Meow Hat (Knit)

Hi everyone! Happy International Women's Day! Today's free pattern is for a knit beanie with cat ears, the "Meow Hat". I based the rounded shape and color scheme for the two hats on some maneki neko (lucky cat statues) that I own; one is black and the other is pink and white. You can see them in the pictures here. The little black maneki neko is my recent; the pink and white cat, which is solar powered, was a gift from father over a decade ago, when he took a business trip to China. (Fun fact: the lucky cat statues are actually of Japanese origin, but they have since spread).

While the intention was to have a generic cat hat, you can also this as a feminist hat. The pink hat would be especially suited to women's rally garb, so if plan on attending one soon, perhaps now is good time to knit this hat. Now is also a good time to amplify the advocacy for women's rights across the US and around the world.

If you would like to purchase the hat pattern, you can do so below, via Ravelry direct shopping. You can also purchase the pattern on my Ravelry, LoveCrafts, and Etsy stores (links available in the "shop" dropdown menu of my website). Continue scrolling down for the free pattern. 

© Kari-Elyssa Designs 2020-2022. All Rights Reserved. This pattern is strictly for personal use only. You are not permitted to sell finished versions of the watermelon wedges without written consent to do so. Do not copy, translate, alter, reproduce, redistribute, share, sell, repost, or distribute the pattern or pattern page in any way or any media format. Use of the feature photographs is prohibited.  Thank you!

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Difficulty Level

Easy

Materials

• DK weight yarn, shown here in Valley Yarns Superwash DK (100% Merino Wool; 137yd/125m per 50g/1.8oz) 2 skeins each of Black #03 and Pink #22 
• US 5 (3.75 mm) 16 in. (40cm) circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge 
• US 6 (4.00 mm) 16 in. (40cm) circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge 
• US 6 (4.00 mm) DPNs, or size needed to obtain gauge 
• Tapestry needle 
• Stitch marker 

Gauge

25 sts and 36 rows = 4”/10cm in Stockinette Stitch in the round with larger needles

Size

Adult Medium (To fit actual head circumference 21-22.75 in. [53.3-57.8cm])

Finished Measurements

Circumference: 21.75 in. (55.2cm) without stretching 
Height: 8.25 in. (21cm) without cat ears, 11.25 in. (28.5cm) with cat ears.

Pattern Notes

• The pattern pieces are worked entirely in the round. 
•  The cat ears are knit separately from the main beanie, then attached later. 
•  Blocking is optional for this hat. 
• Although this technique is not used in the pattern directions, if preferred, you can knit the ears two at a time using circular needles.

Abbreviations

• K: Knit 
• P: Purl 
• K2tog: Knit two stitches together 
• Ssk: With yarn in back, slip two stitches to right needle as if to purl, insert left needle through the front of slipped stitches and knit. 
• Rnd: Round 
• St(s): Stitch(es) 
• DPNs: Double pointed needles

Directions

Beanie 
With smaller circular needles and elastic or long tail cast on method, cast on 136 sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist stitches. 
Place stitch marker for beginning of round. 

Ribbing 
Rnd 1: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end of round. 
Work the established pattern until ribbing measures 1.75 in. (4.5 cm) from cast on edge. Switch to larger circular needles and begin the body of the hat. 

Body 
Rnd 1: Knit around. 
Repeat Rnd 1 until piece measures 7 in. (17.7cm) from cast on edge. 

Crown Decrease 
Rnd 1: *K6, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round. (119 sts remain). 
Rnds 2, 4, 6, & 8: Knit around. 
Rnd 3: *K5, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round. (102 sts remain). 
Switch to DPNs. 
Rnd 5: *K4, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round. (85 sts remain). 
Rnd 7: *K3, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round. (68 sts remain). 
Rnd 9: *K2, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round. (51 sts remain). 
Rnd 10: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round. (34 sts remain). 
Rnd 11: *K2tog; repeat from * to end of round. (17 sts remain). 

Fasten off, leaving a 22 in. (56cm) tail. Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle and insert it through all the remaining stitches, going clockwise as if to purl. When all of the stitches have been threaded, remove DPNs and pull the tail to close up the top of the crown. Move tail to the inside of the hat and tie a knot to secure the closed stitches. Weave in any ends on the inside of the hat. 

Cat Ears (make 2) 
With DPNs and chain cast on method, cast on 36 sts; divide evenly between 4 DPNs with 9 sts on each needle. Join in the round, being careful not to twist stitches. 
Place stitch marker for beginning of round.
​
Body 
Rnd 1: Knit around. 
Repeat Rnd 1 until piece measures 1.25 in. (3.2cm). 

Point Decrease 
Rnd 1: Needle 1: Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Needle 2: K1, ssk, knit across remaining sts. Needle 3: Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Needle 4: K1, ssk, knit across remaining sts. 
Rnd 2: Knit all sts. 
Repeat Rnds 1-2 until 3 sts remain on each needle (12 sts total). Work the last decrease rnd as follows: 
Needle 1 and Needle 3: K2tog, k1. Needle 2 and Needle 4: K1, ssk. Cut the yarn and thread through the remaining 8 sts (2 on each needle), starting with the sts on Needle 1. Weave yarn end into the inside of the ear, then tighten and secure the opening. 
​
Finishing 
Block hat and ears if desired. With decrease section facing forward, attach the ear to the top of the hat, positioning as desired. Weave in any remaining ends.

Let me know what you think of the hat! Would you like to see a crochet or sewn version? Let me know in the comment section.
​Until next time!