What You Need to Knit a Cat Hat
A cat hat is a small, fitted beanie with two pointed ears sewn to the crown. You can knit one in an afternoon using worsted-weight yarn, size 6 or 7 needles, and basic stitches — no colorwork or cables required. The finished hat fits most adult heads and sits snug enough that the ears stay upright.
Gather these materials before you start: one ball of worsted-weight yarn (roughly 100 to 150 yards), a pair of size 6 or 7 circular needles (9 inches), a set of size 6 or 7 double-pointed needles for the crown, a yarn needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers, and scissors. If you have never used double-pointed needles, this project is a good first try — you will only use them for the last 10 rounds.
The hat itself uses only knit and purl stitches. You will cast on, work in ribbing, switch to stockinette stitch, decrease at the crown, and bind off. The ears are two small triangles you knit flat and then sew to the top. No increases, no decreases until the very end, and no pattern to memorize.
Key Takeaways
- A cat hat uses worsted-weight yarn and size 6 or 7 needles, takes about four to six hours, and requires only knit and purl stitches.
- Cast on 60 stitches on circular needles, work 2 inches of ribbing, then 4 inches of stockinette stitch before decreasing at the crown.
- The two ears are knit flat as small triangles, then sewn to the finished hat crown with a yarn needle.
- Weave in all ends before wearing so loose threads do not catch on hair or skin.
Cast On and Work the Ribbing
Cast on 60 stitches using the long-tail cast-on or your preferred method. Join in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches. Place a stitch marker at the start of the round so you know where each round begins.
Work in knit 1, purl 1 ribbing (K1P1) for 2 inches. This ribbing keeps the hat snug around your head and sits just above your ears. Count your rounds as you go — you will work roughly 16 rounds of ribbing, depending on your tension. The ribbing should feel slightly tight when you stretch it; it will relax a little once you wear the hat.
After 2 inches of ribbing, switch to stockinette stitch (knit every round) and continue for 4 inches. This is the body of the hat. You should now have a tube that reaches from your eyebrows to the crown of your head. Do not bind off yet — you will decrease next.
Decrease at the Crown
When your hat body reaches 4 inches, switch to double-pointed needles. Divide your 60 stitches evenly across three needles (20 stitches per needle) and knit with the fourth needle. This is the only time you will use double-pointed needles in this project.
Decrease using a straightforward method: knit 2 together (K2tog) every 10 stitches around. On the first decrease round, you will knit 8 stitches, then K2tog, then knit 8 stitches, then K2tog, and repeat until the round is done. You will have 54 stitches left. Knit one plain round, then decrease again — this time K2tog every 9 stitches. Continue this pattern (knit one plain round, then decrease) until you have 6 stitches left on your needles.
Cut your yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Thread the tail through a yarn needle, pass it through all 6 remaining stitches, pull tight to close the crown, and weave the tail through the inside of the hat to find it. This closes the top of the hat.
Knit the Two Ears
The ears are two small isosceles triangles. Cast on 3 stitches on your circular needles using the same yarn. You will knit flat (back and forth), not in the round.
Row 1: Knit across (3 stitches). Row 2: Purl across (3 stitches). Row 3: Knit 1, increase 1 (knit into the front and back of the stitch), knit 1 (4 stitches). Row 4: Purl across (4 stitches). Row 5: Knit 1, increase 1, knit to the last stitch, increase 1, knit 1 (6 stitches). Row 6: Purl across (6 stitches).
Continue increasing one stitch at each end every other row (on knit rows) until you have 12 stitches. Then knit 4 rows without increasing. After those 4 plain rows, decrease one stitch at each end every other row until you have 3 stitches left. Bind off. You now have one ear. Repeat this entire process to make the second ear.
Sew the Ears to the Hat
Thread your yarn needle with a length of yarn (roughly 12 inches). Position the first ear on top of the hat, with the wide base of the triangle pointing down toward the brim and the point facing up. The base should sit about 1 inch from the center seam of the crown. Sew the base of the ear to the hat using a whip stitch, passing the needle through the edge of the ear and then through the hat fabric, working your way around the base.
Sew the second ear on the opposite side of the crown, the same distance from the center. Both ears should point straight up and be roughly the same height. If one ear leans, you can adjust it slightly by tightening or loosening the stitches where it attaches.
Weave in all loose yarn ends using your yarn needle. Pass the needle through several stitches inside the hat, then trim the yarn close to the fabric. Do the same for every loose end — the brim, the crown, and both ears. A loose thread can catch on hair or skin when you wear the hat.
Finishing and Fit
Try the hat on. It should sit snug on your head with the ribbing just above your eyebrows and the ears standing upright on either side of the crown. If the hat is too loose, you can block it (wet it, shape it, and let it dry) to tighten the fabric slightly. If it is too tight, wear it a few times — the yarn will relax.
The ears may droop a little at first. You can stiffen them by inserting a thin wire or pipe cleaner through the center of each ear before sewing it to the hat. This keeps the ears pointing up even after washing. Alternatively, you can leave them soft and let them bend naturally.
Wash the hat in cool water with wool-specific detergent, squeeze out excess water gently, and lay it flat to dry. Do not wring or hang it — this can stretch the yarn and distort the shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a cat hat in a different yarn weight?
Yes. Use needles one size smaller or larger than the yarn label recommends, and adjust your cast-on number to 48 or 72 stitches instead of 60. Thinner yarn will make a smaller, tighter hat; thicker yarn will make a larger, looser one. Knit a gauge swatch first to check the fit.
What if my ears are uneven or droopy?
Uneven ears usually mean the base stitches are not sewn evenly to the hat. Undo the stitches, reposition the ear, and sew again. For droopy ears, insert a thin floral wire or pipe cleaner through the center of each ear before sewing it down. This holds the point upright.
How long does a cat hat take to knit?
Most people finish one in four to six hours, depending on how fast they knit and whether they have made a hat before. The ribbing and body go quickly; the ears and sewing take the most time.
Can I use a different stitch pattern instead of stockinette?
Yes. Garter stitch (knit every row on circular needles, or knit and purl alternating rows on flat needles) works well and is thicker. Seed stitch (alternating knit and purl stitches in a checkerboard pattern) also works. Avoid cables or colorwork on your first cat hat — they add complexity and can make the hat too thick.
What yarn color works best for a cat hat?
Any color works. Solid colors show the stitch detail clearly. Variegated or heathered yarns hide tension changes and are forgiving if you are still learning to knit evenly. Dark colors (black, gray, dark brown) look most like a real cat.