Men’s beanie

Men of all ages will love this casual striped beanie by Sarah Dennis.

Quick and easy project.

Knits, purls and easy decreases make this chunky beanie a dream pattern for a beginner to tackle. It’s a great portable project to keep you busy on holidays or commutes. And it’s sure to be a big hit with whoever you decide to knit it for!

Notes This hat is designed to be very stretchy so should fit most adult male heads, despite looking small while relaxed.

For a slouchier fitting hat, work the unshaped part of the hat until it measures 25cm from cast- on edge before starting the shaping.

An alternative hat could be made by working in alternate stripes of four rows each of five colours. When working stripes on rib, the first row of a new colour should be knitted (rather than ribbed) for a neat finish.

BEANIE HAT

Cast on 63 sts using 5 mm needles and Yarn A. Row 1 *K3, P1; rep from * to last 3 sts, K3. Row 2 *P3, K1; rep from * to last 3 sts, P3. Rep Rows 1 and 2 twice more. Row 7 Using Yarn B, knit. Row 8 In Yarn B: *P3, K1; rep from * to last 3 sts, P3. Row 9 Using Yarn A, knit. Row 10 In Yarn A: *P3, K1; rep from * to the last 3 sts, P3. Rep rows 1 and 2 twice more. Row 15 Using Yarn B, knit. Row 16 In Yarn B: *P3, K1; rep from * to last 3 sts, P3. Row 17 Using Yarn A, knit. Row 18 In Yarn A: *P3, K1; rep from * to last 3 sts, P3. Rep rows 1 and 2 in Yarn A until work measures 16cm from cast- on edge.

DECREASE FOR THE CROWN

Next row *K1, k2tog, P1; rep from * to last 3 sts, K1, k2tog. [47 sts] Next row *P2, K1; rep from * to last 2 sts, P2.

Next row *K2tog, P1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2tog. [31 sts]

Next row *P1, K1; rep from * to last st, P1.

Next row K1, *k2tog; rep from * to end of row. [16 sts]

Next row *P2tog; rep from * to end of row. [8 sts] Break yarn leaving a long end and thread through last 8 sts.

TO MAKE UP

Sew up back seam using long end of yarn. Sew in any loose ends.