Striped Two-Colour Beanie (knit in the round)
A clean, modern beanie worked in worsted weight yarn with alternating stripes of two colours. Worked top-down (brim first) in the round; instructions for newborn, baby, child, adult and adult large. Includes options for fitted or slouchy fit and for magic-loop or DPNs.
Finished measurements
- Newborn: circumference ~13" (33 cm), depth ~5" (12.5 cm)
- Baby: circumference ~15" (38 cm), depth ~6" (15 cm)
- Child: circumference ~17" (43 cm), depth ~7" (18 cm)
- Adult (average): circumference ~20.4" (52 cm), depth ~8.5" (21.5 cm)
- Adult Large: circumference ~22.2" (56 cm), depth ~9" (23 cm)
Materials
- Yarn: Worsted weight (US 4 / Aran). Suggested: any smooth worsted in two contrasting colours (Color A and Color B).
- Yarn amounts (approx, Imperial and Metric): Newborn total ~75 yds (69 m) — A 40 yds (37 m), B 35 yds (32 m). Baby total ~100 yds (91 m) — A 50 yds (46 m), B 50 yds (46 m). Child total ~125 yds (114 m) — A 65 yds (60 m), B 60 yds (55 m). Adult total ~150 yds (137 m) — A 75 yds (69 m), B 75 yds (69 m). Adult Large total ~175 yds (160 m) — A 90 yds (82 m), B 85 yds (78 m). A typical 100 g worsted ball ≈ 180–220 yds (165–200 m); one ball will usually cover an adult hat split across colours.
- Needles: Recommended for gauge: US 8 (5.0 mm) 16"/40 cm circular needle (or 24"/60 cm for larger circumferences) + set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) in the same size OR use magic-loop method. Ribbing may be worked tighter on a smaller needle: US 7 (4.5 mm). Needle size equivalents: US 7 = 4.5 mm (UK (old) ≈ 7), US 8 = 5.0 mm (UK (old) ≈ 6). Optional slouchy: US 9 = 5.5 mm (UK (old) ≈ 5).
- Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors.
Gauge
18 sts and 24 rounds = 4"/10 cm in stockinette, worked in the round on US 8 (5.0 mm). Adjust needle size if necessary to match gauge.
Abbreviations
- k = knit
- p = purl
- k2tog = knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
- ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rnd = round
- CO = cast on
- BO = bind off
Stitch counts (cast-on)
Based on 18 sts/4" (4.5 sts per inch). Cast on a multiple of 4 to keep 2x2 rib tidy.
- Newborn: CO 60 sts (16" circumference at this gauge ≈13.3")
- Baby: CO 68 sts (≈15.1")
- Child: CO 76 sts (≈16.9")
- Adult: CO 92 sts (≈20.4")
- Adult Large: CO 100 sts (≈22.2")
Note on fit
For a snug fit, use the smaller cast-on or smaller needles; for slouch increase length before decreases or go up a needle size for a relaxed fabric.
Pattern notes
Stripes: worked in the round. This pattern uses 2 rnds per colour for a crisp thin stripe; for wider stripes use 4 rnds per colour. To avoid a jog when changing colour in the round use the jogless stripe technique: on the first rnd of the new colour, knit the first stitch through the back loop (k tbl) or slip the first stitch purlwise with yarn in front, then continue. Carry colour not in use up the inside or cut and weave ends every 2–4 rounds depending on stripe width.
Instructions
1. Cast on & brim
Using smaller needle (US 7/4.5 mm) if you prefer a firmer brim, CO chosen number of stitches for your size. Join to work in the round, taking care not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.
Work 2x2 rib (k2, p2) for 1.5" (3.8 cm) for newborn/baby, 2" (5 cm) for child, 2.25" (5.7 cm) for adult, 2.5" (6.3 cm) for adult large. Change to US 8 (5.0 mm) for body if you used smaller needles.
2. Body & stripes
Work in stockinette (knit every rnd) changing colours every 2 rnds (or 4 rnds for wider stripes). Stripe sequence example starting with Color A (brim in A): Rnd 1–2: Color A, Rnd 3–4: Color B, Rnd 5–6: Color A, etc. Continue until hat measures (from cast-on): Newborn 5" (12.5 cm) total depth; Baby 6" (15 cm); Child 7" (18 cm); Adult 8.5" (21.5 cm); Adult Large 9" (23 cm). For a slouchy hat add 1–2" (2.5–5 cm) before beginning crown decreases.
3. Crown decreases
Begin decreases in the round, keeping stripe pattern as much as possible. A simple, even decrease scheme that works for the provided cast-on counts is:
Repeat the following sequence until about 8–12 sts remain (you'll see the hat narrowing):
- Decrease rnd: *K8, k2tog* repeat to end of rnd.
- Knit 1 rnd plain.
- Decrease rnd: *K7, k2tog* repeat.
- Knit 1 rnd plain.
- Decrease rnd: *K6, k2tog* repeat.
- Knit 1 rnd plain.
- Continue decreasing in this pattern, reducing the number of plain knit stitches between decreases by one each decrease rnd (K5, K4, K3, K2, K1) until you are doing *K1, k2tog* around.
After you have completed *K1, k2tog* round, work one final round of k2tog around to reduce to approximately 8 sts (depending on starting count). Cut yarn leaving a 8–10" tail. Thread tail through remaining sts with a tapestry needle, pull tight to close the top, secure, and weave in ends.
Alternative crown (if you prefer evenly spaced decreases)
You can also decrease by placing 8 evenly spaced decrease markers and decreasing 1 stitch at each marker every other round until 8 sts remain. This requires counting to space markers evenly (divide total sts by number of decreases needed).
Finishing
- Weave in all ends on the inside.
- Smooth seams, block lightly if desired: gentle steam or damp towel to shape.
Tips & variants
- To carry yarn up the inside during stripes: when not in use, twist the two yarns every 4–6 stitches to catch the unused yarn and keep floats tidy; do not carry for more than 4–6 rnds to avoid long floats.
- For a pompom: make a pompom from either colour and sew to the crown after closing. Fasten securely.
- To avoid stripe jogs in the round use the jogless join method or alternate the first stitch of the round as described in the pattern notes.
Troubleshooting
- If your hat is too tight: use larger needles or one extra needle size (US 9/5.5 mm) and/or increase cast-on by +4 sts.
- If too loose: try smaller needles or decrease depth before decreasing.
Copyright & support
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