Christmas Elf Stocking Cap Hat Free Knitting Pattern (2024)

Introducing our adorable Elf Stocking Cap Christmas hat knitting pattern. This free knitting pattern comes in sizes baby, toddler, children, women and men. You’ll be making hats for everyone you know this holiday season!

* Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.

Although our patterns are always free on our blog, many prefer our premium ad-free, printer friendly, PDF versions. These are available to purchase on HERE.

Supplies:

Yarn – Any worsted #4 weight.

The yarn used in the photos is Loops & Threads Impeccable.

Purchase online: (Amazon USA) (Amazon Canada) (Michaels)

Other acrylic options to consider – Red Heart Super Saver, Bernat Super Value.

Wool blend option to consider – Lion Brand Wool Ease (#4 weight).

Needles – Please check your gauge before starting as you may need to go up or down a needle size to get the fit just right. Size US 6 /4mm 16” long circular needles for the brim. Size US 7/4.5mm, 16” long circular needles for the body; US 7/4.5mm double pointed needles for the decrease.

Darning needle, stitch marker, measuring tape,pompom maker and scissors.

Gauge:

4” x 4” = 16 stitches and 23 rows in stocking stitch.

Be sure to check your gauge to ensure the hat will fit properly.

Abbreviations:

K = Knit

P = Purl

K2tog = Knit two together

Sizes:

0-3 Months, 3-12 Months, 1-2 Years (toddler), 3-12 Years (child), Teen/Women, Men

Recommended head circumference for each size:

0-3 Months – 13-15” 3-12 Years – 19-21”

3-12 Months – 15-18” Teen/Women – 21-22″

1-2 Years – 18-19” Men – 23-24”

Directions:

0 – 3 Months:

Cast on 48 stitches on your smaller circular needles with the color green.

Join.

Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 6 rounds.

Switch to your larger circular needles and to the color white. For the rest of the hat work 4 rows white, 4 rows red – repeat.

K all until your work measures 4.25” total length.

Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):

*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 8 rounds.

Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Make pompom. Attach to tail of project and pull tail through inside of the hat.

Your hat should measure approximately 12” around (unstretched).

3-12 Months:

Cast on 56 stitches on your smaller circular needles with the color green.

Join.

Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 7 rounds.

Switch to your larger circular needles and to the color white. For the rest of the hat work 4 rows white, 4 rows red – repeat.

K all until your work measures 5” total length.

Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):

*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 8 rounds.

Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Make pompom. Attach to tail of project and pull tail through inside of the hat.

Your hat should measure approximately 13” around (unstretched).

1-2 Years (toddler):

Cast on 64 stitches on your smaller circular needles with the color green.

Join.

Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 8 rounds.

Switch to your larger circular needles and to the color white. For the rest of the hat work 4 rows white, 4 rows red – repeat.

K all until your work measures 5.25” total length.

Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):

*K6, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 8 rounds.

Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Make pompom. Attach to tail of project and pull tail through inside of the hat.

Your hat should measure approximately 14” around (unstretched.

3-12 Years (child):

Cast on 72 stitches on your smaller circular needles with the color green.

Join.

Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 8 rounds.

Switch to your larger circular needles and to the color white. For the rest of the hat work 4 rows white, 4 rows red – repeat.

K all until your work measures 5.5” total length.

Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around the circular needles):

*K7, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K6, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 8 rounds.

Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Make pompom. Attach to tail of project and pull tail through inside of the hat.

Your hat should measure approximately 16” around (unstretched).

Teen/Women:

Cast on 80 stitches on your smaller circular needles with the color green. Join.

Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 9 rounds.

Switch to your larger circular needles and to the color white. For the rest of the hat work 4 rows white, 4 rows red – repeat.

K all until your work measures 6.25” total length.

Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around):

*K8, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K7, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K6, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 8 rounds.

Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Make pompom. Attach to tail of project and pull tail through inside of the hat.

Your hat should measure approximately 18” around (unstretched).

Men:

Cast on 88 stitches on your smaller circular needles with the color green. Join.

Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round for 10 rounds.

Switch to your larger circular needles and to the color white. For the rest of the hat work 4 rows white, 4 rows red – repeat.

K all until your work measures 7” total length.

Decrease (switch to double pointed needles when the hat becomes too tight to fit around)

*K9, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K8, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K7, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K6, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K5, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K4, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K3, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K1, K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 4 rounds.

*K2together; repeat from * to end.

K all for 8 rounds.

Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Make pompom. Attach to tail of project and pull tail through inside of the hat.

Your hat should measure approximately 20” around (unstretched).

Although our patterns are always free on our blog, many prefer our premium ad-free, printer friendly, PDF versions. These are available to purchase HERE.

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Pattern Credit: www.foxandpinestitches.com

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