This leaf knit hat pattern is one of those projects that instantly earns a spot in your fall lineup, and if you’ve been searching for free hat knitting patterns that feel both classic and eye-catching, you’re in the right place.
The Carmi Hat brings together textured cables and a wearable shape that actually fits into everyday life—no fussy styling required. If you’ve ever struggled to find a hat that looks detailed without being overwhelming to knit, this one solves that problem beautifully. This leaf knit hat pattern gives you that intricate, leafy look while still being approachable and fun to work through.
If you want a hat that looks impressive but still feels doable, this is it.
It’s the kind of project that keeps your hands busy and your interest high.
And once you get going, it’s hard to stop at just one.
What materials work best for a leaf knit hat pattern?
When it comes to knitting a leaf knit hat pattern, yarn choice makes a huge difference in how those cables show up. I used Cascade 220 Superwash for mine, and it gave me crisp stitch definition that really lets the leaf texture stand out. You want something that holds structure well, so the cables don’t get lost.
A smooth worsted-weight yarn is ideal here because it balances softness with durability. It also helps the hat keep its shape after blocking and through regular wear.
The right yarn will make your stitches look cleaner and your finished hat feel more polished. It’s one of those small choices that has a big impact on the final result.
How do you knit this leaf knit hat pattern successfully?
This leaf knit hat pattern starts with a simple long-tail cast-on and moves into a 1×1 ribbed brim that gives the hat a snug, comfortable fit. From there, you transition into the cable pattern that creates that signature leafy texture. It might look complex at first glance, but once you work a few repeats, the rhythm really clicks.
Using stitch markers between repeats makes it much easier to stay on track. And if you’re comfortable, cabling without a needle can speed things up and keep your flow going.
As you move into the crown shaping, the design tapers naturally, which gives the finished hat a clean, polished look. It all comes together in a way that feels intentional from brim to top.
Looking for more free hat knitting patterns like this?
If you’re loving this leaf knit hat pattern, here are a few more to add to your list:
• Sarah Beanie
• Rosebud Beanie
• Chain Beanie
• Martha Beanie
• Leah Hat
Each of these patterns brings something a little different, whether it’s texture, simplicity, or a fun stitch detail. They’re all great options when you want something you can actually wear on repeat.
If you’re in a hat-knitting mood, this is a great place to stay. There’s nothing better than having a few go-to patterns ready when you want a quick, satisfying project.
Carmi Hat Free Pattern
Yarn –1 skein Cascade 220 superwash (100g 220yd) (affiliate link)
Other –yarn needle, cable needle, optional – fur pompom
Gauge – 16x24sts per 4x4in or 10x10cm
Needles – 6 (4.25mm) circular or dpn 8 (5mm) circular and/or dpn
Sizes – (newborn, baby), (toddler/child), (small adult, large adult)
Head Measurement – (30-35, 35-40), (45-50), (50-55, 55-60) cms or (14-16, 16-18), (18-20), (20-22, 22-24) ins
Abbreviations
k – knit
P – purl
sl – slip stitch
st – stitch
pm – place marker
k2tog -knit 2 stitches together
ssk – slip next st knitwise, slip next st knitwise, knit the 2 slipped sts together
cb4 – place next 3sts on cable needle, hold in back, k1, k3 from cable needle
cf4 – place next 1sts on cable needle, hold in front, k3, k1 from cable needle
cb3 – place next 2sts on cable needle, hold in back, k1, k2 from cable needle
cf3 – place next 1sts on cable needle, hold in front, k2, k1 from cable needle
yo2 – when you yarn over wrap your yarn 2 times
ktbl – knit through back loop
Carmi Hat Pattern
NEWBORN
With smaller needles, cast on 54 using your favorite stretchy cast on.
Join in the round and pm.
K1P1 around until you have reached 1ins (2.5cms) from cast on edge.
Switch to larger needles.
