% Lycra or Spandex allows the fabric to have elasticity and bounce back to its original shape without getting stretched out over time.
To determine the stretch of your fabric simply stretch a 2-inch piece of the knit fabric in one direction and repeat this process in the opposite direction. Choose the direction of the greatest stretch to go around the head.
I recommend shopping for knit fabric from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. This is my one-stop shop for high-quality knit fabric with the cutest prints!
*Be sure to double-check the type of fabric in the drop-down menu on the fabric listing.
This pattern works best with a four-way stretch fabric. That means it has stretch in both directions and will be ideal for creating a comfortable fitting baby hat.
The following four-way stretch fabrics are ideal for this pattern.
- Double Brushed Polyester - 4 Way Stretch
- Jersey - 4 Way Stretch
- Polyester Spandex - 4 Way Stretch
- Cotton Spandex Jersey - 4 Way Stretch
- Cotton Spandex French Terry - 4 Way Stretch
- Sweatshirt Fleece - 4 Way Stretch
- Rib Knit - 4 Way Stretch
- Bamboo Cotton Spandex Jersey
Avoid the following fabrics
- Quilting Cotton (this is not a stretchy fabric)
- Cotton Interlock (this is typically a two way stretch fabric)
- Ponte De Roma (this fabric doesn’t have enough stretch and it’s too structured)
- Tri-Blend Jersey (two-way stretch)
Supplies Needed for your Top Knot Baby Hat Pattern:
Shop my favorite sewing supplies here!
- Knit Fabric (I prefer 95% Cotton 5% Lycra or Spandex)
- Sewing Machine
- Scissors or Rotary Cutter & Mat
- Thread (Optional Eloflex)
- Pins
- Iron & Ironing Board
- Ballpoint Needle
- Download Baby Hat Pattern (choose either one or two top knots)
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When you shop through my affiliate links, it doesn't cost you anything extra, but it helps me out in a big way! I earn a small commission from those purchases, and that support allows me to continue creating and sharing free tutorials and patterns for you. Thank you so much for helping me keep this creative community going! 💕
DOWNLOAD THE FREE TOP KNOT BABY HAT PATTERN AND PRINTABLE TUTORIAL HERE.
DOWNLOAD THE SVG FILES FOR CRICUT HERE.
View the full Youtube video tutorial for this baby hat sewing pattern below.
Step 1: Download Baby Hat Sewing Pattern
Open the pattern in your PDF reader, I recommend using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
You can download the free version here: https://get.adobe.com/reader/
Avoid printing the pattern from your browser as it can cause the scaling to be off and the border lines to print incorrectly.
*Pro Tip: I like to print off my pattern on cardstock so that it will last for multiples uses.
Step 2: Print off the Baby Hat Sewing Pattern
Next, click on "Print" to open the print settings box. In the print settings, make sure the scaling is set to "Actual Size" or "Custom Scaling: 100%."
Then, print just the first page of the pattern. This page contains a 1" test square that you can measure to check that the scaling is correct
Once the first page prints, measure the test square. If it measures 1" x 1", print the remaining pages of the pattern.
If it does not measure 1" x 1", you will need to recheck your print settings before printing the rest of the pattern.
Trim away the excess paper on the sides (along the scissor guide) before taping the pages together.
You can also choose to overlap the papers. Holding the pages up to a light can help you to see through the paper and align the pattern lines correctly.
On a flat surface place page one out in front of you. Overlap page two, aligning the black border and pink circles with stars. Tape or glue the pages together.
Continue this process until you reach a page without stars on the right-hand side. This means the row is complete. Begin assembling the next row below the first row.
Finally, connect the rows by aligning the black outline and circles together.
Step 3: Cut out the Baby Hat Pattern and Fabric
You can choose between two different styles, one features a single knot and the other features a double knot. I'm using the double knot in this tutorial.
Once you have the pattern taped together, cut out the pattern pieces along the lines corresponding with the size you want to sew.
Choose the correct size, lay it on top of two pieces of fabric with the greatest amount of stretch going across (This is very important!) the pattern horizontally. Pin it in place and cut around the outside of the pattern.
You should now have a front and a back.
Next, cut out the hat band. It's important to cut out the band with the greatest stretch going across the width of the fabric so that it stretches when it's placed on a baby's head.
Step 4: Pin Baby Hat Fabric Together
Clip or pin the two pieces of fabric with right sides facing together.
Here's one of my favorite knit sewing tips!! Coats recently released Eloflex thread and it's a game-changer! I keep about 10 spools of these on hand in a variety of colors for all of my knit sewing. This allows me to use a sewing machine instead of needing a serger for every project.
the Eloflex thread is a stretchable thread which allows the fabric to stretch without the seams popping or breaking. This means you can use a normal stitch instead of a lighting or stretch stitch when sewing with knit fabric. I just wish this thread would have been around when I first started sewing with knits years ago!!
Step 4: Sew Top Knot Baby Hat and Band
Sew around the hat using a 3/8ths-inch seam allowance. If you find sewing around the points of the hat tricky, try setting your needle to the down position and lifting the presser foot to rotate the fabric as you go around the curves.
Trim down the seam allowance to reduce bulk.
Fold the fabric in half with right sides together and sew along the short side.
Sew the band with a 3/8" seam allowance.
Turn both the hat and band right side out.
Take the band and press the seams open. Then fold the band in half with the wrong sides facing each other.
Step 5: Pin and Sew Baby Hat to Band
Slip the band around the hat aligning the side seams on one side and the side seam and the middle of the band on the other side. The raw edges of the band and the raw edge of the hat should be aligned.
