Free Knitting Pattern – Christmas Elf Beanie

There’s something extra magical about knitting for Christmas, especially when it’s a cheeky elf hat! This festive beanie is worked with a turned-up green brim, a bright red body, and a fluffy pom-pom on top. The shaping gives it that classic pointy elf look—perfect for holiday photos, Christmas markets, or just keeping little ears warm while waiting for Santa.
This pattern includes two sizes: Child and Adult, so you can knit matching hats for the whole family.

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What you need

• Yarn: Simply Chunky (or any chunky weight yarn that meets gauge)
  • 1 ball Red (A)

  • 1 ball Green (B)

• Needles: US 8 (5 mm) and US 10 (6 mm) knitting needles

• Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker, pom-pom maker (or cardboard)

Size

• Child: 18¼” / 46.5 cm circumference

• Adult: 23″ / 58 cm circumference

Gauge

14 sts and 20 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette stitch using US 10 (6 mm) needles.

Instructions

Abbreviations

K = knit
P = purl
st(s) = stitch(es)
rep = repeat
dec = decrease
m1 = make 1 stitch (pick up bar between stitches and knit into the back)
sl1 pw = slip 1 stitch purlwise
s2kpo = slip 2 sts as if to knit together, k1, pass 2 slipped sts over

Instructions

Brim (Green – B)

Using US 8 (5 mm) needles, cast on 12 (14) sts.
Row 1: K across.

Shape side:
1st row (RS): K6(7), sl1 pw, k to last st, m1, k1. (13(15) sts)
2nd row: Knit.

Rep Rows 1–2, 4(5) times more, then work Row 1 once again. (18(21) sts)

Next row: Bind off 6(7) sts, knit to end. (12(14) sts)

Repeat shaping rows until you’ve worked 10(11) sections total.
Bind off.

This strip forms the turned-up brim.

Main Hat (Red – A)

With WS facing and US 10 (6 mm) needles, pick up and knit 67(85) sts along the straight edge of the brim.

Next row (WS): Purl, decreasing 2(4) sts evenly across row. (65(81) sts)

Work 18 rows in stockinette (knit RS, purl WS).

Shape Top

1st dec row: K7(9), [s2kpo, k13(17)] 3 times, s2kpo, k7(9). (57(73) sts)
Work 7 rows.

2nd dec row: K6(8), [s2kpo, k11(15)] 3 times, s2kpo, k6(8). (49(65) sts)
Work 7 rows.

3rd dec row: K5(7), [s2kpo, k9(13)] 3 times, s2kpo, k5(7). (41(57) sts)
Work 7 rows.

4th dec row: K4(6), [s2kpo, k7(11)] 3 times, s2kpo, k4(6). (33(49) sts)
Work 7 rows.

5th dec row: K3(5), [s2kpo, k5(9)] 3 times, s2kpo, k3(5). (25(41) sts)
Work 7 rows.

6th dec row: K2(4), [s2kpo, k3(7)] 3 times, s2kpo, k2(4). (17(33) sts)
Work 7 rows.

7th dec row: K1(3), [s2kpo, k1(5)] 3 times, s2kpo, k1(3). (9(25) sts)

Adult size only:
Work 3 rows.
8th dec row: K2, [s2kpo, k3] 3 times, s2kpo, k2. (17 sts)
Work 3 rows.
9th dec row: K1, [s2kpo, k1] 3 times, s2kpo, k1. (9 sts)

Both sizes:
Next row: P1, [p2tog] 4 times. (5 sts)

Break yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and secure.

Finishing

• Sew the back seam of the hat, reversing the seam along the brim so it folds neatly.

• Using Green (B), make a large pom-pom and attach it to the tip of the hat.

Ta-da!

Your Christmas Elf Beanie is ready to wear. The pointy top and pom-pom make it playful, while the chunky yarn keeps it cozy. Perfect for family matching photos—or just making the dog jealous.