FREE KNITTING PATTERN-Basic Men's Beanie

If you're looking for a basic men's beanie knitting pattern, good for beginners and worked up on two needles, you have come to the right place!  Feel free to sell what you make from this pattern, but please refer back to this post for pattern credit.  Please do not re-post this pattern without including a link to this original post.

This is my very first free pattern, so please bear with me as I work out any details which are unclear or need explanation.  Please comment if you find something that needs to be looked at.

What you'll need:
Size 10 needles
Medium weight worsted yarn *note that if you use a thicker yarn, adjust your needle size
Tapestry needle
Tape measure

Abbreviations:
K-Knit
P-Purl
K2TG-Knit 2 together

What to do:
CO 72 (this makes a large men's hat.  Reduce the number of CO stitches in multiples of 2 to customize the sizing)
2X2 ribbing for 5 rows, or about an inch or so (for a longer brim, knit more rows of ribbing):

Row 1: *K2, P2* (*repeat across)
Row 2: same as row 1

Once your ribbing is complete, you will begin the body of the hat:
Row 1: K each across
Row 2: P each across
Continue these two rows for approximately 8 1/2".  For a longer hat, or one with a folded brim, add a few inches to this. UPDATE: this makes it long enough for a fold over brim.  If you want it without that option, lessen this to about 7". 

Now, you will begin the decreases to form the crown.

Row 1: *K2TG, K2* repeat across
Row 2: P each across

You will continue this until there are 12 stitches left.  With a tapestry needle and a long tail, weave the needle through the 12 stitches, being careful not to forget any.  Remove the knitting needle and pull tight to close the hat.  Do not cut the tail, as we will be using this to seam up the side.

Fold the hat with right sides together, so the outside of the hat is on the outside and line up the edges. 

Now you are going to seam up the edge.  Insert the needle into both layers of the hat, pull tight (but not so tight that it makes the seam uneven), bring the yarn in front of the work, and into the next stitch in the seam.  There are a lot of great YouTube videos out there on how to seam up your knitting work.  The mattress stitch method is a bit more challenging, but makes an invisible seam. 

Once you finish your seaming, tie the seaming yarn to the original tail of the work and weave in the edges.  Turn your work so the right side is out.  Your seam will look something like this:

And guess what!? You're done! Congratulations on your newly knitted hat!

*the black one was made a little shorter in length

If you would like to purchase one of these hats, head on over to Crooked By Design and request one!