Today’s free knitting pattern is a casual slouch style beanie hat. The hat is knit with chunky yarn, in the round on circular knitting needles.

This is a very easy beanie hat to knit. The stripes are worked in self striping yarn – this means that you get a very attractive rainbow stripe effect without having to keep on changing yarns. This way of knitting stripes also saves an awful lot of time at the end of the project as there are very few yarn ends to sew in.

Read on to find out more about this striped beanie hat and to get the free knitting pattern!

What makes a beanie a slouch beanie?

The difference between slouch hat and a hat, is that a slouch hat contains a few extra rows in the body before starting to shape the crown of the hat.

This gives extra length to the body of the beanie hat. It will look slouchy and kind fo hang down a bit, hence the name ‘slouch’ hat.

Slouch hats have been fashionable for a few years now and they seem to be ever popular. Younger people in particular seem fond of the casual look offered by slouch hats. This style of hat can however be worn by anyone of any age.

Recommended yarns to knit the stripey beanie hat

This hat is knit on 6mm circular knitting needles. You therefore need to use a chunky yarn that works with this needle size. You need approx 50g of a plain colour, and approx 30g of a self striping yarn.

The hat shown in the photos was knit with Wool Addicts Earth and Cloud, both by Lang Yarns.

Some of my favourite self striping chunky yarns (I am a massive chunky yarn lover by the way) are as follows:

James C Brett Party Time Chunky – especially brilliant for kids’ knits, this yarn would work well on this hat.

James C Brett Marble Chunky – this self striping chunky yarn comes in massive balls. It isn’t overly chunky and goes a long way, making it extremely economical to knit with. You can see this yarn in action in my very popular baby cocoon knitting pattern.

Lion Brand Homespun – a yarn such as this would add texture to the hat and give it a really fun and unique look.

Paintbox Chunky Pots – possibly my favourite chunky self striping yarn. I love the available colours. You could actually knit this hat JUST with this yarn, so not putting in any stripes, just work a plain hat and enjoy the stripes being formed all by themselves. Chunky pots is quite a thick yarn, it would make a chunkier looking hat than the one shown in the photos.

Stripey Slouch Beanie Hat Free Knitting Pattern

You will need:

• Pair each of 5 and 6mm/US size 8 and 10 needles.
• Approx 80g of chunky yarn, 50g of main colour and a smaller amount of acontrast, self striping, colour. You can use any chunky yarn that is compatible with 6/7mm knitting needles.
• Darning needle to sew up seam and a pair of scissors.

Abbreviations

• K – knit
• P – purl
• K2tog – knit 2 stitches together

Measurements and Tension

In stocking stitch over 2cm on 6mm needles – 3 stitches and 3 rows. Height 24cm, width 23cm. If you knit tightly, or are making the hat for a larger head/thicker hair, it is recommended to go up a needle size.

Instructions – knit in the round

The hat has been designed for knitting on 40cm long circular needles.

In the main colour choice and on 5mm needles, cast on 64 stitches. Join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Use stitch markers to denote the end of rounds.
Work 6 rows of 2 x 2 rib (k2, p2 across each round).

Switch to 6mm needles and contrast yarn.

Do not cut any yarn as you work the stripes for the beanie hat – both yarns are carried up the piece as you knit.

In the contrast yarn, work 2 rounds of stocking stitch (k every round).

Now work 2 rounds of stocking stitch in the main yarn. Then again 2 rounds of stocking stitch in the contrast yarn.

Continue with these 2 row stripes until you have worked 9 stripes, the last 2 being a contrast stripe. So on your needle there will be 6 rows of ribbing and 18 rows of stripes.

Now cut the contrast yarn and work only with the main yarn.
K 12 rows.

Shape the top of the striped beanie hat by working the following rows:

1. (K2tog) x 1, k to end of round (63)

2. (K2tog) x 1, k to end of round (62)

3. (K2tog) x 1, k to end of round (61)

4. (K2tog) x 1, k to end of round (60)

5. (K3, k2tog) across round

6. K
7. (K2, k2tog) across round 8. K
9. (K1, k2tog) across round

Thread yarn through remaining needles, pull to gather top of hat and fasten off.

Neaten off all the loose yarn ends and the seam.

And that’s all there is to it, a very easy to knit striped beanie hat.

Thanks so much for visiting The Knitting Times today, do check back soon for more free knitting patterns and other fun articles.

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