The spiral beanie is a beginner friendly and quick to work up knitting pattern. This pattern uses a bulky wool blend yarn making the hat warm and quick to work up.
This hat pattern is slightly slouchy and is extra stretchy due to the stitch pattern. A perfect hat if you like a looser fitting hat. The spiral knit hat is fun to work up and looks good in any colour. Try mixing it up and making the brim of the hat a different colour than the body of the hat.
You can purchase the inexpensive ad-free printable PDF version on Ravelry here or find it here on Esty
*this post may contain affiliate links. Meaning if you purchase something through one of these links I may earn a small commission and no extra charge to you.*
Spiral Beanie Pattern
Materials
- 8mm (US 11) 16″ circular needle
- 9 mm (US 13) 16″ Circular needle
- 9mm DPN’S
- Stitch Marker
- 1 skein bulky yarn (level 6) – I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick
- Optional: Pom Pom Maker or fur pom pom
You can purchase faux fur pom poms in my shop here!
Notes
- This pattern is written for an adult if you would like other sizes please purchase the inexpensive PDF version on Etsy here or Ravelry here.
- Pattern is created in multiples of 4
- If you would like the beanie to be more slouchy knit extra rounds to increase the length of the hat.
- If you would like the hat to be less slouchy decrease the number of rounds you knit.
My amazon picks:
Abberviations
K: Knit
p: Purl
k2tog: Knit 2 together
* Repeat anything in the asterisk until end of the round
gauge
2.25 stitch/ 1 inch x 3 rows/ 1 inch
Pattern
Adult Size
Using 8mm circular knitting needles cast on 44 stitches. Join in the round.
Brim of the hat
Row 1-6: *K1, P1*
Body of the hat
Switch to 9mm needles
Row 7: *Knit 3, p1*
Row 8: *Knit 3, p1*
Row 9: P1, *K3, P1*, K3
Row 10: P1, *K3, P1*, K3
Row 11: K1, P1, *K3, P1*, K2
Row 12: K1, P1, *K3, P1*, K2
Row 13: K2, P1 *K3, P1*, K1
Row 14: K2, P1 *K3, P1*, K1
Row 15-22: Repeat rows 7-14
Row 23-28: Repeat rows 7-12
Row 29: *K2, K2tog* (33 sts)
Row 30: Knit all the way around (33 sts)
SWITCH TO DPN’s
Row 31: *k1, k2tog* (22 sts)
Row 32: *k2tog* (11 sts)
Cut a long tail and weave through the remaining stitches on the needle to close off.
Weave in ends and you’re done! Now you can add a pom pom if you would like. You can purchase faux fur pom poms here!
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This pattern is an original pattern by Meg Hardison of The Northern Moose. Please do not claim this pattern as your own. Please do not reprint this pattern on your site. You may keep a copy of the pattern for your own personal use, but please do not sell the pattern or distribute it.
You may sell products made from this pattern but please clearly credit the design to me Meg Hardison and link back to The Northern Moose Blog. Permission is not granted for mass production or factory manufacturing of any kind. Thank you for being respectful and for your understanding!
I am currently knitting the Spiral Hat pattern as Mommie and Me Christmas gifts for my daughter in law and grandaughter. What a fun pattern and so pretty. Thank you for sharing this pattern; I know I will use it often.
I’m glad you like it! It defiantly is a fun pattern.
When your pattern states the stiches to work and then states to the last 2 or 3 stitches. I need to know what to do with the remaining stitches left to work. Are these 2 or 3 stitches worked in knit
Yes, the are knit. At the end of the asterisk it states what to do. The wording is just letting you know what after you repeat the pattern there’s going to be x amount of stitches left over to knit.
Hi, newer knitter, I have the right needles but my daughter picked a bully weight 5 yarn instead of 6. Net weight is 150 grams, and the needle recommendation is a size 9. Can you help me adjust this for the size 13 needles?
Hi Jen,
So with the level 5 yarn. Cast on 50 stitches. And for the pattern it will be k4, p1. So follow the pattern and instead of k3,p1 you’ll be doing k4,p1. Let me know if you have more questions.
If it’s 50 stitches for bulky level 5. Is it still going to spiral correct. As the pattern say move up or down 4 stitches? Just want to make sure before I knit one also. Thank you in advance
I would still cast on 48 stitches for level 5 yarn. This hat has a lot of stretch.
