LTK Cuties

Round Loom Hat Size Calculator

Which loom, how many pegs, how many rows — instantly

Pick a Head Size

Tap a size to auto-fill, or enter an exact measurement below

Your Yarn & Stitch

Loom knitting gauges vary — these defaults are good starting approximations. Swatch to confirm!

Measure around the forehead, above the ears
Most big-box round looms are large gauge — double the worsted

Your Hat Plan

Pick a size or enter a head measurement to see your plan

Round Loom Quick Chart

The classic 4-loom set (peg counts & diameters are the common Boye / Knifty Knitter–style sizes — approximate)

LoomPegsDiameterTypical Hat Size
Small24~5.5"Preemie & newborn
Medium31~7.5"Baby 6–12 mo & toddler
Large36~9.5"Child, teen & most adults
Extra Large41~11.5"Large adult & slouchy styles

Loom Hat FAQ

The questions every loom knitter asks

What size loom do I need for an adult hat?

For a fitted adult hat (21–23" head) with 2 strands of worsted in e-wrap, use the 36-peg (~9.5") loom. Large adult heads or slouchy styles: 41-peg (~11.5").

Should the hat be smaller than the head measurement?

Yes — aim for a finished circumference about 8–10% smaller than the head so the hat stretches to fit snugly. This calculator builds the ease in for you.

How many rows before I close the crown?

Knit to the target hat height: ~5" newborn, ~6.5" toddler, 8–8.5" adult, then gather. Folded brim? Add ~2" of extra rows.

E-wrap or u-stitch?

E-wrap is stretchier and faster — the default for hats. U-stitch is denser and runs ~10–15% more stitches per inch, so it knits up slightly smaller on the same loom.

Also crochet? Matching hat & baby patterns:

Browse beanie & hat patterns →
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