This tree hat knitting pattern is a beautiful way to create a textured, nature-inspired beanie, and it fits perfectly alongside your favorite free hat knitting patterns for everyday wear.
If you’ve been wanting a cable project that looks impressive but still feels doable, this one checks all the boxes. The Evergreen Hat gives you that bold, detailed look without feeling overwhelming, and it works up into something you’ll actually reach for when the weather turns cold. Whether you’re knitting for yourself or making gifts, this tree hat knitting pattern helps you create something meaningful and practical at the same time.
If you’ve ever hesitated to try cables or worried they’d be too complicated, this is where that changes. This pattern walks you right into it in a way that feels manageable, not intimidating. You end up with a finished hat that looks far more detailed than the effort it takes to knit it.
A hat like this isn’t just about staying warm—it’s about enjoying the process and loving the finished piece. Once you see that tree motif take shape, it’s hard not to want to make another.
What materials work best for a tree hat knitting pattern?
For this tree hat knitting pattern, I used Cascade 220 Superwash, and it really makes the cables stand out in the best way. This worsted weight yarn has the kind of stitch definition that lets every twist and turn of the cable pop, which is exactly what you want in a design like this. It also has a nice balance of softness and structure, so the hat holds its shape without feeling stiff.
Another reason I keep coming back to this yarn is how reliable it is. It’s easy to work with, easy to care for, and comes in enough colors that you can completely change the look of your finished hat just by switching shades. I went with a deep green for that classic tree-inspired feel, but honestly, this pattern looks good in just about anything.
There’s something magical about creating a piece of knitwear that not only keeps you warm but also tells You don’t need anything fancy beyond your basic tools either—just your needles, a cable needle, and a yarn needle for finishing. It’s a simple setup for a project that looks anything but simple when it’s done.
How do you knit the cable design in this tree hat knitting pattern?
The cables in this tree hat knitting pattern might look detailed, but they follow a really steady rhythm once you get going. You start with a classic ribbed brim, which gives the hat a snug, comfortable fit, and then move right into the cable section where the design begins to form.
As you work through the rounds, the tree motif builds piece by piece. This pattern uses a chart, which makes it easier to see how everything lines up, especially if you’re someone who likes visual guidance. The more you repeat the rounds, the more natural it feels, and before long you’re knitting cables without even thinking twice about it.
If you’ve never knit cables before, this is a great place to start stretching your skills a bit. It keeps things interesting without being overwhelming, and it’s incredibly satisfying to watch that design come together.
By the time you reach the crown and start your decreases, you’ve already done the hardest part—and the rest just flies by.
Looking for more free hat knitting patterns?
If you’re loving this one, I’ve got plenty more free hat knitting patterns you can dive into next:
• Grace Beanie
• Nicolas Beanie
• Abner Beanie
• Selah Beanie
• Thomas Beanie
Each of these has its own style, from simple textures to bold cables, so you can switch things up depending on what you’re in the mood to knit. Some are quick and relaxing, others give you a little more of a challenge, but all of them are designed to be worn and loved.
The Evergreen Hat fits right into that mix as a go-to project when you want something that feels a little extra special without being overly complicated. It’s one of those patterns you’ll come back to when you want a hat that stands out but still feels practical.
Evergreen hat Free Pattern
Yarn – 1skein Cascade 220 Superwash (100g 220yd)
Gauge – 20x28sts per 4x4in or 10x10cm
Needles – 7 (4.5mm) circular and/or dpn
Other –yarn needle, cable needle, optional – fur pompom
Sizes – (newborn, baby), (toddler, child), (small adult, large adult)
Head Measurement – (30-35, 35-40), (40-45, 45-50), (50-55, 55-60)cms or (12-14, 14-16), (16-18, 18-20), (20-22, 22-24)ins
ABBREVIATIONS
k – knit
P – purl
sl – slip stitch
st – stitch
yo – yarn over
p2tog – purl the next to sts together
cb7 – sl next 4sts onto cable needle and hold in back, k3, k4sts from cable needle
cf7 – sl next 3sts onto cable needle and hold in front, k4, k3sts from cable needle
cb6 – sl next 3sts onto cable needle and hold in back, k3, k3sts from cable needle
cf6 – sl next 3sts onto cable needle and hold in front, k3, k3sts from cable needle
cb5 – sl next 3sts onto cable needle and hold in back, k2, k3sts from cable needle
cf5 – sl next 2sts onto cable needle and hold in front, k3, k2sts from cable needle
cb4 – sl next 2sts onto cable needle and hold in back, k2, k2sts from cable needle
cf4 – sl next 2sts onto cable needle and hold in front, k2, k2sts from cable needle
cb3 – sl next 2sts onto cable needle and hold in back, k1, k2sts from cable needle
cf3 – sl next 1sts onto cable needle and hold in front, k2, k1sts from cable needle
cb2 – sl next 1st onto cable needle and hold in back, k1, k1st from cable needle
cf2 – sl next 1sts onto cable needle and hold in front, k1, k1sts from cable needle
tb2 – sl next 1st onto cable needle and hold in back, k1, p1 from cable needle
tf2 – sl next 1st onto cable needle and hold in front, p1, k1 from cable needle
Evergreen Hat Pattern
NEWBORN
Cast on 65 using your favorite stretchy cast on.
