As I grow older I realized how the smaller things in life can make the biggest impact and I have started appreciating them more. A giggle from Maggie, a nice cup of tea, a 20-minute walk in the sun on an otherwise very grey day, perfectly salted pistachios! But in crochet, it’s the slip stitch that I have learned to appreciate and love!

So today’s pattern is all about the SLIP STICH!

Let me introduce you to Susie!

Susie’s namesake is a Chinese girl I worked with when I lived in China. She was small, cute, simple, super clever, helpful, and just overall wonderful.

Susie, the hat, is a simple beanie that takes about one hour to make and that you will actually want to wear all the time! It’s worked vertically and the pattern includes adjustable instructions for all sizes! The ribbed made using slBLO makes it incredibly stretchy and comfortable to wear. It can be made with a folded brim, long and slouchy or snug around your head.

#SusieBeanie

Keep reading for the FREE pattern or head to my SHOP to purchase the ad-free printable PDF with pictures!

The yarn

Susie was made with Debbie Bliss Merion. It’s a bulky weight yarn that was released at the end of 2020. Made from 50% merino and 50% acrylic (for added durability), Merion boasts a light and lofty texture that’s cloud-soft for unbelievably quick winter knits that are simply irresistible!

It really is great! My Susie has been worn loads by my husband who is the worst at caring for knitwear, and it still looks like new!

Learn more

Learn more about this yarn and find lots of other free knitting patterns made with Merion in mind!

What you need to know before starting

Continue reading for the free pattern or purchase the AD-FREE Printable PDF with pictures HERE.

Skill level: Beginner

Materials:

YARN: 1 Ball of Debbie Bliss Merion - or a similar Super Bulky yarn (size 6).

HOOK: 12 mm.

NOTIONS: 1 stitch marker (or loose strand of yarn) and a tapestry needle.

Gauge

10 sts x 14 rows of slBLO = 10 cm x 10 cm (Because the rib is super elastic and the pattern is very adjustable, gauge is not so important this time)

Sizes + measurements

This pattern comes in one very adjustable size with measurement suggestions for Babies - Adult L.

Abbreviations (US)

BLO: Back Loop Only
ch: chain
Mkr(s): marker(s)
PM: place mkr
sc: single crochet
sk: skip stitches or spaces
st: stitch
sl: slip stitch
WS: wrong side

Construction + Pattern Notes

The beanie is worked vertically in one piece. At the top, short rows are used to shape the crown. The short rows make “segments” that divide the whole of the beanie. Once the right width has been worked, it is joined at the side on the WS and the hole in the crown in closed.

The Pattern

Make a chain that is between 14 - 32 cm / 5.5 - 12.5 in long. This chain will determine the length of the beanie at its longest point, so feel free to adjust this starting chain to taste - keep in mind that a chain will always stretch longer than the actual work after a few worked rows.

Here are recommended lengths depending on the desired size - Baby (Toddler, Child, Teen, Adult M, Adult L):

Length w/o folded brim:14 (16, 18, 20, 22, 24) cm / 5.5 (6.25, 7, 8, 8.75, 9.5) inches.

Length w/folded brim:20 (23, 26, 28, 30, 32) cm / 8 (9, 10.25, 11, 11.75, 12.5) inches.

Set-up ROW: Ch1 (NEVER counts as a st), starting on the 2nd ch from your hook, sl to the end of the row.

The end of the row, where the hook is now, is the Bottom end of the beanie. The other end is the Top end. From the top end, count 6 sts, PM in next st (Top mkr).

From now on, the stitch count will indicate the number of sts between the Top mkr and the top end.

Body of the Beanie

The whole of the beanie is worked in slBLO - make sure to keep the sts LOOSE to make it easier to work in them and to keep the ribbing as elastic as possible.

Segment 1

The (up) or (down) next to the row number indicate the direction of the row. “Up” rows go from bottom to top. “Down” rows go from top to bottom.

ROW 1 (up): Ch1 (doesn’t count as a st), slBLO to 1 st from the end, turn. [5 sts between mkr and top end - dec 1 st]

ROW 2 (down): Ch1, sk 1st st, slBLO to end of the row, turn. [4 sts between mkr and top end - dec 1 st]

ROWS 3 - 6: Repeat the prev 2 rows two more times. [0 sts between mkr and top end]

ROW 7 (up): Ch1, slBLO to end of row, *sl on side of the short row “step”, slBLO in next empty st, rep from * to the last empty st of the row. [6 sts between mkr and top end]

ROW 8 (down): Ch1, slBLO to end of row, turn. [6 sts between mkr and top end]

Segment 1 is complete with 8 rows.

Repeat Segment 1 until the width of the beanie goes around your head. Remember that the ribbing is elastic, so the beanie will actually be smaller than the head circumference.

Here are some measurements to guide you depending on size Baby (Toddler, Child, Teen, Adult M, Adult L):

Approx head circumference: 44.5 (47, 51, 54.5, 58.5, 61) cm/ 17.5 (18.5, 20, 21.5, 23, 24) inches.

Hat circumference UNSTRETCHED:22 (25, 29, 32, 36.5, 39) cm / 8.5 (10, 11.5, 12.5, 14.5, 15.5) inches. *to be worn with 18 - 22 cm (7 - 8.5 in) of negative ease

Closing

Choose the RS and WS based on the preferred look of the crown.

On the WS, slst the outer loops of the last row of the beanie to the starting chain

Fasten off leaving a tail.

Place the tail through a tapestry needle and weave the yarn through the tops of each segment of the crown on the RS. Pull to tighten and close the hole.

Fasten off on the WS.

Finishing touches

● Weave in all ends.

● Add pom pom if desired.

Susie Beanie - Free Pattern!