The Riaa Beanie

The Riaa Beanie by Elisa Covelli

What is Being Made

The Riaa Beanie is a knit hat designed by Elisa Covelli and available through Wolley Handmade. This lovely beanie features a soft cable pattern inspired by the movements of streams of water. The hat is offered in three sizes to fit toddler, child, and adult head circumferences, making it a versatile project suitable for various age groups. The finished dimensions are approximately 6" wide x 6.3" tall for toddlers, 6.75" x 8" for children, and 6.75" x 9.5" for adults when laid flat and unblocked.

Knitting Techniques and Methods

This beanie is constructed using knitting in the round, a fundamental technique for creating seamless cylindrical garments like hats. The pattern is classified as advanced beginner skill level, making it accessible to knitters who have mastered basic techniques but are ready to tackle more complex stitch work. The cable pattern requires careful attention to stitch manipulation and cable crossing, adding visual interest and texture to the finished piece.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure for The Riaa Beanie is Stockinette stitch in the round, which creates a smooth, classic knit fabric. The defining feature of this hat is the cable pattern, which is worked throughout the design. Cable stitches involve crossing groups of stitches over one another using a cable needle, creating the twisted, rope-like texture that gives the beanie its distinctive appearance and water-inspired aesthetic. The cable work requires the use of a cable needle to temporarily hold stitches while crossing them over other stitches.

Materials and Gauge

The Riaa Beanie is designed to be worked in bulky yarn (weight 5), which creates a quick-knitting, cozy finished garment. The featured yarn is Malabrigo Mecha in the Tabacos colorway, a 100% merino wool yarn that offers softness and warmth. Yardage requirements vary by size: approximately 95 yards for toddler, 115 yards for child, and 125 yards for adult sizes.

The pattern calls for specific needle sizes to achieve proper gauge. Knitters will need US 8 (5mm) circular needles measuring 16" in length for the ribbed cuff, and US 10 (6mm) circular needles of the same length for the main body. For the crown decrease section, longer US 10 (6mm) circular needles or double-pointed needles (DPNs) are recommended, with the option to use the magic loop technique as an alternative. The target gauge is 17 stitches by 26 rows over 4 inches (10cm) in Stockinette stitch in the round, measured with US 10 needles before blocking. Knitters should adjust needle sizes as necessary to obtain this gauge for proper fit.

Additional Notions

Beyond yarn and needles, The Riaa Beanie pattern requires a few essential notions: a cable needle for manipulating cable stitches, scissors for finishing, and a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round during in-the-round knitting.