Adding Colour with Duplicate Stitch Knitting!
With Valentine’s Day coming up, now’s the perfect time to share with you a pattern that is close to my heart: a simple, yet beyond cozy double-brimmed beanie. This hat is truly a cozy hug for your head.
A heart is added to the brim of this hat using a technique called duplicate stitch knitting. This method for adding colour is one of my favourite, because it’s done after you’ve knit the fabric! You just take a needle and some yarn and follow the path of the stitches that are already there, kind of like tracing over them to add new colours or designs. It’s the knitting version of embroidery; and it is super simple, super effective, and super fun.
Knitting the Duplicate Stitch – How to Video
I know some of you might be new to the duplicate stitch or simply want to see it in action for a refresher, so I’ve put together a video tutorial and shared it on my YouTube channel at the following link: How To Add Colour Work to your Knitting with the Duplicate Stitch. You can also find the video below on this page with the pattern.
In the video, I demonstrate each step so that you can confidently add the heart to your beanie, just in time for Valentine’s Day. The photo below shows my work in progress when adding the heart design using duplicate stitch knitting.
Yarn Choice for Duplicate Stitch Knitting:
I wrote this pattern for Wool of the Andes Worsted Weight yarn from Knit Picks because I wanted to use 100% wool. Wool is perfect for patterns that use the duplicate stitch to add colour, because it has this amazing ability to blend seamlessly with your existing knit, thanks to its natural fibers. It becomes one with the piece you’re working on, creating a smooth, cohesive look that other fibers might not achieve as well.
I also wanted this beanie to be super warm and durable, but not scratchy. Wool of the Andes is one of my favourite yarn lines when I’m planning on knitting with real wool, not only because of the excellent quality and price, but also for the huge variety of colour options – which comes in handy when adding colourful artwork to your knitting projects. I highly recommend using this yarn to knit your beanie if you want the same result, and I promise you’ll love it!
Pay it Forward!
I hope you enjoy this pattern! If so, please feel free to share the link to this page on your social media or Pinterest account.
I truly appreciate all of you who get the word out about this site and my patterns!
❤️
Alnaar
Knitting the Double Layered Brim
The double-layered brim of this beanie allows you to hide the backside of your colour work. You work the brim by knitting in the round for twice the number of inches you desire for the brim’s length. Next, you add the heart with duplicate stitch knitting, and then fold the fabric inward (with the purls and opposite side of the heart hidden on the inside). Seam the ends together by picking up stitches from the cast-on end and knitting them together with the stitches on your needle.
The Provisional Cast On
I love using the Provisional Cast-on method for this process. This technique is a game-changer, and I’ve created a YouTube short video to demonstrate it: The Provisional Cast-on in Action. Let me know in the YouTube comments if you’d like a full video tutorial. Unfortunately Youtube only allows 60 seconds for shorts and I had to speed it up considerably.
With all of that said, I really think you will love this pattern. It’s a great challenge, and will introduce you to a couple of new techniques if you haven’t already come across the duplicate stitch knitting and the provisional cast-on.
The free pattern for this beanie is available right here on this page, as this site is sustained through ad support.
If you like things a little more streamlined, I’ve put together an ad-free, downloadable PDF version of the pattern. It’s perfect for easy printing and can be can be purchased through My Ravelry Store or by clicking the “Purchase PDF File” button to the right.
Thank you so much for your support! Whether you’re navigating through the ads or opting to purchase the PDF, you’re playing a huge part in helping me continue to share my patterns and tutorials online. Your support means the world to me, and I’m so grateful to be able to share my passion with you all.
Beyond Cozy Double Brimmed Beanie – Free Pattern
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What You’ll Need:
You will need the following materials to make one beanie:
- Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted Weight Yarn: 1.5 Skeins (165 yards) Main Colour and 4 yards Secondary Colour. Colours from photos are Gull (MC), Icicle Heather (SC), and Blossom Heather (SC).
- Size 6 (4 mm) circular knitting needles (16″ cord).
- Size 6 (4 mm) double pointed needles (optional).
- Scissors.
- Tapestry/yarn needle.
- Stitch markers.
Gauge:
17 stitches, 27 rows = 4″ in stockinette stitch.
Measurements / Size:
Adult (head circumference 22-24 inches).
Abbreviations:
MC: Main colour.
SC: Secondary colour.
K: Knit.
St: Stitch.
SM: Slip stitch marker
K2tog: Knit two stitches together.
SKPO: Slip one stitch knitwise, knit one stitch, pass the slipped stitch over.
Pattern Notes:
This beanie is made by knitting in the round using circular needles, transitioning to double-pointed needles as needed for decreasing stitches to shape the top.
For the double brim construction, begin by casting on stitches using waste yarn with the Provisional Cast on Technique. A YouTube Short video on this method is available on the Leelee Knits YouTube channel:
The heart is created by knitting the duplicate stitch, which is an embroidery method applied over the knit stitches. A full tutorial on this method is available on the Leelee Knits YouTube channel:
More Free Beanie / Hat Knitting Patterns from Leelee Knits!
Free Pattern
Cast on 80 stitches using the provisional cast on method. Place stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round and join (being careful not to twist the stitches).
Knit in the round in stockinette stitch for 52 rounds to create the brim.
After you have completed the last round, place another stitch marker around the stitch that is 24 rows down from the first stitch of the next round. Follow the chart to the right using Duplicate Stitch, working your way up from the bottom of the heart. The bottom point of the heart (row 1) will cover the stitch above the stitch marker.
Once the heart has been added, weave in any loose ends, and then fold the brim inwards, lining up the cast on stitches with the stitches on the needle.
Remove the waste yarn from the first cast on stitch. Pick up this stitch and knit it together with the first stitch of the round. Repeat this process of exposing the next cast on stitch and knitting it together with the corresponding stitch on your needles. When the end of the round has been reached, the brim is seamed shut and the rest of the hat cat be worked.
Continue knitting in the round in stockinette stitch for 12 more rounds, and then begin to decrease stitches for the top of the beanie as follows:
Place stitch markers (different colour from end of round marker) after the 20th and 60th stitches.
Repeat rounds 1-2 below until 32 stitches remain (switch to double pointed needles when needed).
Round 1: *K to 2 sts before marker, skpo, sm, k1, k2tog; repeat from * twice; k to end of round.
Round 2: Knit all stitches.
Finishing
Cut the yarn (leaving a tail of at least six inches) and pull through the yarn needle.
Thread the yarn through the remaining stitches and pull tight.
Secure and weave in ends on the inside and enjoy your new Beyond Cozy Double Brimmed Beanie!
I hope you enjoyed this free double brimmed beanie pattern.
If you’d like your own copy, the Ad-Free PDF file (which will be emailed to you automatically) can be purchased through Ravelry, or by clicking the “Purchase PDF File” button to the right.
