knit buffalo plaid hat pattern

I am so obsessed with colour work, especially buffalo plaid. There is something so cozy about the look! Not to mention, it reminds me of growing up down the street from our community lake and bundling up for an evening of ice skating followed by hot chocolate by the fire. I feel so lucky that I had a true Canadian childhood, where cozy colour work knits (especially plaid) were a huge part of my wardrobe. That is why I made this knit buffalo plaid hat pattern to share with you guys. I have a feeling that many of my followers have similar childhood memories and would love to re-create those sentiments in their winter wardrobe as well.

If you are hesitant to try stranded knitting (i.e. working with two colours), I urge you to watch my stranded knitting video tutorial. In the video, I demonstrate how I hold the yarn and switch colours in an easy way. Once you get some practice under your belt, you’ll be ready to knit up this simple, yet stylish winter hat!

I have written out and posted the free knit buffalo plaid hat 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 therefore 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.  

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

Buffalo Plaid Hat Knitting Pattern

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Materials:

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Size:

Adult (head circumference 22 inches).

Gauge:

21 stitches, 22 rows = 4 Inches in stockinette stitch with size 8 (5mm) knitting needles.

Abbreviations:

K: Knit
P: Purl
K2Tog: Knit Two Together decrease

Notes:

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 to the left, and the dominant color to the right.  As a result, the yarn held to the left will produce a slightly larger stitch than the yarn held to the right; which will ensure the stitches are consistent in size and also make the non-dominant color pop.

For those of you that are new to stranded knitting, I have also created a bonus video on stranded knitting, which shows you how I hold the yarn and switch colours.

Pattern:

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

Rounds 1-18: *k1,P1; repeat from * to end of round to create 1X1 ribbing for the brim of the hat.

Slip stitches onto size 8 (5mm) circular needle to knit the remainder of the hat.  Note that the remainder of the hat is knit in stockinette stitch (knit all stitches). Follow the colour chart below by repeating stitches 1-20 five times per round for the next 30 rounds.  Colour A is represented by the grey squares, and colour B is represented by the red squares.

This is where we start decreasing, which will shape the top of the hat (you can switch to double pointed needles when necessary).  Follow Rounds 1-10 and colour chart below.

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.   Continue to Finishing.

Finishing:

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

Finally, attach a pompom to the top of the hat with a yarn needle.

How to Knit a Buffalo Plaid Hat

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 therefore 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. 

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

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