Some knitting projects are just patterns, and then there are the ones that feel like an adventure. Betty isn’t just a hat pattern—it’s an invitation to dive into a world of cosy creativity, where every stitch is a step toward instant gratification and heartfelt handmade gifts.
From the moment I cast on my first Betty hat, I knew this was something special. The luxurious, bulky weight 8-ply yarn glided effortlessly through my fingers, each loop forming into plush, snuggly warmth. It was love at first stitch. And the best part? Betty knits up fast—so fast that I surprised even myself by finishing two hats in a single day! Whether it was the magic of the pattern or the knitting gods bestowing their blessings upon me, one thing was certain: I was hooked.
The rhythmic flow of each round felt like a soothing meditation, an almost magical transformation of yarn into something beautiful and functional. With every inch, the hat seemed to grow right before my eyes, offering the kind of instant satisfaction we all crave in a knitting project. No endless hours of repetition, no tedious counting—just pure, uninterrupted joy.
As I worked through each Betty hat, I couldn’t help but picture all the ways this pattern could brighten someone’s day. A thoughtful, handmade present for a friend who needs a little extra warmth. A last-minute gift that looks like it took days to create. A cosy companion for chilly mornings. Betty became my go-to for quick, meaningful knits—because who doesn’t love a hat that’s both stylish and snuggly?
The real magic, though, wasn’t just in the knitting—it was in the gifting. Seeing the smiles of loved ones as they unwrapped their Betty hats, slipping them on and immediately sighing in contentment, made every stitch worthwhile. The softness, the warmth, the thoughtfulness behind each creation—it all came together in a way that only handmade items can.
So, if you’re looking for a project that’s equal parts fast, fun, and fulfilling, Betty is calling your name. Join me in this delightful knitting adventure—where every stitch tells a story of love, creativity, and the pure joy of handmade warmth. ♥
Pattern Notes for Betty
Worked from the bottom up, this versatile hat pattern allows you to craft a perfectly fitting hat seamlessly in the round. The construction involves starting with the brim, progressing to the body, and culminating with shaping the crown. As you approach the final stages of the crown, you’ll need to switch from using 16” / 40 cm circular needles to either the magic loop method or double-pointed needles, depending on your preference for tackling smaller circumferences.
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I can’t wait to see your Betty Hat come to life! Share your WIPs and FOs on social media using #rhyFlowerBlog and #BettyHat—let’s celebrate your creativity together!
Tips & Tricks
For helpful resources on general hat knitting, please visit; https://rhyflowerknits.com/hats/
Pattern Support for Betty
Please see our Pattern Support page regarding pattern support for our freebie patterns; https://rhyflowerknits.com/pattern-support/
Skill Level
Intermediate
Size Information
Adult
22” / 56 cm
Finished Measurements
20” / 51 cm circumference — This hat is worn with negative ease and should be 1-3” / 2.5-7.5 cm smaller than your head circumference. 8.5” / 21.5 cm in length.
Notions
Tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure, cable needle, stitch marker (1), pompom (optional)
Suggested Needles
Brim: US9 (5.5 mm) 16” / 40 cm circular needles, or two sizes smaller than needles used for gauge
Body: US11 (5.5 mm) 16” / 40 cm circular needles, or the size required to get gauge
Crown: Same needle size as the body using preferred needles for a small circumference (magic loop or double-pointed needles)
Yarn Requirements
130 yd / 119 m bulky weight yarn
Suggested Yarn
Knit Picks – Wool of the Andes Bulky
100% Wool
137 yd (125 m)/ 3.5 oz (100 g)
Colour: Silver
https://www.knitpicks.com/
Gauge
19 stitches by 19.5 rounds in pattern motif (body of hat) on larger needles = 4” / 10 cm, after blocking. Gauge is crucial in obtaining the correct fit. Changes in gauge will cause a size difference for both your finished hat and the yardage requirements for your project.
Abbreviations used in Betty
( ): Work instructions within parentheses as many times as directed.
