Welcome to Pacific Knit Co.! If you are looking for a simple beanie hat pattern, this is a great place to start. All the techniques in this pattern include links to our tutorials, but the customization options are endless, so it's perfect for beginners and experts alike!

The BASE DOODLE BEANIE is the perfect everyday hat! Simple construction and style modifications make this a fast favorite. This beanie is knit in the round from the bottom up, and features a basic brim and spiral crown decreases.

This is a Pacific Knit Co. Base Doodle Pattern, which means it is a “blank canvas” pattern created for you to design and knit your own customized project! All of our Doodle Base Patterns can be used to mix-and-match with all of Pacific Knit Co.'s Doodle Colorwork Charts. But the patterns work just as well on their own for knitters who just want a simple, no-frills project.

Want more info? The complete PDF pattern for the Doodle Beanie (including detailed techniques, modification options and blank colorwork charts) is available on our website and on Ravelry.

 

THE DOODLE BEANIE

 

PATTERN INFORMATION

SIZES

Note: BOLD SIZES require Doodle charts with 12-st repeats, while all other sizes may be worked using 24-st repeats. Check out Doodle Repeats: 12 vs. 24 sts for more information.

• Approx. 14, 16, 18 (20, 22, 24) in [35, 40, 45 (50, 55, 60) cm] finished circumference
• Approx. 6.5, 7, 7.5 (8, 8.5, 9) in [16, 17.5, 19 (20, 21.5, 22.5) cm] finished height*
  • *for a slouchier fit, add approx. 2 in [5 cm] to the height

YARN

Any DK, light worsted, or sport weight yarn that meets gauge. Note: yardage listed is approximate total yards/meters per size in colorwork and may be slightly less if knit in a single color.

• 175, 200, 225 (250, 275, 300) yards 
• 160, 182, 206 (227, 251, 274) meters

NEEDLES

• US 5 / 3.75 mm (or size needed to obtain gauge)
• One size smaller needles for ribbing (optional)
• 16 or 24 in [40 or 60 cm] circular needles (depending on size knit) + DPNs or long cable for Magic Loop for crown

GAUGE

• 24 sts & 24 rnds = 4 in [10 cm] in stockinette

NOTIONS

• Stitch markers (one in a different color if adding colorwork)
• Scissors & Tapestry needle
• Pom-pom (optional, but fun)

TECHNIQUES

• Long tail cast-on
• Knitting in the round
• Decreases
• Twisted ribbing
• Stranded colorwork knitting (optional)

ABBREVIATIONS

See our full list of Common Knitting Terms & Abbreviations.

SHARING

#DoodleHat and @PacificKnitCo on Instagram

OPTIONAL MODIFICATIONS

Want to add colorwork? Take a look at our full library of Doodle Colorwork Charts (dozens of themes to choose from as either digital downloads or physical card decks). Head over to How to Choose and Assemble your Doodles for more information and resources for planning your designs!

PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

CAST-ON

Note: BOLD SIZES require Doodle charts with 12-st repeats, while all other sizes may be worked using 24-st repeats. Check out Doodle Repeats: 12 vs. 24 sts for more information.

With smaller needles and lower ribbing color, cast on 84, 96, 108 (120, 132, 144) stitches using long tail cast-on (or preferred method).

Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist sts and place marker for BOR.

BRIM

Work twisted ribbing (k1tbl, p1) or preferred ribbing style to end of round.

Continue working in twisted ribbing until brim is desired height:

• Standard brim: approx. 1, 1, 1.5 (1.5, 2, 2) in [2.5, 2.5, 3.75 (3.75, 5, 5) cm]
• Folded brim: approx. 2.5, 2.5, 3.5 (3.5, 4.5, 4.5) in [6, 6, 9 (9, 11.5, 11.5) cm] or just over twice the desired height of the finished folded brim.

BODY OF HAT

Switch to larger needles and knit 1 round in main color. If adding Doodle colorwork below, place a stitch marker every 24 sts.

If you want to work in PLAIN KNITTING:

• Continue working in the round, knitting all stitches on all rounds, until hat measures approx. 2-3 in [5-7.5 cm] less than desired height (leaving room for crown decreases).

If you want to ADD COLORWORK:

• Select your first Doodle chart and work it around the circumference. Once complete, work the next chart in the same manner. Join your contrast color(s) as necessary.
• Knit in colorwork in the round, following your chosen charts, until the hat measures approx. 2-3 in [5-7.5 cm] less than desired height (leaving room for crown decreases).

Want to plan out your colorwork? Read about Estimating Row Gauge & Chart Height to understand how many rows to plan for your design and then draw it out using our Blank Doodle Master Chart or our Blank Coloring Pages to get creative!

Break all yarns except color you will use for crown.

CROWN DECREASES

Set up round: knit 1 round, placing markers every 12 stitches (different color than BOR marker)

Rnd 1: *knit until 2 sts before marker, k2tog, sm, repeat from * to end of round. [7, 8, 9 (10, 11, 12) sts dec'd]

Rnd 2: knit all sts.

Repeat Rnds 1 & 2 until 10, 8, 8 (8, 8, 8) sts remain between each marker, switching to DPN or Magic Loop as needed.

Repeat Rnd 1 until 2 sts remain between each marker.

Remove all markers except for BOR marker.

Work in k2tog, until 7, 8, 9 (5, 6, 6) sts remain.

Break yarn, leaving approx. 8 in [20 cm] tail.

Using tapestry needle, pull yarn tail through remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure.

FINISHING

Weave in your ends, block to pattern measurements, and add pom-pom (optional, but fun).

ENJOY YOUR NEW HAT!

 

Want to add colorwork? Take a look at our full library of Doodle Colorwork Charts (dozens of themes to choose from as either digital downloads or physical card decks). Head over to How to Choose and Assemble your Doodles for more information and resources for planning your designs!

If you enjoyed this pattern, check out our other Base Doodle Patterns, as well as our full library of fun and informative blog posts!

Want more info? The complete PDF pattern for the Base Doodle Beanie (including detailed techniques, modification options and blank colorwork charts) is available on our website and on Ravelry.

 

Happy Doodling!

 

Blog and pattern written by Jamie Lomax.

Yarn in main sample is from Fangirl Fibers.