If you’ve never picked up a pair of knitting needles before but want to join in the fun, here’s a great link to Hobby Help to get you started.
There’s a complete beginners guide, from choosing the right needles to the right yarn, along with links to a world of patterns.
Of course, if you’re no stranger to a ‘purl’ or two, we’ve also shared some of our favourite beanie patterns below.
Nana Annette’s quick guide to knitting beanies for babies.
Jan recommends:
Using 8ply wool and two 4mm (size 8) needles cast on 66 stitches.
Row 1: Knit 2, purl 2, to end of row
Row 2: Knit 1, purl to last stitch, knit 1.
Repeat rows 1 & 2 again.
Row 5: Knit
Row 6: Knit 1, purl to last stitch, knit 1
Repeat rows 5 & 6 twelve times so that you have 26 rows of stocking stitch.
Shape the crown:
Row 25: Knit 4, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row)
Row 26: and every row, knit 1, purl to last stitch, knit 1
Row 27: Knit 3, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row)
Row 29: Knit 2, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row)
Row 31: Knit 1, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row)
Row 32: Knit 2 together to end of row.
Break off the wool leaving enough length to sew up the sides.
Thread the wool through the last stitches on the needle and pull tight.
Sew up the side of the beanie and stitch a pompom on the top if you wish.
Using 8 ply wool and two 4mm (Size 8) needles, cast on 72 stitches and follow the instructions as above.
Variety: If you wish you can continue in the knit 2, purl 2, rib pattern for the entire 26 rows and then do the crown shaping.
Using 12 ply wool and two 5.5mm knitting needles, cast on 48 stitches.
Knit 10 rows knit 2, purl 2 rib.
Knit 10 rows stocking stitch and shape crown as above.
For the more adventurous or experienced knitters
Using 12 ply wool and two 5.5mm knitting needles cast on 48 stitches.
Knit 8 rows of knit 2, purl 2 rib. Increase one stitch at the end of the last row (49 sts)
Legend:
wrn=pull the wool round the needle towards you so that it makes a stitch when you knit the next stitch
sl 1= slip a stitch onto the right hand needle wit out knitting it
psso= pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch
knit 2 tog= knit 2 stitches together
Row 1: Knit 1, (wrn, sl 1, knit 1, psso, knit 3, knit 2 tog, wrn, knit 1) repeat to end of row
Row 2 and every alternate row: Knit 1, purl to last stitch, knit 1
Row 3: Knit 2, (wrn, sl 1, knit 1, psso, knit 1, knit 2 tog, wrn, knit 3) repeat to last 2 sts, knit 2
Row 5: Knit 3, (wrn, sl 1, knit 2 tog, psso, wrn, knit 5) repeat to last 3 sts, knit 3
Repeat the last 5 pattern rows again.
Shape the crown as for previous patterns