Beanie with Crosses

A streamlined, modern knitted beanie worked in the round featuring a repeated 'cross' cable motif. Worked in worsted weight yarn on circular needles; instructions for four adult sizes and clear stitch definitions make this a confident-first-cables project or a compact, quick knit on chilly evenings.

Finished sizes

• Small: finished circumference about 19.5 in / 50 cm (best for 20 in / 51 cm head)
• Medium: about 21.3 in / 54 cm (best for 22 in / 56 cm head)
• Large: about 23.1 in / 59 cm (best for 24 in / 61 cm head)
• X-Large: about 24.9 in / 63 cm (best for 26 in / 66 cm head)

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight / Aran (#4). Typical commercial example: 100 g = approx 200 yds / 183 m. Required yardage per size (approx): Small 150 yds / 137 m (~80 g), Medium 175 yds / 160 m (~95 g), Large 200 yds / 183 m (~110 g), X-Large 225 yds / 206 m (~125 g). Plan on 1 skein (100 g) for S-M if your skeins are 200 yds, 2 skeins may be needed for L-XL depending on skein size.
• Needles: US 7 / UK 7 / 4.5 mm circular needle 16 in / 40 cm for Small and Medium (or use magic loop on 32 in / 80 cm), US 7 / UK 7 / 4.5 mm circular 32 in / 80 cm or magic loop recommended for Large and X-Large. Double-pointed needles US 7 / UK 7 / 4.5 mm for crown decreases or use magic loop.
• Optional alternative tension: If you prefer a looser fabric, use US 8 / UK 6 / 5.0 mm.
• Notions: cable needle (or spare dpn), stitch marker, tapestry needle, ruler or tape measure, scrap yarn for provisional cast-on or for holding stitches while shaping if required.

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette stitch using US 7 / 4.5 mm needles after blocking. Because the cross cable motif pulls fabric in slightly, check that your blocked circumference matches the finished sizes above. Adjust needle size if necessary.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• k = knit
• p = purl
• k2tog = knit two together
• p2tog = purl two together
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker
• cn = cable needle
• C4B = Slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold to back, k2 from left needle, then k2 from cable needle
• C4F = Slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold to front, k2 from left needle, then k2 from cable needle

Cross motif stitch pattern

The cross is formed with a small 8-stitch, 8-row cable repeat. Work this pattern in the round. The motif is written for multiples of 8 stitches and repeats around the hat.

Cross pattern (multiple of 8 sts) — repeat to end of round
Round 1 (RS): *k3, p2, k3*     (establish)
Round 2:            *k3, p2, k3*
Round 3:            *k1, C4B, k1*    (first crossing)
Round 4:            *k1, p2, k1*
Round 5:            *k3, p2, k3*
Round 6:            *k1, p2, k1*
Round 7:            *k1, C4F, k1*    (second crossing — opposite direction)
Round 8:            *k1, p2, k1*

Repeat rounds 1–8 for the band of crosses.

Construction notes

• The hat begins with a K2/P2 rib brim, then continues into the cross motif worked in full rounds. Because the motif is an 8-stitch multiple, the cast-on counts below are chosen to match the motif repeat exactly.
• You may change the brim length to taste. For a slouchier hat, add 3–4 in / 7–10 cm extra to the body length before beginning crown decreases.

Cast-on and body

• Small: CO 88 sts. Join, pm for beginning of round. Work k2, p2 rib for 1.5 in / 4 cm. Switch to cross pattern and work rounds 1–8 until piece measures 7.5 in / 19 cm from cast-on edge.
• Medium: CO 96 sts. Join, pm. Rib k2, p2 for 1.5 in / 4 cm. Work cross pattern until piece measures 7.5 in / 19 cm from cast-on edge.
• Large: CO 104 sts. Join, pm. Rib k2, p2 for 1.75 in / 4.5 cm. Work cross pattern until piece measures 8.5 in / 21.5 cm from cast-on edge.
• X-Large: CO 112 sts. Join, pm. Rib k2, p2 for 1.75 in / 4.5 cm. Work cross pattern until piece measures 8.5 in / 21.5 cm from cast-on edge.

Crown shaping

When you have completed the desired body length, you will switch to plain stockinette and begin decreases. The decrease sequence below assumes your stitch count is a multiple of 8 (as above). These decreases are simple and keep shaping even; the cross motif will finish on the crown edge and then the decreases will close the top.

1. Change to dpns or continue with magic loop if you prefer.
2. Round A: *k6, k2tog* repeat to end.
3. Round B: knit.
4. Round C: *k5, k2tog* repeat to end.
5. Round D: knit.
6. Round E: *k4, k2tog* repeat to end.
7. Round F: knit.
8. Round G: *k3, k2tog* repeat to end.
9. Round H: knit.
10. Round I: *k2, k2tog* repeat to end.
11. Round J: knit.
12. Round K: *k1, k2tog* repeat to end.
13. Round L: *k2tog* repeat to end.

When you have 8 or fewer stitches remaining, break yarn leaving a 10 in / 25 cm tail, thread through tapestry needle and pull through remaining stitches to close. Pull tight and weave in end on WS. Weave in all ends and block gently to even the fabric.

Notes on the cable crosses

• If you prefer a more pronounced, deeper cross, use a cable needle and hold stitches tighter while working C4B and C4F.
• If you prefer a flatter cross, do the crosses as twisted stitches: slip 2 to cn and work knit tbl for the front stitches instead of regular knit — this will tighten the cross.

Variations

• Two-color option: Work the crosses in a contrasting color using intarsia or stranded technique; for a clean colorwork look use slipped-stitch mosaic instead of cables and follow a 2-color chart where the cross squares are the contrast color.
• Slouchy: Add 1.5–3 in / 4–8 cm to the body length before beginning crown decreases.
• Lined: Knit a thinner lining hat in stockinette and stitch inside for added warmth.

Blocking and finishing

Block gently to relax the stitches and even the motif. Pin the crown closed over a rounded form to help shape it. Weave in ends securely. Optional pompom: attach a pompom after weaving ends; make sure it is secured with a knot and then weave tail inside the hat several times.

Troubleshooting

• Motif offset: If your number of stitches is not a multiple of 8, you will need to add or remove stitches in the ribbing to make the cast-on a multiple of 8 so the crosses line up.
• Hat too small or large: Adjust needle size one full size down or up and rework gauge swatch; recalculate cast-on by multiplying desired circumference (in inches) by your stitches per inch, then round to the nearest multiple of 8.

Stitch glossary

C4B: Slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold to back of work. Knit next 2 sts from left needle then knit 2 sts from cable needle. C4F: Slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold to front of work. Knit next 2 sts from left needle then knit 2 sts from cable needle.

Designer notes

This pattern was written for clarity and adaptability. The crosses read best on a stockinette background with a slightly firm gauge; if your stitches are very loose, the crosses will blur. If you want a crisper cross, block firmly or choose a yarn with good stitch definition (wool or wool blends).

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