How to Knit a Gorgeous Hat for Charity – for Free
Check out this free knitting pattern from reader Ginny to create a beautiful hat for charity
A few years back, I published a post about donating yarn. I confessed that I’ve never donated yarn and that I have no intention of doing so in the near future.
I’m sorry to say that this remains true to this day. (*buries face in hands*)
This confession, however, at least reassured me that I’m not alone. Many readers wrote to me admitting they never donate yarn either. Many other readers wrote and told me exactly when and where they did donate yarn.
I was so glad to hear that so many knitters and crocheters were more than making up for my failings by their generosity!
One reader who shared about her donations went one step beyond. Here’s what Ginny Jovanovich wrote to me:
“Inherited large amounts of yarn from family members. Finding this local Wisconsin based charity wanting brightly colored knit hats for children was a perfect way to make good use of my overflowing stash of worsted yarn:
Hearts in Unity.
“Their mission is to feed, clothe and educate the orphan and at risk children of Tanzania.”
She went on to tell me that she had her own special pattern for a hat for charity that she would be willing to share with me and my readers, if I so desired. Of course, I very much did!
For more fabulous free hat knitting patterns, take a look at the Hats Category of my Free Knitting Patterns!
The perfect pattern: a beautiful hat for charity
Ginny sent me this amazing photo of the 60 (60!!) hats she knitted with this pattern and then sent to Hearts in Unity. She told me, “Love knitting these small projects. Finding this a great way to try out new stitch patterns and making good use of small amounts of yarn.”
She added, “[This photo] shows the endless color combinations one could use to give each recipient one of a kind hat.”
I hope by now you’re really eager for this pattern! Here it is.
Note: if you’ve seen this pattern before August 10, 2017, a correction has been made to the tuck stitch rounds. Round 6 should end with a k 4 down, and round 11 should end with k2.
Ginny’s Cluster Stitch Hat Pattern
This hat for charity features knitted rounds of stockinette stitch with one row of tuck stitches that incorporates a color change and adds texture.
Supplies needed:
Worsted weight yarn #4, three different colors (signified by A, B, and C)
Size 7 (4.50mm) or 8 (5mm) double pointed needles
Abbreviations used:
st=stitch, k=knit, p=purl, rd=round,
Tuck stitch pattern:
knit 4 down by unraveling st down 4 rds, inserting right needle in the front of the 5th st and knit, capturing the 4 unraveled rds behind the stitch.
Instructions
1. Using color A: cast on 72 stitches, (24 on each needle, if using 3 DPNs)
Mark the beginning of the round.
(I use the tail from cast on to mark beginning)
Join in the round, making sure the cast on sts don’t twist.
Work rib pattern of k2, p2 for 8 to 10 rds, or approximately 1 1/2″ to 2″.
2. Switch to color B.
Rounds 1-5: knit
3. Switch to color C.
Round 6: K3, *knit 4 down, K3, repeat from * to last stitch, k 4 down.
Rounds 7-10: Knit
4. Switch to color A.
Round 11: K1, *k 4 down, K3, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.
Rounds 12-15: knit
5. Switch to color C.
Round 16: Repeat rd 6
Rounds 17-20: Knit
6. Switch to color B
Round 21: Repeat rd 11
Rounds 22-25: Knit
7. Switch to color A
Round 26: Repeat rd 6
Knit rounds of stockinette until piece measures 6 to 7 1/2″ from cast-on edge.
8. Dec rows for the crown of hat
Photo by Ginny Jovanovich
*K7, k2tog, repeat from *
Knit 1 rd
*K6, k2 tog, repeat from*
Knit 1 rd
*K5, k2 tog, repeat from*
Knit 1 rd
Continue dec rds in this manner until 8 stitches remain.
Draw yarn through final 8 sts and weave in the ends.
Huge thanks to Ginny for a wonderful hat pattern. What do you think? What might you use this particular pattern for?
I am new to knitting. I am interested to learn how to knit hats for toddlers and adults. Many homeless people need hats too.
I will start with hats , Do you have pattern square then knit to make hats.
Was told it is easier for beginers. Sadly I suffer from Arthritis
Looking forward to start.
Many thanks.
Sabi xx
Hello Sabi!
I am so sorry, I’m not sure what you’re referring to by “pattern square then knit to make hats.”
If you’re looking for great beginner hats that you can knit for charity, I highly recommend Bev’s Country Cottage. You can find a huge selection here! http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/hats.html
What charities do you send these to?
This is the charity to which Ginny sends her hats: http://www.heartsinunity.org/
You can find other possibilities here: https://www.knittingforcharity.com/knitting_charities_by_donation_item/hats
I think Round 11 is missing a stitch – Round 11: K1, *k 4 down, K3, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.
This would be an odd number – multiple of 4 plus 3 stitches.
Cathy, I double-checked the math (which sounds so sophisticated, but really, I sketched out the stitches and then counted off the knits and the knit-4-downs, lol), and I know it looks wrong, but it actually turns out right. If you start with a K1 and then work the stitch pattern repeat, you’ll end with 2 stitches to knit.
Our church Prayer Shawl Group has been knitting for many groups for 13 years. I have never seen this pattern before and I am always looking for new ones to share with the ladies. Thank you for this.