*: Repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed.
”: Inch(es).
1/1 LPC: Slip the next stitch to the cable needle and place it in front of work, p1, then k1 from the cable needle.
1/1 RPC: Slip the next stitch to the cable needle and place it in the back of the work, k1, then p1 from the cable needle.
2/2/2 RPC: Slip the next 4 stitches to the cable needle and place at the back of work, k2; slip the 2 left-most stitches from the cable needle to the left-hand needle, p2 from the left-hand needle, then k2 from the cable needle.
4/2/4 RPC: Slip the next 6 stitches to the cable needle and place at the back of the work, k4; slip the 2 left-most stitches from the cable needle to the left-hand needle, p2 from the left-hand needle, then k4 from the cable needle.
BOR: Beginning of round.
Dec: Decrease.
G: Gram(s).
K: Knit.
K2tog: Insert the right needle into 2 stitches at the same time and knit the 2 stitches together. (1 st dec)
M: Metre(s).
Mm: Millimetre(s).
P: Purl.
Oz: Ounce(s).
Rep: Repeat.
Ssk: Slip 2 stitches knitwise, then knit slipped stitches together through the back loops. (1 st dec)
St(s): Stitch(es).
Yd: Yard(s).
Directions for Betty
Using the Old Norwegian Cast-on and your smaller needles, cast on 96 stitches. Place a stitch marker to denote the BOR and join to work in the round, ensuring not to twist. Note: The 10-stitch cables cinch in the hat quite a bit, so your hat will seem quite large until you work the 4/2/4 RPC.
Brim
Continue with smaller needles.
Round 1: *K1, k2, p1; rep from * across round.
Continue working Round 1 until the piece measures 1.5” / 4 cm, measured from the cast-on edge.
Body
Switch to your larger needles.
Round 1: *P1, 4/2/4 RPC, p2, k3, 1/1 RPC, 1/1 LPC, k3, p1; rep from * across round.
Round 2: *P1, k1, p2, k1, p1; rep from * across round.
Round 3: *P1, k4, p1; rep from * across round.
Round 4: Repeat Round 2.
Round 5: *P1, (k4, p2) twice, 4/2/4 RPC, p1; rep from * across round.
Rounds 6-7: Repeat Rounds 2-3 once more.
Round 8: Repeat Round 2.
Round 9: *P1, 4/2/4 RPC, (p2, k4) twice, p1; rep from * across round.
Rounds 10-25: Repeat Rounds 2-9 twice more.
Round 26: Repeat Round 2.
Crown
When the crown becomes too challenging to work on circular needles, switch to magic loop or double-pointed needles.
Round 1: *K2tog, k3, p2, k3, ssk; rep from * across round. 80 sts
Round 2: *(K1, p2) 3 times, k2, (p2, k1) 3 times; rep from * across round.
Round 3: *K2tog, k2, p2, k2, ssk, k2tog, 2/2/2 RPC, ssk; rep from * across round. 64 sts
Round 4: *P2, k1, p2, k1, p4, k1, p2, k1, p2; rep from * across round.
Round 5: *K2tog, k1, p2, k1, ssk; rep from * across round. 48 sts
Round 6: *P1, k1, p1; rep from * across round.
Round 7: *K2tog, p2, ssk; rep from * across round. 32 sts
Round 8: *K2tog, ssk; rep from * across round. 16 sts
Round 9: *K2tog; rep from * across round. 8 sts
Cinching the Crown
Cut the yarn, but leave a 6″ / 15 cm tail for closing the crown and weaving in. With your tapestry needle, run the yarn through your remaining stitches and pull gently to cinch the crown of your hat.
Finishing your Betty Hat
Weave in all your ends, then soak your hat in water for 20 minutes using a gentle soap or wool wash. Use a balloon, mannequin head, or lay your hat flat to block it while drying. Allow the hat to fully air dry. Once dry, attach a pompom if desired.
Now, with your beautiful new hat, go forth and make a stylish statement! ♥
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