Easy Peasy Bonnet – Classic Beginner Bonnet Pattern

If you’ve been wanting to dive into hat knitting or sewing but felt overwhelmed by complicated patterns, this is your sign to start. The Easy Peasy Bonnet is exactly what it sounds like — a classic, timeless bonnet design that even complete beginners can finish in a single afternoon. Whether you’re making it for a newborn photo shoot, a baby shower gift, or simply to add something handmade and sweet to a little one’s wardrobe, this pattern has you covered.

Bonnets have been a staple of children’s fashion for centuries, and for good reason. They stay on better than standard beanies, they protect delicate ears and skin from sun and wind, and they look absolutely adorable tied under a tiny chin. Once you make your first one, you’ll find yourself reaching for this pattern over and over again.

Let’s walk through everything you need to know — materials, sizing, step-by-step instructions, tips for success, and ideas for customizing your bonnet to make it truly one of a kind.

Why Make a Bonnet?

Before we get into the how, let’s talk about the why. Handmade bonnets are one of the most beloved items in the world of baby crafting, and they’ve seen a massive resurgence in popularity in recent years. Parents, grandparents, and gift-givers alike are rediscovering the charm of a well-made bonnet, and the crafting community has responded with hundreds of patterns — but not all of them are beginner-friendly.

This Easy Peasy Bonnet pattern was designed from the ground up with the new crafter in mind. The construction is straightforward, the shaping is forgiving, and the finishing touches are simple enough that you won’t feel like you need a degree in hat-making to pull it off. If you can sew a straight seam (or knit a basic stitch), you can make this bonnet.

Beyond the crafting satisfaction, bonnets are genuinely practical. Unlike a regular beanie that a baby can easily pull off, a bonnet with chin ties stays in place during walks, naps, and all the chaos of daily life with a little one. The brim provides shade for sensitive eyes without requiring sunscreen application, and the soft gathered back keeps the fit comfortable even as babies grow.

Materials You’ll Need

One of the best things about this pattern is that it doesn’t require a lot of expensive supplies. Here’s what to gather before you begin.

For a sewn fabric bonnet:

You’ll need about a quarter yard of your main fabric — cotton lawn, quilting cotton, linen, or even a lightweight flannel all work beautifully. You’ll also want a quarter yard of coordinating fabric for the lining, since a lined bonnet looks more polished and feels softer against baby’s skin. Beyond fabric, pick up some coordinating thread, a hand-sewing needle, sharp fabric scissors or a rotary cutter with a cutting mat, and about 36 inches of ribbon, twill tape, or fabric strips for the chin ties. A few pins or sewing clips will help hold everything in place while you work, and an iron will be your best friend for getting crisp edges.

For a knitted bonnet:

You’ll need roughly 50 to 100 yards of worsted weight yarn — the exact amount depends on the size you’re making. A soft, washable yarn is ideal since this is going to be worn by a baby and washed frequently. Pick up a pair of size US 7 or 8 knitting needles (or whichever size your yarn label recommends for worsted weight), a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and scissors. You’ll also want two lengths of ribbon or I-cord for the ties, about 18 inches each.

Optional but helpful for both versions:

A water-soluble fabric marker or tailor’s chalk is useful for marking your fabric pieces. A seam gauge or small ruler helps with consistent measurements. And if you’re working with slippery fabrics, a small amount of spray starch can make everything easier to handle.

Sizing Guide

This pattern is written for a standard newborn to three-month size, which fits a head circumference of roughly 13 to 14 inches. However, bonnets are wonderfully easy to resize, and below you’ll find measurements for several common sizes.

Newborn (0–3 months): Head circumference approximately 13–14 inches. Bonnet brim approximately 8 inches wide, center back height approximately 4 inches.

Small Baby (3–6 months): Head circumference approximately 15–16 inches. Bonnet brim approximately 9 inches wide, center back height approximately 4.5 inches.

Medium Baby (6–12 months): Head circumference approximately 17–18 inches. Bonnet brim approximately 10 inches wide, center back height approximately 5 inches.

Toddler (12–24 months): Head circumference approximately 19–20 inches. Bonnet brim approximately 11 inches wide, center back height approximately 5.5 inches.

