A long time ago I wrote this pattern for a musician beanie.  Then I was asked to update it for a knitting magazine… which I did.  Now that the pattern has been used by them, and their period of owning it has passed, I can share it with you all.  A number of people have been requesting this of late, so I am pleased to publish it here.

Instructions are given for both straight and circular needles – just scroll down further for the circular instructions.

Musician Beanie

Adult size – One size fits most.
You will need:
3 colours of DK (8ply) yarn in contrasting colours
Darning needle
4mm straight or circular needles (instructions given for both knitting styles)

Straight needle instructions

Cast on 100 in colour 1 (black) on 4mm needles

Rib 14 rows – use a knit 1, purl 1 rib for a tight band. Alternatively you can use a knit 2, purl 2 rib for a more relaxed fit.

Change to colour 2 (Orange)
Knit 2 rows

Change to colour 3 (grey)
1- Knit whole row
2- Purl whole row
3- Knit 1, (yrn, k2 tog) repeat bracketed section to the last stitch, knit 1
4- Purl whole row
5- repeat row 3
6- purl whole row
7- repeat row 3
8- purl whole row

Change to colour 1
Knit 2 rows

Change to colour 2
Knit 2 rows

Change to colour 1
Knit 2 rows

Change to colour 2
Knit whole row
Purl whole row

Insert chart in stocking stitch. Chart knits over 20 stitches. This will repeat 5 times over the width of the hat. I advise using stitch markers to separate every 20 stitches to make chart following much easier. When knitting on straight needles, right side rows begin on the right and read to the left; wrong side rows read left to right.

Knit whole row
Purl whole row

Change to colour 2
Knit 2 rows

Change to colour 1
Knit 2 rows

Change to colour 3
Knit 2 rows

Change to colour 1
Knit whole row
Purl whole row
Knit whole row
Purl whole row

K3, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K1, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2 together over the whole row
Cut yarn, leaving 30cm, thread all stitches onto the yarn, pull to tighten

Wash the hat in a wool wash. Squeeze out most of the water with a towel. Block the hat until dry, or alternatively, hang the hat from the length of yarn left at the top until dry. This will even up the stitches with the musical notes.

Stitch up the back of the hat, darn in the ends, and attach tassels or a pom-pom.

Circular needle instructions

Cast on 100 in colour 1 (black) on 4mm circular needle. I like to use a 40cm needle, but you can use a size of your own preference. Once you have created your circle of knitting, place a stitch marker. This will be the very back of the hat – similar to the back seam of the straight needled version.

Rib 14 rotations – use a knit 1, purl 1 rib for a tight band. Alternatively you can use a knit 2, purl 2 rib for a more relaxed fit.

Change to colour 2 (Orange)
Knit 1 rotation.
Purl 1 rotation.

Change to colour 3 (grey)
1- Knit whole rotation
2- Knit whole rotation
3- Knit 1, (yrn, k2 tog) repeat bracketed section to the last stitch, knit 1
4- Knit whole rotation
5- repeat rotation 3
6- purl whole rotation
7- repeat rotation 3
8- purl whole rotation

Change to colour 1
Knit 1 rotation.
Purl 1 rotation.

Change to colour 2
Knit 1 rotation.
Purl 1 rotation.

Change to colour 1
Knit 1 rotation.
Purl 1 rotation.

Change to colour 2
Knit 2 rotations

Insert chart in stocking stitch. Chart knits over 20 stitches. This will repeat 5 times over the width of the hat.I advise using stitch markers to separate every 20 stitches to make chart following much easier. When knitting on circular needles, all rows read right to left.

Knit 2 rotations

Change to colour 2
Knit 1 rotation.
Purl 1 rotation.

Change to colour 1
Knit 1 rotation.
Purl 1 rotation.

Change to colour 3
Knit 1 rotation.
Purl 1 rotation.

Change to colour 1
Knit 1 rotation.
Purl 1 rotation.
Knit 1 rotation.
Purl 1 rotation.
K3, k2 together over the whole rotation
Knit 1 rotation.
K2, k2 together over the whole rotation
Knit 1 rotation.
K1, k2 together over the whole rotation
Knit 1 rotation.
K2 together over the whole rotation
Knit 1 rotation.
K2 together over the whole rotation

Cut yarn, leaving 30cm, thread all stitches onto the yarn, pull to tighten

Wash the hat in a wool wash. Squeeze out most of the water with a towel. Block the hat until dry, or alternatively, hang the hat from the length of yarn left at the top until dry. This will even up the stitches with the musical notes.

Stitch up the top of the hat, darn in the ends, and attach tassels or a pom-pom.