Join in the round.
Work in [k1, p1] ribbing for 1in (2.5cms).
Rounds 1-5 – [k12, p1] around
Round 6 – [p1, cb5, cf5, p2] around
Rounds 7-10 – [p1, k10, p2] around
Round 11 – [p2, cb4, cf4, p3] around
Rounds 12-14 – [p2, k8, p3] around
Round 15 – [p3, cb3, cf3, p4] around
Rounds 16-17 – [p3, k6, p4] around
Round 18 – [p4, cb2, cf2, p5] around
Rounds 19-20 – [p4, k4, p5] around
Round 21- [p4, tf2, tb2, p5] around
Round 22 – purl around
Repeat round 22 until your work measures 4ins (10cms).
Switch to dpn when necessary.
DECREASES
Round 1 – p2tog, p63 (64sts)
Round 2 – [p2tog, p2] around (48sts)
Round 3 – purl around
Round 4 – [p2tog, p1] around (32sts)
Round 5 – purl around
Round 6 – [p2tog] around (16sts)
Round 7 – purl around
Round 8 – [p2tog] around to last st, p1 (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.
BABY
Cast on 75 using your favorite stretchy cast on.
Join in the round.
Work in [k1, p1] ribbing for 1in (2.5cms).
Rounds 1-6 – [k14, p1] around
Round 7 – [p1, cb6, cf6, p2] around
Rounds 8-12 – [p1, k12, p2] around
Round 13 – [p2, cb5, cf5, p3] around
Rounds 14-17 – [p2, k10, p3] around
Round 18 – [p3, cb4, cf4, p4] around
Rounds 19-21 – [p3, k8, p4] around
Round 22 – [p4, cb3, cf3, p5] around
Rounds 23-24 – [p4, k6, p5] around
Round 25 – [p5, cb2, cf2, p6] around
Rounds 26-27 – [p5, k4, p6] around
Round 28 – [p5, tf2, tb2, p6] around
Round 29 – purl around
Repeat round 29 until your work measures 5ins (12.5cms).
Switch to dpn when necessary.
DECREASES
Round 1 – [p2tog, p23] around (72sts)
Round 2 – [p2tog, p2] around (54sts)
Round 3 – purl around
Round 4 – [p2tog, p1] around (36sts)
Round 5 – purl around
Round 6 – [p2tog] around (18sts)
Round 7 – purl around
Round 8 – [p2tog] around to last st, p1 (9sts)
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
Cast on 80 using your favorite stretchy cast on.
Join in the round.
Work in [k1, p1] ribbing for 1in (2.5cms).
Rounds 1-6 – [p1, k14, p1] around
Round 7 – [p2, cb6, cf6, p2] around
Rounds 8-12 – [p2, k12, p2] around
Round 13 – [p3, cb5, cf5, p3] around
Rounds 14-17 – [p3, k10, p3] around
Round 18 – [p4, cb4, cf4, p4] around
Rounds 19-21 – [p4, k8, p4] around
Round 22 – [p5, cb3, cf3, p5] around
Rounds 23-24 – [p5, k6, p5] around
Round 25 – [p6, cb2, cf2, p6] around
Rounds 26-27 – [p6, k4, p6] around
Round 28- [p6, tf2, tb2, p6] around
Round 29 – purl around
Repeat round 29 until your work measures 6ins (15cms).
Switch to dpn when necessary.
DECREASES
Round 1 – [p2tog, p2] around (60sts)
Round 2 – purl around
Round 3 – [p2tog, p1] around (40sts)
Round 4 – purl around
Round 5 – [p2tog] around (20sts)
Round 6 – purl around
Round 7 – [p2tog] around to last st, p1 (10sts)
Round 8 – [p2tog] around to last st, p1 (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.
