Child’s Beanie with Owl + Fox Appliques

A cozy knit beanie for a child (approx 2–6 years) with two small crochet appliques: an owl and a fox. Knit the hat in worsted weight yarn and crochet the appliques separately, then sew them on. Safe for children when eyes and small bits are stitched securely.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted/Aran weight (US #4). Main color (MC) 120 yards / 110 m; Contrast A (owl/fox body) 40–60 yards / 37―55 m; Contrast B (beaks, nose) 15 yards / 14 m; Small scraps for eyes and pupils 10 yards / 9 m each. (Imperial & Metric sizes listed.)
• Knitting needles: Circular needle 16”/40 cm and set of double-pointed needles (or magic loop) US 7 — UK (old) 7 — 4.5 mm. Optional ribbing needles: US 6 — UK (old) 8 — 4.0 mm if you prefer a firmer brim.
• Crochet hook for appliques: US G/6 — UK 8 — 4.0 mm.
• Notions: tapestry needle, stitch marker, scrap yarn or safety eyes only if for older child (recommend embroidered eyes for safety), small amount of stuffing for applique ears/nose if you want a slight 3D effect, pins for placement, scissors.

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch using US 7 (4.5 mm). Adjust needle size to match gauge.

Finished Measurements & Suggested Sizes

• Toddler (1–3 yrs): circumference ~16” / 41 cm — CO 72 sts
• Child (2–6 yrs) [sample]: circumference ~18” / 46 cm — CO 80 sts
• Older child (7–10 yrs): circumference ~19.5” / 50 cm — CO 88 sts

Length from cast-on edge to crown (before decreases): 6–6.5 inches / 15–16.5 cm (adjust by knitting more/less rounds).

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit 2 together
• SSK = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd = round
• RS = right side

Notes

Hat is worked in the round from the brim up. Appliques are crocheted flat in the round then sewn on. For safety, sew small pieces and avoid plastic eyes for toddlers; embroidery is preferred.

Knitting the Beanie (example: Child CO 80)

1. CO 80 sts with long-tail or preferred stretchy cast-on. Place marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.
2. Brim: Work 1.5 inches / 4 cm in 2x2 rib (K2, P2) using US 6 (4.0 mm) if you want a snug brim, or US 7 (4.5 mm) to match body gauge.
3. Body: Switch to stockinette in the round (knit every round) on US 7. Knit until hat measures 5.5–6 inches / 14–15 cm from cast-on edge (or desired length before crown decreases).
4. Crown decreases (work decrease rounds with a plain knit round between decrease rounds):

Round 1 (dec): *K8, K2tog; repeat from * to end.       (80 -> 72 sts)
Round 2: Knit
Round 3 (dec): *K7, K2tog; repeat from * to end.       (72 -> 64 sts)
Round 4: Knit
Round 5 (dec): *K6, K2tog; repeat from * to end.       (64 -> 56 sts)
Round 6: Knit
Round 7 (dec): *K5, K2tog; repeat from * to end.       (56 -> 48 sts)
Round 8: Knit
Round 9 (dec): *K4, K2tog; repeat from * to end.       (48 -> 40 sts)
Round 10: Knit
Round 11 (dec): *K3, K2tog; repeat from * to end.       (40 -> 32 sts)
Round 12: Knit
Round 13 (dec): *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end.       (32 -> 24 sts)
Round 14: Knit
Round 15 (dec): *K1, K2tog; repeat from * to end.       (24 -> 16 sts)
Round 16: Knit
Round 17 (dec): *K2tog; repeat from * to end.           (16 -> 8 sts)

5. Cut yarn leaving a 12-inch / 30 cm tail. Thread tail through tapestry needle and draw through remaining 8 sts, pull tight to close crown. Secure and weave in ends on WS.
6. Block gently if desired and weave in all ends.

Crochet Owl Applique (small, about 2.25” / 5.5 cm diameter)

1. Using Contrast A (owl body color) and crochet hook 4.0 mm.
2. Round 1: Magic ring, ch1, 6 sc in ring. (6)
3. Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12)
4. Round 3: *2 sc in next st, sc in next; repeat from * around. (18)
5. Round 4: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 2; repeat. (24)
6. Round 5: Sc in each st around (24). Optional: change to MC and do one round of sc to create contrast face circle.
7. Round 6: If you want a slightly larger face, *sc in next 3, 2 sc in next; repeat. (30) - optional
8. Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing.
9. Eyes (make 2): With white scrap, magic ring, 6 sc in ring. (6) Fasten off, leave tail. Sew onto owl body. Pupils: embroider small French knot or sew on small black yarn dots.
10. Beak: With contrast B (yellow/orange), ch 3, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next, sl st in next st on body to attach as small triangle. Alternatively crochet a tiny triangle 3 sc closed and sew in place.
11. Ears: Make 2 small triangles: ch 3, sc 2, sl st to close into triangular shape; sew to top of circle. Optionally add a tiny stitch of stuffing before closing for a slight 3D ear.

Crochet Fox Applique (small, about 2.25” / 5.5 cm diameter)

1. Using Contrast A (fox orange) and crochet hook 4.0 mm.
2. Round 1: Magic ring, ch1, 6 sc in ring. (6)
3. Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12)
4. Round 3: *2 sc in next st, sc in next; repeat. (18)
5. Round 4: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 2; repeat. (24)
6. Round 5: Sc around in orange. (24)
7. Face patch: Switch to white (or cream) yarn and sl st into center front area then ch1 and sc 8–10 to make a small patch; sew patch onto orange circle.
8. Ears (make 2): With orange, ch4, sc across (3 sts), change to white for 1 sc at tip (optional), fold and sew a short seam to make triangular ear. Attach to top of circle.
9. Nose: With black or dark brown, embroider a small triangle or sew a tiny crochet triangle as with the owl beak.

Placement & Finishing

1. Decide placement on hat: common placement is one motif centered on front, or both motifs side-by-side with about 1–2 inches / 2.5–5 cm between them. For balance measure from brim and place pins before sewing.
2. Sew appliques using matching yarn and mattress or whipstitch around edges. Make sure stitches are small and secure for child safety.
3. Weave in all ends on the wrong side. If you added small stuffing in ears or noses, ensure those seams are tightly sewn and reinforced.

Safety & Care

• For young children (under 3) do NOT use plastic safety eyes or buttons. Embroider pupils and features securely with yarn.
• Machine wash gentle cycle in a mesh bag or hand wash; lay flat to dry to keep shape.

Troubleshooting & Tips

• Adjust the final length before crown decreases to fit the wearer’s head height preference.
• To make the hat slouchier, add 1–2 extra inches before starting decreases.
• If your gauge is different, calculate cast-on as: (Desired circumference in inches / 4) * gauge stitches-per-4-inches and round to a number that fits your decrease repeat (for this decrease sequence, multiples of 8/10 work well; sample sizes use 72/80/88).
• Secure appliques with a small running stitch first, then reinforce around the edges. Knot and bury yarn tails.

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