Beginner-Friendly Knit and Crochet Hat Patterns with Video Support (And Perfect for Stash Busting!)
November is here, and holiday crafting is officially ON. But before you run out and buy more yarn (again 😅), let’s take a peek at what you already have. Because chances are, you’ve got the perfect yarn for a quick project right in your stash.
✨ Enter two crowd-favorite hat patterns from the Marly Bird collection: Skip the stress (and the yarn store) and grab one of these crowd-favorite patterns that use yarn scraps you probably already have on hand:
✨ the Flicker and Flash Crochet Hat or 🎉 the Pixel Pop Knit Hat.
Both are:
- Perfect for adventurous beginners
- Written in 9 sizes (baby through adult)
- Backed by full video tutorials
- And yes — absolutely stash-friendly
Whether you knit, crochet, or want to learn both (👀 BiCrafty Bootcamp shoutout below!), these patterns will help you clear out that yarn bin and make something beautiful while you do it.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. To learn more please visit my privacy policy here💖
🧶 Why These Patterns Work for Beginner Makers
These aren’t your average “easy” patterns. They’re crafted to teach, support, and empower beginners who are ready to try something new—like colorwork, sizing, or working in the round—with all the support you need built in.
Here’s what you’ll love:
🧵 Clear written instructions: Plus helpful diagrams or charts for each version
🎓 Skill-building focus: Color changes, shaping, charts, and diagrams
📺 Step-by-step video tutorials: Walk-throughs available for free
📏 Sized for everyone: From newborn to adult large
🧶 Stash-busting friendly: Use 2 or more colors of sport or worsted weight yarn
✨ Why These Hats Are Gift Worthy and Holiday-Make Approved
You know that cozy feeling when you finally find the perfect pattern to use up all those little leftover skeins and mini balls from past projects? These hats are that.
- 🧶 Stash-friendly: Use 2+ colors of worsted (knit) or sport weight yarn (crochet)
- 🎁 Gift-worthy: Easy to finish over a weekend—and people will actually wear them
- 👩👧👦 Sized for the whole fam: 0–3 months through Adult L
- 🧵 Style + texture: Gorgeous colorwork that looks harder than it is
🎉 The Pixel Pop Knit Hat
This colorful knit hat is perfect for confident beginners who want to dip their needles into stranded colorwork. The Pixel Pop Hat is designed to look bold and modern without overwhelming your brain or your yarn stash.
Quick to knit, easy to customize, and available in 9 sizes, it’s a go-to gift pattern or weekend project with lots of personality.
👉 Free pattern: www.marlybird.com/blog/pixel-pop-knit-hat-free-pattern
👉 Add to Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pixel-pop-knit-hat
👉 Ad-Free PDF Pattern available:
- Etsy: Get it here
- Shopify: Get it here
- Ravelry Direct: Get it here
- Marly Bird House (get both the worsted weight pattern and the sport weight yarn pattern for one price): Get it here
📌 Get the Pixel Pop Knit Hat Ad Free PDF
(Access inside the Marly Bird House with unlimited viewing and bonus material)
This vibrant colorwork hat is perfect for adventurous beginners and knitters who love bold graphic designs. It’s worked in the round from the brim up and uses simple stitch repeats to create a punchy pop of color.
Pixel Pop Details:
- Skill Level: Advanced beginner
- Yarn: Worsted weight yarn (sport weight version included in paid PDF only in the Marly Bird House)
- Construction: Seamless, knit in the round
- Sizes: 0–3 mo, 3–6 mo, 6–12 mo, 1–3 yr, 3–5 yr, 6–10 yr, Teen, Adult M, Adult L
- Includes: Written instructions + colorwork charts
- Recommended Yarn: Swish Worsted from KnitPicks – Get it here
✨ The Flicker and Flash Crochet Hat
Ready to play with color without the hassle of juggling yarn strands? The Flicker and Flash Hat uses long double crochet stitches to create stunning color shifts with minimal effort.
It’s fun, fast, and perfect for adventurous beginners. Plus, with 9 size options and no seaming required, it’s a great stash-buster for makers who want a satisfying project that flies off the hook.
👉 Free pattern: www.marlybird.com/blog/flicker-flash-crochet-hat-free-pattern
👉 Add to Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flicker-and-flash-crochet-hat
👉 Ad-Free PDF Pattern available:
- Etsy: Get it here
- Shopify: Get it here
- Ravelry: Get it here
- Marly Bird House (get both the worsted weight pattern and the sport weight yarn pattern for one price): Get it here
📌 Get the Flicker and Flash Crochet Hat PDF
(Access inside the Marly Bird House with unlimited viewing and bonus material)
Crocheters, this one’s for you. This modern colorwork hat uses long double crochet for a striking look with minimal fuss—no need to carry multiple yarns across rounds.
Flicker & Flash Details:
- Skill Level: Adventurous beginner / intermediate
- Yarn: Sport weight yarn (worsted weight version included in paid PDF)
- Construction: Worked in the round
- Sizes: Same as Pixel Pop
- Includes: Written instructions + stitch diagram
- Recommended Yarn: Brava Sport from KnitPicks – Get it here
🧵 Want to Be BiCrafty?
If you crochet and want to learn to knit (or vice versa), these hats are a fantastic crossover point—and I’ve got free resources to help you learn!
Check out my BiCrafty Bootcamp series:
🧶 For crocheters learning to knit: Learn to Knit here
🧵 For knitters learning to crochet: Learn to Crochet here
Both series are completely free, video-supported, and designed for real beginners with yarn in hand and questions in mind. Come learn at your own pace!
🧺 What You’ll Need
If you’ve got leftover yarn from past projects (hello, stash bins 👋), you’re already halfway there. These patterns are perfect for using up those extra skeins and partial balls you’ve been saving. But if you’re looking for an excuse to treat yourself to something new—or want to match what I used in the samples—here’s exactly what we used for each hat.
Yarn
- Pixel Pop (knit): Worsted weight
- Flicker and Flash (crochet): Sport weight
- Use 2+ colors from your stash—this is a stash-busting challenge, after all!
🧶 Stash yarn suggestions:
- Swish Worsted: Get it here
- Brava Sport: Get it here
Hooks & Needles
- Knitters: US 8 (5.0 mm) 16″ circulars + DPNs or your fave method
- Crocheters: US H/8 (5.0 mm) or I/9 (5.5 mm)
Notions
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Optional: Pom-poms or faux fur toppers
🛍️ Marly’s Tools on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/marlybird
Gauge for both hat patterns
- Knit: 20 sts x 32 rows = 4″ in mosaic stitch pattern
- Crochet: 15 sts x 16 rows = 4″ in long double crochet
📥 Upgrade to the Premium PDF
Want the ad-free version with all the bells and whistles?
You’ll get:
- Instructions for both yarn weights
- Clean, printable layout
- No ads
- Exclusive video tutorials (hosted on Vimeo!)
- Unlimited access inside the Marly Bird House
🧣 Pixel Pop PDF ($7.50): Get it here
🧶 Flicker & Flash PDF ($7.50): Get it here
❄️ Final Thoughts
It’s a busy time of year—but that doesn’t mean you have to stop making. The Pixel Pop Knit Hat and Flicker and Flash Crochet Hat are perfect for:
- Quick handmade gifts
- Crafting with leftovers
- Easy weekend wins
So grab your scraps, choose your pattern, and get stitching! 💗
📸 Don’t forget to tag your makes with #MarlyBird and #MMMDI so I can cheer you on!
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