Unicorn Tails Beanie

Unicorn Tails Beanie by Paula Drouillard

What is Being Made

The Unicorn Tails Beanie is a whimsical knitted hat designed by Paula Drouillard of Autumn Poppy Designs. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a playful beanie featuring decorative lace elements inspired by unicorn tails. The design is available in four sizes to fit head circumferences from 6–12 months through teen: 16 inches (40.5 cm) for infants, 17 inches (43 cm) for toddlers, 18 inches (46 cm) for children, and 20 inches (51 cm) for teens. The finished beanie measures between 15 and 18 inches (38–45.5 cm) in circumference depending on size selected.

Techniques and Construction

This beanie is constructed using knitting in the round, a fundamental technique for creating seamless, tubular garments. The pattern incorporates lace knitting, which creates decorative openwork sections that give the beanie its distinctive unicorn tail aesthetic. Working in the round requires circular needles and double-pointed needles (dpns) to maintain stitches on all sides simultaneously, resulting in a polished, professional finish without seams.

Stitches Used

The Unicorn Tails Beanie employs essential knitting stitches suitable for beginner-level crafters:

• Stockinette stitch – the primary stitch used for the main fabric, created by alternating knit and purl rows to produce a smooth, V-textured surface
• Yarn overs (yo) – a lace-making technique where yarn is moved to the front of the work and passed over the needle to create decorative holes and increase stitches
• Knit two together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease that combines two stitches into one
• Purl two together (p2tog) – a decrease worked on the purl side
• Slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (skp) – a left-leaning decrease technique

Materials and Tools

The pattern calls for DK weight yarn, a lightweight yarn suitable for delicate, fitted garments. Approximately 70 to 130 yards (64–119 meters) of yarn is required depending on the size being knitted. The sample shown in the pattern was created using Over the Moon Yarn's 100% Superwash Merino Wool in the colorway Bubblegum Planet, which provides 218 yards (200 meters) per 100 grams.

Needles required include US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles measuring 16 inches (41 cm) for the ribbed cuff and initial rounds, and US 6 (4 mm) circular needles and double-pointed needles, also 16 inches (41 cm), for the main body knitted in stockinette stitch. The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rounds over 4 inches (10 cm) on the larger needles in stockinette stitch before blocking.

Additional notions include two stitch markers (with one being a contrasting color for ease of identification), a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, scissors, and an optional pompom for embellishment at the crown of the beanie.

Difficulty Level

Rated as a beginner-level project, the Unicorn Tails Beanie is accessible to knitters new to lace techniques. The pattern assumes familiarity with working in the round and basic decreases, making it an ideal next step for beginners looking to expand their skills into decorative lace work.