Free Summer Hat Knitting Pattern You’ll Want to Make on Repeat – Wyola Hat
This Lightweight, sun-shielding, and full of personality is below — check out the hat pattern page for even more hat knitting pattern favorites!
When I say this Wyola hat saved the day, I’m not being dramatic—I’m being a mom.
Our church’s annual campmeeting in Wyola, Montana is a major highlight of our year. But last year? Let’s just say the sun showed up and showed off. My daughter ended up with a bright red neck that had us applying aloe for days. This year, I was determined not to let that happen again. Enter the Wyola Hat—a brand new summer hat knitting pattern that kept her neck, ears, and beautiful face burn-free. (Her arms… well, even the most valiant full bottle of sunscreen has its limits!)
A Summer Hat Knitting Pattern With a Twist — Literally
I’ve knit more hats than I can count, but this summer hat knitting pattern works a little differently—it’s top-down! That means no crown shaping at the end (hallelujah), and a super smooth fit that’s comfy and cute.
You’ll start at the very top of the crown and work simple yarn over increases. But here’s the secret sauce: the very next round, those yarn overs are knit through the back loop, which gives you the shaping you need without the little eyelets most YO increases leave behind. It’s clean. It’s polished. It’s satisfying.
Raffia: Not Your Average Yarn
Let’s talk about the yarn. I used Premier Yarns Raffia (affiliate link), which is nothing like working with cozy wool or silky cotton. It’s stiff—really stiff. The first few rounds had me questioning my life choices.
But oh, it’s worth it.
Once you power through the stiffness, you’ll see why this yarn is a dream for summer accessories. It steams beautifully and holds its shape like a pro. I used my trusty KnitPicks size 7 (4.5mm) interchangeable needles (affiliate link) for this one beacuase once you get to the brim you will need to add length to your cable as you continue increasing, and while the raffia gave my hands a little workout, the results speak for themselves.
The final hat is ultra-lightweight, which makes it wearable even in 95-degree weather (ask me how I know). It shades beautifully without feeling hot or heavy. And best of all? It stayed put—even in that 30-40mph gusty Montana wind that is our norm.
That Picot Hem Brim Though 
The brim ends with one of my favorite finishing touches: a picot hem bind off. Not only does it give a sweet, scalloped edge, but it adds structure and style. And if you’ve never done one before, don’t worry—I’ve got a step-by-step blog post tutorial here that will walk you through it.
And let me just say, this brim + Raffia combo = chef’s kiss. The raffia holds the shape so well that even after being tossed in the backseat and squashed in a suitcase, the hat looked good as new after a quick steam.
Embroidered Chain Stitch Accent? Yes, Please!
One more little detail I couldn’t resist: right where the crown ends and the brim begins, I added a simple embroidered chain stitch band. It’s just enough contrast to make it pop, and it adds a handmade touch I absolutely love. If you’re a visual learner like me, you’ll be happy to know there’s a YouTube tutorial showing exactly how I did it.
Why You’ll Love This Summer Hat Knitting Pattern
Here’s what makes the Wyola such a win:
It’s top-down (no annoying pickup stitches!)- Uses YO increases without leaving holes
- Raffia yarn (affiliate link) = holds shape, blocks like a dream, and feels feather-light
- Built-in shade for ears, face, and neck
- That sweet little embroidered band adds a pop of fun
- The brim stays crisp thanks to the picot hem bind off (with tutorial!)
- It’s a practical AND pretty summer hat knitting pattern
And as a bonus, the next summer hat knitting pattern in raffia is already in the works, so if you enjoy this one—you’re going to love what’s coming next!
Grab More Summer Hat Knitting Pattern Ideas
If you’re on the hunt for your next favorite summer hat knitting pattern, I’ve rounded up some of my most-loved warm-weather toppers on my hat pattern page. Think breezy brims, beachy textures, and styles perfect for Sunday mornings or sunny hikes.
But the Wyola Hat? That’s the one you’ll find at the bottom of this post. It’s my go-to now for any day with sun in the forecast, and I already have requests from my other teen daughter (and a couple church ladies) for one of their own.
Whether you’re heading to a summer camp, chasing littles at the splash pad, or just trying to avoid that awkward sunburn line across your forehead, this summer hat knitting pattern has your back (and your neck, and your ears).
