Julie Measures

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Owl Hat Knit Pattern

by 101 Comments

The original and best Knit Owl Hat

Owl Hat Knit Pattern

I’m pretty crazy for owls. I think I got it from my Nana (my Mom’s Mom). She was a birder and had bird and owl decor items throughout her home. I vividly remember a macramé owl hanging that she had in her kitchen. When I started knitting one of the first things that I made was an Owl Hat. That owl hat evolved over the years. Initially it was just one owl. Then the owls went all the way around, but only one had button eyes. Now the owls go all the way around the hat and they have all have button eyes. It’s my favorite iteration and has lasted the longest without tweaking.

Owl Hat Free Knit Pattern from Julie is Coco and Cocoa

Knit Your Own Owl Cable Knit Hat

Not only did my Nana inspire my love of owls, but at the beginning all of the owl hats that I made used buttons from her vast button collection. Just another way I could share her love for birds of all kinds.

This knit owl hat has been far and away the most popular and requested item that I make. And now I’m going to share the pattern with you! Grab your knitting needles and get started.

How to Knit the Famous Owl Hat

Owl Hat Free Knit Pattern from Julie is Coco and Cocoa

Click HERE for the Owl Hat Knit Pattern

A few pattern notes:
When increasing I prefer a M1 increase for this hat, rather than increasing by knitting front and back. My favorite m1 method involves working into the bar between two stitches. Simply insert the left-hand needle from front to back, under the bar between the stitches. Knit this bar through the back loop, twisting it into a tight loop. You’ve made a new stitch!
I didn’t include a cable needle on the list of materials, but you will need one.
This is an adult women’s size, but would also fit teenagers/older kids.
If you need to increase the size of the hat, the owl pattern is 11 stitches. To go up a size I would recommend casting on 90, work in ribbing for the first 8 rounds, and then increase to 99 stitches on round 9.
Yardage is about 120 yards. (The skeins of yarn I get are 140 yards and that is always enough for me.)
The pattern needs 16 buttons for the owls as written (it makes 8 owls). If you increase to 99 stitches you will need 18 buttons.
I usually use 3/8” or 9mm buttons. I often find them on Etsy or Amazon.
In addition to double pointed needles I also have a pair of short (8 inch) circular needles that I use to make hats. Either would work to make this hat in the round as written. When I use the 8-inch circular needles, I do switch to the double pointed needles during the decreases.

For the Owl Cables

C4B – means to move 2 stitches to the cable needle, hold the work in back, knit 2 stitches, then knit the 2 stitches on the cable needle. This is a cable worked over a total of 4 stitches.
C4F – similar to C4B, but hold the cable need in front.

Gauge: 4″x4″ square is 18 stitches and 24 rows

If you run into problems or have questions, leave me a comment and let me know. I’d also love to see any finished owl hats that you make!

While I love working stockinette stitch in the round, if you prefer to knit this pattern on straight needles instead, just let me know when you order and I’ll send you a straight needle version in addition!

Once you’ve made the owl cable knit hat, make sure to grab the patterns for the owl knit gloves and owl knit scarf!

Do you prefer to crochet? Don’t worry! I’ve got you covered. Here’s my Owl Hat Crochet Pattern. 

This post contains affiliate links. Purchasing through them help support this website at no extra cost to you.

Comments

  3. VMG206 says

    Oh Gosh, that is the cutest thing ever! I so wish I could crochet like that! {adorbs}
    I’m visiting from My Turn For Fun’s Freedom Fridays Blog Hope.
    I would love to invite you to join us and share each week at Brag About It link party on VMG206 (Mondays at Midnight).
    ~ Megin of VMG206

  6. Julie Wilkinson says

    When you say Cable 4 Back (or front), do you hold them in back (or front), then knit 4 stitches, then knit the cabled stitches? Just learning how to knit cables, so not sure of your instructions.

  7. Julie says

    Hi, Julie! Cable 4 Back means slip 2 stitches to your cable needle and hold the needle in back of your work. Knit the next 2 stitches, and then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle. 4 stitches total are included in the cable stitch. A cable 4 front would be the opposite. Slip 2 stitches to your cable needle and hold the needle in front of your work, knit 2 stitches, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle.

    • Julie says

      The m1 method involves working into the bar between two stitches. Simply insert the left-hand needle from front to back, under the bar between the stitches. Knit this bar through the back loop, twisting it into a tight loop. You’ve made a new stitch!

    • Sylvia says

      Julie stated at the top that for M1 increases you knit into the back of the loop between 2 stitches, it’s not yarn over or knit into front, back of a stitch.

