Dominion Beanie

Dominion Beanie by Ann Marion Willis

What is Being Made

The Dominion Beanie is a classic bulky striped beanie designed for teen and adult head sizes. This downloadable knitting pattern produces a finished hat with approximately 21–23 inches head circumference and 8.5 inches depth. The beanie features a simple two-color striped design created by alternating between two super bulky yarn colors throughout the crown and body of the hat.

Knitting Techniques Used

This beginner-level knitting pattern employs fundamental techniques suitable for newer knitters. The construction begins with a long tail cast-on method to establish 40 stitches on circular needles. The pattern uses in-the-round knitting, which creates a seamless tube structure ideal for hats. Knitters work in joined rounds using a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round. The pattern incorporates color changes to create the striped effect, with yarn colors introduced and switched at specific intervals. The crown shaping uses decreases to taper the top of the hat, and the finished edge is secured with a tapestry needle. Optional finishing includes attaching a pompom to the crown.

Stitches Used

The Dominion Beanie uses a limited stitch vocabulary, making it accessible for beginners:

• Knit (K): The primary stitch used throughout most of the pattern, creating the stockinette texture on the main body
• Purl (P): Used in the ribbed cuff section in a K1P1 alternating pattern to create elasticity and a finished edge
• Knit two together (K2tog): A decrease stitch used to shape the crown and reduce stitches as the hat tapers toward the top

Materials and Tools

The pattern requires 8mm circular knitting needles in a 16-inch length, sized to achieve proper gauge. Optional 8mm double-pointed needles (DPN) or the magic loop method can be used for working the smaller crown decreases. The yarn specification calls for super bulky weight yarn: approximately 54 yards (85 grams) in color A and approximately 18 yards (28 grams) in color B. Additional notions include one stitch marker, scissors, one tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and one optional pompom for crown decoration. The gauge is 10 stitches by 14 rows over 4 inches by 4 centimeters in stockinette stitch, which determines the finished size and fit.