How to Knit a Beanie for Beginners

Autumn may be the prettiest season but it’s also cold as heck. So let’s knit a beanie!

Knitting beanies isn’t rocket science. This pattern is super easy and perfect for beginners.

So easy, in fact, that I was able to knit it while watching Netflix. Ready to learn how to knit a beanie? Then scroll along to our step-by-step pattern below!

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How to Knit a Beanie: Beanie Knitting Pattern for Beginners!

Cast On

We’re using the quick, yet stretchy Long Tail Cast On for this free beanie knitting pattern.

Before you start casting on, make sure you leave a yarn tail that’s as long as the number of stitches you will cast on + 15″. The additional 15″ will be used to sew this beanie together!

For example, I’m making a baby-sized beanie. So I’m casting on 38 stitches. That means I need 38″ + 15″ = 53″ of yarn tail.

So I should leave 53″ before the slip knot. (I left 55″ because it feels like a nice “even” number hahaha!)

Cast on the following stitches for each size: 

• 38 (baby)
• 44 (toddler)
• 50 (child)
• 56 (adult)
• 62 (large adult)

Ribbed Stitch Brim

We will knit 2×2 ribbing for the brim! You will need your stitch markers here.

Row 1: K3, PM, (p2, k2) repeat parenthesis to the last 3 sts, PM, p3. Turn.  

Row 2*: K3, SM, (p2, k2) repeat parenthesis to M, SM, p3. Turn.  Row 3: K3, SM, (p2, k2) repeat parenthesis to M, SM, p3. Turn.  *For the smallest size: continue to “Main Section” after Row 2. 

All other sizes: repeat rows 2 & 3 once more for a total of 5 rows of 2×2 ribbing.

Main Section

You can remove the two stitches markers here since you won’t be using them for the rest of the beanie knitting pattern.

Row 1: knit across all stitches to the end of the row.  

Row 2: purl across all stitches to the end of the row. 

Repeat rows 1-2 until the hat measures 5 (5.5, 6, 6.5, 7)” from the cast on edge, and end after working a purl row. 

Decreases

It’s time to start decreasing your knit beanie! Check the sizes

• baby: begin at round 9  
• toddler: begin at round 7
• child: begin at round 5
• adult: begin at round 3
• large adult: begin at round 1

Round 1 (RS): K1, (k8, k2tog), repeat to the last st, k1. [56 stitches] 

Round 2 (WS): Purl. 

Round 3: K1, (k7, k2tog), repeat to the last st, k1. [50 stitches] 

Round 4: Purl. 

Round 5: K1, (k6, k2tog), repeat to the last st, k1. [44 stitches] 

Round 6: Purl. 

Round 7: K1 (k5, k2tog), repeat to the last st, k1. [38 stitches] 

Round 8: Purl. 

Round 9: K1, (k4, k2tog), repeat to the last st, k1. [32 stitches] 

Round 10: P1, (p3, p2tog), repeat to the last st, p1. [26 stitches] 

Round 11: K1 (k2, k2tog), repeat to the last st, k1. [20 stitches] 

Round 12: P1, (p1, p2tog), repeat to the last st, p1. [14 stitches] Row 13: (k2tog) to end. [7 stitches]

Finishing

Cut yarn leaving a 8” yarn tail.

Thread it onto a yarn needle, then thread tail through  the last 7 live stitches.

Cinch these remaining stitches together, tie a simple overhand knot to secure the cinched top.

Weave the tail in a few rows down from the crown on  the inside and cut flush with the fabric surface. 

Thread the long yarn tail from the cast on edge onto a yarn needle.

Sew the vertical  seam shut using a mattress stitch, starting at the brim working toward the crown.

Once  you get to the crown of the hat, weave in your yarn tail on the inside before cutting it.

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Now You Know How to Knit a Hat!

Your beanie should look something like this! Easy right? 

This pattern is great for beginners who want to make a quick beanie pattern that they can complete in just a day – or a few days, if you’re busy.

I used plain colors for this beanie so you can easily see the stitches. But you can totally go as colorful as you want.

What colors did you use? Let’s chat below!

More Fun Knitting Patterns:

• Free Cat Ear Beanie Knitting Pattern for Beginners!
• Free Knit Scarf Pattern for Beginners: The All-Knit Stitch Chunky Scarf
• Free Easy Knit Scarf Pattern: The Hurdle Knit Stitch Scarf [5 Exclusive Patterns Included]

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