Rainbow Bobbles Beanie in Chunky Wool
This is the beanie for you if your children like
their rainbows subtle! The basic beanie is
knitted either in one piece and sewn up the
back, or in the round for a smooth, seam-free
finish (directions given for both). The bobbles
are knitted separately and sewn on at the
end. You could always substitute buttons for
bobbles if you prefer.
To be able to knit this pattern, you need to be
able to cast-on, cast-off, knit, purl and
decrease stitches. It’s written in UK knitting
terms, and is suitable for beginner –
intermediate level.
Note: I don’t give exact ages for my sizing,
preferring to give circumference
measurements. The reason is that children’s
head circumferences vary dramatically within
the bounds of what’s completely normal for
each age group! You’ll get better results if you
measure your child’s head before you begin
knitting. Note: measure the depth from the
crown to the bottom of where you want the
brim to end.
©Rainbow Knits 2011
Abbreviations List
Abbrev Explanation
double-pointed knitting needles for
dpns
knitting in the round
sts
stitches
stocking stitch: knit one row, purl
the next, and repeat so that one
st st
side of the knitting only has knit
stitches, and the reverse is purl
stitches
decrease a stitch by knitting 2
K2tog
stitches together
K
knit
P
purl
Sizes
Circumference
47cm
50cm
52cm
Depth
16cm
18cm
18cm
Approx Age
1-2 years
2-4 years
5-8 years
Instructions are given for 47cm circumference
size, with 50cm and 52cm circumferences
given in brackets afterwards.
Rainbow Bobbles Beanie in chunky
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Equipment:
2 x 4mm straight needles for
bobbles
2 x 5.5mm straight needles, a
circular needle, or set of dpns
2 x 6mm straight needles, a
circular needle, or set of dpns
Tapestry needle
Materials:
1 x 100g ball of chunky wool + scraps of
different coloured chunky wool for
bobbles, for all sizes.
I used Texere Yarns’ own brand chunky
yarn 100% wool for the beanies in the
pictures, available at www.texereyarns.co.uk, because I love their bright
rainbow colours, but any chunky wool
would be fine, so long as you knit to the
tension of the pattern.
Tension:
Approx 14 sts x 21 rows
in a 10 x 10cm square
knitted in st st on 6mm
needles.
Change down a size of
needles if you have less
than 14 sts; go up a size
if you have more than 14
sts.
Knitting Directions
Row
BOBBLES
(knit 1 in each
colour)
1, 3, 5
2, 4
Directions
(All sizes)
Cast on 4 sts with 4mm needles. Then knit 5 rows in st st, thus:
K4
P4
Slip all sts over first st. Cut off a long tail of yarn, around 20-30cm. Thread the tail
through a tapestry needle, then pass it through the remaining st to cast off. Then
thread it round the little square in a running stitch. Pull tight into a bobble. Sew
onto finished hat.
BEANIE
1-6 (1st size)
1-7 (other
sizes)
With 5.5mm needles, cast on 64 sts (70, 72 sts).
Knit in 2 x 2 rib for 6 (7, 7)rows, ie
1st and 3rd sizes: for each rib row *K2, P2, rpt from * to end of the row.
2nd size: even rows: *K2, P2, rpt from * to last 2 sts, then K2
odd rows if knitting on straight needles: **P2, K2, rpt from ** to last 2 sts, then P2
odd rounds if knitting on circular needles: as for even rows.
Change to 6mm needles. Knit in st st for as many rows as you need, allowing 7cm
for the crown that you’ll knit next. I did 14 (16, 16) rows as my girls prefer their
ears out of their beanies, but you may prefer to knit another 6 or 7 rows so that
your child’s ears are covered.
So if you’re knitting in the round, then K every row until the beanie is the desired
length;
If you’re knitting on straight needles, K one row, P the next, and repeat to desired
length.
©Rainbow Knits 2011
Rainbow Bobbles Beanie in chunky
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Row
1 decrease
round/row
st
Next and
every alt
round/row
2nd decrease
round/row
3rd decrease
round/row
Directions
1st size: (K2 tog, K7), rpt to last 10 sts, then (K2tog, K6, K2 tog) (56 sts remain)
2nd size: (K2tog, K7), rpt to last 7 sts, then (K2 tog, K5) (62 sts remain)
3rd size: (K2 tog, K7), rpt to end (64 sts remain)
K if you’re knitting in the round OR
P if you’re knitting with straight needles
1st and 3rd sizes: (K2 tog, K6) rpt to end (49, 56 sts remain)
2nd size: (K2 tog, K6) rpt to last 6 sts, then (K2 tog, K4) (54 sts remain)
1st and 3rd sizes: (K2 tog, K5) rpt to end
2nd size: (K2 tog, K5) rpt to last 5 sts, then (K2 tog, K3)
Continue decreasing on alternate rows like this till 14 (14, 8) sts remain. Cut a long
tail of yarn. Using tapestry needle, thread wool tail through remaining sts twice.
Tighten and darn tail away neatly on the reverse.
Sew on bobbles however you like, eg in a triangle, in 2 rows, in one long row, in a
flower shape
Detail of decreasing on the crown
Feel free to use items made from this pattern as
you see fit. However, as the pattern itself is
copyright Rainbow Knits, please don’t copy or
reproduce the pattern in any form whatsoever.
Change direction of each bobble’s
knitting when you sew them on for
a more interesting effect
©Rainbow Knits 2011
If you spot any errata, please let me know at
[email protected]. I’m sorry, I can’t enter
into any correspondence or provide email support
for different sizes, etc.
Rainbow Bobbles Beanie in chunky
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