P339 Santa’s Helper Hat

P339 Santa’s Helper Hat

This is easy knitting and a fun Christmas project that is a perfect beginner activity. The hat is knitted flat in a simple stockinette stitch, with basic shaping techniques to make the hat shape to a point. It is finished with a seam in the back, and a tassel and pompom. The pom-pom is made in our Teddy Soft yarn to add that perfect Christmas fluff. You can also personalise the hat; by cutting out felt letters to make names. Use colourful felt fabric following our wonky alphabet, and glue the letters onto the hat so that anyone in the family can become Santa’s Helper.

How to Knit Santa’s Helper Hat

Knit a festive Santa-style helper hat with a white brim, long pointed red crown, handmade tassel and fluffy pompom.

The hat is knitted flat in stockinette stitch, shaped with simple decreases and finished with a back seam. Felt letters can be added using the supplied wonky alphabet as a guide to personalise the hat with a name.

Project: Santa’s Helper Hat

Pattern: P339

Craft type: Knitting

Difficulty: EASY KNIT

This is easy knitting and a fun Christmas project that is a perfect beginner activity. The hat is knitted flat in a simple stockinette stitch, with basic shaping techniques to make the hat shape to a point. It is finished with a seam in the back, and a tassel and pompom. The pom-pom is made in our Teddy Soft yarn to add that perfect Christmas fluff. You can also personalise the hat; by cutting out felt letters to make names. Use colourful felt fabric following our wonky alphabet, and glue the letters onto the hat so that anyone in the family can become Santa’s Helper.

Measurements

Size ONE SIZE
Circumfurence 50cm
Length 41cm

Yarn Required

Makr ORGANIC COTTON Yarn 100g balls Quantity
Col A – White 1
Col B – Red 1
+ Teddy Soft Yarn (pompom) 1

Needles and Equipment

  • 5mm knitting needles
  • Wool needle for sewing in ends
  • Sullivan’s Tacky Glue for attaching felt letters to hat
  • Sullivan’s Felt Piece Fabric in various colours
  • Sullivan’s scissors to cut felt.

Tension

5mm needles: 19st x 23 rows stst = 10cm x 10cm.

Knitting Abbreviations

  • k knit
  • k2tog knit 2 stitches together
  • p purl
  • st(s) stitche(s)
  • stst stocking stitch or stockinette stitch (alternately knit 1 row, purl 1 row)

HAT

1. Using Col A, and 5mm knitting needles, cast on 74 sts.

2. *Work stst for 14 rows.

3. Change to Col B, and start decreasing at the edges as follows:

*k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.

4. Purl Row*

5. Repeat until 0 sts left.

6. Fold hat and sew seam on the inside. Sew in threads to neaten.

TO FINISH

To make tassell wrap Col A yarn around the palm of hand about 50 times to make a skein. Take skein off the hand, and secure one end by wrapping a thread around several times, and tie a secure knot, leaving about 2cm loops at the edge.

Trim the other end.

To make pompom wrap Teddy Soft yarn around palm of hand about 40 times.

Take off the hand, and secure in the middle by wrapping thread around a few times and tie a secure knot.

Trim the edge of the pompom to make a round shape.

Attach tassell and pompom to the hat.

Cut out felt letters, following our wonky alphabet as a guide. Glue letters onto the hat to personalise with a name.

Please use only the yarn specified. Another yarn is likely to yield different results. Quantities are approximate as knitting styles may vary between knitters. Check the ball bands to ensure all yarn is from the same dye lot.
NOTE: This pattern is written in British English. All measurements in charts and instructions are in cm. For conversion from centimetres to inches please divide by 2.5cm. Please be aware that there are different terms for crocheting and knitting in American and British English, if in doubt, we’ve included a list of common abbreviations.

Alternative Yarns

The original pattern uses Makr ORGANIC COTTON Yarn for the hat and Teddy Soft Yarn for the pompom. When choosing an alternative for the hat, select a yarn that can achieve the original tension of 19st x 23 rows stst = 10cm x 10cm using 5mm needles.

Suitable Yarn Types

  • 8ply to light worsted cotton yarn – provides stitch definition and a structured finish similar to the original.
  • Cotton-acrylic blend – may provide a softer fabric while retaining structure.
  • Wool-acrylic blend – creates a warmer version with additional elasticity.
  • Soft acrylic yarn – an easy-care option with good colour availability.
  • Fluffy novelty yarn – can be used for the pompom to recreate the soft finish of Teddy Soft Yarn.
Important: Match the original tension before beginning. The finished hat is designed with a 50cm circumference and 41cm length, so a different tension may significantly alter the fit and pointed shape.

Customisation Ideas

  • Personalise the hat with a name using felt letters based on the wonky alphabet shown on page 2 of the original pattern.
  • Use different coloured felt letters to give each family member a unique hat.
  • Change the main hat colour while retaining the contrasting brim.
  • Use a different fluffy yarn for the pompom to create extra texture.
  • Make matching hats for family members and personalise each one with individual names.

To retain the original shape and size, keep the cast-on count of 74 sts, the 14 rows of stocking stitch and the original decrease sequence unchanged.

Care Instructions

Follow the washing and care instructions provided on the ball bands of all yarns used.

  1. Check that the tassell and pompom are securely attached before washing.
  2. Spot clean where practical if felt letters have been glued to the hat.
  3. Avoid soaking the felt lettering or exposing the glue to excessive heat.
  4. Gently reshape the hat while damp.
  5. Lay flat to dry where appropriate.
  6. Fluff the pompom gently once the hat is completely dry.
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