Schnauzer Motif Ribbed Beanie

A cozy worsted-weight winter hat worked in the round from the brim up. Classic k2p2 ribbing gives stretch and warmth; a repeating schnauzer motif in two colors decorates the body. Simple decreases shape the crown. Beginner-friendly with basic colorwork.

Difficulty

Beginner

Sizes

One size (Adult Medium) Finished circumference: 20" (51 cm) unstretched, to fit 21–23" (53–58 cm) head Finished length: 8.5" (21.5 cm) from brim to crown (excluding optional pompom)

Yarn

Worsted weight yarn (MC and CC)

• MC (Main Color): 120 yd (110 m) – solid color for brim, background, and crown
• CC (Contrast Color): 40 yd (37 m) – for schnauzer motif Sample uses wool or wool-blend for warmth and stitch definition.

Needles

• US 6 (4 mm) 16" (40 cm) circular needle (for brim)
• US 8 (5 mm) 16" (40 cm) circular needle and set of DPNs (or magic loop) for body and crown Or sizes needed to obtain gauge.

Notions

• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle
• Optional: pompom maker and extra yarn for pompom

Gauge

20 sts and 28 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on larger needles, worked in the round. Take time to check gauge and adjust needle size if needed.

Abbreviations (US)

• CO: cast on
• k: knit
• p: purl
• k2tog: knit 2 together
• rnd(s): round(s)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• MC: main color
• CC: contrast color
• St st: stockinette stitch (knit every rnd in the round)
• pm: place marker
• sm: slip marker

Notes

• Hat is worked in the round. Join carefully, being careful not to twist; pm for beginning of rnd.
• Colorwork is stranded (Fair Isle style). Carry unused yarn loosely across the back; catch floats every 4–5 sts if longer.
• Read chart from right to left on every rnd (in-the-round).
• Change colors as indicated on the attached chart. Twist yarns at color changes to avoid holes.
• The schnauzer motif is 20 sts wide and repeats 5 times evenly around (100 sts total).

Attached Stitch Chart

Use the separate attached chart panel supplied with this pattern for the visual grid of the schnauzer motif. The chart appears as the companion stitch-chart asset immediately following the written pattern (or in the accompanying chart file/panel).

How to read the chart (knitting, in the round):

• Each square = 1 stitch.
• Work every chart row from right to left.
• Bottom row of the chart is Round 1 of the motif; work upward.
• Empty/background squares = MC; filled/motif squares = CC (or as labeled on the chart key).
• Repeat the 20-st chart width 5 times across each round (20 sts × 5 = 100 sts ✓).
• Work the full height of the chart once as written in the Body section.
• Yarn management: Use MC for background and CC for the schnauzer details. Carry the non-working yarn loosely on the wrong side. Catch long floats. Do not pull strands tight or the fabric will pucker.
• Stitch-count integration: Chart is designed for exactly 100 sts. No increases or decreases occur inside the chart rounds; stitch count remains 100 throughout the motif section.

Pattern Instructions

Brim

With smaller needles and MC, CO 100 sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist; pm for beg of rnd. Rnd 1: *K2, p2; rep from * to end. Repeat Rnd 1 until brim measures 1.5" (4 cm) from CO edge. Change to larger needles.

Body

With larger needles and MC, knit 2 rnds. Join CC and work the schnauzer motif from the Attached Stitch Chart as follows: Work Chart Rounds 1–[full chart height] once, reading every rnd right to left, repeating the 20-st motif 5 times per rnd (100 sts). After completing the chart, break CC. Continue with MC only in St st (knit every rnd) until piece measures 6.5" (16.5 cm) from CO edge.

Crown Shaping

Change to DPNs when needed. Setup: The 100 sts divide evenly into 10 sections of 10 sts. Rnd 1 (dec): *K8, k2tog; rep from * to end. (10 sts decreased, 90 sts) Rnd 2: Knit. Rnd 3 (dec): *K7, k2tog; rep from * to end. (80 sts) Rnd 4: Knit. Rnd 5 (dec): *K6, k2tog; rep from * to end. (70 sts) Rnd 6: Knit. Rnd 7 (dec): *K5, k2tog; rep from * to end. (60 sts) Rnd 8: Knit. Rnd 9 (dec): *K4, k2tog; rep from * to end. (50 sts) Rnd 10: Knit. Rnd 11 (dec): *K3, k2tog; rep from * to end. (40 sts) Rnd 12: Knit. Rnd 13 (dec): *K2, k2tog; rep from * to end. (30 sts) Rnd 14: Knit. Rnd 15 (dec): *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. (20 sts) Rnd 16: Knit. Rnd 17 (dec): *K2tog; rep from * to end. (10 sts)

Finishing

Break yarn, leaving an 8" (20 cm) tail. Thread tail through remaining 10 sts, pull tight to close crown, and secure on wrong side. Weave in all ends neatly on the wrong side, taking care to neaten colorwork floats if needed. Block gently if desired to even the colorwork (do not stretch ribbing). Optional: Attach a pompom in MC or CC to the crown.