With a 3/8ths-inch seam allowance sew through all three layers of fabric.
Press the seam allowance upwards towards the hat and the band downwards. Then fold the band upwards 1.5 inches.
Now you have a Top Knot Baby Hat!
Looking for an ad-free experience and printable instructions?
Head to the Sweet Red Poppy Shop to get my Baby Sewing Pattern Ebook for only $9! You'll get access to 11 different baby projects with printable patterns and tutorials.
Did you try this pattern out? Post a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #sweetredpoppy - I would love to see how it turned out!
Don't forget to join my Facebook group where you can show us what you're making, ask questions, and learn from others.
Don’t want to forget this project and free pattern? Click here to save this tutorial on Pinterest!
Looking for even more FREE sewing patterns? Click the links below!
Learn how to hack this baby hat pattern into a Knotted Turban Hat below!
Love this, had some leftover polar fleece from a project and was able to make 4 newborn size hats to donate to our local hospital. Quick easy instructions
Where do you get your material for these hats?
Can I use fleece to make this hat?
At your local fabric store. Or you could upcycle an old tshirt. Knits, fleece, any soft stretchy baby friendly material will do.
I just love this! Going to make some for my niece. Her baby Paige is due in August.
army green jordan 5
buy jordan 1 low
off white virgil abloh jumper
It would be nice if the instructions were printable too....
I would also like a copy of the instructions. I made a hat; it is adorable. My machine is on one floor of my house and computer on another. It was crazy but I got some unplanned stair climbing that day. The hat was not hard but I will not repeat the pattern for some time and will have forgotten how to do it by then.
I'm having trouble downloading the bow pattern what am I doing wrong
couldn't find printed instructions.
If you sign up, you’ll recieve the pattern, that’s how I’ve got it 😉
Where do you get 90% cotton and 10% spandex fabric? I can’t find it at any of my local stores.
At Joann Fabric & Crafts, you can usually find fabric of roughly those percentages in the knits section. However, you'll have to read the end of every bolt, where they list what the material is made of, if you want those specific percentages. Many of the knits they carry are 100% polyester, but often you can find some that are 10-ish% spandex as well. Hope this helps!
Thank you for sharing your lovely patterns and instructions. Beautiful work.
thank You for sharing!!
Love your tutorials! So easy to follow and great end results every time ❤️
As the mother of a charge nurse on the NICU unit at McMaster Hospital I have a group of ladies who knit hats, blankets, angel gowns for babies. Currently I am knitting 72 Santa Hats for Xmas, these are varying sizes. I saw this on u-tube and thought I cd be saving myself a lot of work if I sew these. So I would personally like to thank you for creating this pattern and after Xmas I will attempt, as a newby sewer, to sew these as we supply the 72 bed unit with hats all year round. Thank you again and I am hoping I can find a pattern for a vest type for the babies.
I absolutely love this, but is there a way to modify it to fit an adult? I’m a bald lady and use beanie hats at night to keep my head warm and my eyes covered. I have a lot of knit fabric to upcycle!
Hi I just tried making this with the appropriate materials, but my seems keep gathering. The stretchy thread is giving me some trouble. Do you have any pointers about tension adjustment or something I might be missing?
I was having trouble too. I gave up and used regular thread with a zig zag stitch. Turned out fine.
I just made this cute hat. I used the Eloflex thread on top, not the bobbin. I also used a stretch needle, which I think helped a lot.
no way to print the instructions?!?
Thanks for the instructions and pattern. I have the eloflex thread and the ball point needle. My Joanns had a paltry selection of this cotton/spandex fabric. I will need to keep shopping
Want to make turban type but pattern didn’t have pattern for the tie knot. Would like measurements to cut out knot piece
Need size of knot for turban style hat
Thank you for the tutorial! i can't wait to make them. can i use all purpose thread? I couldn't find this stretchy thread. Thank you!
Standard thread will work but do it with a v slight zig zag stitch to allow for the stretch.
How do you print the tie for the one hat. It prints in 3 separate pages and is way to big.
Merci pour vos tutos très sympas.je vais me lancer dans ces petits bonnets rigolos.
On the svg file there are three sizes: pink, green and blue. But they are unlabelled and the instructions pattern shows 6 sizes. They are also different colours. Which size is which?!?
HI this hat is so cute I would love to make but it will not let me down load the pattern
This is such a great tutorial. I Love your ideas very well explain.
Thank you! I hope you enjoyed it.
I cant see the 1x1 inch window for checking the printout is right?
This print out is huge...
I can't see it too.. Does the band sizes reported in the pattern are referred to the measures that the pattern should have once printed? Thank you!
I was unsure if I could write this kind of article at the beginning. Your style certainly caught my attention. Your content is always excellent. Great Article Neil. This article is excellent. Although I only read it a few times, I did not leave any comments. But, I think this article merited a mention.
Hi! Thank you very much for this beautiful pattern and sorry for my english. I can't wait to make lots of it! But I can't find the test square in the pattern..
great tutorial. Do you have a pattern for a 2 knot hat. A knot on either side.
I enjoyed the fresh perspective you brought to this topic. Your post was a breath of fresh air.
Such a cute pattern! Thank you! The Eloflex is giving me troubles. The top thread keeps fraying. I’ve been doing a few things to troubleshoot and none of them seem to help. I used the top thread and bobbin in the Eloflex; fiddled with the tension, cleaned the bobbin area. Used a needle for knits, but also used a regular universal needle, and it frays for both.