Boulder Beanie / Newsboy Cap

Boulder Beanie / Newsboy Cap by Cheryl Andrews

What is Being Made

The Boulder Beanie is a structured, adult-medium sized knit hat featuring a distinctive newsboy cap silhouette. This design combines a shaped brim with an x-shaped crown and finished hem, creating a classic, tailored appearance suitable for everyday wear.

Design Features and Construction

This beanie showcases innovative shaping techniques that eliminate the need for internal bracing materials. The brim maintains its structured form through a combination of geometric construction, tight gauge knitting, and double-layered fabric—no cardboard or plastic reinforcement required. The x-shaped top provides dimensional shaping at the crown, while the hem adds a refined finishing detail to the hat's lower edge.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Knit-on cast on method for the brim foundation
• Back-and-forth flat knitting for the brim section
• Transition to knitting in the round for the crown
• Tight gauge knitting to maintain structural integrity without internal support
• Wrap techniques incorporated into the stitch pattern

Stitches and Stitch Details

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches worked at a 19 stitches and 27 rows per 4 inches gauge to achieve the precise fabric density required for the brim's self-supporting structure. The x-shaped crown shaping is achieved through strategic stitch manipulation and decreases. Wraps are intentionally left in place as part of the design unless otherwise specified in the pattern instructions.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: Worsted weight yarn, approximately 150 yards total. The pattern samples were knitted in Malabrigo Merino, a pure merino wool yarn (210 yards, 3.5 oz., 1 skein). Alternative worsted weight options include Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride worsted or similar fibers of comparable weight and yardage.

Needles and Notions: Two size 6 circular needles measuring 16 inches, one set of size 6 double-pointed needles (set of 5), and one stitch marker. The circular needles are used for both flat knitting the brim and transitioning to in-the-round knitting for the crown, while double-pointed needles accommodate the decreasing stitches as the crown tapers toward the x-shaped top.

Pattern Notes and Skill Level

This is an intermediate-level knitting project designed by Cheryl Andrews. Success with the Boulder Beanie requires attention to gauge consistency, particularly during the brim construction where tight, even tension is essential to the hat's structural integrity. Knitters are advised to maintain the recommended cast-on method and gauge specifications, and to adjust needle size downward if knitting with a naturally loose tension.