Match it up: Beanie and neckwarmer combo

It seems as though most of the world’s knitters are well into autumn and thinking wintery thoughts. It’s a little strange for those of us in the south where the days are getting longer and warmer. But I’m happy to think knitting all year round. I’m particularly focussed this year though as I have a very exciting year-end trip planned which is going to involve a lot of snow! So I have beanies on the brain.

To make this one interesting we’ve paired it up with a matching neckwarmer. Once you’ve got the hang of the simple pattern repeat it’s a fairly straightforward knit, with a little bit of concentration required on the beanie decreases.

It’s knit in our easy knitting Merino DK 100% wool yarn and I picked a neutral variegated palette. I’m not sure if it’s going to end up in my wardrobe or someone else’s Christmas stocking, so I figured I’d keep those options open.

Happy knitting, and please send pictures. I’ll be sure to add some snow-shots!

Sizing:
Beanie ~ 24cm wide and ~25xm long
Neckwarmer ~28cm wide and ~23cm long

Materials:
2 x 100g cowgirlblues Merino DK variegated skeins.
I used SilverFox/Caramel/Sable/Natural
4mm circular needle (~60cm length cable)
Stitch marker

Gauge:
23 stitches and 39 rows = 10x10cm when knit in pattern

General Instructions:
The stitch pattern for both beanie and neckwarmer is the same.
It’s a 4 row repeat worked in the round where every second round is knit.
You’ll need your stitch marker to keep track of the rounds so you know when to change stitch.
The pattern repeat is worked as follows:
Round 1: [K1, yf, sl1p, yb] repeat to end of round
Round 2: Knit
Round 3: [yf, sl1pw, yb, K1]
Round 4: Knit

The resulting fabric is firm and quite thick, making it perfect for a warm winter beanie and neckwarmer set. The yf creates a horizontal line interspersed with the knit stitches, and that stitch pattern in the variegated yarn gives a lovely muted colour effect.

Neckwarmer Instructions:
The neckwarmer is pretty straightforward.
Using a 4mm circular needle cast on 120 stitches.
Check your stitches are straight then join to form a circle and place your stitchmarker at the join to identify end of round.
Knit in pattern for approximately 25cm.
Cast off and finish away your ends.

Beanie Instructions:
The beanie requires a little more concentration once you start the decreases.
Cast on 96 stitches.
Check your stitches are straight then join to form a circle and place your stitchmarker at the join to identify end of round.
Knit in pattern for approximately 21cm.
Decreases are worked at 8 points on the beanie to give a nice head shape and a beautifully patterned crown.
You’re working with 12 x 8 stitches = 96st so the basic decrease works as follows:
R1: [Work 11 stitches, K2tog], repeat 7 times to end of round
R2: Knit
R3: [Work 10 stitches, K2tog], repeat 7 times to end of round
R4: Knit
R5: [Work 9 stitches, K2tog], repeat 7 times to end of round
R6: Knit
Continue decreasing in this way until only 16 stitches remain.
Cut your yarn and thread the tail through your remaining 16 stitches, pulling it tight to close the crown.
Finish the ends away and you’re done.

A note about the decrease rounds:
Your pattern is a two stitch repeat, sometimes K2tog will be on a K1, sometimes it will be on a (yf, sl1p, yb). Always work it as a K2tog then continue in pattern … your (yf, sl1p, yb) will end up either before the K2tog or afterwards, but don’t worry, the pattern will work itself out and the end result is lovely!

A note on sizing:
To adjust the size of the beanie you can easily add or decrease the number of stitches you cast on.
I recommend using a total number of stitches divisible by 8 to keep the decreasing simple.

This pattern works up well in all of our variegated yarn combinations, shop them here.
Or if you’re into plains, reckon on 4 x 50g Merino DK in any of our lovely semi-solid shades for a beautifully textured knit.

Abbreviations:
yf – yarn forward
sl1p – slip one stitch purlwise
yb – yarn back
k – knit

For photographing I borrowed this vintage hat stretcher … if only we still used things like this!