Trellis Beanie

Trellis Beanie by Lena Mathisson

What is Being Made

The Trellis Beanie is a knitted hat designed by Lena Mathisson that combines classic beanie construction with decorative trellis patterning. This downloadable knitting pattern produces a finished hat measuring approximately 9 inches (22.5 cm) in height with a 16-inch (40 cm) circumference. The design is engineered to be stretchy and accommodating, fitting older children through adults with comfortable ease.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginner-level crafters. The hat is worked in the round, a common method for creating seamless cylindrical garments like beanies. The construction utilizes both circular needles and double-pointed needles (dpns) or the Magic Loop technique for different sections of the project. The pattern incorporates decreases at the top of the hat to shape the crown, requiring knitters to transition from flat circular needle work to smaller needles as the stitch count reduces toward the finished edge.

Stitches and Stitch Pattern

The Trellis Beanie features a trellis stitch pattern as its primary design element. The gauge is established at 20 stitches and 24 rows to 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, which provides the foundation for accurate sizing. The pattern includes cable techniques, as evidenced by the abbreviation MSR (move slip right), which involves slipping stitches to a cable needle and holding them in back of work before knitting, a technique commonly used to create crossed stitch effects in trellis and lattice patterns.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This pattern calls for worsted weight yarn, requiring approximately 70 to 80 grams, or 150 to 180 yards (140 to 165 meters) of yarn. The sample was created using Speckled Finch Studios Cozy Worsted in the Hygge for the Holidays colorway, a 100% superwash wool yarn that yields 218 yards (199 meters) per 100 grams. Superwash wool provides durability and easy care, making it an excellent choice for frequently-worn accessories like beanies.

Needles and Tools Required

The pattern specifies US 8 and US 7 needles (5.0 and 4.5 mm), or the size needed to obtain gauge plus one size smaller. The sample was worked on 16-inch (40 cm) circular needles for the main body of the hat. For the crown decreases, knitters will need either double-pointed needles in the larger size or a long circular needle configured for the Magic Loop technique. Additional notions include a stitch marker for tracking rounds, a cable needle or spare double-pointed needle for cable work, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Difficulty Level

Rated as a beginner difficulty pattern, the Trellis Beanie is accessible to knitters new to in-the-round construction and cable techniques. The straightforward shaping and manageable stitch counts make this an ideal project for developing foundational skills in circular knitting and decorative stitch work.