How to Knit a Floppy Beanie
If you're tired of knitting head-hugging winter hats, try knitting a floppy beanie hat. Unlike their more fitted counterparts, these beanies are less structured, which makes them ideal for those who prefer hats with slouchy appeal. You don't need to be an expert knitter to work up an attractive floppy beanie. In fact, it's an easy project for beginning knitters who have mastered knit and purl stitches and want to learn to knit in the round.
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Things You'll Need
- Worsted weight yarn
- 16-inch circular needles in US size 5
- Stitch marker
- 16-inch circular needles in US size 7
- US size 7 double-pointed needles
- Yarn needle
Instructions
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1
Cast on 72 stitches with the smaller needles and slide a stitch marker onto the right-hand needle after you've cast on the last stitch.
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2
Adjust the stitches so the cast-on edge sits along the bottom of the circular needle, and knit into the first cast-on stitch with your right-hand needle to join for working in the round. Pull your yarn firmly to close the gap between the last cast-on stitch and the newly knit stitch. As you knit the first row, make sure the stitches remain in this position; this will keep them from twisting.
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3
Continue knitting the first round in a knit two, purl two rib pattern. When you get to the end of the round, slide the stitch marker from the left-hand needle to the right-hand needle and work the next round in the pattern as established.
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4
Knit in the established ribbing pattern until your work measures 1 inch from the cast-on edge.
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5
Switch to the larger needles at the beginning of the next round, and knit in stockinette stitch. You will also make increases throughout this round in the following manner: knit six stitches and then make one by lifting the bar of yarn between the stitch you just worked and the next stitch on the left-hand needle, draping it over the left-hand needle and knitting into it through the front of the loop. You will have 84 stitches when you finish this round.
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6
Work rounds of stockinette stitch until your knitting measures 6 inches from the cast-on edge.
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7
Begin your decrease pattern in the next round. Knit 12 stitches, knit the next two stitches together and repeat until you reach the end of the round. Knit the next round without decreases.
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8
Alternate between knitting decrease rounds and knitting straight stockinette; in each subsequent decrease round, knit one fewer stitch between knit-two-together stitches.
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9
Switch to knitting on a set of four double-pointed needles when you no longer have enough stitches to work in the round on circular needles. Knit an even number of stitches onto three double-pointed needles, and when you get to the beginning of the next row, use the empty fourth needle as the right-hand needle.
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10
Break your yarn when six stitches remain, leaving a tail at least 4 inches in length. Thread the yarn onto a yarn needle and draw the needle through the six remaining stitches. Remove the stitches from the needles and pull the yarn tightly to close the hole.
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11
Weave in any loose yarn ends, wash and block your floppy hat before wearing it.
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Tips & Warnings
Once you master knitting a basic floppy hat, try incorporating cables or lace into the beanie pattern.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit knitting image by anna karwowska from Fotolia.com
Comments
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What size hat does this knit up to, please?