  13. Julie says

    Hi Margaret! I was able to find a pair of very short circular needles (8 inches) at my local yarn store. They are great for hat making. I still have to use double pointed needles when I am decreasing, but they are perfect for the main portion of the hat.

  27. Julie says

    Hello! I’ve been emailing everyone back responses to their questions so they don’t get lost in the thread. Just a few where I’m having problems with emails not going through.

    Gauge is 5.5 stitches per inch. Thanks!

  32. Norah Macey says

    M1 Means to not do the usual increase (by knitting into the back of a stitch, but with your left needle, slip it under the yarn that goes over to the right (not a stitch, but a straighter section, just between the stitches on the two needles. slip the left needle under that thread, and hoist it up onto the left needle…so you have a “new stitch” on the left needle…then knit it as normal.

  37. Kath says

    Thanks for the lovely pattern – I’ve been collection owls for many years, so will be delighted to add this to the parliament! Looking at the baby owl hat picture I wouldn’t mind a copy of that pattern if it’s available thanks. I’m knitting hats & bootees for a charity which donates sets of baby clothes to hospitals to give to parents of deceased pre term & young babies. Thanks Kath

  38. Ev says

    I just finished making your hat pattern with loops and threads colour tone wool blend and it worked up nice. Using 5mm needles however it made it into a slouchy style hat. Very long. Probably could have left out 15 or more of the straight knitted rows above the owls. But otherwise a great and easy to follow pattern. Took only a few hours (i knit fast) thanks for sharing it

  39. Mrs. June Walker says

    I am knitting the hat on two needles as on the following rows I am knitting where it is purl and purling where it says knit, the rows that you have to cable on are easy as they are done on the right side so do not cause a problem, if you do a lot of knitting this is an easy thing to do, good luck

  42. Tracy says

    Hello Julie, my name is Tracy from Bend, Oregon. I’m deaf. I don’t knit or crochet, unfortunately but I quilt! :0) I love your owl hat, wonder if you can make one and sell it? Where we love is real cold and have lots snow and this hat would be a real nice fashion statement and warm! :0)
    Let me know. My email is …..lilmonkeys007@gmail.com
    Thank you,
    Tracy

  43. Beth Bowen says

    I found this pattern a year ago and made a couple of the hats. I went on to use the owl on the back of a pair of mitlets, and I have to say that I LOVE it. I didn’t even add the eyes, but it is clearly an owl. It’s a great pattern.

  44. maureen says

    Hi Julie I do not knit and my cousin asked me if I could make this and I saw you sell this hat. I looked on etsy and to no avail. Can you tell me how much you charge to make this owl hat? thank you I used to knit about 40 years ago and it was just scarfs and afghans

  46. BytheC says

    Kind of you to share… I have a friend who lives farrrrr away, and I will make this for her as she lovessss owls. Thanks again. Beautiful work, by the way <3

  47. safire says

    Thanks for the pattern Julie! I’m a fairly novice knitter and I got this hat done in a week! I used 2 balls of Loops & Threads Impeccable yarn which is chunkier than worsted, and US9 5.5mm circular needles. I reduced the number of rows in rounds 30-50 to 10 instead of 20 but otherwise followed the pattern exactly. The hat fits wonderfully! Not bad for my first attempt at a hat!

  48. Tanya Munday says

    Jennifer, there is actually a pattern for the 2 needles method if you look above, so anyone that wishes to make them on two needles just look for the link in the comments that Julie posted.. also a note to go along with the 2 needle method is if you use Vannas Choice yarn which is a bit heavier, you can use a 5.75mm needle with that yarn and follow the 2 needle pattern to get a bigger hat that will fit 22′ Adult head…;)

  49. Esther Whittle says

    This is the knit version.
    I have also seen the crocheted version which cost to download. See Pinterest Crocheted Owl Hat.
    I’m foing to design a top-down knit version when I have the time and energy.

  51. Virginia Burns says

    Thank you so much for sharing this gorgeous pattern! This is very generous of you, and I will be heading to our local wool-shop, The Wool Inn, here in Penrith NSW, first thing tomorrow! Again … thank you!!

  53. Glorie says

    I absolutely love this pattern! Thank you Julie. I found your instructions very clear and it was an easy knit. I’m on my second one. Although this time I’m casting on 80 stitches, as the 72 cast on was a bit too tight for my head. I think one more owl might do the trick. I’ll be gifting my first attempt. Thank you again! 🙂

  55. Chrissie Duffy says

    I am going to knit this hat pattern but on two needles, then got to thinking I would like a scarf to go with it. Ok, not too difficult to work out size but not sure how to finish it. In other words how do I knit the end in reverse, starting with the ears?

