Leaf Pattern Hat【Free Pattern】【Video】【Chart PDF】knitting tutorial

Apr 25, 2025
8 min read

Updated: Apr 17

This pattern includes a tutorial video,

and you can scroll down to see the chart!

https://youtu.be/WYIvijFsUbQ

↓↓↓Here is the PDF file. ↓↓↓(You can print it from here)

↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑

Hello, I’m Kaitlin!

I’ve designed a knit hat that features a single leaf motif as a focal point.

The leaf pattern may seem a little complicated at first,

but as the design gradually appears,

it brings a sense of joy that keeps you motivated to the very end.

In this post, I’ll also show you how to use the magic loop method as you knit.

Materials:

・2 skeins Soupir wool col.04 (72m/40g)or other worsted yarn

・4.50mm , 4.20mm circulars

・Tapestry needle

・Makers

・Scissors

・Measuring tape

・Steam iron

Gauge:

22sts × 30rows ＝ 10cm × 10cm in stocking stitch

Size:

Width: approx. 22.5cm (laid flat)

Height: approx. 22cm

Casting On

We'll begin by casting on.

From the cast-on to the end of the ribbing section, use 4.20 mm needles.

Using the long-tail cast-on method, cast on 106 stitches.

Once you have cast on 106 stitches,

pull the cord out at approximately the halfway point to set up for magic loop.

Carefully slide the stitches onto the left needle, making sure not to twist the stitches.

Double-check at the point where you pulled out the cord to ensure there are no twists in your stitches.

Adjusting the Join for a Neat Start

Leave about 4 to 5 stitches on the right needle and slide the remaining stitches onto the cord.

Now we’ll make a small adjustment to create a clean and seamless join between the beginning and end of the round.

Insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle as if to purl,

and slip it onto the right needle.

Then, pass the last cast-on stitch on the right needle over the stitch you just slipped,

and return that stitch to the left needle.

The stitch you passed over may become loose,

so give the working yarn a gentle tug to tighten it.

You should now have 105 stitches in total.

Knitting the Second Round

Let’s start working the second round.

To keep track of the beginning of the round, place a marker at the starting point.

From Round 2 to Round 16, you’ll be working in 2x2 ribbing (knit 2, purl 2).

However, for stitches 9, 10, and 11, knit them all as knit stitches (instead of following the ribbing pattern).

After working knit 2, purl 2, slide the stitches from the right needle onto the cord.

When using the magic loop,

pulling out the cord at the beginning of the round can loosen your tension,

so instead, pull out the cord a few stitches away from the beginning to keep the tension even.

k2, p2 once more, then knit 3 stitches.

Next, purl 2 stitches.

From the next stitch to the last stitch, continue in k2, p2 ribbing. (You should have a total of 105 stitches.)

Once you've finished knitting the stitches on the left needle,

pull the cord and transfer the stitches from the cord back onto the left needle.

Normally, you would simply pull out the right needle and let all the stitches rest on the cord.

However, I recommend leaving about 4–5 stitches on the needle.

This helps keep the stitch size consistent when you knit the next row.

Continue working in k2, p2 ribbing until the end of the second round.

Rounds 3 to 16

Work the same way as Round 2.

As you continue, make sure that stitches 9, 10, and 11 are always knit stitches.

From here, we'll begin the Pattern Stitch section.

Aside from the leaf motif area, everything is worked in stockinette stitch.

The stitch count remains constant at 86 stitches from the beginning to the end.

On the other hand, the leaf motif section starts and ends with 19 stitches,

but for most of the other rounds, the stitch count changes.

So be sure to check the number of stitches from the beginning of the round to the start of the stockinette section on each round as you go.

Pattern Stitch Round 1

From this round onward until the end, continue knitting with 4.50mm needles.

Purl 8, knit 3, purl 8,

From the next stitch to the last stitch ( = 86 sts), knit all stitches. (Total: 105 stitches)

☆ Once you finish Pattern Stitch Round 1 and all stitches have been transferred to the size 4.50mm needle, pull out the cord at about the halfway point—just like you did after casting on—and shift the stitches to the left needle.On the right needle side as well, pull out the cord while leaving a few stitches on the needle, just like during the cast-on setup.

