(2 -3 oz sport yarn or soft worsted weight yarn/wool)
Size 6 needles cast on 65 sts (72)   or larger sizes:
Size 8 needles cast on 75 sts (86)


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

Decrease
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.

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.


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Josh’s Color Striped Beanie  -  thanks to Sandy (dolphi2) for working out the color changes for this!!

size 6 needles   65 sts fits 2-4 yr old, 72 sts for 5-8 yr olds
size 8 (4mm) needles   (75 sts for tweens) (82 sts for teens & adults)

About 2 ozs main + 3 colours of scraps in sport yarn or soft worsted weight or DK 8ply.

Size 6 needles cast on 65 (72) sts or larger sizes
Size 8 (4mm) needles cast on 75 (86) sts.

Rows 1-10: Garter stitch in main colour.
Rows 11-14: Stocking stitch in contrast 1, starting with a knit row.
Rows 15-24: Garter stitch in main colour.
Rows 25-28: Stocking stitch in contrast 2, starting with a knit row.
Rows 29-38: Garter stitch in main colour.
Rows 39-42: Stocking stitch on contrast 3, starting with a knit row.
Rows 43-48: Garter stitch in main for 6 rows.

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

Decrease: Keep using main colour.

Row 49: #Knit 2, knit 2 tog, Repeat from # to end of row. Just knit any stitches that don’t fit into this pattern.
Row 50: Knit.
Row 51: Same as 49.
Row 52: Knit.
Row 53: Same as 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 inch tail of yarn. Thread through remaining stitches on needle & sew up.