Family Striped Beanies in Caron United - Downloadable PDF

Family Striped Beanies in Caron United – Knitting Pattern Summary

This free downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Caron provides instructions for creating a set of coordinating striped beanies sized for the whole family. Four sizes are included — 4/6 years, 8/10 years, Lady, and Man — making this an ideal project for knitters who want matching hats across age groups. The pattern is rated Easy (Beginner), making it a welcoming choice for those who are newer to knitting or looking for a straightforward, satisfying project.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces classic rolled-brim striped beanies worked in the round from the brim upward. The cast-on edge is intentionally left to roll naturally, creating a casual, relaxed brim without any ribbing required. The body of each hat features a repeating stripe sequence, and the crown is shaped with paired decreases for a neat, fitted finish.

Three distinct color versions are offered within the same pattern, each simply reassigning which of the three contrast colors plays which role in the stripe sequence:

• Version 1: Contrast C (Burgundy) as Color 1, Contrast B (Aran) as Color 2, Contrast A (Navy) as Color 3
• Version 2: Contrast B (Aran) as Color 1, Contrast A (Navy) as Color 2, Contrast C (Burgundy) as Color 3
• Version 3: Contrast A (Navy) as Color 1, Contrast C (Burgundy) as Color 2, Contrast B (Aran) as Color 3

This clever approach means that purchasing the same three skeins of yarn allows a knitter to produce three visually distinct hats, each with a different color emphasis — perfect for gifting or creating a coordinated family set with subtle variation.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is designed specifically for Caron® United®, an Aran weight (size 4) yarn. Each skein contains 4 oz / 113 g and 235 yards / 215 m. Three colors are used throughout:

• Contrast A – Navy (shade 06014)
• Contrast B – Aran (shade 06002)
• Contrast C – Burgundy (shade 06009)

Regardless of size — 4/6 years through Man — the pattern calls for 1 skein of each color, keeping the materials requirement consistent and budget-friendly across all sizes.

The recommended needles are U.S. size 8 (5 mm) knitting needles, or whichever size is needed to achieve the stated gauge. Straight or circular needles may be used depending on the knitter's preferred method of working in the round or flat.

Gauge

The pattern gauge is 17 stitches and 23 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Achieving this gauge is important for ensuring the finished hat fits the intended size correctly, particularly given that four distinct size options are provided.

Techniques and Construction

This pattern uses a small, approachable set of knitting techniques, making it well-suited to beginner and early-intermediate knitters:

• Cast on — a standard cast-on to begin the hat, with the edge left free to roll naturally as the brim
• Stockinette stitch (stocking stitch) — the primary stitch pattern used throughout the body of the hat, created by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side
• Stripe pattern — a structured color sequence worked in stockinette, with Color 2 worked for 4 rows as part of the repeat
• Crown shaping with paired decreases — the top of the hat is shaped using K2tog (knit two together, a right-leaning decrease) and ssk (slip, slip, knit — a left-leaning decrease), worked symmetrically on right-side rows with purl rows in between

Stitches Used