Simple Beanie with Variations

Simple Beanie

There are many charities who accept donations of knitted hats. This particular pattern was given to us by the Red Cross many years ago, and has been the simplest possible pattern I have encountered so far. 


Charities require donations be of machine washable and dryable acrylic yarn created items only, so keep that in mind when choosing yarns to create things for charitable donations.


Over the years I have adapted the pattern and used a variety of yarns for personal, family and friend use, including natural fibers. I have knitted them with Fair Isle and cable work patterns for variation, using self-striping, and gradient yarns, with great results. 


For the Adult Size:

Cast on 96 stitches onto cable or DPN's for knitting in the round. Join, making sure all stitches are in the same direction, and begin working in K2, P2 ribbing for about an inch, or your preferred ribbing pattern, and width for the ribbed section, based on the person you are making this for. 

I have gone up to 2 inches of ribbing, and I have used K1, P1, and K3, P1, for lovely ribbing patterns as well, however the K3, P1 pattern is more stretchy, so take that into account when choosing an alternate ribbing pattern. 

Now, this is where you can be creative in most patterns. The remainder of this pattern is in Stockinette Stitch, however you can use whatever fits into a 96 stitch pattern from here on, as long as when you begin the decreasing it will work with the pattern you are using. That is for the adventurous beginner to advanced knitter, perhaps, but go for it! Learn new skills and enjoy being creative.

Basic Pattern: 

After the ribbing, knit in Stockinette Stitch for 9 inches from beginning. [As the pattern is decreased, switch to double-pointed needles if not already using them.]

Decrease Rows:

First Decrease Row: K2 Together around

Second Row: Knit

Third Row: K2 Together around

Fourth Row: Knit

Fifth Row: K2 Together around; You should have about 12 stitches left on your needles. 

Sixth Row: Cut yarn leaving a long tail [give it about 12 inches], and thread a darning needle with the yarn. Slip the needle through the remaining stitches, off of the knitting needles, and draw it up tight. Weave in the rest of the yarn on the inside of the hat, and weave in any other ends, if you have done color work. You can also use that yarn tail to sew on a Pom of your choice as shown in the photo.

NOTE: If you do not have cable needles for knitting in the round, or DPN's, this can be knitted flat with straight needles. Just adjust the pattern accordingly, for decreasing, to:

Row 1 Decrease: [Right Side] K2 Together across, ending with K1

Rows 2, 4: Purl each stitch

Row 3: K2 together across, ending with K1

Row 5: K2 together across; You should have 12 stitches left on the needles

Use the same method as mentioned above to take the remaining stitches off of the knitting needles, and weave in the ends. 

Optional: Attach Faux Fur Pom, or handmade pom using coordinating colors. Shown: Faux Fur Pom 

Variation: Natural Fibers


This hat was done in the basic pattern, but with Baby Alpaca, in the Ivory color, and Alpaca/Silk blend in the Camel color, knitted together, and with a slightly larger stitch count to compensate for the sport weight yarn used. I believe I used 120 stitches on 3.5 mm needles. I did this before writing down what I did, as often happens.


Note to self: When being creative, write it down. 


VARIATION Stitch Pattern: Pearl Brioche Stitch

NOTE: This pattern is written for knitting flat, with straight needles, so when knitting in the round you will only be knitting the stitches. No purls necessary.

Knitted in multiples of 2 stitches, and a 4-Row repeat

Row 1: [Wrong Side] k2, *yf, sl1, yo, K1; repeat from * to end

Row 2: [Right side] K1, *brk1, K1; repeat from * to last stitch, K1

Row 3: [WS] K1, *yf, sl1, yo, K1; repeat from * to last stitch, K1

Row 4: [RS] K2, *brk1, K1; repeat from * to end

Knitting Stitch Abbreviations:

YF, SL1, YO: Bring working yarn to front under the needle, slip 1 stitch purl-wise, bring working yarn over top of needle to the back. 

BRK: Knit the stitch that was slipped in the previous row together with its yarn over.