You’re very welcome. I hope you all enjoy it!
This is so wonderful thanks for sharing it with us. All those bits an pieces gone thank you.
You are so welcome, Sandra! I will forever be grateful to Ginny for sharing it with me, so I can share it with all of you!
Thank you for letting me know where I can donate my knitted hats. Also, the opportunity to knit more for charity.
You’re very welcome!
What is the exact address my hats and scarfs can be sent to the Pine Ridge Reservation/
Hi Mary, this page has links to addresses you can choose from: https://friendsofpineridgereservation.org/make-a-difference/crochet-knit-sew/#wheretosend
This is a darling pattern and i have noted the 4 st inc/dec for size. Can you advise what size the pattern here fits? 30 of us charity knit at the NW YMCA and have made 2,500 items in 3 years w/donated yarn. We donate to our local food shelf, schools and churches in our community . Thanks again
Hi Chris! I’ve just sent a note to Ginny asking her. I’ll get back to you as soon as I find out!
This is such a sweet hat. Im casting on today. I’m math challenged. After this one, I’d like to make it in different kinds of yarn to use up my stash. Would I increase (or decrease) in multiples of four? Thanks!
Hi Ludmilla! Yes, the best way to make different sizes would be to increase or decrease in multiples of four. Good luck!
I have never used dpn’s before, nor have I ever made the tuck stitch. I checked youtube for the tutorial on the tuck stitch, okay, got it down pat! This makes a very attractive hat! I can’t wait to make some of these hats now, and will take them to a local charity here where I live.
Thanks to Ginny Jovanovich for the great pattern. Thanks to Knitting for Charity for always providing us with patterns and encouraging us to help take care of others who are in need! You all ROCK!
Thank you Judy! So kind of you to say so! I know Ginny will be delighted that you’re making some of these hats for your local charity, too. 🙂
Hi. I really want to make some hats with this pattern but I’m confused. If you cast on 72 sts, then on Round 6 you Knit 3, leaving 69 sts left , followed by “Tuck stitch, then K3) which is a multiple of 4. 4 doesn’t go evenly into 69.
On Round 11, it’s K1, leaving 71 sts, then “Tuck st, K3” which is again a multiple of 4, which doesn’t go evenly into 71.
I can’t figure out how to make this work — am clearly missing something. Would appreciate clarification. Can’t wait to make the pattern.
Hi Kathryn! As it happens, another reader has also caught this problem, and I’ve passed it along to Ginny. She promises she’ll take a look at the pattern in the morning and try to figure out where she (or I, in transcribing her pattern!) might have made an error. So if you can hang on till tomorrow, we should get a fix taken care of. Thanks!
Thanks for your patience, Kathryn. The pattern has been corrected above. Round 6 ends with a k 4 down, and round 11 ends with a k2. Hope that helps!
Thanks so much for the correction; I’m ready to start the hat now … such an adorable pattern!
You’re welcome, Kathryn. I’m chomping at the bit to try it now, lol. I knitted a little swatch when I was trying to help Ginny figure out a correction, and it was so much fun that I really want to knit the whole hat now!
Fantastic hat pattern! Makes me want to get my needles out! I bet the different colors and small size of the project make it interesting. It’s a great feeling to make things for people in need.
Those are exactly the reasons I’m eager to give this pattern a try, Tamara!
Nicole, thank you for posting this hat pattern- it’s a beauty!
Also: I hope Lynda Harrison will share with us how we can also knit for the Native American children at the school in North Dakota. This is exactly the kind of project I want to beinvolved in.
Thanks! Anita
You’re welcome, Anita! I agree, such a beautiful pattern. And I too am hoping Lynda shares with us!
I bet the tuck stitches also give it great insulating properties, with the bit of extra air they hold! And somehow, they just look more interesting and special than ordinary stripes, with barely any additional effort.
I’d love to use this for a kids’ charity when I get around to it. The wonderful photo of 60 hats shows just how versatile it is for different recipients, no matter what kind of colour scheme — some look “frilly” and some look “funky” all with the same pattern. Very nice!
I suspect you’re right about the insulating properties, Carol. And I too love that added interest and uniqueness. It reminds me a bit of entrelac. I can’t wait to try this out myself. I’m so thankful to Ginny for sharing the pattern with me and allowing me to share it with all of you!
I use up my left-over yarn (plus yarn I go and purchase specifically for this project) by making hats, scarves, and sweaters which are sent to a school for Native American children in the Dakotas. I usually make at least 100 hats of varying sizes each year.
How fabulous! Do you have a specific organization you send them to? What a wonderful thing to do.
I’m not Linda, but the Pine Ridge group through Revelry groups will give you info for groups that really need your help! I send a large box of hats to them every year. Such a huge need there. (South Dakota Indian Reservation)
Hi Nicole, the items I make are sent to St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota. Thank-you very much for your comments. I started knitting when I was 15 and have indulged my love for the craft ever since. I was at a loss to know what I could do as I had made just about all the sweaters, etc. that my family could ever use and my husband suggested making for the children at St. Joseph’s.
Thanks so much for letting us know, Lynda! Your husband is quite a gem, I’d say. 🙂