Simple Two-Needle Knitted Beanie Hat Tutorial

Pam asked for a tutorial on the little knitted beanie hats, so here goes.  I have to warn everyone that I pretty much 'wing it' where knitting patterns are concerned so although this hat was originally based on a hat pattern I saw somewhere or other it has been pretty much altered beyond all recognition by me over the past few years.  You can use any thickness of yarn and any size of needle to make the hats.  All my hats have been knitted up from various thrifted yarns (a lot of them Rowan yarns) I've come across.

You need to cast on enough stitches to end up with 2 x 2 rib that is approx. 18.5 inches wide.   As you also need the correct permutation of stitch numbers to successfully work the decrease on the crown of the hat it's easiest to work from that formula first.  For example, the last few hats I knitted were done on 5 mm needles. I worked out that I would need to cast on 81 stitches which would give me a decrease starting row of knit 8, knit 2 together (repeated 8 times) plus 1 (so that the knit 2 together is not at the end of the row) = 81 stitches to cast on.  (I know the 81 doesn't tally with the 2 x 2 rib but as long as you remember there is a spare single stitch at the end of the row and work it knit or purl accordingly, that's fine.)

If you are using finer yarn, or smaller needles then you'll need to increase the number of stitches you cast on.  For example, this fine baby blue mohair one was cast on with 118 stitches (knit 11, knit 2 together x 9 = 117 plus 1 = 118.)

Once you've established the number of stitches to cast on, work a 2 x 2 rib for six or eight rows, depending on the thickness of the yarn, using 1/2 mm size smaller needles than the ball band recommends.  Change to the recommended needle size and knit in stocking stitch (knit one row, purl the next) until the hat measures approx. 5.5 inches, ending with a purl row.  At this point you need to change back to the slightly smaller needles and start the decrease rows.

The decreases are always done on the knit row so, for example, knit 8 stitches, knit 2 together, repeat until the end of the row when there should be one stitch left, knit that one stitch.  Then purl one row and on the next knit row knit 7 stitches, knit 2 together, repeat until the end of the row.  This continues until you've ended up with a row where you just knit 2 together all the way along.  At this point there should be 10 stitches (or thereabouts) on the needles. 

Cut a long enough piece thread to sew up the seam of the hat, thread a wool needle, slip the remaining 10 stitches off the knitting needle onto the wool needle, pull the thread tight and then commence sewing up the seam with the right sides of your hat together.  Your hat is now finished and should fit snugly with the edge just above your eyebrows.

Decorate however you like, with wool flowers, knitted flowers, buttons, a brooch, or just leave plain.  Wear, enjoy, and keep your head warm this winter.

I've got a couple of these beanies myself and they're very useful in the colder weather.  As soon as it gets a bit chillier I'll be putting the ones above up for sale on ebay.  I sold quite a few last winter and I'm hoping they'll go well this year too, especially in the run-up to Christmas.  I've also got some rather yummy bright-red mohair that I want to knit up into hats for sale too - that is if I ever finish the scarf I'm knitting for myself, its taking me A-G-E-S.

Any obvious howlers in the pattern or incomprehensible blather, please let me know and I'll try and correct and / or clarify.

Comments

[Jennifer]

Cute hats!

[Julie]

Thanks for the pattern! Just finished making one with a flower from
http://www.knitonthenet.com/issue6/patterns/flowerpower/
Here's a picture:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44014883@N08/4041211221/

[Drenay]

these are amazingly adorable!
thanks for the pattern!

are they seamed in the back?

[Elizabeth Yule]

Hi - Thanks for your kind comment, glad you like the pattern. Yes, the hats are seamed at the back. All the best,Elizabeth

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[Katy]

I found this googling for two needle hats... still haven't tried Magic Loop, so this is really handy! Thanks!

[Eileen Maga]

I love the pattern and the variety of hats. I am not getting the formula you used to determine the number of decrease rows though. Can I use this pattern to knit a baby hat for a newborn and up ? thanks, from Eileen if you can help me.

[Louise]

I am not getting the formula either. Can you not do an extra k1 at the beginning and end of a row - the selvedge edges for when you sew together? Also I don't get the k7 k2 together bit. you say this continues but you don't say how. Every row k7 k2 together until when? (I mean when do you stop doing that and do k 2 together all the way along.) Or do you start at k7 and k2 together for the first row and then on the second every 6 and then every 5 and so on. I'm afraid it just isn't clear.

I'm really not able to work out how many stitches to cast on either as your formula is really vague here too. The hats are cute but I don't think I will be able to make them sadly!

[Elizabeth Yule]

Thanks for your comment about the two-needled beanie hats. Sorry the formula is a bit vague. With the decreases, yes - it should be k7, k2tog on the first decrease row, followed by a purl row, then on the second decrease row it will be k6, k2 tog, purl a row, then k5, k2tog, etc etc until you end up with k2tog on all stitches on the last row. The odd stitch at the end of each row is just to make it neater when the hat is sewn up as it gives a bit of leeway on the selvedge for sewing and you could certainly do an extra stitch at the beginning and end of the row if you wanted.

Casting on really depends on what size hat you want to make, how thick the wool is and then what size needles you are using. If you were going to start decreasing with the k7, k2tog row youd need to cast on either 82 stitches (7+2 x 9 + 1 = 82) or, if the wool was thicker so you needed less stitches for the circumference of the hat, 73 stitches (7+2 x 8 + 1 = 73.) If the wool was finer and the needles smaller then youd probably need to cast on more stitches and start decreasing with a k8, k2tog row (8+2 x 10 +1 = 101.)

Hope that makes a more sense. Sorry for the confusion.

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[Elisabeth Collins]

BRILLIANT! Just what I have been looking for.A simple, pretty pattern with lots of potential for lovely colours, embroidery and felt decorations.I am hoping to have A big box of beanies,warm scarves and fingerless gloves for homeless people and street kids next winter. The Salvation Army will know what to do with them. Thanks a bunch !
Best wishes, Elisabeth.