Houndstooth Knitting Pattern

For fans of my Buffalo Plaid Winter Hat, I have a brand new winter beanie pattern that I just know you will love! This houndstooth knitting pattern makes a classic, stylish winter hat that will keep you warm and looking chic at the same time!

I chose to work with Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud DK weight yarn. I’ve been dying to try this yarn out, so when I came up with the design for a houndstooth beanie, I knew it would be perfect. The fibre content is 100% baby alpaca, which means that not only is the resulting knit super soft, but it is also incredibly warm.

The hat is worked with two colours of DK weight yarn. The simple colour chart is so much fun to follow, and leaves you with a warm, fashionable winter toque.

If you are new to stranded knitting, watch the video tutorial included below in this post, where I demonstrate how I change colours as well as how to hold the two strands of yarn when knitting the buffalo plaid winter hat. You can also find the video on the Leelee Knits YouTube Channel.


I have written out and posted the free pattern below on this page.

You may also purchase the ad-free instant download PDF file for easy printing and reading.  Purchasing the PDF file helps to support this website and allows me to continue to share my patterns and inspiration with you. 

Should you have any issues with the download, please email: [email protected] for assistance.  

Purchase the PDF file (which will be emailed to you automatically after purchase) for $5 USD by clicking the button below or through Ravelry .


Houndstooth Knitting Pattern

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Houndstooth Beanie Knitting Pattern

Materials:

  • Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud DK weight yarn in Thomas and Sophia:
    • 1 Skein (123 yards) Colour A.
    • 1/3 Skein (41 yards) Colour B.
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) 16” circular knitting needles.
  • US 6 (4 mm) 16” circular knitting needles.
  • US 6 (4 mm) double pointed knitting needles.
  • Stitch Marker.
  • Scissors.
  • Yarn needle.
  • Pompom (optional).

Finished Size:

Adult (head circumference 22 inches).

Gauge:

24 stitches, 22 rows = 4 Inches in stockinette stitch with size 8 (4mm) knitting needles.

Abbreviations:

K: Knit.

K2Tog: Knit Two Together.

P: Purl.

Houndstooth Knitting Pattern

Notes Before you Start:

This hat is knit in the round on circular knitting needles, switching to double pointed needles when necessary during the decreasing of stitches for shaping the top.

When working the stranded stitches, always hold the non-dominant color (Colour B) to the left, and the dominant color (Colour A) to the right.  The yarn held to the left will produce a slightly larger stitch than the yarn held to the right; this will ensure the stitches are consistent in size and make the non-dominant color pop.

If you are new to stranded knitting, you can watch the following video where I demonstrate how I hold the yarn and switch colors:

Pattern:

Using Size 4 (3.5mm) circular needles and Colour A, cast on 100 stitches.  Place stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round and join, being careful not to twist the stitches.

Rounds 1-20: *K1, P1; repeat from * to end of round to create 1X1 ribbing for the brim of the hat. Brim should measure 2.5 inches from top to bottom.

Slip all stitches onto Size 6 (4mm) circular needle to knit the remainder of the hat.  Note: the remainder of the hat is knit in stockinette stitch (knit all stitches).

Follow the color chart below by repeating stitches 1-10 all the way around for the next 30 rounds (repeat rounds 1-10, three times).  Colour A is represented by the black squares, and Colour B is represented by the white squares.

Houndstooth Knitting Pattern Chart:

Houndstooth Knitting Pattern

Start decreasing to shape the top of the hat (you can switch to double pointed needles when necessary).  Follow rounds 1-14 using only Colour A (you can cut the yarn for Colour B).

Decreasing Rounds:

Round 1: *K8, K2Tog; repeat from * to end of round (90 stitches remain).

Round 2: Knit all stitches.

Round 3: *K7, K2Tog; repeat from * to end of round (80 stitches remain).

Round 4: Knit all stitches.

Round 5: *K6, K2Tog; repeat from * to end of round (70 stitches remain).

Round 6: Knit all stitches.

Round 7: *K5, K2Tog; repeat from * to end of round (60 stitches remain).

Round 8: Knit all stitches.

Round 9: *K4, K2Tog; repeat from * to end of round (50 stitches remain).

Round 10: Knit all stitches.  

Round 11: *K3, K2Tog; repeat from * to end of round (40 stitches remain).

Round 12: Knit all stitches.  

Round 13: *K2, K2Tog; repeat from * to end of round (30 stitches remain).

Round 14: Knit all stitches.   Continue to Finishing.

Finishing:

Attach a pompom to the top of the hat with a yarn needle.

Cut yarn (leave a long tail) and pull through yarn needle.  Thread through the remaining stitches and pull tight.  Secure and weave in ends.

Houndstooth Knitting Pattern

I hope you enjoyed this free pattern and I am so grateful for your support!  Don’t forget that you can purchase the ad-free PDF file.  Purchasing the PDF file helps support this website and allows me to continue to share my patterns and inspiration with you guys!   

Should you have any issues with the download, please email: [email protected] for assistance. 

Purchase the PDF file (which will be emailed to you automatically after purchase) for $5 USD by clicking the button below or through Ravelry