Thank you much appreciated
Hi,
I knit for a baby or 6-12 montés. How long I knit before the decrease?
Thank you
Nathalie T
Hi Nathalie,
Knit between 6.5 to 7 inches before you begin the decrease.
I’ve juat made 2 of the spiral beanie. They are beautiful. What is the measurement of the width of the hat. Not sure if mine are bigger then they should be. Thanks
The hats should fit a head circumference between 20″-22″. With some slouch to the hat. With the stitch construction these hats tend to fit a little looser. I do not have a hat made up currently to measure the exact width for you. But if you find the hats fit too loose. you can decrease the amount of stitches you cast on (in a multiple of 4) or you can switch to 8mm knitting needles for a tighter fitting hat.
I have the right yarn, but not the right Needles. What adjustments are needed for a size 8 circular needle?
Hi!
You can follow the exact same pattern with a size 8 circular needle. This hat has a lot of stretch to it. So there isn’t a big difference between using size 8 or size 9 needles.
I love knitting your spiral beanie. I’m relatively new to knitting and I love this hat. I want to make the child sized one. I saw it on your Etsy site, but not here. Have you released the pattern for it yet? Thank you for these patterns.
It’s only available through my Etsy shop right now.
But if it’s for a child between the ages 2-5 you can cast on 40 stitches and follow the same pattern as the adult.
Thank you for the lovely patterns. I love your style!
I like this cute hat. Now . I knitting for my grandson who will delivery in middle of Nov.
I like your style..
Thank you for your sharing
Nancy Cheng
From Taiwan Rep. of China
This is the first hat I’ve ever knit…okay, to be honest, it’s the first garment aside from that long scarf that was really just extended practice. Anyway, I love this pattern. It’s great for beginners like me. Thanks for the clear instructions and for so generously sharing your pattern.
What color is the yarn you used for the multi-colored hat?
Coney Island by lion brand thick and quick wool ease.
I want to knit this for a baby born in October to wear this winter. So, age 3 months. I’m thinking of casting on 36 instead of 40. Should I go less?
36 still might be a little big. But it will fit longer. If you go down to 32 I’m not sure that it will last the full winter. But it will be a snugger fit in the beginning.
My apologies – I left a comment yesterday asking for smaller child sizes but see now that it’s in the explanation. Feel free to disregard my comment. Thanks!
No worries and sorry for the late reply. I’m glad you were able to find the instructions.
I love this pattern but have two questions. Is it necessary to switch to DPN? Also, I’m making for my seven year old niece. What should the length be when I begin to decrease?
No the dpns are not necessary. Just cast off when you can’t knit anymore on the circulars. I use dpns so I get more rows, and would decrease at 7 inches. But since your not using dpns I would probably start decreasing around 7.5 inches.
I absolutely love your spiral beanie pattern! Could you please tell me when you should begin the decrease for a non slouchy version for the following sizes, 6-12months, 12months-3 yrs and child size? Thank you! I look forward to seeing furure patterns that you come out with.
For 6-12 months begin decreasing when hat reaches about 5.5 inches the decrease starting at k2, k2tog. For toddler decrease begins when hat reaches about 6 inches. Again start at k2,k2tog. For child. Start when hat is 6 inches but start with k3, k2tog. I have not tested this to confirm it is not slouchy. But this should work out ok.
Love the pattern. What size pompoms do you recommend?
I usually make mine about 5-6 inches
If I were to make the hat more slouchy, what portion of the pattern should I repeat and do I do this before or after rows 23-26? I’m not sure if it matters but I’d hate to have to rip out.
So the pattern is worked over 8 rows. It depends on how slouchy you would like it. So row 27 you could continue with the pattern. rows 24-27 say to repeat rows 7-10 you can continue after repeating row 10 and repeat rows 11-14 to make it more slouchy. Let me know if you have anymore questions.
Hi, is it possible to use the spiral beanie pattern for a scarf?
I would think you could do that. Just make sure your width is a multiple of 4 and then just follow the pattern. But since I’ve never tested it, I’m not sure how the final product would look.
I love this hat. Unfortunately, my stitch count does not come out right. Could you please tell me where I am going wrong? By my calculations, round 27 starts with 48 stitches and ends with 39 stitches on the needles.(9 stitch decrease for *K3,K2tog* repeats)
No change for Round 28, so stitch count is still 39.
