The best part? It’s much easier than it looks. With just four simple rounds of stranded knitting, a handful of color changes, and a touch of duplicate stitch for detailing, you can create a hat that instantly captures BB-8’s signature design. Even if you’re new to stranded knitting, this pattern is approachable, fun, and rewarding.
This free pattern is a quick knit that makes a fantastic gift for Star Wars fans of all ages. It’s warm, practical, and geeky in all the right ways—guaranteed to turn heads and spark conversations every time you wear it.
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What you need
one ball medium weight cotton in white (I used Lily Sugar’n Cream, I used about 92 yards)
about 5 yards each medium weight yarn in gray and orange
small amount of medium weight yarn in black
size 7 US (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles and/or a short circular needle or two (I used two circulars throughout)
yarn needle
Gauge:
18 stitches and 26 rounds per 4 inches/2.5 cm in Stockinette Stitch in the round
Size:
Finished hat is about 19 inches/48 cm around and 8.5 inches/20 cm tall, to fit a child. It can stretch to fit an adult but it’s a tight fit.
Instructions
Attention all Star Wars fans and knitting enthusiasts! Get ready to embrace the force with this exciting free knitting pattern that is guaranteed to take your crafting skills to the next level. Introducing the BB-8 Droid Hat, a one-of-a-kind design that will transport you to a galaxy far, far away. Modeled after the beloved droid from the Star Wars franchise, this hat is perfect for anyone who wants to show off their love for the series while staying warm and cozy during the colder months.
Despite its intricate appearance, this hat is actually quite simple to make, with just four rounds of stranded knitting and a few color changes. Even if you’re a beginner knitter, you can easily pick up the technique and create a beautiful finished product. Once you’ve knit the hat, all that’s left to do is add a bit of duplicate stitch detailing to bring BB-8 to life. The result is a unique and eye-catching accessory that is sure to impress your friends and fellow Star Wars fans.
Pattern
With gray yarn, cast on 88 stitches.
Join to work in the round, and work in k2, p2 ribbing for 1 inch/2.5 cm.
Change to white and Stockinette Stitch and knit 2 round.
Next round, k24 in white, 1 in orange, 1 white, 5 orange, 1w, 1o, 5w, 1o, 1w, 8o, 1w, 1o, 1w, 3o, 1w, 2o, 1w, 8o, 1w, 1o, 1w, 8o, 1w, 3o, 1w, 3o, 2w, 10.
Repeat this round 3 times, stranding the orange and catching it in the back every few stitches through the long white part.
Work in white until hat measures 6 inches/15 cm.
Work 3 rounds in orange.
Work 2 rounds in white. 
Change to gray. *K6, k2tog. Repeat from * around.
K 1 round.
*K5, k2tog. Repeat from * around.
K 1 round.
*K4, k2tog. Repeat from * around.
K 1 round.
*K3, k2tog. Repeat from * around.
K 1 round.
Change to white. *K2, k2tog. Repeat from * around.
K 1 round.
*K1, k2tog. Repeat from * around.
K 1 round.
k2tog around.
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread onto yarn needle, slip remaining stitches onto yarn, pull tight and weave in the end.
The black dots are worked in duplicate stitch; use photo for placement and relative size. With each one I started with three stitches, adding a stitch on each side of each row as I worked up. The small one is 9 stitches across at its widest point; the larger is 11 stitches across. I worked 3 rows at the full width before working 1 fewer stitch on each side of each row to get back to 3 stitches.
Weave in ends. Block if you like to smooth out the colorwork.
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