Free Pattern - Basic Beanie
As knitters, sometimes we just get the creative urge to make something right away.. as in right NOW kind of right away but it’s already evening and our local yarn store’s closed and waiting for an online order to arrive is definitely not an option.. In times like these, it’s up to our stash to prove itself and justify our yarny impulse buys!
A beanie makes a quick (and practical) project for such spontaneous creative urges and also has the ability to inject new life into one’s daily winter uniform.
The Cleome Smith Basic Beanie pattern includes instructions for four yarn weights.. fingering, dk, worsted and bulky (chunky) so you can choose your favorite yarn to work with. Not too tall, nor too snug, just a simple and cozy beanie.
Skill Level
Beginner/Easy
Sizes
S (M, L) to fit head circumference 19-20 (21-22, 23-24) inches / 48.5-51 (53-56, 58-61) cm
Finished circumference (approx. unstretched)
16 (18, 20) inches / 40.5 (45.75, 51) cm around hem
Finished length
7¾ (8½, 9¼) in / 19.5 (21.5, 23.5) cm
Skills Necessary
knitting, increasing, casting on
Gauge
fingering: 26sts and 40 rows to 4”/10cm on US size 3 (3.25mm) needles in stockinette stitch
dk: 21sts and 30 rows to 4”/10cm on US size 6 (4mm) needles in stockinette stitch
worsted: 18sts and 26 rows to 4”/10cm on US size 7 (4.5mm) needles in stockinette stitch
bulky: 12sts and 16 rows to 4”/10cm on US size 11 (8mm) needles in stockinette stitch
Yarn Requirements
fingering: 170 (190, 210) yds / 155 (175, 195) m of fingering weight yarn
dk: 140 (155, 170) yds / 130 (145, 155) m of dk weight yarn
worsted: 120 (135, 150) yds / 110 (125, 140) m of worsted weight yarn
bulky: 95 (100, 110) yds / 90 (95, 105) m of bulky weight yarn
Suggested Yarn
fingering: 1 (1, 1) 1.75oz/50g ball Drops Flora (65% wool, 35% Alpaca, 230 yds/210 m) in 05 “Dark Grey”
dk: 2 (2, 2) 1.75oz/50g balls Drops Lima (65% wool, 35% Alpaca, 109 yds/100 m) in 9015 “Grey”
worsted: 2 (2, 3) 1.75oz/50g balls Drops Alaska (100% wool, 76.5 yds/70 m) in 63 “Pearl Grey Mix”
bulky: 2 (2, 3) 1.75oz/50g balls Drops Snow (100% wool, 54 yds/50 m) in 01 “Off White”
Needles
fingering: 16” circular needle in US size 1 (2.25mm) and US size 3 (3.25mm) (or needle size to obtain gauge), double pointed needles in US size 3 (3.25mm)
dk: 16” circular needle in US size 3 (3.25mm) and US size 6 (4mm) (or needle size to obtain gauge), double pointed needles in US size 6 (4mm)
worsted: 16” circular needle in US size 5 (3.75mm) and US size 7 (4.5mm) (or needle size to obtain gauge), double pointed needles in US size 7 (4.5mm)
bulky: 16” circular needle in US size 10 (6mm) and US size 11 (8mm) (or needle size to obtain gauge), double pointed needles in US size 11 (8mm)
Notions
tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers, measuring tape
Abbreviations
b/o: bind off
bor: beginning of round
c/o: cast on
decr: decrease
dpn’s: double pointed needles
incr: increase
k: knit
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together
p: purl
pm: place marker
rnd: round
slm: slip marker
ssk: slip, slip, knit
st/sts: stitch/stitches
Pattern Notes
This hat is knit in the round on circular needles from the bottom up.
Pattern Instructions
Using smaller size circular needles, c/o
fingering: 144 (160, 176) sts
dk: 112 (128, 144) sts
worsted: 96 (112, 120) sts
bulky: 64 (66, 80) sts
Taking care not to twist stitches, pm and join to work in round. Work k1, p1 rib for 3 (3, 3) in / 7.5 (7.5, 7.5) cm.
Change to larger size needles.
Next rnd (decrease rnd):
fingering: {knit 2, k2tog} to EOR – 108 (120, 132) sts on needle
dk: {knit 2, k2tog} to EOR - 84 (96, 108) sts on needle
worsted: {knit 2, k2tog} to EOR - 72 (84, 90) sts on needle
bulky: sizes S and L: {knit 2, k2tog} to EOR - 48 (S) and 60 (L) sts on needle
size M: {knit 4, k2tog} 10 times, knit 3, k3tog – 54 sts on needle
Knit every round until piece measures
fingering: 5.25 (5.5, 5.75) inches / 13.5 (14, 14.5) cm
dk: 5.25 (5.5, 5.75) inches / 13.5 (14, 14.5) cm
worsted: 5.25 (5.5, 5.75) inches / 13.5 (14, 14.5) cm
bulky: 5 (5.25, 5.5) inches / 12.75 ( 13.25, 14) cm
from c/o edge
Next rnd:
fingering: {knit 18 (20, 22), pm} 5 times, knit 18 (20, 22)
dk: {knit 14 (16, 18), pm} 5 times, knit 14 (16, 18)
worsted: {knit 12 (14, 15), pm} 5 times, knit 12 (14, 15)
bulky: {knit 8 (9, 10), pm} 5 times, knit 8 (9, 10)
Next rnd (decr rnd):
all weights: *knit to 2 sts bef m, k2tog* to EOR – 6 sts decreased
Next rnd:
all weights: knit
Repeat these last 2 rnds until
fingering: 30 (30, 30)
dk: 30 (30, 30)
worsted:24 (24, 24)
bulky: 18 (18, 18)
sts remain on needles
Next rnd:
all weights: k2tog to EOR
fingering: 15 (15, 15)
dk: 15 (15, 15)
worsted: 12 (12, 12)
bulky: 9 (9, 9)
sts remain on needles.
Finishing
Break yarn leaving a 5 in / 12.5 cm tail from end of work and thread through the remaining sts with tapestry needle. Weave in and trim ends. Lightly block by soaking in lukewarm water with a mild wool wash. Gently drain water and squeeze out excess by rolling in a towel. Lay flat to dry while shaping to dimensions according to size knitted.
