Pattern Overview
I saw the yarn for this cap at a farmers market and the color immediately drew me in from across the field. Once I got my hands on it and felt how soft and squishy it was, I knew it was the perfect choice for a new winter beanie/cap. I’ve always wanted to knit a beanie, but was intimidated by complicated shaping methods. I wanted to avoid the unflattering bunching of a completely unshaped “tube” hat though, so I decided to experiment with a super simple shaping method to reduce some of that bulk at the crown of the cap.
The result is a fun and easy make consisting of mostly 2×2 rib in the round, with a handful of shaping rounds at the end. This ribbing pattern is insanely stretchy, so this hat should fit a variety of head sizes. I chose a pretty long base length so that I could have an additional roll at my brim (to keep my ears nice and toasty), or do one roll to have a slouchier look.
Supplies Needed
- 4mm (US size 6) needles (or size needed to create a tight but stretchy fabric). I personally used these Chiaogoo 16 inch circular needles, but you could use double pointed needles (DPNs) instead if you prefer.
- Roughly 160 yards Sportweight/DK weight yarn
Stitches/Skills Needed
- Knit (k)
- Purl (p)
- Knit 2 together (k2tog)
- Purl 2 together (p2tog)
Pattern Overview
Row 1: Cast on 100 stitches using the longtail cast-on or another similarly stretchy cast-on method. This will be the brim/open end of your hat, so it’s very important it is extremely stretchy
Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker to indicate the first stitch of the round. Do not turn your work at the end of each round.
Round 2: *k2, p 2*, repeat *..* around. (100 stitches) This means you work the first round in 2×2 ribbing pattern, you knit 2 stitches and then purl 2 stitches then knit 2 stitches. This stitch pattern repeats all the way to the end of the round.
Round 3 and beyond: *k2, p 2*, repeat *..* around. (100 stitches) Repeat this basic 2×2 rib until the tube measures 14 inches (or your desired length) from the cast on edge to the working edge.
Begin decrease shaping (be sure to place a marker for the first stitch of each round)
Shaping round 1: *k2tog, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2* repeat *…* around (87 stitches)
Round 2: k1, *p2tog, knit 2, purl 2, knit 1*, repeat *…* around (74 stitches)
Round 3: *knit 1, purl 1, k2tog, purl 2*, repeat *…* around (62 stitches)
Round 4: *knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 2tog* repeat *…* around (50 stitches)
Round 5-7: knit 1, purl 1 around (50 stitches)
Bind off all stitches and cinch the top. Stitch the cinched top together and weave in your ends. You can also add a pom pom or other topper if desired.
