Rowan 17 Beanie Hat Knitting Pattern

Rowan 17 Beanie: Knitted Ribbed Hat Pattern

What is Being Made

The Rowan 17 Beanie is a classic knitted hat designed as a one-size-fits-most style. This beanie features a folded cuff that creates a turn-back effect around the lower edge, giving it a contemporary finished look. The pattern includes the option to attach a Rowan Faux Fur Pom Pom to the crown for added visual interest and texture.

Knitting Techniques Used

This beanie is constructed using a bottom-up approach, meaning knitting begins at the lower edge and progresses toward the crown. The hat is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, which means the fabric is created in rows and then seamed together at the back. This flat-working method is particularly beginner-friendly and is reflected in the pattern's Skill Level 1 designation, making it suitable for novice knitters.

The construction involves a straightforward progression: establishing the ribbed body, maintaining consistent stitch patterns through the main section, executing a series of strategic decreases to shape the crown, and finally closing the top opening by threading yarn through remaining stitches.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The foundation of this beanie is a 2x2 ribbed stitch pattern, which alternates knit and purl stitches in a regular sequence (K2, P2). This ribbed texture is established in the first two rows and continues for the majority of the hat's body, creating approximately 27 centimeters of elastic, textured fabric that hugs the head comfortably.

The crown shaping employs several fundamental decrease techniques:

• P2tog (purl two together): A purl-based decrease that reduces stitch count while maintaining pattern integrity
• K2tog (knit two together): A knit-based decrease used during the final shaping rows
• Sl 1, K1, psso (slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over): A left-leaning decrease technique employed in the upper crown shaping

These decreases are worked strategically across multiple rows to gradually reduce the stitch count from 90 stitches down to 12 stitches, creating a smooth, tapered crown closure.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The beanie is knitted using Rowan Alpaca Soft DK yarn, a lightweight double-knit weight yarn held double throughout the project. The pattern requires 3 balls of 50 grams each (150 grams total). The yarn is photographed in two colorways: Simply White 201 and Rainy Day 210, though any compatible DK yarn can be substituted.

Knitting is executed on 6mm (US size 10) straight needles, paired together. The pattern specifies working with yarn held double, which creates a thicker fabric and faster gauge than working with single-strand yarn, contributing to the quick completion time suitable for a beginner project.

The working tension is established at 20 stitches and 22 rows to 10 centimeters measured over the ribbed stitch pattern using the specified needles and double-strand yarn.

Finishing and Assembly

After the knitted pieces are complete, the hat undergoes several finishing steps. The fabric is pressed according to standard finishing instructions. The back seam is then joined, with the first 8 centimeters of this seam reversed to accommodate the fold-back cuff. The lower edge is folded 7 centimeters to the right side to create the distinctive turned-back brim. An optional Rowan Faux Fur Pom Pom can be attached to the crown for a decorative finish.