New Pattern: BIL Beanie

Knitting Pattern: BIL Beanie
Us knitters get a lot of requests for handmade gifts, which is both a blessing and a curse. It’s a great feeling to be able to give someone something that you put your love and work into, but there aren’t always enough hours in the day to produce all the knitted-love we have to offer! This conundrum came up when my brother-in-law asked me for a hat. Several times. I really, really wanted to make him one, but with deadlines and family obligations it took way longer than I’d have liked it to. That said, I wanted to knit him something classic enough that it wouldn’t go out of style (read: wouldn’t require a replacement any time soon), and also quick enough to make that I’d be able to finish it in a few evenings. The result, is the BIL Beanie. Knit in a chunky, lush alpaca blend and on Takumi Bamboo Size 9 needles this project goes by fast, but feels luxurious every stitch of the way. Bookmark this for holiday gifts for the guys (and gals) in your life. Enjoy!

Materials
Approx 150 yds/75 gr of bulky-weight, alpaca blend yarn in (A) Dark Gray and (B) Light Gray. (I used 1 hank each of two colors of this.)
Size U.S. 9 (5.5 mm), 16″/41 cm Clover Takumi Bamboo circular needle
Size U.S. 9 (5.5 mm) Clover Takumi Bamboo double-pointed needles
Stitch Marker
Clover Jumbo Tapestry Needle

Finished Size
Unisex S/M(L/XL)
Stretches to fit 21″(23″)/53.5(58.5) cm head

Gauge
Approx 17 sts x 20 rows= 4″/10 cm in 2 x 2 rib, slightly stretched.

SPECIAL TERM
RT: Right Twist—K2tog but do not slip st off needle, insert right needle between these 2 sts and knit the first st again, slip both sts off needle.

Directions
Brim:
With circular needle and A CO 88 (92) sts. Join, being careful not to twist sts. Place a marker (pm) for beginning of round (rnd).

Rnd 1: *K2, p2; rep from * around.

Rep Rnd 1 until piece measures 2″/5 cm from CO edge.

Beanie body:
Join B; cut A.

Rnds 1 and 2:*K2, p2; rep from * around.

Rnd 3: *RT, p2; repeat from * around.

Rnd 4:*K2, p2; rep from * around.

Repeat Rounds 1–4 until piece measures 6″(6 1/2″)/15(16.5) cm from CO edge.

Crown:
Note: Change to dpns when necessary.

Join A; cut B.

Rnd 1:*K2tog, p2; repeat from * around—66 (69) sts.

Rnd 2: *K1, p2; repeat from * around.

Rnd 3: *K1, p2tog; repeat from * around—44 (46) sts.

Rnds 4: *K1, p1; repeat from * around.

Rnd 5: *K2tog; repeat from * around—22 (23) sts.

Rnd 6: Knit.

Rnd 7: *K2tog; repeat from * to last 0 (1) sts, k0 (1)—11(12) sts.

Cut yarn leaving a long tail. Thread tail through remaining sts. Pull tight and secure.

Finishing
Weave in ends.

Block if necessary.

xx,
Vickie