So if you’re itching for a summer project that’s just a little bit different, a little more structured, and a lot more useful—Wyola’s your girl.
Happy knitting and don’t forget the sunscreen. (But also, maybe just knit the hat.)
Wyola Hat Free Pattern
Materials Needed: 175yds worsted weight yarn (I used Premier Yarns Raffia 131y/3.5oz) size 7 (4.5mm) dpn and circular, yarn needle, stitch markers
Gauge: 18sts x 24 rows/10cms or 4ins
Sizes (appx head circumference
Ladies (51cms, 20ins)
Description
This hat is knit top down in the round. The yarn is VERY STIFF and does take some getting used to, but it creates a perfect straw style hat for keeping the sun off. I added some pretty stitching to add a pretty detail. A youtube video is linked for the stitching. The hemmed brim holds its shape beautifully.
WYOLA HAT
Cast on 8. Join in the round.
Round 1 – knit around
Round 2 – [k1, yo] around (16sts)
Round 3 – [k1, ktbl, yo] around (24sts)
Round 4 – [k2, ktbl, yo] around (32sts)
Round 5 – [k3, ktbl, yo] around (40sts)
Round 6 – [k4, ktbl] around
Round 7 – [k5, yo] around (48sts)
Round 8 – [k5, ktbl] around
Round 9 – [k6, yo] around (56sts)
Round 10 – [k6, ktbl] around
Round 11 – [k7, yo] around (64sts)
Round 12 – [k7, ktbl] around
Round 13 – [k8, yo] around (72sts)
Round 14 – [k8, ktbl] around
Round 15 – [k9, yo] around (80sts)
Round 16 – [k9, ktbl] around
Round 17 – [k10, yo] around (88sts)
Round 18 – [k10, ktbl] around
Rounds 19 – 38 – knit around
Round 39 – [k11, yo] around (96sts)
Round 40 – [k11, ktbl] around
Round 41 – [k12, yo] around (104sts)
Round 42 – [k12, ktbl] around
Round 43 – [k13, yo] around (112sts)
Round 44 – [k13, ktbl] around
Round 45 – [k14, yo] around (120sts)
Round 46 – [k14, ktbl] around
Round 47 – [k15, yo] around (128sts)
Round 48 – [k15, ktbl] around
Round 49 – [k16, yo] around (136sts)
Round 50 – [k16, ktbl] around
Round 51 – [k17, yo] around (144sts)
Round 52 – [k17, ktbl] around
Round 53 – [k18, yo] around (152sts)
Round 54 – [k18, ktbl] around
Round 55 – [k19, yo] around (160sts)
Round 56 – [k19, ktbl] around
Round 57 – [k20, yo] around (168sts)
Round 58 – [k20, ktbl] around
Round 59 – [k21, yo] around (176sts)
Round 60 – [k21, ktbl] around
Round 61 – [k22, yo] around (184sts)
Round 62 – [k22, ktbl] around
Round 63 – [k23, yo] around (192sts)
Round 64 – [k23, ktbl] around
Round 65-67 – knit around
Round 68 – [k2tog, yo] around (this is your picot round)
Round 69-71 – knit around
DO NOT BIND OFF. Cut yarn leaving a long enough tail to sew the brim of the hat (you’ll need about 3 times the circumference of the hat). Folding the brim at round 68 (the picot round) sew the stitches on your needles to round 64. This hem not only forms a beautiful picot but it also adds strength and structure to the brim.
Pull yarn at the top through cast on hat stitches and cinch the top tight.
Now sew a decorative chain stitch around round 38 to define the head from the brim. I have created a video if you do not know how to sew a chain stitch here.
Weave in ends. Block as desired.
Stitch Key:
K – knit
p – purl
st – stitch
k2tog – knit 2 stitches together
tbl – through back loop
yo – yarn over
Wyola Hat PDF Download
Affiliate Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely love and use.
Want more knitting inspiration?
Be sure to check out the full pattern at the bottom of this post and explore even more hat knitting pattern ideas on the hat pattern page!
The post Free Summer Hat Knitting Pattern You’ll Want to Make on Repeat – Wyola Hat appeared first on The Knit in the Womb Blog.
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