How to Knit a Beanie

A lot of people are like me: they have an understanding of basic knitting techniques but they're afraid of doing advanced projects. For people like us, knitting something like a hat seems like too scary of a project to attempt. It is true that some hats are extremely difficult, especially those that require knitting in the round. But if you have the skills to make a scarf, I've got good news for you: learning how to knit a beanie is easy!

First, you'll need to figure out the gauge. In other words, you must determine the number of stitches needed to cast on to encircle the circumference of the head. From there, take into account the size and type of yarn you'll use as well as the needles you have selected. When learning how to knit a beanie, I recommend using size 6-8 (smaller) needles so you have tight stitches so strands of hair don't stick through the cap when its finished.

Cast on using the number of stitches you figured out in the last step. Yes, knitting in the round is prettier, but its also very difficult so what a beginner like me does for a hat is do one piece and then sew a seam at the back to complete the circle.

From here you have several options. You can easily do a garter stitch where you knit all rows, a stockinette stitch where you alternate kitted and purled rows, or if you have some more experience and want to try something difficult, do a rib where you alternate knits and purls within the rows.

Basically, the makeup of the beanie is constant regardless of the design. Start by knitting (or purling) all of the stitches all the way until you get the hat to be about 2/3 of the final size you desire. Once you get to this point, slowly decrease the quantity of stitches in each row to form the crown of the beanie.

Be cognizant that you are decrease symmetrically! A strategy to ensure this is to follow a simple pattern: knit two rows together, two normally for 3-4 rows, and then knit the next 2-3 normally. Then repeat two rows together followed by two normally until you're at 3/4 the final size you desire. Then, you'll have to decrease at a greater rate. To do this, try knitting two together, and one normally, or just two together for the whole row. Continue this until there are only 4-6 stitches left on the needle. Finally, bind off, sew up that seam and you're finished.

You now have a trendy, unique hat for a loved one and you're a master of how to knit a beanie!