Beginner Knitted Beanie Lesson

Work at your own pace

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Knit and measure a gauge swatch

   With the US 8 needles, cast on about 30 stitches and knit a square at least 6 in (15 cm) tall in stockinette: knit one row, then purl the next. Wash and dry it the way you plan to care for the beanie, then lay it flat without stretching. In the center, count the stitches across and the rows up within a 4 in (10 cm) square. The draft gauge is 18 stitches and 24 rows per 4 in (10 cm). If either count is higher, the fabric is tighter than the target; try a larger needle. If either count is lower, try a smaller needle. Even when row gauge differs, use the measured length, rather than row count alone, to decide when the hat is long enough.

2. 2

   Check the fit and cast on

   This one-size draft is intended for a 21–23 in (53–58 cm) head, with about 19.5 in (50 cm) of unstretched circumference. That gives the fabric room to stretch around the head. Using the US 7 needle, leave a 40 in (100 cm) yarn tail and cast on 88 stitches. Keep the work flat on the circular needle; do not join the stitches into a circle. The first and last 2 stitches will form garter-stitch edges, leaving 84 center stitches for the pattern.

3. 3

   Work the folded brim in 2×2 rib

   On a right-side row, knit the first 2 edge stitches, repeat knit 2 and purl 2 across the 84 center stitches (21 repeats), then knit the last 2 edge stitches. On each wrong-side row, knit the 2 edge stitches at both ends and work the center stitches as they appear: knit the V-shaped stitches and purl the bumpy stitches. Continue until the rib measures about 2 in (5 cm); measure it because rib row gauge can vary.

4. 4

   Knit the stockinette body

   Change to the US 8 needle. On right-side rows, knit across all stitches. On wrong-side rows, knit the first 2 stitches, purl until 2 stitches remain, then knit those last 2. This makes smooth V shapes on the outside and bumpy purl stitches on the inside, while the 2-stitch garter borders stay flat. Continue until the piece measures about 10 in (25 cm) from the cast-on edge, roughly 8 in (20 cm) beyond the brim.

5. 5

   Bind off and prepare the seam

   On a right-side row, knit 2 stitches, then knit 1 more and lift the earlier stitch over it and off the needle. Repeat that motion across the row, keeping the edge loose enough to stretch. Cut the yarn and pull it through the final loop. The cast-on edge is the bottom of the hat; the bind-off edge will be gathered into the crown.

6. 6

   Seam the sides with mattress stitch

   Fold the rectangle in half with its right side facing out and bring the two row-end edges together. Thread the long cast-on tail through the yarn needle. Starting at the lower edge, pick up the small horizontal bar between the edge stitch and the next stitch on one side, then the matching bar on the other side. Alternate sides every few stitches and gently snug the yarn so the seam closes without puckering. Stop when you reach the bind-off edge, then secure the tail on the inside.

7. 7

   Gather and secure the crown

   Thread a separate length of yarn through the bind-off edge all the way around the open top, passing through each stitch. Pull the yarn gradually to close the opening. If a small hole remains, make a second pass through the gathered stitches. Secure the yarn on the inside with several small stitches, then weave in the end.

8. 8

   Finish the beanie

   Weave in the remaining yarn ends on the inside without pulling the fabric out of shape. Fold the ribbed brim up by about 2 in (5 cm). Wash and dry the beanie according to the yarn label, then lay it flat to finish drying. Check the seam and crown are secure before wearing it.