There She Blows Whale Beanie Hat

There She Blows Whale Beanie Hat

What is Being Made

The There She Blows Whale Beanie Hat is a whimsical knitted beanie designed by madmonkeyknits, featuring a playful whale motif. This downloadable knitting pattern (Pattern No. 78 from the MADBEANIEHATS collection) creates a fitted hat available in five sizes ranging from extra small (to fit 40–45 cm head circumference) through extra large (to fit 60–65 cm head circumference). The design incorporates colorwork details to depict a whale, making it a charming accessory suitable for children and adults.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting pattern employs several fundamental and decorative techniques. The primary construction uses stocking stitch (alternating knit and purl rows) as the base fabric. The pattern incorporates ribbing for fitted edges and structure. Shaping is achieved through increases and decreases to form the hat's crown and body. Colorwork techniques are used to create the whale design using multiple yarn colors worked into the knitted fabric. The pattern also includes stuffing techniques, as white safety stuffing (approximately 20 grams) is used to add dimension to the whale feature, with optional pale blue pipecleaners available for additional sculptural detail.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) – the fundamental stitch forming the fabric
• Purl (P) – used in combination with knit to create stocking stitch
• Stocking Stitch (St.St) – one row knit, one row purl, creating the smooth primary fabric
• Rib (R) – knit one, purl one alternating pattern for elastic edges
• Decrease (Dec) – knitting or purling two stitches together to reduce stitch count and shape the crown
• Increase (Inc) – knitting or purling into both front and back of a stitch to add stitches and expand the fabric

Materials and Specifications

This pattern is worked in double knitting (DK) weight yarn, a versatile medium-weight yarn suitable for crisp stitch definition. The required yardage varies by size: XS and S sizes require 1 ball of 50 grams in grey, while M, L, and XL sizes require 2, 3, and 3 balls respectively. Small amounts of blue (approximately 10 grams), silver or pale grey (approximately 5 grams), black (tiny amount), and white (tiny amount) are needed for the colorwork whale design. Knitting needles required include one pair of 4.00 mm needles for the main fabric and one pair of 3 mm needles for XS and S sizes only, likely for ribbed edging. Additional materials include approximately 20 grams of white safety stuffing to create dimension in the whale motif, and four pale blue pipecleaners are optional for enhanced sculptural detail.

Tension and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a tension of 22 stitches and 28 rows over 10 centimeters (4 inches) in stocking stitch on 4.00 mm needles. Achieving correct tension is essential for proper fit. The hat is available in five sizes with actual finished circumferences of 35, 40, 45, 50, and 55 centimeters (14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 inches) to accommodate head circumferences from 40–45 cm through 60–65 cm.