Loom knitting a hat with a brim uses two techniques on one project

A loom-knit hat with a brim combines two separate methods: you knit the brim flat on a rectangular loom, then switch to a round loom to knit the crown. The brim is worked first and set aside, then you pick up stitches along one edge and continue upward on the round loom. This approach gives you a structured, finished brim that sits properly on your head instead of rolling or curling.

The process takes roughly four to six hours depending on yarn weight and your speed. You will need two looms — a small rectangular loom for the brim (typically 7 to 10 pegs wide) and a round loom for the crown (usually 36 to 48 pegs, depending on head size). Most people use worsted or bulky yarn for this project because it works up faster and holds its shape well.

Key Takeaways

  • Knit the brim first on a rectangular loom using flat knitting, then bind off and remove it from the loom.
  • Transfer the live stitches from the brim edge to a round loom by picking them up one at a time with your hook.
  • Knit the crown in the round on the round loom using basic circular loom knitting until the hat reaches your desired length.
  • Decrease stitches at the top of the crown by skipping pegs or using a decrease method, then thread the yarn tail through remaining stitches and pull tight to close the top.
  • Block the finished hat gently with steam or by laying it flat to set the brim shape and even out the texture.

Choose your looms and yarn

A rectangular loom with 7 to 10 pegs works well for most adult brims. The brim width depends on how many pegs you use — each peg typically adds about half an inch to the finished width. A 9-peg brim is roughly 4 to 5 inches wide, which suits most heads. Check your loom's instructions for the exact measurement, as different brands vary slightly.

For the crown, select a round loom with 36 to 48 pegs. A 36-peg loom makes a smaller hat (child or small adult), while 48 pegs fits most adult heads comfortably. The round loom's diameter should be at least 4 to 5 inches so you have room to work without crowding your hands.

Worsted weight yarn is the standard choice because it knits at a medium speed and holds its shape. Bulky yarn works faster but uses more yardage. Fingering or sport weight yarn takes longer but creates a finer, more delicate hat. Plan for 200 to 400 yards total, depending on yarn weight and hat depth.

Knit the brim on the rectangular loom

Cast on all pegs on your rectangular loom using the e-wrap method or your preferred cast-on. Wrap the yarn around each peg from front to back, then use your hook to pull the bottom loop over the top loop and off the peg. This creates your first row of loops.

Knit flat by wrapping each peg and pulling the bottom loop over the top, working row by row across the loom. The brim typically needs 20 to 30 rows, depending on how deep you want it. A shallower brim (15 rows) sits closer to the forehead; a deeper one (30 rows) provides more coverage and structure. Work at a consistent tension so the brim lies flat.

Bind off when the brim reaches your desired depth. Use the chain bind-off: knit two pegs, then pull the first loop over the second. Move to the next peg and repeat until all stitches are bound off. Cut the yarn, thread the tail through the final loop, and pull tight. Remove the brim from the loom and set it aside.

Transfer stitches from the brim to the round loom

The edge of the brim where it meets the crown is where you pick up stitches. Look at the side edge of the brim — you will see a chain of loops running along it. This is where your new stitches come from. You are not unraveling the brim; you are picking up new loops from the existing edge.

Using your loom hook, insert it through the first loop along the brim edge, catch your working yarn, and pull a new loop through. Place this loop on the first peg of your round loom. Repeat along the entire brim edge, placing one new loop on each peg of the round loom. You should have as many loops on the round loom as you have pegs.

If your brim edge has fewer loops than your round loom has pegs, you can increase by picking up two loops in some spots, or by wrapping extra yarn around certain pegs before you begin knitting. If you have more loops than pegs, skip some loops or decrease by pulling one loop over another as you place them on the loom.

Knit the crown in the round

Begin knitting the crown using the basic round loom method: wrap each peg with yarn, then pull the bottom loop over the top and off. Work continuously around the loom, row after row. The crown typically needs 5 to 7 inches of knitting for an adult hat, but measure against your head as you go. Try the hat on periodically to check the fit and length.

Keep your tension even so the crown sits smoothly on top of the brim. Some knitters find it helpful to mark the starting peg with a stitch marker or a different colored yarn so they know where each round begins and ends. This prevents accidentally knitting in the wrong direction or losing track of your progress.

Continue until the crown reaches just above the top of your head. At this point, you will begin decreasing to close the top of the hat.

Decrease and close the top of the hat

To decrease, skip every other peg as you knit one round. Wrap only the pegs you are using, skip the ones between them. On the next round, knit all the remaining pegs normally. This reduces your stitch count by half each time you decrease.

Repeat the decrease round every one or two rounds until you have only 4 to 6 pegs left with loops on them. At this point, cut your yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Thread the tail through your loom hook, then pull each remaining loop off its peg and thread it onto the yarn tail. Pull the tail tight to gather all the loops and close the top of the hat.

Weave the yarn tail through the stitches at the crown top a second time for security, then thread it down through the inside of the hat and trim it close to the fabric.

Finish and block the hat

Try the hat on to check the fit and comfort. The brim should sit evenly around your head without gaps, and the crown should reach the top without pulling. If the brim curls slightly, you can block it flat by laying the hat on a towel, pinning the brim edges in place, and misting it lightly with water. Let it dry completely before removing the pins.

For a more finished look, you can add a pom-pom to the crown using a pom-pom maker or by wrapping yarn around your fingers. A 2 to 3-inch pom-pom is proportional to most hats. Attach it securely by threading the tie yarn through the top of the hat and knotting it inside.

Weave in any remaining yarn ends with your hook or a tapestry needle. Gently hand-wash the hat in cool water with mild soap if needed, then lay it flat to dry. The brim will hold its shape better if you reshape it while it is still damp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use just one loom instead of two?

You can knit the entire hat on a round loom by casting on extra stitches and working the brim in the round, but the brim will not have the same structured, flat appearance. A rectangular loom brim is flatter and more defined. If you only have a round loom, you can still make a hat — it will straightforward have a rolled or less defined brim.

What if my brim edge does not have enough loops to fill all the pegs on my round loom?

Pick up two loops in some spots along the brim edge to increase your stitch count, or wrap extra yarn around certain pegs before you start knitting the crown. Spread the increases evenly around the loom so the transition from brim to crown looks smooth and balanced.

How do I know what size round loom to use?

Measure the circumference of your head just above your ears, then divide by 3.14 to get the diameter you need. A 36-peg loom is roughly 4.5 inches in diameter and fits most children and small adults. A 48-peg loom is about 6 inches in diameter and fits most adult heads. Check your loom's specifications for exact measurements.

Can I make the brim wider or narrower?

Yes. Use fewer pegs on the rectangular loom for a narrower brim, or more pegs for a wider one. You can also knit more or fewer rows to adjust the depth. A wider brim requires more yarn and takes longer, but gives you more coverage and a more structured look.

What should I do if my hat is too loose or too tight?

If it is too loose, you can felt it gently in warm water to shrink it slightly, or unravel the crown and reknit it on a smaller round loom. If it is too tight, you can stretch it over a bowl or hat block while it is damp and let it dry in that shape. Blocking is usually easier than reknitting.