Beanies are a great project for new knitters since they work up quickly and you only need a few basic skills.If you're still learning, it can be difficult to knit the hat on double-pointed needles.If you want to knit in the round, use long circular needles.You'll have a custom hat when you're done making a beanie.
Step 1: You can choose a small or large size.
For the best fit, wrap a flexible measuring tape around the widest part of your head and write down the measurement.Pick one of the beanie sizes that most closely matches your measurement.
Step 2: Buy a skein of yarn.
Pick bulky weight yarn in any color you want and pull 10 inches away from the end.Choose a yarn that is easy to wash.Pick yarn made from cotton, acrylics, or wool blends.You'll use 2.63 ounces (75 g) of yarn for the small hat or 3.44 (97 g), whichever is larger.If you want to use up some of your yarn, this beanie is a great project.
Step 3: A slip knot can be made.
Take the yarn that you pulled out and twist the end into a loop that crosses over itself with the tail on top.To slide the thumb and index of your other hand under the loop, pinch the tail end.Pull the yarn through the loop to form a slip knot.If you don't know if you've made a slip knot, keep pulling.If you make a slip knot, the knot will come undone.You didn't make a slip knot if the knot tightens.
Step 4: Cast the knot onto US 10 1/2 needles with 72 or 80 stitches.
Put your slip knot on one of the circular needles.To tighten the knot around the needle, pull on the yarn tail.If you're making a small beanie, cast on 72 stitches or 80 stitches.Circular needles are usually easier to juggle than double-pointed needles.The circular needles are 120 cm long.The length allows you to bend them so you can make a magic loop.You don't have to use double-pointed needles.
Step 5: Divide the stitches between your needles by bending the cable in half.
Find the middle point with the help of the cable that stretches between the needles.Half of the stitches are on one side while the other half is on the opposite side if you bend the cable.The stitches should be slid onto the needles.The magic loop method is the simplest way for beginners to work on projects.You don't have to switch to double-pointed needles at any point.If you're making a small size, you should put 36 stitches on each needle.Push 40 stitches onto each needle to make a large size.
Step 6: Pull out the working needle and join the round.
To start working your first round, turn the needles so they're horizontal and hold the needle with the working yarn at the back so it's farther away from you.Pull the back needle away from the stitches.Attach the tip of the needle to the other and make a knit stitch.You can put a marker on the first stitch to make it easier to count.The marker should be moved whenever you reach the end of a round.Before you join the round, make sure the yarn is over the cable and not under it.
Step 7: To start the edge, knit 2 stitches and P2 stitches across 1 round.
Turn the work so you can K2, P2, along all of the stitches on the other needle.This is the last round in a ribbed stitch.Work K1, P1, and P2 for all of the stitches instead of K2, P2.
Step 8: For 6 rounds, work the ribbed stitch.
The bottom edge or brim of the beanie can be made by knitting 2 (K2), purl 2 and P2 across each round.You need to work 6 rounds to see the ribbed pattern.You can keep track of how many rounds you've made with a tally on a sheet of paper.You can find stitch or round counter at craft supply stores.If you want to see which round you're working, adjust the dial to advance the number.
Step 9: The beanie is 7 in (17 or 18 cm) long.
Once you've finished the ribbed edge, knit the stitches on both of the needles.You'll use this to make the body of the hat.The body of the beanie should be at least 6 4 inches (17 cm) long for a small or large.Measure the length of your knitted fabric by placing the end of a ruler at your cast-on edge.If you want the beanie to be long, knit an extra 1 to 2 inches.
Step 10: When you're ready to shape the crown, work a decreasing row.
As you get to the top of the hat, make the rows smaller.To decrease the large hat, knit 6 stitches.If you want to make a K2TOG stitch, insert your needle through the next 2 stitches.Slip 2 stitches onto the right needle, insert the left needle through them, and make a slip slip knit.Continue knitting until you reach the end of the round.If you're making the smaller hat, you don't need to work as many stitches, so follow this repeating pattern.
Step 11: For the next round, knit every single stitch.
Once you've made an odd decreasing round, make a knit stitch for each stitch on both of your needles.The beanie gradually goes towards the top.
Step 12: Continue to decrease rounds with knit.
Cut the stitch count by 1 every time you work an odd decreasing round.If you had K4 at the start of the previous round, then K3 for the next round.For even rounds, knit all of the stitches.You won't have many stitches left to work when you reach the top of the hat.For example, the last row has you K2TOG, but the previous row just had you.
Step 13: Pull the yarn through the remaining stitches.
Cut the yarn to leave a 10 in (25 cm) tail and thread it through the eye of a tapestry or darning needle.The needle needs to be moved through the stitch on the needle.Since your beanie is off, you don't need the circular needles.
Step 14: Make a knot on the inside of the crown by pulling the yarn tight.
Make the crown of the beanie gather by pulling the yarn.After sewing over the top at least 2 times, push the needle to the inside of the hat.Cut the thread close to the knot in the yarn inside the hat.The knot and tiny tail are hidden so you don't need to weave in the excess yarn.
Step 15: You can finish your hat by weaving in the tail.
From where you started, thread the yarn tail.The tail should be near the base.Attach the tail to the hat by sewing back and forth at least 2 times.Although most beanies don't have pom poms on top, you can make a soft pom with a long yarn tail.Attach the pom pom to the crown of the hat using the tail and sew it inside.