Round 1 – [k8, p1] around
Round 2 – [cb4, cf4, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 3 – repeat round 1
Round 4 – [k1, cb3, cf3, k1, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 5 – repeat round 1
Round 6 – [k2, k2tog, yo2, ssk, k2, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 7 – [k3, (k1, ktbl1) into yo2, k3, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 8 – [k8, p1, cb4, cf4, p1] around
Round 9 – repeat round 1
Round 10 – [k8, p1, k1, cb3, cf3, k1, p1] around
Round 11 – repeat round 1
Round 12 – [k8, p1, k2, k2tog, yo2, ssk, k2, p1] around
Round 13 – [k8, p1, k3, (k1, ktbl1) into yo2, k3, p1] around
Repeat rounds 1 and 13 until your work measures 4ins (10cms) ending after completing a round 7 or 13.
Switch to dpn when necessary.
DECREASES
Round 1 – [ssk, k4, k2tog, p1] around (42sts)
Round 2 – [k6, p1] around
Round 3 – [ssk, k2, k2tog, p1] around (30sts)
Round 4 – [k4, p1] around
Round 5 – [ssk, k2tog, p1] around (18sts)
Round 6 – [k2, p1] around
Round 7 – [k2tog, p1] around (12sts)
Round 8 – [k2tog] around (6sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn leaving appx -10ins. Pull yarn through remaining stitches and cinch the top tight. Weave in ends. Block as desired.
BABY
With smaller needles, cast on 72 using your favorite stretchy cast on.
Join in the round and pm.
K1P1 around until you have reached 1ins (2.5cms) from cast on edge.
Switch to larger needles.
Round 1 – [k8, p1] around
Round 2 – [cb4, cf4, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 3 – repeat round 1
Round 4 – [k1, cb3, cf3, k1, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 5 – repeat round 1
Round 6 – [k2, k2tog, yo2, ssk, k2, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 7 – [k3, (k1, ktbl1) into yo2, k3, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 8 – [k8, p1, cb4, cf4, p1] around
Round 9 – repeat round 1
Round 10 – [k8, p1, k1, cb3, cf3, k1, p1] around
Round 11 – repeat round 1
Round 12 – [k8, p1, k2, k2tog, yo2, ssk, k2, p1] around
Round 13 – [k8, p1, k3, (k1, ktbl1) into yo2, k3, p1] around
Repeat rounds 1 and 13 until your work measures 5ins (12.5cms) ending after completing a round 7 or 13.
Switch to dpn when necessary.
DECREASES
Round 1 – [ssk, k4, k2tog, p1] around (56sts)
Round 2 – [k6, p1] around
Round 3 – [ssk, k2, k2tog, p1] around (40sts)
Round 4 – [k4, p1] around
Round 5 – [ssk, k2tog, p1] around (24sts)
Round 6 – [k2, p1] around
Round 7 – [k2tog, p1] around (16sts)
Round 8 – [k2tog] around (8sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn leaving appx -10ins. Pull yarn through remaining stitches and cinch the top tight. Weave in ends. Block as desired.
TODDLER/CHILD
With smaller needles, cast on 90 using your favorite stretchy cast on.
Join in the round and pm.
K1P1 around until you have reached 1.25ins (3cms) from cast on edge.
Switch to larger needles.
Round 1 – [k8, p1] around
Round 2 – [cb4, cf4, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 3 – repeat round 1
Round 4 – [k1, cb3, cf3, k1, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 5 – repeat round 1
Round 6 – [k2, k2tog, yo2, ssk, k2, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 7 – [k3, (k1, ktbl1) into yo2, k3, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 8 – [k8, p1, cb4, cf4, p1] around
Round 9 – repeat round 1
Round 10 – [k8, p1, k1, cb3, cf3, k1, p1] around
Round 11 – repeat round 1
Round 12 – [k8, p1, k2, k2tog, yo2, ssk, k2, p1] around
Round 13 – [k8, p1, k3, (k1, ktbl1) into yo2, k3, p1] around
Repeat rounds 1 and 13 until your work measures 6.5ins (16cms) ending after completing a round 7 or 13.
Switch to dpn when necessary.