CHILD
Cast on 90 using your favorite stretchy cast on.
Join in the round.
Work in [k1, p1] ribbing for 1.25ins (3cms).
Rounds 1-7 – [p1, k16, p1] around
Round 8 – [p2, cb7, cf7, p2] around
Rounds 9-14 – [p2, k14, p2] around
Round 15 – [p3, cb6, cf6, p3] around
Rounds 16-21 – [p3, k12, p3] around
Round 22 – [p4, cb5, cf5, p4] around
Rounds 23-26 – [p4, k10, p4] around
Round 27 – [p5, cb4, cf4, p5] around
Rounds 28-30 – [p5, k8, p5] around
Round 31 – [p6, cb3, cf3, p6] around
Rounds 32-33 – [p6, k6, p6] around
Round 34 – [p7, cb2, cf2, p7] around
Rounds 35-36 – [p7, k4, p7] around
Round 37- [p7, tf2, tb2, p7] around
Round 38 – purl around
Repeat round 38 until your work measures 7ins (17.5cms).
Switch to dpn when necessary.
DECREASES
Round 1 – [p2tog, p43] around (88sts)
Round 2 – [p2tog, p2] around (66sts)
Round 3 – purl around
Round 4 – [p2tog, p1] around (44sts)
Round 5 – purl around
Round 6 – [p2tog] around (22sts)
Round 7 – purl around
Round 8 – [p2tog] around (11sts)
Round 9 – [p2tog] around to last st, p1 (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.
SMALL ADULT
Cast on 108 using your favorite stretchy cast on.
Join in the round.
Work in [k1, p1] ribbing for 1.25ins (3cms).
Rounds 1-7 – [p1, k16, p1] around
Round 8 – [p2, cb7, cf7, p2] around
Rounds 9-14 – [p2, k14, p2] around
Round 15 – [p3, cb6, cf6, p3] around
Rounds 16-21 – [p3, k12, p3] around
Round 22 – [p4, cb5, cf5, p4] around
Rounds 23-26 – [p4, k10, p4] around
Round 27 – [p5, cb4, cf4, p5] around
Rounds 28-30 – [p5, k8, p5] around
Round 31 – [p6, cb3, cf3, p6] around
Rounds 32-33 – [p6, k6, p6] around
Round 34 – [p7, cb2, cf2, p7] around
Rounds 35-36 – [p7, k4, p7] around
Round 37- [p7, tf2, tb2, p7] around
Round 38 – purl around
Repeat round 38 until your work measures 8ins (20cms).
Switch to dpn when necessary.
DECREASES
Round 1 – [p2tog, p2] around (81sts)
Round 2 – purl around
Round 3 – [p2tog, p1] around (54sts)
Round 4 – purl around
Round 5 – [p2tog] around (27sts)
Round 6 – purl around
Round 7 – [p2tog] around to last st, p1 (14sts)
Round 8 – [p2tog] 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.
LARGE ADULT
Cast on 126 using your favorite stretchy cast on.
Join in the round.
Work in [k1, p1] ribbing for 1.25ins (3cms).
Rounds 1-7 – [p1, k16, p1] around
Round 8 – [p2, cb7, cf7, p2] around
Rounds 9-14 – [p2, k14, p2] around
Round 15 – [p3, cb6, cf6, p3] around
Rounds 16-21 – [p3, k12, p3] around
Round 22 – [p4, cb5, cf5, p4] around
Rounds 23-26 – [p4, k10, p4] around
Round 27 – [p5, cb4, cf4, p5] around
Rounds 28-30 – [p5, k8, p5] around
Round 31 – [p6, cb3, cf3, p6] around
Rounds 32-33 – [p6, k6, p6] around
Round 34 – [p7, cb2, cf2, p7] around
Rounds 35-36 – [p7, k4, p7] around
Round 37- [p7, tf2, tb2, p7] around
Round 38 – purl around
Repeat round 38 until your work measures 9ins (22.5cms).
Switch to dpn when necessary.
DECREASES
Round 1 – [p2tog, p61] around (124sts)
Round 2 – [p2tog, p2] around (93sts)
Round 3 – purl around
Round 4 – [p2tog, p1] around (62sts)
Round 5 – purl around
Round 6 – [p2tog] around (31sts)
Round 7 – purl around
Round 8 – [p2tog] around to last st, p1 (16sts)
Round 9 – [p2tog] 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.
If you give this tree hat knitting pattern a try, I’d love to hear how it turns out for you. Drop a comment and tell me what color you chose or who you’re knitting it for—I always love seeing your projects come to life!
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