Weave Beanie

Weave Beanie by Lily Tang

What Is Being Made

The Weave Beanie is a fitted knit hat designed by Lily Tang. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a beanie with a finished circumference of 20 inches (51cm) and a height to the top of 8.5 inches (22cm), making it a classic close-fitting winter hat suitable for everyday wear.

Craft and Primary Technique

This project is created using the knitting craft. The beanie is worked in the round using circular needles, which allows for seamless construction and continuous circular rows. The pattern incorporates stranded knitting, a colorwork technique where two colors of yarn are carried and worked simultaneously to create a patterned fabric.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques Used

The Weave Beanie employs several fundamental knitting stitches and techniques:

• Knit stitch (K) – the basic foundation stitch used throughout the ribbed sections and main body
• Purl stitch (P) – combined with knit stitches to create textured ribbing
• K2P2 ribbing – an elastic ribbed pattern worked at the cast-on edge and in the early rounds to create a stretchy, fitted cuff that hugs the head
• K2tog (knit two together) – a right-leaning decrease stitch used in the crown shaping rounds to gradually reduce stitches and form the top of the beanie
• Stranded colorwork – a two-color technique where the main color (MC) and contrasting color (CC) are carried and worked in charted pattern repeats across 8 repeats per round

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Weave Beanie is designed for sport weight yarn, a lightweight yarn category that produces a fabric with good drape and breathability. The pattern suggests Rowan Felted Tweed yarn, which is composed of 50% Merino wool, 25% Alpaca, and 25% Rayon. Each color requires one ball of yarn; the main color (MC) is specified as Rowan Felted Tweed color 170 Seafarer, and the contrasting color (CC) is color 160 Gilt. The yardage per ball is 190 yards per 50 grams.

Needles required include:

• Circular needles in size 3 (3.25mm) – 16 inches (40cm) long, used for the ribbed cuff and initial rounds
• Circular needles in size 4 (3.5mm) – 16 inches (40cm) long, used for the main stranded colorwork section and body of the beanie
• Stitch markers – used to mark the beginning of rounds and pattern repeats

Gauge and Difficulty Level

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rounds over 4 inches (10cm) when working stranded knitting on the larger needles. Knitters are advised to take time to check gauge before beginning, as accurate gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions and fit.

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience. The combination of circular needle knitting, two-color stranded colorwork, and crown decreasing requires familiarity with these techniques, though the straightforward stitch patterns and clear construction make it an accessible intermediate project.