Emily - lace stitch ponytail beanie

Emily Ponytail Beanie - Lace Stitch Knit Hat

What Is Being Made

The Emily is an 8-ply ponytail beanie designed by Jennifer Lee, featuring a functional opening at the crown to accommodate a ponytail or topknot. This knitted hat combines a textured lace stitch pattern with a ribbed brim, offering both style and practicality. The design is available in four sizes ranging from Age 2-5 through to Lady size, with head circumferences from 52cm to 56cm (20½ to 22 inches).

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level project employs several fundamental knitting techniques to create its finished structure. The beanie begins with a traditional ribbed brim, which provides elasticity and a neat edge. The main body is worked in a lace stitch pattern, a technique that creates decorative openwork through strategic yarn overs and decreases. The pattern uses abbreviations common to knitting instructions, including yarn forward (yfwd) for creating eyelets, slip stitches, and pass slipped stitch over (psso) for decreasing. The construction method involves working flat on straight needles, with finishing requiring sewing up using a wool needle.

Stitches and Stitch Details

• Ribbed Brim: Worked in alternating knit and purl stitches (K1, P1 rib) to create the elastic edge
• Lace Stitch Pattern: The main body features a lace stitch combining knit stitches, purl stitches, yarn forwards, and decreases to form decorative openwork
• Decreasing Methods: Pattern includes slip stitch decreases and pass slipped stitch over (psso) techniques to shape the lace pattern
• Yarn Overs: Used throughout the lace section to create the characteristic holes and texture of lace knitting

Materials and Gauge

The Emily requires 1 ball of Patons Smoothie DK yarn per size (100g balls with approximately 200m yardage). DK weight yarn, also known as 8-ply, provides a lightweight fabric suitable for a hat that won't feel bulky. Knitting is worked on 4.00mm needles (UK size 8, US size 6), with a required tension of 21 stitches and 30 rows over 10cm (4 inches) when worked in pattern. A wool needle is needed for sewing seams during finishing. Accurate tension is essential for achieving the correct fit across all four size options.

Pattern Rating and Skill Level

Although rated as Easy by the pattern, the Emily is classified as an intermediate project due to the lace stitch work required. Knitters should be comfortable reading lace patterns, managing yarn overs, and executing decreases accurately. The combination of ribbing and lace techniques makes this suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic garter and stockinette stitch.