Dust off those needles – this easy-to-knit beanie teams New Zealand natural wool with a cute-as-a-button possum-fur pompom. 

Pattern: Fran Stafford of Wild & Woolly Yarns  Photo: Rachael McKenna

Size: One size: to fit an adult

MATERIALS

2 balls natural 8-ply wool (we used Wild Earth Yarns)
pair 7mm bamboo needles
large possum-fur pompom
sewing-up needle to join the seam and to attach the pompom

Tension: Approximately 14 stitches to 10cm worked in stocking stitch on 7mm needles

Note: This beanie is worked with two strands of wool held together to create a cosy effect. Do not be alarmed; once you’ve cast on, the strands automatically ‘stick’ together and can be worked as one stitch.

The instructions in brackets are repeated across the row.

BRIM

With 7mm needles and two strands of yarn held together, cast on 62 stitches loosely, and work in rib as follows:

Row 1 (right side) knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch, repeat across the row.

Row 2 (wrong side) knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch, repeat across the row.

Repeat the last 2 rows until you have worked 22 rows for the turnback brim. Decrease by one stitch on your last row by purling 2 stitches together in the middle of the row. (61 stitches remaining.)

MAIN PART OF THE BEANIE

Beginning with a knit row, work 14 rows in stocking stitch, which is 1 row knit, 1 row purl.

SHAPE THE CROWN

Continue in stocking stitch.

Row 1 (right side) (knit 4 stitches, knit 2 stitches together) 10 times, knit 1. (51 stitches remaining.)

Work 3 rows in stocking stitch

Row 5 (knit 3 stitches, knit 2 stitches together), 10 times, knit 1. (41 stitches remaining.)

Row 6 purl across the row.

Row 7 (knit 2 stitches, knit 2 together) 10 times, knit 1. (31 stitches remaining.)

Row 8 purl across the row.

Row 9 knit 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches together, 10 times, knit 1 stitch. (21 stitches remaining.)

Row 10 purl 1 stitch, (purl 2 stitches together), 10 times. (11 stitches remaining.)

Cut the wool, leaving a long end; thread the wool through the remaining stitches, pull the wool up, and fasten off securely. Do not cut the wool.

TO FINISH

Sew the side seam with mattress stitch, which gives a beautifully neat seam. Remember to reverse the seam for the turned-back brim. Sew in loose ends. Attach a possum-fur pompom.

Thanks to Fran Stafford of Wild & Woolly Yarns for the design of this beanie.