Sea to Shining Sea Beanie

Sea to Shining Sea Beanie by B.Audi Designs

What is Being Made

The Sea to Shining Sea Beanie is a knitted hat designed to fit the average women's head circumference of 21-23 inches. This patriotic-themed beanie features three distinct color sections representing the colors of the American flag, making it a versatile accessory that can be customized by changing the color combinations. The designer notes that crafters can modify the colors to create variations such as a thin blue line or thin red line beanie, allowing for personalization while maintaining the classic beanie silhouette.

Craft and Techniques

This project is created using the knitting craft and is classified as an intermediate skill level pattern. The beanie is worked in the round using circular needles or double-pointed needles (DPNs), which is a fundamental technique for creating seamless, tubular garments like hats. The pattern employs color work, requiring crafters to manage multiple yarn colors throughout the construction. The beanie incorporates a decrease technique near the completion to shape the crown, and finishing involves weaving in ends and attaching a decorative pom pom to the top.

Stitches Used

The Sea to Shining Sea Beanie utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for creating a structured, wearable hat:

• Knit (K) - The primary stitch used to create the fabric base in stockinette stitch
• Purl (P) - Used in combination with knit stitches to create texture and pattern definition
• Knit Two Together (K2tog) - A decrease stitch used to shape the crown of the beanie by reducing stitch count

The beanie is worked primarily in stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat appearance ideal for displaying the three-color design. Stitch markers are used throughout to help track pattern repeats and color changes.

Materials and Gauge

The Sea to Shining Sea Beanie is constructed using super bulky weight yarn, specifically Lion Brand Hometown USA yarn in three color options: Cincinnati Red (Color 1), New York White (Color 2), and Fort Worth Blue (Color 3). The pattern requires approximately 50 yards each of two or three colors, totaling roughly 100-150 yards depending on customization choices. One full skein of each color provides ample yardage for this project.

Essential needles and tools include US #11/8mm needles (16-inch circular needles or DPNs) for the initial cast-on and early rounds, and US #13/9mm needles (16-inch circular needles or DPNs) for the majority of the pattern. The gauge is 10 stitches by 12 rows equals 4 inches in stockinette stitch when worked on US #13/9mm needles, which ensures the finished beanie will fit appropriately. Additional supplies include a stitch marker for tracking rounds, a darning needle for weaving in yarn ends, and an optional pom pom maker for creating and attaching the decorative topper.

Pattern Abbreviations

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations to streamline instructions: C/O (Cast On), C1/C2/C3 (Color 1/Color 2/Color 3), K (Knit), K2tog (Knit Two Together), P (Purl), P/M (Place Marker), and S/M (Stitch Marker).