Linnea

Linnea Knitted Beanie by Anniken Allis

What is Being Made

Linnea is a knitted headwear design—specifically a beanie or close-fitting hat—created by independent designer Anniken Allis. This intermediate-level knitting project produces a classic, wearable hat available in three graduated sizes to fit head circumferences from 50cm to 56.5cm (19¾ to 22¼ inches). The pattern includes two distinct design versions, allowing crafters to choose between different construction or styling approaches.

Knitting Techniques

The Linnea beanie employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for intermediate-level makers. The hat is worked in the round using circular needles, a method that creates seamless cylindrical fabric ideal for fitted headwear. The pattern incorporates a ribbed lower section that provides elasticity and helps the hat sit securely on the head. The crown is shaped through decreases worked at the top of the hat to gradually reduce stitches and close the opening, a standard technique for creating fitted, crown-shaped hats.

The design features optional embellishment with seed beads, which are incorporated during the knitting process using a small crochet hook to thread beads onto yarn before knitting them into the fabric. This technique adds texture and visual interest while maintaining the hat's structure. An optional pom-pom can be attached to the crown for additional decorative flair.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure is stocking stitch (also called stockinette stitch), which creates the smooth, classic knit fabric that forms the main body of the beanie. Stocking stitch is created by alternating knit and purl rows when working flat, or by knitting every round when working in the round—the method used for this seamless hat construction. The ribbed lower section uses rib stitch, typically a knit-and-purl combination that creates vertical columns of texture and provides stretch. The pattern also incorporates decreases at the crown to shape the hat's top.

Materials and Yarn

Linnea is designed to be knitted with 4-ply weight yarn, a lightweight but sturdy yarn category ideal for fitted garments and detailed stitch definition. Two yarn options are specified in the pattern:

• Lang Merino 200 Bebe—100% Merino Wool, 203m per 50g (437yds per 100g). One ball is required. The pattern shows this yarn in shade 0307 Lilac.
• Schoppel Zauberball 100—100% wool, 400m per 100g. One ball is required. The pattern shows this yarn in shade 2365 Mittelland.

Both yarns are premium wool options that provide warmth, breathability, and the elasticity needed for a fitted hat. Merino wool, in particular, is prized for its softness and temperature-regulating properties, making it excellent for headwear worn close to the face.

Needles, Tools, and Notions

The pattern calls for two sizes of 3mm (UK 11/US 2-3) circular needles measuring 40cm (16 inches) in length for the ribbed sections and initial rounds. A 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) circular needle of the same length is used for the main stocking stitch body. Double-pointed needles may also be needed for the crown decreases when the stitch count becomes too small for circular needles, as noted in the pattern instructions.

Additional notions include a stitch marker to track the beginning of rounds, Debbie Abrahams Seed Beads size 6 in colour 224 Velvet (45 to 51 beads depending on size, requiring one bag), and a 0.75mm (US 14) crochet hook for threading beads onto yarn. An optional pom-pom can be added to the crown for decorative finishing.

Tension and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a tension of 24 stitches and 38 rows over 10cm (4 inches) in stocking stitch using 3.25mm needles after blocking. Achieving correct tension is essential for the hat to fit properly. The finished hat length varies by size: Version 1 measures 27 to 29cm (10½ to 11½ inches) from cast-on edge to crown top, while Version 2 measures 31 to 33cm (12¼ to 13 inches), offering options for different preferred hat depths.