Polly - 12ply slip stitch beanie

Polly 12ply Slip Stitch Beanie by Jennifer Lee

What is Being Made

Polly is a quick-to-knit beanie hat designed by Jennifer Lee, available in four sizes: Age 2-5, Age 6-10, Teen, and Lady. The hat is sized to fit head circumferences ranging from 52cm to 56cm (20½ to 22 inches). This is an ideal beginner-friendly knitting project that produces a finished, wearable hat in a relatively short timeframe.

Yarn and Materials

The beanie is constructed using Panda Brushed Wool in 12ply (worsted weight), which provides a soft, brushed texture ideal for comfortable headwear. The pattern requires 2 balls of Main Colour and 1 ball of Contrast Colour in 50g balls, with each ball containing 70 meters of yarn. A wool needle is needed for sewing seams after knitting is complete.

Needles and Gauge

The beanie is worked on a pair of 5.50mm knitting needles (UK size 5, US size 9). The pattern is designed to achieve a tension of 17 stitches and 23 rows over 10cm (4 inches) when working in stocking stitch. Maintaining proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished hat size.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

Polly employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners:

• 1x1 Rib: The brim of the beanie features a 1x1 ribbed pattern, created by alternating knit and purl stitches. This ribbed section is then turned up to create a folded brim edge, providing elasticity and a professional finish.
• Stocking Stitch: The main body of the hat is worked in stocking stitch, which is created by knitting one row and purling the next row in alternation. This produces the classic smooth V-pattern texture on the knit side.
• Slip Stitch Striping: The pattern features an easy striped slip stitch design worked across the main body. Slip stitch colorwork is a beginner-accessible technique where stitches are slipped (moved from one needle to another without knitting) to create color changes without the complexity of traditional stranded colorwork. This technique produces clean, defined stripes using the Main Colour and Contrast Colour.
• Decreasing: The pattern incorporates decreases to shape the crown of the hat, tapering the stitches toward the top.
• Casting On and Binding Off: The hat begins with casting on 77 to 83 stitches (depending on size) and concludes with binding off to secure the final stitches.

Pattern Difficulty and Suitability

Polly is rated as an Easy pattern, making it an excellent choice for knitters new to the craft or those seeking a straightforward project. The combination of basic stitches—knit, purl, and slip stitch—alongside simple shaping makes this beanie accessible to beginners while still producing a polished, finished garment. The quick-knit nature of the project provides satisfying results in a reasonable timeframe.