Pattern Stitch Rnds 2–3

Repeat the same steps as Rnd 1. (Total: 105 stitches)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 4

p7, 1 over 1 right cross (purl stitch behind), k1, 1 over 1 left cross (purl stitch behind), p7, k86 (Total: 105 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 5

p7, k1 , p1 twice , k1, p7, k86 (Total: 105 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnds 6–7

Repeat the same steps as Rnd 5. (Total: 105 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 8

p7 , yo , k1 , yo , p1 , k1 , p1 , yo , k1 , yo , p7 , k86 (Total: 109 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 9

p7, k1, yo , k1 twice , p1 , k1 twice , yo , k1 twice , p7, k86 (Total: 113 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 10

p7, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, p7, k86 (Total: 117 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 11

p7, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, p1, k1, p1, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, p7, k86 (Total: 121 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 12

p7, k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, p1, k1, p1, k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, p7, k86 (Total: 125 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 13

p5 p2tog, k11, M1Lp (make 1 left-leaning purl increase), p1, k1, p1,

M1Rp (make 1 right-leaning purl increase), k11, ssp(slip,slip,purl), p5, k86 (Total: 125 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 14

p4, p2tog, k11, M1Lp, p2, k1, p2, M1Rp, k11, ssp, p4, k86 (Total: 125 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 15

p3, p2tog, k11, M1Lp, p3, k1, p3, M1Rp, k11, ssp, p3, k86 (Total: 125 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 16

p2, p2tog, k11, M1Lp, p2, p2tog, M1L, k1, M1R, ssp, p2, M1Rp, k11, ssp, p2, k86 (Total: 125 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 17

p3, k2tog, k7, ssk, p4, k3, p4, k2tog, k7, ssk, p3, k86 (Total: 121 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 18

p3, k2tog, k5, ssk, p4, k3, p4, k2tog, k5, ssk, p3, k86 (Total: 117 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd19

p3, k2tog, k3, ssk, p3, 1 over 1 right cross (purl stitch behind), k1,

1 over 1 left cross (purl stitch behind), p3, k2tog, k3, ssk, p3, k86 (Total: 113 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 20

p3, k2tog, k1, ssk, p3, k1, p1 twice, k1, p3, k2tog, k1, ssk, p3, k86 (Total: 109 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 21

p3, s2togkpo(slip 2 stitches together knitwise, k1, pass 2 slipped stitches over the knit stitch),

p3, k1, p1 twice, k1, p3, s2togkpo, p3, k86 (Total: 105 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 22

p7, k1, p1 twice, k1, p7, k86 (Total: 105 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 23

p7, yo, k1, yo, p1, k1, p1, yo, k1, yo, p7, k86 (Total: 109 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 24

p7, k1, yo, k1 twice, p1, k1 twice, yo, k1 twice, p7, k86 (Total: 113 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 25

p7, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, p7, k86 (Total: 117 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 26

p7, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, p1, k1, p1, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, p7, k86 (Total: 121 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 27

p5, p2tog, k9, M1Lp, p1, k1, p1, M1Rp, k9, ssp, p5, k86 (Total: 121 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 28

p4, p2tog, k9, M1Lp, p2, k1, p2, M1Rp, k9, ssp, p4, k86 (Total: 121 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 29

p3, p2tog, k9, M1Lp, p3, k1, p3, M1Rp, k9, ssp, p3, k86 (Total: 121 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 30

p4, k2tog, k5, ssk, p4, k1, p4, k2tog, k5, ssk, p4, k86 (Total: 117 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 31

p4, k2tog, k3, ssk, p4, k1, p4, k2tog, k3, ssk, p4, k86 (Total: 113 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 32

p4, k2tog, k1, ssk, p4, k1, p4, k2tog, k1, ssk, p4, k86 (Total: 109 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 33

p4, s2togkpo, p4, yo, k1, yo, p4, s2togkpo, p4, k86 (Total: 107 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 34

p9, k1, yo, k1 twice, p9, k86 (Total: 109 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 35

p9, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, p9, k86 (Total: 111 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 36

p9, k7, p9, k86 (Total: 111 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 37

Repeat Rnd 36 (Total: 111 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 38

p9, k2tog, k3, ssk, p9, k86 (Total: 109 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 39

p9, k2tog, k1, ssk, p9, k86 (Total: 107 sts)

Pattern Stitch Rnd 40

p9, s2togkpo, p9, k86 (Total: 105 sts)

Once you have knitted up to Pattern Stitch Round 40,

you will begin to Decrease Section.

