These hats feature swirling or spiral stitch patterns. Updated 12/8/24
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
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Free Patterns
Buttress Hat
Reversible brioche hat with swirling lace columns twisting around the crown. Inspired by the architectural element, flying buttress, which supports the main vault of gothic cathedrals. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Marie Petra.
Striped Swirl Beanie
Hat with a swirl pattern alternating two different yarns, ideally a gradient and a matching/contrasting solid. The body of this hat is knit flat and allows you to choose a more snug or slouchy fit. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Lorelei Designs. May only be free for a limited time.
StarGazer Hat
Beanie using twisted and slipped stitches to create spiral pattern that starts in the ribbing and continues through the crown. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Nurturing Fibres. Pictured projects by the designer and ginaross
Esquel Hat
This hat features columns of lace swirls. Designed by Iris Alessi. Available in English and Portuguese. Worsted weight yarn.
Swirled Sprinkles Hat
This beanie features a ribbed fold up brim, a delicate spiral stitch pattern in the crown, and a pompom. Designed by Kaitlin Blasing of Originally Lovely for bulky yarn on smaller needles.
- Get the free knitting pattern – scroll down to the bottom of the target page
- Buy the pdf
- See more Pompom Hat Knitting Patterns
Vertigo Hat
This hat is worked flat with short rows that create swirls of multi-colored or self-striping yarn. Designed by Kerstin Michler. Pictured project by sockpr0n and Tilde. Available in English, Dutch, German, and Portuguese.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock used in the pictured project
Godric’s Hollow Hat
Star stitch (or daisy stitch) forms a swirling design inspired by the hat Hermione Granger wears in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 during the Godric’s Hollow scene. Designed by Rebecca Beam. Pictured project by JustineLark
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Watch or Read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on Amazon
- See more Harry Potter Knitting Patterns
Spiral Ribbed Hat
Designed by Mollie Hartford-Chamberland because “normal ribbed hats are boring.” Includes video tutorials.
Laura’s Spirals Hat
Sections of a 4-round repeat diagonal stitch alternate with purled sections. Quick knit win super bulky yarn. Designed by Beth2 for Keira Kiyoko Designs
More Free Patterns
Vortex Hat
This striking design is created with short rows and comes in a version with a point and without. Two sizes. Designed by Lee Meredith
Emergency Hat
This is a hat with a double life! It can be worn as a cowl or a hat. Just gather the drawstrings to turn it into a warm hat. Knit sideways in a reverse stocking stitch rib that spirals around the hat. You can make the drawstrings with i-cords or crochet chains. Designed by Frankie Brown. Pictured projects by sueselala and mowue
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Noro Silk Garden Yarn on Amazon
- See more Multi-Purpose Knitting Patterns
His and Her Spiral Hats
Designed by Jen at Purlbee, these hats feature a spiral rib pattern. Pictured project by niktix .
Swirl and Twirl Hat
Easy hat with a spiral stitch pattern. Size: 1/2 – 3/4 – 5/6 – 7/9 – 10/12 years. Designed by Garnstudio DROPS Design. Available in multiple languages. Pictured project by tiinav
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the Garnstudio DROPS Big Merino Yarn used in the pictured project
Swirled Ski Hat
Designed by Caps for Kids, this cap comes in 2 sizes. Knit flat from side to side, increases on one side and decreases on the other turn vertical stripes into swirls when the cap is seamed. Great for multi-color yarn! Pictured project by Scsteinberg.
Audrey Hat
Easy hat with a simple subtle texture. Designed by Zsuzsanna Orthodoxou.
Wind-and-Sea Hat
Designed by Kristi Porter, from Knitting in the Sun 32 Projects for Warm Weather; photography by Stephen Simson, this summery lightweight sun hat has a wide brim adorned with spiraling eyelets.
- Get the free knitting pattern
Get the book Knitting in the Sun 32 Projects for Warm Weather on Amazon (Kindle and Prime available)
Diagonal Stitch Pom Pom Hat
Caron designed this hat that features a diagonal pattern that’s great for beginners.
Make or Buy Pompoms
Battlestar Galactica: Starbuck’s Mandala Hat
Stephanie Ivy Whiteside was inspired by the mandala on Starbuck’s wall in the Maelstrom episode of Battlestar Galactica to create this swirl beanie.
Patterns for Purchase
Candy Ripple Hat
Colorful swirled hat with a cozy fold-over brim in sizes to fit all ages. Easy hat knit flat using simple knit and purl rows. 8 Sizes: Newborn to Adult Large. Worsted yarn. Designed by SweetBeaniesBoutique
Sidewinder Beanie Hat
Easy hat with chunky, swirling texture that knits up quickly. Advanced beginner project that requires a basic knowledge of knitting terminology and knitting in the round. Pattern includes instructions for 2 different yarn weights: super bulky (weight 6) or bulky (weight 5). Uses one skein of either weight: 78 yards of super bulky yarn / 85 yards of bulky yarn. Designed by Aspen Leaf Knits
Swirl Hat
Swirls of waves are shaped with decreases in this slouchy beanie knit in bulky yarn. Great with multi-colored yarn
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern on Etsy
- Get the recommended Kona Superwash Bulky yarn on Etsy
Swirl Beanie With Optional Visor
This beanie is a quick knit in super bulky yarn. The designer says you can finish it in an evening. The crocheted visor is optional.