DECREASES
Round 1 – [ssk, k4, k2tog, p1] around (70sts)
Round 2 – [k6, p1] around
Round 3 – [ssk, k2, k2tog, p1] around (50sts)
Round 4 – [k4, p1] around
Round 5 – [ssk, k2tog, p1] around (30sts)
Round 6 – [k2, p1] around
Round 7 – [k2tog, p1] around (20sts)
Round 8 – [k2tog] around (10sts)
Round 9 – [k2tog] around (5sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn leaving appx -10ins. Pull yarn through remaining stitches
and cinch the top tight. Weave in ends. Block as desired.
SMALL ADULT
With smaller needles, cast on 108 using your favorite stretchy cast on.
Join in the round and pm.
K1P1 around until you have reached 1.25ins (3cms) from cast on edge.
Switch to larger needles.
Round 1 – [k8, p1] around
Round 2 – [cb4, cf4, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 3 – repeat round 1
Round 4 – [k1, cb3, cf3, k1, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 5 – repeat round 1
Round 6 – [k2, k2tog, yo2, ssk, k2, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 7 – [k3, (k1, ktbl1) into yo2, k3, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 8 – [k8, p1, cb4, cf4, p1] around
Round 9 – repeat round 1
Round 10 – [k8, p1, k1, cb3, cf3, k1, p1] around
Round 11 – repeat round 1
Round 12 – [k8, p1, k2, k2tog, yo2, ssk, k2, p1] around
Round 13 – [k8, p1, k3, (k1, ktbl1) into yo2, k3, p1] around
Repeat rounds 1 and 13 until your work measures 8ins (20cms) ending after completing a round 7 or 13.
Switch to dpn when necessary.
DECREASES
Round 1 – [ssk, k4, k2tog, p1] around (84sts)
Round 2 – [k6, p1] around
Round 3 – [ssk, k2, k2tog, p1] around (60sts)
Round 4 – [k4, p1] around
Round 5 – [ssk, k2tog, p1] around (36sts)
Round 6 – [k2, p1] around
Round 7 – [k2tog, p1] around (24sts)
Round 8 – [k2tog] around (12sts)
Round 9 – [k2tog] around (6sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn leaving appx -10ins. Pull yarn through remaining stitches and cinch the top tight. Weave in ends. Block as desired.
LARGE ADULT
With smaller needles, cast on 126 using your favorite stretchy cast on.
Join in the round and pm.
K1P1 around until you have reached 1.25ins (3cms) from cast on edge.
Switch to larger needles.
Round 1 – [k8, p1] around
Round 2 – [cb4, cf4, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 3 – repeat round 1
Round 4 – [k1, cb3, cf3, k1, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 5 – repeat round 1
Round 6 – [k2, k2tog, yo2, ssk, k2, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 7 – [k3, (k1, ktbl1) into yo2, k3, p1, k8, p1] around
Round 8 – [k8, p1, cb4, cf4, p1] around
Round 9 – repeat round 1
Round 10 – [k8, p1, k1, cb3, cf3, k1, p1] around
Round 11 – repeat round 1
Round 12 – [k8, p1, k2, k2tog, yo2, ssk, k2, p1] around
Round 13 – [k8, p1, k3, (k1, ktbl1) into yo2, k3, p1] around
Repeat rounds 1 and 13 until your work measures 9ins (22.5cms) ending after completing a round 7 or 13.
Switch to dpn when necessary.
DECREASES
Round 1 – [ssk, k4, k2tog, p1] around (98sts)
Round 2 – [k6, p1] around
Round 3 – [ssk, k2, k2tog, p1] around (70sts)
Round 4 – [k4, p1] around
Round 5 – [ssk, k2tog, p1] around (42sts)
Round 6 – [k2, p1] around
Round 7 – [k2tog, p1] around (28sts)
Round 8 – [k2tog] around (14sts)
Round 9 – [k2tog] around (7sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn leaving appx -10ins. Pull yarn through remaining stitches and cinch the top tight. Weave in ends. Block as desired.
If you end up making this one, I’d love to hear about it—drop a comment and tell me what color you chose or who you’re knitting it for!
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