Beanie Patterns – Varieties in Skullcap Designs

Knitting or weaving small brimless caps called beanies may seem more complicated than knitting scarves, but knowledge in basic knitting techniques will make it easier to create these hats. Traditionally worn by men, beanies with masculine designs are growing popular among women and some patterns have evolved into newer configurations.

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Beanie Patterns - Various Types

Woven beanies are made from triangular pieces of fabric, usually twill, leather or felt. Commonly used by laborers and athletes, woven beanie patterns are designed to shield the eyes from sunlight and sweat. One type of woven beanie is the propeller beanie, a hat with a propeller on top that became popular in the 1940s, particularly among science fiction enthusiasts. Knit beanies, on the other hand, are warmer and normally made of synthetic materials such as wool or fleece. Knitted or crocheted beanies may be worn to cover the forehead or the ears, especially during winter season. Beanie patterns for this variety may include logos or insignias, tassels, and solid colors of yarn.

Earflap Beanie - Knitting

Beanies with built-in ear flaps forgo the need for headbands and earmuffs during cold seasons. The first step in knitting an earflap beanie is to knit two to three rows of waste yarn and leaving a minimum of six inches to serve as a tail before breaking the yarn. The finished stitches are then slid and divided into three double-pointed needles. Employing the basic technique of knitting in the round, an increasing and decreasing stitch should be done until the crown of a hat is formed. To form the flaps of the earflap beanie, twenty stitches should by slid onto a double-pointed needle, and, using two double-pointed needles, the remaining hat stitches are fastened.

Slouchy Beanies - Handicraft

Using size US-8 double-pointed needles and worsted weight yarn, about sixty stitches are cast on and divided evenly between three of such needles to make the brim of a slouchy hat. The next step is to make a two-by-two ribbing for two inches, repeating a knit two, purl two patterns for every round. Cast-on stitches should be continued until the top fits the size of the head. To make the body of slouchy beanies, an increasing stitch is done, decreasing only when approaching the top of the hat. The tail is produced by cutting a working yarn and threading it onto a big eye blunt needle, before looping it inside the remaining stitches.