KNITTING PATTERN - Checkerboard Beanie

The Checkerboard Beanie (aka John Hat) is a snug-fitting cap that’s sure to be your guy’s new favorite!  This beanie is easy, works up fairly quickly, and is a great project for new knitters.

Materials: US size 8 (5.0 mm) DPNs and/or 16” circular needles, stitch marker, yarn needle, scissors

Yarn: Approximately 150 yards of Worsted Weight Yarn. Sample shown using “I Love This Yarn”.

Sizes: Child size (ages 4-10) and Adult size

Gauge: 18 STS and 28 rounds = 4” in (K4, P4) pattern stitch

Stitch Guide:  CO - cast on, K - knit, K2TOG - knit 2 together, P - purl, P2TOG - purl 2 together, ST(S) - stitch(es)

Notes

• This hat is knit in continuous rounds. Use stitch marker to mark the 1st stitch of each round.
• I use circulars, then switch to DPNs when decreasing. Use DPNs for the whole hat if preferred. 
• I tend to knit snugly, so you may want to use smaller needles to get the gauge. Additionally, this beanie is meant to be close-fitting. If you prefer your hats to be longer/looser, you may want to use larger needles instead.

Child Size  (19-21” head circumference)
CO 72.
Rounds 1-5: (K4, P4) 9 times. [72 STS]
Rounds 6-10: (P4, K4) 9 times.
Rounds 11-15: (K4, P4) 9 times.
Rounds 16-20: (P4, K4) 9 times.
Rounds 21-25: (K4, P4) 9 times.
Rounds 26-30: (P4, K4) 9 times.
Round 31: (K2, K2TOG, P4) 9 times. [63 STS]
Rounds 32-33: (K3, P4) 9 times.
Round 34: (K1, K2TOG, P4) 9 times. [54 STS]
Round 35: (K2, P4) 9 times.
Round 36: (P2, K2, K2TOG) 9 times. [45 STS]
Rounds 37-38: (P2, K3) 9 times.
Round 39: (P2, K1, K2TOG) 9 times. [36 STS]
Round 40: (P2, K2) 9 times.
Round 41: (K2TOG, P2) 9 times. [27 STS]
Rounds 42-43: (K1, P2) 9 times.
Round 44: (K1, P2TOG) 9 times. [18 STS]
Round 45: (K1, P1) 9 times.

Fasten off leaving a 12” tail, gather remaining stitches & cinch top of hat closed.  Securely weave in ends.

Adult Size  (21-23” head circumference)
CO 80.
Rounds 1-5: (K4, P4) 10 times. [80 STS]
Rounds 6-10: (P4, K4) 10 times.
Rounds 11-15: (K4, P4) 10 times.
Rounds 16-20: (P4, K4) 10 times.
Rounds 21-25: (K4, P4) 10 times.
Rounds 26-30: (P4, K4) 10 times.
Rounds 31-35: (K4, P4) 10 times.
Round 36: (P4, K2TOG, K2) 10 times. [70 STS]
Rounds 37-38: (P4, K3) 10 times.
Round 39: (P4, K2TOG, K1) 10 times. [60 STS]
Round 40: (P4, K2) 10 times.
Round 41: (K2TOG, K2, P2) 10 times. [50 STS]
Rounds 42-43: (K3, P2) 10 times.
Round 44: (K2TOG, K1, P2) 10 times. [40 STS]
Round 45: (K2, P2) 10 times.
Round 46: (P2, K2TOG) 10 times. [30 STS]
Rounds 47-48: (P2, K1) 10 times.
Round 49: (P2TOG, K1) 10 times. [20 STS]
Round 50: (P1, K1) 10 times.

Fasten off leaving a 12” tail, gather remaining stitches & cinch top of hat closed.  Securely weave in ends.

Other Suggestions...

• Work every 5 rounds with a different color for a striped effect.
• Work all Knit stitches with color A, and all Purl stitches with color B for a true checkerboard look.
• Add a pom pom or tassel to the top of the beanie.
• Repeat Rounds 1-10 a couple extra times to create a slouch hat.

☞ © 2012/2015 Danyel Pink.  You may sell what you make, but please credit Danyel Pink Designs for the pattern. You may NOT resell the pattern, distribute it in any form, post it elsewhere online, or alter it to claim it as your own. Please provide a link back to my blog instead.  Contact me with any questions or for pattern support.