Roy G. Biv – Free Long Color Changing Yarn Knit Hat Pattern

If you’ve been holding onto that skein of gorgeous long color-changing yarn and waiting for the perfect project—this is it! The Roy G. Biv – Free Long Color Changing Yarn Knit Hat Pattern is simple, colorful, and oh-so-satisfying. With a double brim for extra warmth and an embossed chevron design made from purls, this hat lets the yarn do all the work.

No complicated stitch patterns. No fussy color changes. Just pure knitting joy that shows off those smooth gradients in all their glory.

And yes—if you can knit and purl, you can make this hat!

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Why This Hat is Perfect for Long Color-Changing Yarn 🧶

Not all yarn color changes are created equal. Let’s break it down:

Long Color-Changing Yarn

• Colors shift gradually over many yards.
• Perfect for creating wide stripes, ombrés, or gentle gradients.
• The yarn does the colorwork for you—no ends to weave in!
• Great examples:
  • Red Heart Super Saver Ombre
  • Lion Brand Mandala
  • Caron Cakes
  • Premier Sweet Roll
  • Red Heart Roll With It Melange – used in this hat!
  • Sundance Sweets Yarn

Variegated Yarn

• Colors change every few inches, often creating a speckled or mottled look.
• Can be stunning but sometimes hides textured stitch patterns or creates pooling.
• Great examples:
  • Malabrigo Rios
  • Malabrigo Seis Cabos

For the Roy G. Biv Hat, long color-changing yarn works best—you’ll see each hue shine through those embossed chevrons without distraction.

Love Gradient Yarn? Try These Free Patterns Too

• Farrago Crochet Shawl
• Amanda Woods Cocoon Cardigan – Free Knitting Pattern
• Know Your Worth Knit Cocoon Cardigan – Free Knitting Pattern
• Shoop Shoop Shoop Knit Cardigan – Free Knitting Pattern
• Easy Knit Shawl for Confident Beginners – Free Knitting Pattern

Roy G Biv Easy Knit Hat Pattern – Details

Skill Level

Easy – Must know how to knit, purl, work in the round, and use a provisional cast-on (video linked below).

Finished Measurements

Circumference (unstretched)

• Child: 19″ (48 cm)
• Adult Small: 22″ (56 cm) – original size
• Adult Large: 24″ (61 cm)

Height (without pom-pom)

• Child: 8.5″ (21.5 cm)
• Adult Small: 10″ (25.5 cm)
• Adult Large: 10.75″ (27 cm)

Gauge

18 sts x 23.5 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch

Materials

Yarn – Worsted weight, long color-changing or variegated yarn

• Sample shown: Red Heart Roll With It Melange, #E890-0825 Hollywood, 100% acrylic, 389 yds (356 m), 150 g
• 1 ball for any size

Needles

• US 5 (3.75 mm), US 7 (4.5 mm) 16” circular needles
• US 8 (5 mm) 16” circular needles and set of 5 DPNs
• Or size needed to obtain gauge

Hook – US H (5 mm) for provisional cast-on

Notions

• Scrap yarn
• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle
• Pom pom maker – optional but fun!

Abbreviations

Learn more about knitting definitions and help — Great Information for Your Back Pocket!

(Standard American knitting terms)
BO – Bind Off
CO – Cast On
DPN – Double Pointed Needle
K – Knit
P – Purl
pm – place marker
Sl – Slip
St st – Stockinette Stitch
st(s) – stitches
Tbl – Through the back loop
YO – Yarn Over

Special Stitches & Tutorials

Provisional Cast-On Method – Video Tutorial

M1 (Make 1 Increase) – Insert left needle under the horizontal strand between st just worked and next st, from the front to the back, knit through the back loop.

How to Add a Lifeline to Knitting – Watch Here

Pom Pom Making – Watch Here

Pattern Notes

• Hat is worked in the round from the brim up.
• Double brim construction keeps ears extra warm—can be shortened for a single brim.
• The embossed chevron is created with purl stitches.

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I’m thrilled to share this amazing pattern with you, many patterns on my blog are absolutely free! I kindly request that you don’t copy and paste or distribute this pattern. Prefer an ad-free experience? Buy a digital PDF pattern for a small fee from one of my online stores for a seamless crafting journey. 