When in doubt, size up. A slightly large bonnet can be gathered a bit tighter with the chin ties, while a too-small bonnet simply won’t go on at all. If you’re making this as a gift and don’t know the baby’s exact size, the 3–6 month range is a safe and generous choice.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Sewn Fabric Bonnet

Step 1: Cut Your Pieces

Using your fabric marker and ruler, cut the following pieces from both your main fabric and your lining fabric:

One brim piece measuring 9 inches wide and 4 inches tall (for the newborn size — adjust according to the sizing guide above). One back panel piece measuring 9 inches wide and 5 inches tall, which you will gather to create the rounded back of the bonnet.

If your pattern calls for it, you can also cut a separate neckband piece, though this simplified version skips that element and uses the lining itself to finish the neck edge.

Step 2: Gather the Back Panel

Set your sewing machine to the longest stitch length — usually a 4 or 5 on most machines — and sew two parallel rows of basting stitches along the top edge of your back panel piece, about an eighth of an inch apart and staying within the seam allowance. Leave long thread tails at both ends.

Pull gently on the bobbin threads to gather the fabric until the top of the back panel measures about the same width as your brim piece. Distribute the gathers evenly across the entire width, then tie off your threads to secure them. You want the gathers to look even and consistent — take a moment to spread them out with your fingertip before moving on.

Step 3: Attach the Back Panel to the Brim

With right sides together, pin the gathered edge of the back panel to the back edge of the brim piece. Sew together using a standard quarter-inch seam allowance, then press the seam open or toward the brim, depending on your fabric’s weight.

Repeat this step with your lining pieces, so you have two identical bonnet shapes — one in main fabric and one in lining fabric.

Step 4: Attach the Ties

Before you assemble the outer and lining layers, attach your ribbon or fabric ties. Cut two pieces of ribbon approximately 18 inches long each. Fold each piece in half and pin the folded end to the right side of your outer bonnet piece at each bottom corner of the brim, with the ribbon pointing toward the center of the bonnet and the raw edges aligned with the raw edge of the fabric. Baste in place.

Step 5: Assemble the Bonnet

Place your outer bonnet and lining bonnet right sides together, aligning all edges carefully. Sew around the entire perimeter with a quarter-inch seam allowance, leaving a gap of about 2 inches along one of the straight edges of the brim for turning.

Clip the curves along the back of the bonnet — small snips perpendicular to the seam line, being careful not to cut through the stitching. This will allow the fabric to lie flat when turned right side out. Trim the corners diagonally to reduce bulk.

Turn the bonnet right side out through the gap, using a point turner or the eraser end of a pencil to gently push out all the corners and smooth the curves. Press the entire bonnet flat with your iron, folding in the edges of the turning gap and pressing them under so they’re ready to be closed.

Step 6: Topstitch and Finish

Topstitch around the entire perimeter of the bonnet, about an eighth of an inch from the edge. This simultaneously closes your turning gap, secures the lining in place, and gives the bonnet a clean, professional-looking finish. If you’d like a more decorative touch, you can sew a second row of topstitching about a quarter inch inside the first.

That’s it. You’ve made a bonnet. Give everything one final press with your iron, tie the ribbons into a bow, and admire your work.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Knitted Bonnet

If you’re a knitter rather than a sewer, this version is for you. The knitted Easy Peasy Bonnet works up quickly in a flat panel that folds and seams into a classic bonnet shape.

Cast On and Work the Body

Cast on 40 stitches for the newborn size (adjust proportionally for larger sizes — add or subtract approximately 4 stitches per size). Work in stockinette stitch, or knit every row for a simpler garter stitch version, until your piece measures 4 inches from the cast-on edge.

Shape the Back

To create the rounded back of the bonnet, you’ll work a simple series of decreases. On a right-side row, knit to the last 3 stitches, knit two together, knit one. On the following wrong-side row, purl across. Repeat these two rows until you’ve decreased to about 20 stitches. If you’re working in garter stitch, simply knit to the last 3 stitches and decrease on every right-side row, knitting all wrong-side rows as well.

Finishing the Knitted Bonnet

Bind off your remaining stitches, leaving a long tail. Thread the tail onto your tapestry needle and use it to seam the back of the bonnet together using mattress stitch or whip stitch, creating the characteristic gathered back shape. Weave in all ends thoroughly since baby items need to survive lots of washing.

Pick up stitches along the front opening edge and work a few rows of garter stitch to create a simple brim. Bind off, then attach your ribbon ties at each bottom corner using your tapestry needle.

