Free Pattern: Ringwood Beanie

It’s Autumn, which means it’s time to pull out all the handknits. Don’t all knitters look forward to this time of year? Out of all my accessories the red beanie I made at the start of this year has become a real favourite. I’m such a sucker for that Ringwood stitch for accessories. It looks so cosy and it’s perfectly unisex to boot. The hat itself turned out to be a great little project that I’ve actually made for others as well. That’s how I know it only takes a dedicated last-minute weekend to whip this up! (The secret to quick knitting is thick wool).

Frankly I think it’s a pattern that’s begging to be set free upon the internet. So I shall, because I love you all and I don’t want your heads to get cold.

DETAILS

Needles: 40 cm circular needles in needle sizes 5mm and 5.5mm
(if you only have longer ones, just pull the excess cable out in a loop)

Yarn: 130 yards/ 120 m of ‘Bulky’ weight merino wool (I used 2 balls of Debbie Bliss Rialto Chunky)

Size: To fit average adult head with 20-24” circumference (Hat is very stretchy).

Gauge in Ringwood stitch pattern: 15 sts/ 20 rws over 4”.

Ravelry Page is here

PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

Brim

On smaller needles, CO 80, place marker to mark beg of round and join without twisting to start knitting in the round.

[k1, p1] to end of round for 10 rnds, or until brim measures 1.5”.

Ringwood pattern

Change to larger needles.

K 2 rnds, then on 3rd rnd, [k1,p1] to end. Rep these 3 rnds until you have worked 4.5” in Ringwood stitch.

Decreases

(Work Ringwood pattern as established the whole time.)

Rnd 1 (dec rnd): [work 8 sts in patt, k2tog] to end of rnd.

Rnd 2: [work 8 sts in pattern, k1] to end of rnd.

Rnd 3: [work 7 sts in patt, k2tog] to end of rnd.

Rnd 4: [work 7 sts in patt, k1] to end of rnd.

Rnd 5: [work 6 sts in patt, k2tog] to end of rnd.

Rnd 6: [work 6 sts in patt, k1] to end of rnd.

Rnd 7: [work 5 sts in patt, k2tog] to end of rnd.

Rnd 8: [work 5 sts in patt, k1] to end of rnd.

Rnd 9: [work 4 sts in patt, k2tog] to end of rnd.

Rnd 10: [work 4 sts in patt, k1] to end of rnd.

Rnd 11: [work 3 sts in patt, k2tog] to end of rnd.

Rnd 12: [work 3 sts in patt, k1] to end of rnd.

Rnd 13: [work 2 sts in patt, k2tog] to end of rnd.

Rnd 14: [work 2 sts in patt, k1] to end of rnd.

Rnd 15: [work 1 sts in patt, k2tog] to end of rnd.

Rnd 16: [work 1 sts in patt, k1] to end of rnd.

16 sts remain.

Break yarn, leaving a long tail. With a tapestry needle, draw the tail through all remaining sts and pull tight. Weave in all loose ends.

Block gently by washing hat in lukewarm water, squeezing out the excess and leaving it to dry flat.

Flip up the brim and you’re done!

(bonus serious face)