Bev's "Josh" Beanie Cap
Fits 2-4 year olds (5-8 yr olds)   (Size 8 needles and 72 sts for teens and adults)
Size 6 needles
(2 -3 oz sport yarn or Baby yarn - OR use different colors where you do the knit and purl rows - see above.)
Cast on 65 sts (72)
Rows 1-12: Garter st (knit every row)
Row 13: Purl
Row 14: knit
Rows 15-26: Garter stitch again for 12 rows
Row 27: Purl
Row 28: knit
Rows 29-40: Garter st for 12 rows
Row 41: Purl
Row 42: Knit
Rows 43-48: Garter st for ONLY 6 rows this time
Row 49: *Knit 2, knit 2 together, Repeat from * to end of row.  Just knit any sts that don't fit into this pattern.
Row 50: Knit 
Row 51: Repeat row 49
Row 52: knit
Row 53: repeat row 49
Row 54: knit
You should now have about 28 sts left.  (It's NOT important to have exactly that many, by the way.)
Row 55: Knit.  Cut yarn leaving a 12" tail of yarn.

If hat isn't tall enough, add a few more rows before decreasing.
 

Now using a sewing needle, thread the yarn, and weave it into the sts on the knitting needle.  When all the sts are off, then pull the thread tightly to gather the top of the beanie cap.  Stitch the side seam shut with weaving stitch.

You can add a sweet crocheted bunny to make it for springtime.
Materials:
Scrap yarn--only takes a few yards of 4 ply
Size G hook
1-10 mm wiggly eye
1 tiny black pompom for nose, and a bigger white one for the tail
1" pin or piece of magnet strip for the back
(Bunny is 2 1/2" tall to top of ear using 4 ply worsted weight.  2" tall using sport weight)

Directions:
1) Ch 4, sl st to join and form a ring
2) Ch 3, 14 dc in the ring, sl st in top of ch 3.
3) Ch 2, (3 dc, sl st) in next st.  (Ch 7, sl st, ch 7, sl st) in next st.
4) Fasten off.
Sew on the eye, then stitch on a pom-pom for the nose, and a little one for the tail.  I use dental floss to attach sew on eyes for added strength.
 

Cast on 39 sts fits ages 8-12 (43 fits adult)
Row 1- 30 (34 rows): Knit every row.
Make an eyelet row to thread a pull-tie through
Eyelet row
K1, yarn over, k2 tog. -- repeat across the row
Knit 5 rows
Cast off leaving a 12" piece of yarn for side seam.
Strings: Size H hook, chain 75.  Make 2. Tie these together at each end.
Thread through eyelet opening.
FINISH:  Seam up sides
 

Bev's Softest Cap

Size 13 knitting needles
2 oz 4 ply soft worsted weight ( I used Lion Brand's Pounds of Love to make the one in the photo)

[Stitch directions: *Twisted Garter St= Knit each stich through the back loop across the row. Stockinette Stitch = Knit one row, Purl one row - continue]
Cast on 46 sts (age 8-12) Use 52-55 sts for womens and mens hats.
Work in *Twisted Garter St for 8 rows/4 ridges
Switch to stockinette stitch for 30 rows. (34-37 rows for womens and mens)
FINISH:
Cut a 15" tail of yarn. Thread onto sewing needle and then weave through each stitch. You can either leave the sts on the knitting needle to do that, or you can do what I prefer, and remove the sts carefully, then weave the sewing needle through each st.  Pull tightly to form the top. Sew side seam.  Add a pom pom if you wish.