Block the finished bonnet gently by misting it with water and pinning it to shape, then letting it dry flat. This step makes an enormous difference in the final appearance of any knitted item.

Tips for Getting a Beautiful Result

A few small habits will dramatically improve the quality of your finished bonnet, even as a beginner.

Press as you go. Ironing each seam before moving on to the next step keeps everything flat and makes subsequent steps much easier. A well-pressed bonnet looks far more polished than one that skips this step.

Choose your fabric carefully. Tightly woven fabrics like quilting cotton and cotton lawn are easiest to work with because they don’t fray excessively and they hold their shape well. Avoid stretchy fabrics for your first attempt — they require a little more handling experience.

Don’t skip the clipping and notching step. Those little snips into the seam allowance on curved areas are what allow the bonnet to lie flat when turned. If you skip them, the finished bonnet will pucker and pull along the curves.

Use quality ribbon for the ties. Thin polyester ribbon can slip loose easily. A grosgrain ribbon, a velvet ribbon, or fabric self-ties made from your main fabric will all hold a bow more securely and look more intentional.

If your gathering looks uneven, don’t panic. Gathers are easy to redistribute before you sew them down permanently. Spend a moment with your fingertip, spreading the fabric evenly, and you’ll get a much neater result.

Customization Ideas

One of the most joyful parts of making handmade items is the ability to put your own stamp on them. Here are some ideas for making your Easy Peasy Bonnet completely your own.

Add a brim ruffle. Cut a strip of fabric twice the length of your brim edge and half the desired finished ruffle width, then gather it and sew it to the outer edge of the brim before assembling the bonnet layers. This adds a beautiful, old-fashioned charm.

Embroider a name or initial. A small name embroidered on the brim in simple stem stitch makes this bonnet an unforgettable personalized gift. Use washable embroidery floss and a transfer pen to mark your lettering before you begin.

Mix fabric prints. Use a bold floral for the outer layer and a coordinating stripe or dot for the lining. When you add the topstitch, a sliver of the lining peeks out around the edges and creates a lovely layered look.

Try a seasonal fabric. Liberty of London Tana Lawn prints make the most exquisite summer bonnets. A cozy flannel plaid makes a sweet winter version. A fine linen works beautifully for warmer months and photographs like a dream.

Add lace trim. A narrow lace trim sewn along the outer edge of the brim, just inside the topstitching line, turns a simple bonnet into something heirloom-worthy.

Caring for Handmade Bonnets

Because this bonnet is made for a baby, it needs to be easy to launder. If you’re using quilting cotton or cotton lawn, the bonnet can generally be machine washed on a gentle cycle in cool water and laid flat to dry. Pre-washing your fabric before cutting is strongly recommended to prevent any shrinkage after the bonnet is finished.

For knitted bonnets, follow the care instructions on your yarn label. Most washable wool and acrylic yarns can be machine washed on a delicate cycle, while untreated wool should always be hand washed to prevent felting.

Avoid high heat in the dryer, which can distort the shape of the bonnet and damage ribbon ties. A quick press with an iron after washing will restore the bonnet’s crisp, neat appearance.

Making This Bonnet as a Gift

If you’re making this bonnet as part of a baby shower gift, consider making two or three in coordinating fabrics for a beautiful gift set. Pair them with a matching burp cloth or bib using leftover fabric scraps, tuck everything into a muslin drawstring bag or a small basket, and you have a handmade gift that any new parent will genuinely love and use.

Consider including a small card with care instructions so the recipient knows how to keep the bonnet looking its best. A little note about the fabrics you chose — why you selected them, what they reminded you of — adds a personal touch that turns a lovely gift into a meaningful one.

Final Thoughts

The Easy Peasy Bonnet really does live up to its name. With a small handful of materials, a few hours of your time, and a willingness to try something new, you can create something genuinely beautiful and useful. This pattern is the kind that builds confidence — once you’ve made one, you’ll want to make five more, experimenting with fabrics and embellishments and sizes along the way.

Bonnets have endured for generations because they are both practical and deeply charming, and a handmade bonnet carries something no store-bought version ever can: the care and intention of the person who made it. Whether you’re a knitter, a sewer, or someone who’s just picking up a craft for the very first time, you are more than capable of making something beautiful with this pattern.

So gather your materials, find a quiet afternoon, and get started. Your Easy Peasy Bonnet is waiting to be made.