The Kips Bun Hat Free Pattern – A Cozy Knitted Ode to Effortless Updos

The Kips Bun Hat: Your New Favorite Cozy Knit for Effortless Updos

Are you tired of choosing between a warm hat and a stylish bun? With the Kips Bun Hat, you never have to compromise again. This cleverly designed pattern features a generous opening at the crown, allowing you to wear your bun or ponytail high while keeping your ears and neck perfectly toasty. The textured 2x2 ribbing and soft, chunky worsted-weight yarn make it a stylish, practical, and incredibly satisfying project for chilly days. Whether you're a seasoned knitter or a confident beginner looking for a fun challenge, this free pattern is your ticket to a handmade accessory you'll reach for all winter long.

Materials Needed

Before you cast on, gather these simple supplies. The beauty of this pattern lies in its simplicity—you only need one skein of worsted weight yarn and a pair of circular needles.

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn (approx. 200 yards). A great choice is Lion Brand Wool-Ease in 'Oatmeal' for that cozy, natural look.
• Needles: US 8 (5 mm) 16-inch circular knitting needle and US 8 double-pointed needles (or size needed to obtain gauge).
• Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Always check your gauge to ensure a perfect fit!
• Notions: Stitch marker, stitch holder or waste yarn, tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is worked from the brim up, with a clever split for the bun opening. Don't worry—the steps are broken down clearly below. Let's get started!

Sizes & Abbreviations

Sizes: Adult (fits head circumference 21–23 inches)

Abbreviations:

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• K2tog: Knit two stitches together (decrease)
• PM: Place marker
• SM: Slip marker
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• Rnd(s): Round(s)

Part 1: The Ribbed Brim

We'll start with a stretchy, snug-fitting brim that hugs your forehead comfortably.

1. Cast On: CO 80 sts. Join in the round, being very careful not to twist your stitches. PM to mark the beginning of the round.
2. Ribbing Rounds: Rnds 1–10: *K2, P2; repeat from * to end of round. This creates a classic 2x2 ribbed brim that's both elastic and polished.

Part 2: The Main Body

Now we'll work the smooth, stockinette body that covers your ears and neck.

3. Stockinette Stitch: Rnds 11–30: Knit all sts. Work even until the hat measures approximately 6 inches from the cast-on edge. This gives you a nice, slouchy fit over the ears.

Part 3: Creating the Bun Opening

This is the magic part! We'll split the work to create the opening for your bun, then knit back and forth to shape the back of the hat.

4. Split the Stitches: Rnd 31: K40, then place the next 40 sts on a stitch holder or waste yarn. This creates the opening for your bun. You will now work back and forth on the remaining 40 sts.
5. Row 32 (Wrong Side): Purl across the 40 sts.
6. Row 33 (Right Side): Knit across.
7. Repeat Rows 32–33 until the piece measures 4 inches from the start of the opening (or desired length to cover the back of your head). This creates a sturdy, neat edge for the opening.

Part 4: Back of Hat Shaping (Decreases)

Time to bring it all together! We'll rejoin the round and shape the crown with gentle decreases.

8. Rejoin the Round: Place the 40 sts from the holder back onto the needle. You now have 80 sts again. PM at the beginning of the round.
9. Rnd 1: Knit all sts.
10. Rnd 2: *K8, K2tog; repeat from * to end of round (72 sts).
11. Rnd 3: Knit all sts.
12. Rnd 4: *K7, K2tog; repeat from * to end of round (64 sts).
13. Rnd 5: Knit all sts.
14. Rnd 6: *K6, K2tog; repeat from * to end of round (56 sts).
15. Rnd 7: Knit all sts.
16. Rnd 8: *K5, K2tog; repeat from * to end of round (48 sts).
17. Rnd 9: Knit all sts.
18. Rnd 10: *K4, K2tog; repeat from * to end of round (40 sts).
19. Rnd 11: *K3, K2tog; repeat from * to end of round (32 sts).
20. Rnd 12: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end of round (24 sts).
21. Rnd 13: *K1, K2tog; repeat from * to end of round (16 sts).
22. Rnd 14: K2tog around (8 sts).
23. Finish: Cut yarn, leaving a 10-inch tail. Thread tail through remaining sts, pull tight, and secure.

Finishing Touches

24. Weave in Ends: Use your tapestry needle to weave in all loose ends securely.
25. Optional Fit Adjustment: You can add a small button or snap at the back of the opening to adjust the fit, but it's not necessary—the ribbing is quite forgiving.

How to Wear Your Kips Bun Hat

Pull the hat over your head, place your bun or ponytail through the opening, and adjust the ribbed brim to sit comfortably over your ears. The opening sits high on your crown, so your updo stays perfectly showcased while your head stays warm. It's that easy!

We hope you love knitting and wearing this hat as much as we do. Happy knitting!