FAVORITE Men's Beanie!!

Knitting, knitting, knitting!! As I was eagerly awaiting the return of my boyfriend from overseas, I wanted to knit him a beanie. My previous post of a men's beanie wasn't exactly what I was hoping for. My boyfriend wore it but since it was all knit stitch (the only stitch I knew at the time), the rim folded up and made the hat too short :(

I came up with my own pattern that had some inspiration from other patterns I had seen online. I wanted a more relaxed fit but a true beanie shape with a decreased crown. I have never used double pointed needles so I like to do my decreases on my circular needles.

This is my own pattern!! If you want to use it, feel free to pin it on pinterest or use it but please reference my blog :) It was tough for me to find a good pattern online so I know a lot of people are probably looking for a great beanie too!

The yarn I used was one of my favorites - Lion Brand Wool Ease Chunky: it is a size 5 chunky weight yarn and it is very soft!

You only need ONE SKEIN to knit this beanie - you might even have enough for a small beanie for a child as well!

The pattern: 1. Start by casting on 68 stitches on 12 inch circular knitting needles (size 8)

2. The first round is k2b, p2

3. The second round is k2, p2

4. Repeat rounds 1 and 2 once (4 rows total) on size 8 needles --> using the smaller needle helps keep the beanie more fitted around the head

5. After 4 rows, switch to size 11 needles and continue in round 1 (k2b, p2) and round 2 (k2,p2) for around 8 inches

** For the decrease, it may be a little confusing. I tried to keep in pattern as much as possible. Again, I am fairly new to knitting and this is the way I handled it. I'm sure there is an easier (and prettier) way of doing this **

1. Keep in pattern - k6, k2tog (repeat)

^^ by keeping in pattern, I tried to knit 2 together that were similar and follow along with the pattern created so I didn't ruin the ribbing

*** When I say k6, what I did was kept in pattern ie. k2b, p2, k2b, knit together the 2 stitches I would have purled, k6 etc...

2. Knit/purl all stitches in pattern

3. K5, k2tog (repeat)

4. Knit/purl all stitches in pattern

5. K4, k2tog (repeat)

6. Knit/purl all stitches in pattern

7. K3, k2tog (repeat)

8. Knit/purl all stitches in pattern

9. K2, K2tog (repeat)

10. K1, k2tog (repeat)

11. K2tog

I had a few stitches left that I just used a needle and sewed all the stitches through the beanie.

^^ My sister was my hat model, thanks sis :)

Hope you guys like this!! 

Xoxo, Jessica