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You are here: Home / Free Knitting Patterns / Hats and Headbands and Other Head Coverings / How to Knit a Gorgeous Hat for Charity – for Free

How to Knit a Gorgeous Hat for Charity – for Free

Hats and Headbands and Other Head Coverings

cluster stitch patternCheck out this free knitting pattern from reader Ginny to create a beautiful hat for charity

A couple of weeks ago, I published a post here about donating your yarn. I confessed that I’ve never donated yarn and that I have no intention of doing so in the near future. (*buries face in hands*)

This confession led to many readers admitting they never donate yarn either, as well as many other readers telling me exactly when and where they donated yarn. My heart was gladdened to learn that not only am I not alone, but also that many others 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 over flowing 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!

Eager to knit for charity but unsure where to start?
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The perfect pattern: a beautiful hat for charity

hat for charity

Photo: Ginny Jovanovich

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.

hat for charity

Photo: Ginny Jovanovich

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

hat for charity

Alternating rows of the tuck stitch gave this single color infant hat depth and texture.
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?

For more fabulous free hat knitting patterns, take a look at the Hats Category of my Free Knitting Patterns!

Get "How to Get Your Handknits to Local People in Need: What You Need to Know" FREE with your subscription to the Knitting Nuggets Newsletter. When you join this community, you'll receive resources + inspiration to knit patterns you love for people you care about!

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Nicole

I believe there's someone who needs what you love to knit. If you'd like to knit patterns you love for people you care about, I can help!
Get your free guide, "How to Get Your Handknits to Local People in Need: What You Need to Know" with your subscription to the Knitting Nuggets Newsletter! When you join this community, you'll receive resources & inspiration to knit patterns you love for people you care about.

Last Updated: January 25, 2019 · 24 Comments

About Nicole

I believe there's someone who needs what you love to knit. If you'd like to knit patterns you love for people you care about, I can help!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. mary huskey says

    March 11, 2018 at 3:48 pm

    What is the exact address my hats and scarfs can be sent to the Pine Ridge Reservation/

    Reply
    • Nicole says

      March 12, 2018 at 9:33 am

      Hi Mary, this page has links to addresses you can choose from: https://friendsofpineridgereservation.org/make-a-difference/crochet-knit-sew/#wheretosend

      Reply
  2. Chris says

    March 11, 2018 at 1:33 am

    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

    Reply
    • Nicole says

      March 12, 2018 at 9:39 am

      Hi Chris! I’ve just sent a note to Ginny asking her. I’ll get back to you as soon as I find out!

      Reply
  3. Ludmilla says

    January 13, 2018 at 1:02 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Nicole says

      January 13, 2018 at 8:53 pm

      Hi Ludmilla! Yes, the best way to make different sizes would be to increase or decrease in multiples of four. Good luck!

      Reply
  4. Judy Hayden says

    August 15, 2017 at 2:34 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Nicole says

      August 15, 2017 at 2:37 pm

      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. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Kathryn Allen says

    August 9, 2017 at 9:04 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Nicole says

      August 9, 2017 at 9:06 pm

      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!

      Reply
    • Nicole says

      August 10, 2017 at 1:12 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Kathryn Allen says

        August 10, 2017 at 1:45 pm

        Thanks so much for the correction; I’m ready to start the hat now … such an adorable pattern!

        Reply
        • Nicole says

          August 10, 2017 at 2:57 pm

          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!

          Reply
  6. Tamara says

    July 18, 2017 at 2:00 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Nicole says

      July 19, 2017 at 8:04 pm

      Those are exactly the reasons I’m eager to give this pattern a try, Tamara!

      Reply
  7. Anita Heist says

    July 17, 2017 at 10:04 am

    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

    Reply
    • Nicole says

      July 17, 2017 at 10:09 am

      You’re welcome, Anita! I agree, such a beautiful pattern. And I too am hoping Lynda shares with us!

      Reply
  8. Carol W says

    July 17, 2017 at 8:36 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Nicole says

      July 17, 2017 at 8:39 am

      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!

      Reply
  9. Lynda Harrison says

    July 17, 2017 at 8:31 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Nicole says

      July 17, 2017 at 8:33 am

      How fabulous! Do you have a specific organization you send them to? What a wonderful thing to do.

      Reply
      • Janice says

        July 17, 2017 at 5:45 pm

        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)

        Reply
      • Lynda Harrison says

        July 17, 2017 at 6:35 pm

        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.

        Reply
        • Nicole says

          July 19, 2017 at 8:04 pm

          Thanks so much for letting us know, Lynda! Your husband is quite a gem, I’d say. 🙂

          Reply

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