Round 29. Start with 39 stitches. After 9 repeats of *K2,K2tog*, stitch count is 30.
Round 30: Stitch count remains at 30.
Round 31 is my problem. I can’t see how I can work even multiples of *k1,k3tog* into my stitch count of 30. Could you please respond with the correct stitch count at the end of each round? Can’t wait to try this again after frogging the first attempt.
Hello,
So sorry the k3tog was a typo, it should have been k2tog. First decrease round ends with 39 stitches, next decrease round 30, the k1, k2tog ends with 20.
I am truly sorry for the confusion.
I have just found this beanie pattern and love the look. Before I start could I please clarify the details mentioned above by Tish. I have added to your pattern her results in parentheses after reading your response July 15 re k3tog typo. Q1. Was that typo in Round 31 and has now been amended to k2tog in the pattern? Q2. First decrease row is 27? Q3. Row 31 ends with 20sts so in Row 33 do we k2tog all the way around? Sorry for such a long question, I want to understand it all before I begin! Loving the look of this beanie and keen to start. Thankyou so much, Maree
Row 27: *K3, K2tog*, K3 (starts with 48sts, ends with 39)
Row 28: Knit all the way around (ends with 39)
Row 29: *k2, k2tog*, K3 (starts with 39 ends with 30sts)
Row 30: Knit all the way around (stays at 30sts)
Hello,
Thank you for your kind words!
Ok so
A1: The typo was in row 27 I have now fixed it. It should read *k2, k2tog* k3
A2:yes the first decrease row is row 27
A3: yes row 33 you k2tog all the way around
I hope that answered your questions. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Hello, thanks so much for this wonderful pattern!
I see in the previous comments you have been addressing stitch count. I’m on my second attempt at row 27 . I have 48 stitches on the needle, with the *k2, k2tog* k3, I knit around with the k2, k2tog repeat, but when I approach my marker, I have 4 stitches remaining not 3. When I do the math, 48 total stitches – the k3 at the end = 45 stitches. The repeat as written involves 4 stitches. 45/4 does not make an equal number.
I think what you said you originally had for row 27: *K3, k2tog* k3, is correct. I ended up with 39 stitches!
Thank you! I will fix that now!
Hi I just knit your wonderful hat. It looks gorgeous. Thank you so much for your kindness and patience, after your prior corrections I was able to knit in a few hours without issue.
Happy New Year!!
The pattern i bought says to cast on 44 stitches, the one on your web site says cast on 48 stitches for Adult hat. i guess the only difference is it would be bigger.
The pattern you purchased is the most updated version of the pattern.
I am very new to knitting. I don’t know how to knit anything round. Is it possible to knit this pattern and then “sew” it to be round? Sorry if this is a dumb question. I really love the way this beanie looks.
Hello!
Your question is not dumb at all!
Unfortunately the pattern would have to be changed to be able to knit it flat and then sew it into a hat.
If you’d like you can contact me through the contact form on this page and I can try and assist you better through email!
Hello. What is your gauge on this pattern? (So tight knitters like me can adjust!)
I just discovered your lovely web site – always nice to find Canadian designers.
Hello,
The gauge is 2.25 stitches per inch and 3 rows per inch.
Have a wonderful day!
I just finished making this hat with the same yarn that you used and the same sized needles. Maybe I knit tighter than you, but I would like it to be a little looser. Could I just add 4 stitches and have the pattern come out the same? I love the hat.
So sorry for the delayed response. Yes you can add 4 stitches and the hat will come out the same!
Hello! I love this pattern. I am wanting to make this pattern with. bulky (5) yarn. I understand that adjustments need to be made, Can you guide me to make those changes? Thank so much!
Hey!
Not many adjustments need to be made. Cast on 48 stitches instead of 44. You can follow the pattern exactly as it is. If you feel the hat isn’t tall enough by the end of the 28 rows (before the decrease rounds), you can knit another 2 rounds.
Have a wonderful night. Let me know if you have anymore questions!
Hi there! I love this pattern! I am just finishing my first hat and have two more yarns waiting to be used 🙂
I’m making the adult sized one and am wondering if I’ve done it correctly – after row 32 how many stitches should I have to pull the tail through and close up? Thankyou!!
Hello! There should be 11 stitches left!
Thankyou!!!