Decrease Section

Dec Rnd 1

ssp, p15, p2tog,

ssk, k13, k2tog,

ssk, k14, k2tog,

ssk, k13, k2tog,

ssk, k13, k2tog, (Total: 93 sts)

Dec Rnd 2

p17, k76 (Total: 93 sts)

Dec Rnd 3

ssp, p13, p2tog,

ssk, k11, k2tog,

ssk, k12, k2tog,

ssk, k11, k2tog,

ssk, k11, k2tog, (Total: 81 sts)

Dec Rnd 4

p15, k66 (Total: 81 sts)

Dec Rnd 5

ssp, p11, p2tog,

ssk, k9, k2tog,

ssk, k10, k2tog,

ssk, k9, k2tog,

ssk, k9, k2tog, (Total: 69 sts)

Dec Rnd 6

p13, k56 (Total: 69 sts)

Dec Rnd 7

ssp, p9, p2tog,

ssk, k7, k2tog,

ssk, k8, k2tog,

ssk, k7, k2tog,

ssk, k7, k2tog, (Total: 57 sts)

Dec Rnd 8

p11, k46 (Total:57 sts)

Dec Rnd 9

ssp, p7, p2tog,

ssk, k5, k2tog,

ssk, k6, k2tog,

ssk, k5, k2tog,

ssk, k5, k2tog, (Total: 45 sts)

Dec Rnd 10

p9, k36 (Total:45 sts)

Dec Rnd 11

ssp, p5, p2tog,

ssk, k3, k2tog,

ssk, k4, k2tog,

ssk, k3, k2tog,

ssk, k3, k2tog, (Total: 33 sts)

Dec Rnd 12

p7, k26 (Total: 33 sts)

Dec Rnd 13

ssp, p3, p2tog,

ssk, k1, k2tog,

ssk, k2, k2tog,

ssk, k1, k2tog,

ssk, k1, k2tog, (Total: 21 sts)

Dec Rnd 14

ssp, p1, p2tog, k16 (Total:19 sts)

Dec Rnd 15

sl1 as if to purl, sl1 as if to knit twice, return the slipped 2 stitches to the left needle, return the slipped 1 stitch to the left needle, p3tog,(Refer to video for guidance.)

s2togkpo, s2togkpo,

ssk, k2tog,

s2togkpo, s2togkpo, (Total: 7 sts)

A total of 71 rounds have been completed.

Finishing Touches

To prevent the stitches from slipping off the needle, first transfer the stitches to the cord.

Then, leave about 20 cm of yarn at the end and cut the yarn.

Thread the yarn onto a tapestry needle and pass it through the stitches, starting from the first stitch.

Once the needle has passed through all the stitches, pull the yarn to gather the top.

For the top, insert the needle into the center and pull it out through the wrong side.

To avoid leaving marks on the right side,

pick up one stitch and wrap the yarn around the needle before pulling it tight. (See the video at 53:30)

Next, to avoid marks on the right side, pick up a few stitches at the decrease area and pull the yarn.

Turn back from the previous stitch, pass the needle through again, and pull the yarn tight.

Cut the yarn end.

When you change the yarn midway,

untie the yarn and weave the needle through a few adjacent stitches to secure it. (See the video at 54:10)

For the yarn end at the start of the knitting,

When you pull the yarn while looking at the right side of the fabric,

you may notice a strand moving,

so insert the tapestry needle through the strand from above and flip the fabric to the wrong side.

To avoid any marks on the right side, weave the needle through the stitches,

splitting them as needed, and secure the yarn. (See the video at 56:02)

Hold the iron above the fabric and steam the entire piece generously.

Make sure to steam the leaf motif area as well to shape it.

It's finished!

Well done!

This pattern features a single motif in the design,

making it a great choice for those new to pattern knitting.

Feel free to try it in different colors and variations!

In addition to this project, I also post other knitting patterns!

Be sure to check out my other posts,

as well as my YouTube, Instagram, and LINE stickers!

Thank you so much for following along until the end! ☻

k = knit

p = purl

Rnd = round

rep = repeat

yo = yarn over

k2tog = knit 2 stitches together

ssk = slip, slip, knit

p2tog = purl 2 stitches together

ssp = slip, slip, purl

s2togkpo = slip 2 stitches together knitwise, k1, pass 2 slipped stitches over the knit stitch

M1R = make 1 right leaning stitch

M1L = make 1 left leaning stitch

M1Rp = make 1 right-leaning purl increase

M1Lp = make 1 left-leaning purl increase

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