How to Knit a Beanie for Beginners | Knitting in the Round + Magic Loop, by M1R KNIT on YouTube. 26 min 28 s.
- Video length
- 26 min 28 s
- Time to do it
- 3 to 4 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Cast on the stitch count for your size with your chunky yarn and the 9 mm / US 13 circular needle. Slide the cast-on stitches along the cord so they sit side by side.
Join in the round. Place a stitch marker, bring the last cast-on stitch up to the first, check the edge is not twisted, then knit one stitch to close the ring.
Work the brim in twisted 1x1 rib: knit one through the back loop, purl one, and repeat around until the brim is as deep as you want.
Switch to plain stockinette, knitting every stitch on every round, and keep going until the body of the hat reaches the length set in your pattern.
Start the crown decreases where the pattern places them, working each decrease evenly around the round so the hat pulls in smoothly.
Move to magic loop once the remaining stitches no longer stretch around the needle. Pull the cord out at the halfway point and knit each half with the two tips.
Keep working the decrease rounds until only a small number of stitches are left on the needle.
Cut the yarn, thread the tail onto a tapestry needle, run it through the live stitches and pull tight to close the top of the beanie.
Weave the loose ends into the wrong side of the fabric, following the line of the stitches, then trim the tails.
Tips and common mistakes
A twisted join cannot be fixed later, so lay the cast-on edge flat and check every bump faces the same way before the first round.
Give the first stitch of each round a firm tug to stop a loose ladder forming at the join.
If you spot a twisted stitch, slip it off the needle, turn it, and put it back the right way before you carry on.
Chunky yarn knits up fast but shows uneven tension, so keep your stitches loose enough to slide easily on the needle.
Questions
Can I knit a beanie without circular needles?
You can, but you would knit flat and seam the back afterwards. Circular needles let you knit in the round so the hat comes out seamless.
When should I switch to magic loop?
Switch once the decreasing crown gets too small to stretch around the whole needle. A longer cord makes those last few rounds much easier to work.
What yarn should I use for this beanie?
The pattern uses super bulky yarn like Lion Brand Thick & Quick on 9 mm needles. A thinner yarn will give you a smaller hat unless you change the stitch count.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
