The Perfect Basic Beanie (for every head) Free pattern!

**Pictures Coming!**
So, I've been knitting for years ---YEARS!--- and hand on my heart, I swear to Bob that I have just this week figured out a simple and easy *perfect* basic beanie pattern. The trouble with me and beanies is I always seem to end up with a much bigger hat than I really want. I mean, a slouchy beanie is cute and definitely in right now, but sometimes a girl needs a little more warmth on her noggin, know what I mean? I'm talking coziness here, people.

If you're new to knitting and ready to try out something a teensy bit challenging, or need to practice increases and decreases, this is the perfect pattern for you. It's also a great base to try out colorwork or even add a cable or two (if you're going to get crazy, you could try colorwork AND cables!).

You can download a PDF version of this pattern in the free Cornicorns Pattern Book!

The Perfect Basic Beanie

For every head!

Materials:
Yarn, medium (4), any color

Needles:

US 9 (5.5 mm), dpns (or circular and dpns)

Darning needle

Stitches/ Abbreviations:

dpns = double pointed needles (don't be afraid of them!)
CO = cast on
sts = stitches
k = knit
p = purl
m1 (increase) = make one (pick up the yarn between the previous knit and the next, then knit into the back of that loop)
ssk (decrease) = slip, slip, knit (slip the next two stitches purlwise, then insert the left needle into the front of those two loops together and knit with the right needle)

CO 70 across 4 dpns (17 on the first and third needles, 18 on the second and fourth needle)

Brim

k1 p1 around for 15 rows

Crown

Row 1: p all - 70 sts

Row 2: *k14, m1*; repeat * to * to end (end with m1) - 75 sts

Rows 3 - 12: k all, 75 sts

Decrease and finish

Row 13: *k13, ssk*; repeat * to * to end (end with k2tog) - 70 sts

Row 14: k all

Row 15: *k5, ssk*; repeat * to * to end (end with k2tog) - 60 sts

Row 16: k all

Row 17: *k4, ssk*; repeat * to * to end (end with k2tog) - 50 sts

Row 18: k all

Row 19: *k3, ssk*; repeat * to * to end (end with k2tog) - 40 sts

Row 20: k all

Row 21: *k2, ssk*; repeat * to * to end (end with k2tog) - 30 sts

Row 22: k all

Row 23: *k1, ssk*; repeat * to * to end (end with k2tog) - 20 sts

Row 24: k all

Row 25: ssk all - 10 sts

Bind off: cut working yarn to 10 inches, use darning needle to thread working yarn tail through all sts, tie to secure