  58. Carol says

    Julie’s worsted weight wool in UK terms is: 8mm, Double Knitting or DK
    I just checked on the net as I am interested in knitting one of these lovely hats too!

  60. Lyn McLeod says

    I knit two of these and both of them had very excessive amounts of knitted rows at the top. For a normal size head I would eliminate at least 8 rows before the finish.

  61. Chris Oliver says

    I have now finished the hat using Aran wool and I love it. I have posted a pic on fb but not sure i can put a pic on here. Have had lots of positive comments and am now going to do a smaller one for my seven year old granddaughter. Beanie type hats don’t look too good on me so i have added pompom to top for a bit of extra height.

  62. Loretta says

    I made this owl cap it was my first time doing the cable stitch,and did it without any problems.thank you for the pattern.I love how it turned out .I am going to make one for all my grandchildren .

  64. Peg D says

    Any Owl pattern I have made so far such as hats or fingerless mitts I have used very tiny buttons. I would say they are about 1/4 inch across or not much larger than that. I usually take my finished project with me and match them to something I like. However the ‘baby’ sized buttons like you would sew on a little dress for a baby seem to work well for me. I hope that helps you out a little 🙂

  65. Tanya Munday says

    Here are the two videos..I apologize as the second video is very shadowy and dark, but i think you can see the important parts of the video…So if you look at the first link in the video i say to catch the back loop while you can still do this i think going through both loops works better…and in the second video i tell you to go through the back bump which makes the owl sit better..so please watch both videos and you will understand..First video is clearer but the second videos stitching lets the owl and hat lay better…wow i hope that made sense…lol Video #1 https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9v_2Sf4ri7cY1cyM3lEcVBMd1U/view?usp=sharing
    Video #2 ( use this method but watch first video for better view) https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9v_2Sf4ri7cd1YySEhXN3kyN0k/view?usp=sharing

    Any questions please feel free to ask and ill help best i can 🙂

  71. Marny CA says

    All bases just can’t be covered all the time on everything.

    Then we can get involved with those who speak other languages – and can’t find a decent online translator for every pattern.

    When in doubt, give YouTube a Search. There are usually a few different teachers teaching in their own way on just about anything and everything. Takes time to filter through those to find a teacher whose way of teaching suits yours.

    Might consider legislation in the USA for such things! LOL Like there aren’t more important problems on our plates.

    My daughter is in West Palm Beach FL – and says she isn’t leaving – they put in hurricane windows, etc. NOTHING *I* can do about her decision. I pray she and her husband and animals will be safe.

  72. kelly says

    Hi Julie. Love this hat. On the couch with a broken hèel and I would love to make one for my grandson who is 18 months. Maybe with just a couple owls
    Do you have a smaller pattern.
    I also have wool that is hand spun, some of it thinner so I am quessing that would be equvilent to worsted.
    Thanks so much for any in put you may have

    Kelly

  75. Melissa says

    This is so cute! I just bought the pattern and think I found someone to make it for me (wish I knitted, maybe someday!) What color yarn is the one on the left, I really like it? It looks heathered….

    Thanks!
    Melissa

        • Julie says

          Hello! It will depend on the circular needles you are using, but generally yes. The number of stitches will decrease to where you won’t be able to use the circular needles and you will need to switch to dpns. (Unless you are using the magic loop technique sometimes used when making socks. Which allows you to use one long circular needle instead of dpns.)

  77. Deidre Barkley says

    Julie – thanks for the pattern. love it. i’m going to try it.

    You are an incredibly patient and kind person. People ask some of the same questions over and over although many of the answer they seek are in the info provided (however, maybe the instructions were improved by the questions prior to my finding this cute hat). You answer them and politely! It would drive me nuts!

  80. Jane T says

    I made this hat using 4 ply yarn and US 8 needles (5mm). I sewed the eyes on just after a few rows above were finished, as it made it much easier to access than when finished. I have a smaller head so this pattern was perfect fit. So cute. If I make another I am considering using different coloured buttons for the eyes. I used 4 dp needles but would prefer 5 or a short circular needle next time.

    • Julie says

      Worsted weight is a medium weight yarn that might also be called #4 yarn, afghan yarn, or aran yarn.
      Depending on where you are located your yarn shop should recognize at least one of those names!

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