Speckled Beanie Knitting Pattern

Knitted Beanie - free pattern - mypoppet.com.au

Brought to you by American Yarns

Beanie weather is upon us and have I got a treat for you, a warm and chunky pom pom topped knitted hat pattern with a colourful twist!

I’ve partnered up with American Yarns this post to try out a couple of new yarns from their Bernat and Red Heart ranges. Rather than just using one yarn, I thought it would be fun to combine a couple of yarns that normally wouldn’t be matched together for a fresh take on them both.

Bernat Softee Baby Chunky Yarn is marketed for baby garments, but it’s chunky nature is perfect for ladies hats, scarves and cowls. Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable is silky and luxurious and mainly used for shawls and accessories, but it’s bright colours are perfectly suited to add a real pop of colour to children’s garments. 

I’ve looked past both of the ‘serving suggestions’ on the label to try something different.

mother and child knitted beanie pattern

Emma is wearing small size beanie (left), I’m wearing large size (right).

I’ve designed a beanie knitting pattern in two sizes, one for me and another for Emma. They turned out so cute, and are so cosy that they are sure to become our favourites this winter.

American Yarns Review

This pattern works up very quickly with the Bernat Softee Baby Chunky Yarn and some large circulars, in fact it only took an evening to make each hat. I was so surprised at how far a ball of the Softee Baby Chunky went, I managed to make two hats, plus large pom poms from just one ball!

As soon as I saw the beautiful intense colour gradients of the Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable I knew I had to try it out. It’s a lovely silky yarn but a little too delicate to use on it’s own for the rigours of a kids beanie, so the combining it with the chunky yarn was the perfect solution.

You won’t need much of it and both hats only used up about a fifth of a ball. I’ll show you what I did with the rest later.

Red Heart Unforgettable yarn review and pattern - mypoppet.com.au

hold two yarns together

I love the speckled marle effect produced when knitting both yarns together, and keeping the ribbing and pom pom both plain white really makes the colours pop!
Beanie knitting pattern - yarn review
The actual beanie knitting pattern is very simple with only basic stitch knowledge required. It’s worked in the round from the ribbing up, so the bonus is no sewing. It’s almost ready to wear when it comes of the needles.

hold two yarns togther to create a marle effect

Of course the pom pom is optional but I think it really makes this beanie design extra fun. Once you get to the crown section, holding both yarns together gives the colourful speckled effect. It’s very decorative without much effort at all.

knitted beanie pattern

I always use the magic loop method for knitting in the round, it’s really handy because I don’t have to swap to double pointed needles when stitches decrease. If you are not familiar with the magic loop method, this video explains it clearly.

knitted hat free pattern

You will need:

  • Yarn 1 – Bernat Softee Baby Chunky Yarn in Cream puff – 1/2 a ball (about 70m/78yds)
  • Yarn 2 – Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable in Parrot – 1/5 of a ball (about 37m/40yds)
  • 7mm circular needles (for rib section) – long cable for magic loop method
  • 9mm circular needles long cable for magic loop method
  • Stitch Marker and Yarn Needle
  • Pom Pom maker of choice

Speckled Beanie Knitting Pattern:

Stitches used:
K Knit
P Purl
CO cast on
K2tog Knit 2 together

Gauge: 10st and 14 rows in 10cm/4″
Finished sizes: (measured flat un-stretched) Small brim 17cm, crown height 22cm [Large brim 19cm, crown height 24cm]

Pattern note: The smaller size would suit a child 8 and up, or an adult with a small head (like me). The larger size would suit a standard adult female head or a smallish adult male head. Cast on loosely to allow for some stretch in the ribbing.

For both sizes
With Yarn 1 CO 45[49] stitches onto 7mm needle. Join for working in the round by slipping the last stitch from the right needle to your left and K2tog (44[48] stitches).
Place stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
For ribbed section – K1P1 ribbing for 8 rounds or 5cm/2″
For crown section – Hold Yarn 1 & 2 together
Change to 9mm needles
Rounds 1-14: K all

For Small size
Round 15: small K2tog, K20, K2tog, K20 (42 stitches)
Round 16: K all
Decreases
Round 1 : *K2tog, K5* repeat all the way around (36 stitches)
Round 2: K all
Round 3: *K2tog, K4* repeat all the way around (30 stitches)
Round 4: K all
Round 5: *K2tog, K3* repeat all the way around (24 stitches)
Round 6: K all
Round 7: *K2tog, K2* repeat all the way around (18 stitches)
Round 8: *K2tog, K1* repeat all the way around (12 stitches)
Round 9: K2tog all the way around (6 stitches)

For Large size
Round 15-16: K all (48 stitches)
Decreases
Round 1 : *K2tog, K6* repeat all the way around (42 stitches)
Round 2: K all
Round 3 : *K2tog, K5* repeat all the way around (36 stitches)
Round 4: K all
Round 5: *K2tog, K4* repeat all the way around (30 stitches)
Round 6: K all
Round 7: *K2tog, K3* repeat all the way around (24 stitches)
Round 8: K all
Round 9: *K2tog, K2* repeat all the way around (18 stitches)
Round 10: *K2tog, K1* repeat all the way around (12 stitches)
Round 11: K2tog all the way around (6 stitches)

For both sizes

Break yarn and pull through 6 live stitches. Weave in ends. Make a large pom pom (using your preferred methodhere’s mine) and attach securely to top of hat.

girl wearing knitted hat - free beanie pattern - mypoppet.com.au

As you can see I have one happy customer! She is very pleased with her cool new speckled beanie.

Free knitting pattern - child and adult beanie with pom pom - mypoppet.com.au

For sizing reference I’ve taken a photo of me wearing both the small and the large beanies. As I mentioned I have a fairly small head (for an adult) so the smaller size fit me snuggly. The large size was a looser baggier fit with a taller crown and would be suited to a regular size head.

beanie size - knitting pattern

Left – Large size, Right – Small size.

Oh and here’s a peek of what I did with the rest of the Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable.

Red Heart Unforgettable yarn review and pattern - mypoppet.com.au

I though entrelac knitting would show off the colour changes beautifully and I’m pleased to show you the results of my first attempt at entrelac.

entrelac knitting scarf

It looks awesome! Not bad for my first try, and it’s not really as difficult as it looks once you get the hang of it.

I hope I’ve inspired you to get those needle out and start knitting your own Speckled Beanie. Feel free to post any questions about the yarn or pattern in the comments and I’ll answer them as quick as I can.

My Poppet free beanie hat knitting pattern

You can purchase the yarns featured from www.americanyarns.com.au

 

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