Quick and Easy Hat Knitting Pattern
Knit this versatile ribbed hat for a quick and easy project that really shows off the yarn. Wear the beanie slouchy or with the brim folded over for a fitted look.
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When designing, I usually follow an organic, yet predictable process. I figure out a general idea of what I want to make, such as a beanie. Then, I find the right yarn for the project, followed by the appropriately-sized needles or hook for the stitch pattern I’d like to use. This is how the vast majority of my patterns are created.
But, there is an exception to every rule. So, sometimes, rather than starting with an idea for the “what” of the pattern, the yarn compels me to design. You know how this works, right? You find a gorgeous skein of yarn and you MUST HAVE IT! You don’t know what you’re going to make with it, but you know it must be yours. This happens to me more often than is good for my bank account, but I do love the spark that lights up my creativity when I see one of those gorgeous finds. Similarly, I sometimes stare at the unused skeins in my stash and think, “I really should use up some of this before I yarn shop again.”
In either instance, it is the yarn that calls to me first, and the design idea comes from there. This is what happened to me when I started gathering up the fun colorways of Lion Brand’s Mandala yarn. It started as the “Oh, fun colors! I must have them!” and ended with me looking at the skeins accumulated in my stash with the need to start making a dent in them.
So, I knew I wanted to work with Mandala, and that was a solid jumping off point. The thing with an ombre or variegated or otherwise funky yarn is that you don’t want to do too much and make the project too busy. Sometimes, the beautiful colors of the yarn speak for themselves, and a simple pattern is best to show them off.
That’s how I ended up with the Extraordinary Mandala Beanies. I made both a knit version and a crochet version in a simple ribbed beanie style that can be worn slouchy or cuffed at the brim for a fitted look.
Design Inspiration: The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune
As far as fandom inspiration, I designed the pattern without one in mind, but when I read The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune, I loved the cover art so much, and it reminded me of the colorway Chimera so much that I decided to work them up to coordinate with this cool book cover, and bam, now we have a fandom tie-in.
If you haven’t read The Extraordinaries, it is a super fun read. It follows the main character, Nick, through his trials and tribulations as a teenager with a major crush on the real-life superhero Shadow Star and navigating life as a 16-year-old and all of the challenges inherent in that alone.
- You can get the book right here.
- Get the kindle version here.
- Snag the audiobook here:
You can read my review of the book right here and follow me on Goodreads.
Get a printer-friendly, low cost PDF file of this pattern at my Etsy shop: Download it here.
The Yarn
Lion Brand Mandala (I used the colorway Chimera), is a light weight (3) acrylic yarn. It is soft and cozy, while also being machine-washable. There are SO MANY fun colorways from which to choose, and I honestly don’t know that I could choose a favorite.
Get the yarn right here: Lion Brand Mandala
Get a printer-friendly, low cost PDF file of this pattern at my Etsy shop. Download it here.
The Pattern
- Get the PDF file download, optimized for printing HERE
- Pin it for later on Pinterest right HERE
- Add it to your Ravelry faves HERE
Materials:
- Mandala Yarn (less than one 590-yd skein)
- Size 4 16-inch circular knitting needles
- Set of size 4 double pointed knitting needles
- Yarn needle
Abbreviations:
- st – stitch
- K – Knit
- P – Purl
- K2tog – Knit 2 stitches together
- P2tog – Purl 2 stitches together
Gauge:
Approximately 28 stitches & 26 rows = 4″ in un-stretched ribbed stitch
Finished Size:
One size fits most adults.
Instructions:
Cast on 96 sts. Join to work in the round.
Round 1: (K1, P1) around.
Repeat Round 1 until the piece measures approximately 11” from the beginning.
Shape Crown
*Switch to dpns when needed.
Round 1: [(K1, P1) 4x, K2tog, P2tog] around. (80 sts)
Round 2: [(K1, P1) 3x, K2tog, P2tog] around. (64 sts)
Round 3: [(K1, P1) 2x, K2tog, P2tog] around. (48 sts)
Round 4: (K1, P1, K2tog, P2tog) around. (36 sts)
Round 5: (K2tog, P2tog) around. (20 sts)
Round 6: (K2tog) around. (10 sts).
Finishing
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Draw through remaining stitches and secure. Weave in all loose ends.
Get a printer-friendly, low cost PDF file of this pattern at my Etsy shop. Download it here.
Want More Knitting Patterns?
Check out my other knitting patterns right here.
Let’s Connect!
If you have any questions about the pattern, or you just want to talk fandoms or share your project photos (or even to request a fandom themed project), join me in the free, private facebook group “Fandom Knitting & Crochet – Group.” I’d love to see you there!
If you make this project, share it with me on Instagram: @fandom.knitting.crochet and use #fandomknittingandcrochet
Hi, I am trying to find the pattern for the Child’s Classic Elf Hat. The pattern link on Ravelry leads down a rabbit hole and no pattern to be found.
Can you help?
Thank you.
Hi Nancy,
It looks like the site where the pattern was originally published no longer has it up. I retain the pattern rights, so I’ll dig around and see if I still have the original. I’ll let you know.