Seed Stitch Beanie

Seed Stitch Beanie by Mary Gonzales

Project Overview

The Seed Stitch Beanie is a newborn-sized knitted hat designed by Mary Gonzales featuring a classic two-color colorwork design. This downloadable knitting pattern combines the textured seed stitch technique with stockinette stitch construction, creating a cozy and visually interesting beanie perfect for babies.

What Is Being Made

A newborn-sized knitted beanie hat constructed in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles. The finished design showcases a contrasting seed stitch ribbed cuff in two colors, transitioning to a solid stockinette stitch body, and finishing with strategic decreases that shape the crown of the hat.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Circular knitting: The pattern begins on a 16-inch circular needle, allowing for seamless construction in the round
• Colorwork: Two-color yarn work with color changes between the cuff and body sections
• Transitional needle work: Switching from circular needles to double-pointed needles as the crown decreases become too tight for circular needles
• Decreasing techniques: Strategic knit-two-together decreases to shape the crown and close the top of the hat
• Yarn management: Cutting and weaving in yarn ends when changing colors

Stitches Used

• Seed stitch: An alternating knit and purl pattern that creates a bumpy, textured fabric. The pattern alternates between knit-purl and purl-knit rows to offset the stitches and build the characteristic seed stitch appearance
• Stockinette stitch: Smooth knit rows used for the main body of the beanie after the seed stitch cuff
• Knit-two-together (K2tog): A basic decrease stitch used throughout the crown shaping rounds to gradually reduce stitch count and form the top of the hat

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Yarn: The pattern calls for worsted weight yarn, with the sample design using Cascade Pacific in two colors—Blue for the main color (MC) and Cream for the contrasting color (CC). One skein of each color is required. Any two colors of worsted weight yarn can be substituted to customize the beanie's appearance.

Needles and Tools: Size 8 circular needle in 16-inch length for the initial rounds, and Size 8 double-pointed needles for the crown decreases when the circular needle becomes too tight. Additional supplies include a yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, a tape measure for checking measurements, and either a cardboard strip or pom-pom maker (optional) for creating a finishing pom-pom.

Construction Details

The beanie begins with a cast-on of 56 stitches using the contrasting cream color. The first four rounds establish the seed stitch texture through alternating knit-purl combinations, creating a ribbed cuff that provides stretch and structure. After completing the seed stitch section, the yarn is switched to the main color and the pattern transitions to stockinette stitch, which is worked in stockinette until the piece reaches 3.5 inches in length. The crown shaping then begins with a series of decrease rounds that progressively reduce the stitch count, with knit rounds interspersed between decrease rounds to maintain stitch integrity. The pattern specifies switching to double-pointed needles during the decrease section, though knitters may transition earlier if preferred for comfort.