I appreciate your support and readership. You are the reason I can keep doing what I love and sharing it with others. So, thank you from the bottom of my yarn-loving heart! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links at no cost to you.

Roy G. Biv Knit Hat – Full Written Free Pattern

Brim

Using scrap yarn and US 7 circulars, provisional CO:

• Child: 88 sts
• Adult Small: 100 sts
• Adult Large: 108 sts

Crown Shaping

Child Size (96 stitches)

Round 1: *Knit 8, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 87 stitches.
Round 2: Knit around.
Round 3: *Knit 7, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 78 stitches.
Round 4: Knit around.
Round 5: *Knit 6, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 69 stitches.
Round 6: Knit around.
Round 7: *Knit 5, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 60 stitches.
Round 8: Knit around.
Round 9: *Knit 4, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 51 stitches.
Round 10: Knit around.
Round 11: *Knit 3, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 42 stitches.
Round 12: Knit around.
Round 13: *Knit 2, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 33 stitches.
Round 14: Knit around.
Round 15: *Knit 1, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 24 stitches.
Round 16: Knit around.
Round 17: *Knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 12 stitches.
Round 18: Knit around.
Round 19: *Knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 6 stitches.

Cut yarn, leaving a 10” tail. Thread tail through remaining stitches, pull tight to close, and secure on the wrong side.

Adult Small Size (110 stitches) (original pattern)

Round 1: *Knit 9, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 99 stitches.
Round 2: Knit around.
Round 3: *Knit 8, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 88 stitches.
Round 4: Knit around.
Round 5: *Knit 7, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 77 stitches.
Round 6: Knit around.
Round 7: *Knit 6, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 66 stitches.
Round 8: Knit around.
Round 9: *Knit 5, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 55 stitches.
Round 10: Knit around. (Switch to double pointed needles if needed)
Round 11: *Knit 4, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 44 stitches.
Round 12: Knit around.
Round 13: *Knit 3, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 33 stitches.
Round 14: Knit around.
Round 15: *Knit 2, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 22 stitches.
Round 16: Knit around.
Round 17: *Knit 1, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 11 stitches.

Cut yarn, leaving a 10” tail. Thread tail through remaining stitches, pull tight to close, and secure on the wrong side.

Adult Large Size (120 stitches)

Round 1: *Knit 10, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 110 stitches.
Round 2: Knit around.
Round 3: *Knit 9, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 100 stitches.
Round 4: Knit around.
Round 5: *Knit 8, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 90 stitches.
Round 6: Knit around.
Round 7: *Knit 7, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 80 stitches.
Round 8: Knit around.
Round 9: *Knit 6, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 70 stitches.
Round 10: Knit around. (Switch to double pointed needles if needed)
Round 11: *Knit 5, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 60 stitches.
Round 12: Knit around.
Round 13: *Knit 4, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 50 stitches.
Round 14: Knit around.
Round 15: *Knit 3, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 40 stitches.
Round 16: Knit around.
Round 17: *Knit 2, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 30 stitches.
Round 18: Knit around.
Round 19: *Knit 1, knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 20 stitches.
Round 20: Knit around.
Round 21: *Knit 2 together; repeat from * to end of round – 10 stitches.

Cut yarn, leaving a 10” tail. Thread tail through remaining stitches, pull tight to close, and secure on the wrong side.

Finishing

Cut yarn, leaving 10” tail. Thread tail through remaining stitches, cinch tight, and weave in ends. Wash and block if desired. Add pom-pom for extra fun.

Pin It & Share It!

Love this free hat pattern? Pin it to your knitting board and share with your yarn friends! Favorite this project on Ravelry!

The Roy G. Biv Knit Hat is proof that sometimes the simplest knitting is the most satisfying—especially when you’ve got yarn that’s already doing the heavy lifting in the color department. Whether you go for a bold rainbow, a soft ombré, or a dramatic gradient, this pattern will show it off beautifully.

It’s a great stash-busting project, a fantastic beginner-friendly hat, and a relaxing knit for seasoned stitchers who just want something colorful and meditative. Plus, the double brim means your ears will thank you on those blustery days.

So grab that skein you’ve been saving for “something special” and get knitting—your Roy G. Biv Hat will be off the needles and onto your head in no time. 🧶💖

❤️ Your BiCrafty Bestie,
Marly Bird