Have you ever wanted to try stranded knitting but were intimidated? Today’s pattern is perfect for newbie stranded knitters! The Yukon Beanie is an easy, unisex knitting pattern featuring eye-catching vertical stripes and basic stitches so you can focus on getting your tension right for the color changes.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links.Yarn for the sample was generously provided by Imperial Yarn.

Confession time: I was supposed to share this pattern with you a long time ago, but I kept putting it on the side in favor of new patterns. This was originally published in Love of Knitting magazine in 2014, and I got the rights back to it that same year. So, why did it take three and a half years to make it to the blog?

Probably a combination of wanting to make a video (but never having the time) and forgetfulness. (Yep, it’s true.) I am traveling this week so I thought it would be a good time to let the Yukon Beanie back out into the world.

Let me tell you a little bit about this pattern. I designed it because I wanted to have vertical stripes and I wanted to make an easy stranded knitting pattern for beginners. The floats are very short (just one stitch apart) and there are only two colors, so it helps you practice switching colors while maintaining the yarn’s relative position. (You can get more stranded knitting tips in this Craftsy article.) And, it makes a super cozy, unisex beanie.

If you make your own Yukon Beanie, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter, Instragram as @ucrafter, or Twitter as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and other subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

Add the Yukon Beanie to your Ravelry favorites or queue.

If you want an easy print format, you can buy an ad-free PDF version on Craftsy.

Yukon Beanie

Knitting Pattern by Underground Crafter

This beginner-friendly stranded knitting project features eye-catching vertical stripes.

Finished Size

• 22” (56 cm) circumference.

Materials

• Imperial Yarn Columbia (100% wool, 4 oz/113 g, 220 yd/201 m) – 1 skein ea in 116 Black Cherry (CA) and 04 Charcoal Natural (CB), or approximately 100 yd (91 m) in ea of 2 colors in any medium weight yarn.
• US 10/6 mm 40” (100 cm) circular needles or set of DPNs, or any size needed to obtain correct gauge.
• Yarn needle.
• Stitch marker.

Gauge

• 15 sts x 18 rows in pattern = 4” (10 cm). For best fit, always check your gauge.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

• CA – Color A
• CB – Color B
• k – knit
• k2tog – knit 2 sts together
• rep – repeat
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• *Repeat instructions after asterisk as indicated.

Pattern Notes

• Always keep unused color in back.
• To keep floats even and appearance consistent, always keep yarn strands in the same relative position and do not tug too tightly, especially when decreasing for crown.
• Use long circular and magic loop or DPNs for working in the round.
• Watch the two color cast on video by Garnstudio Drops Design below.

Pattern Instructions

Hat

Two-color cast on

• With 1 strand ea of CA and CB, form a slip knot leaving a yarn tail approximately 6″ (15 cm) long. Place both loops on needle, with CA on the inside and CB facing the point of the needle. Position fingers as for long tail cast on, with CB around thumb and CA around forefinger.
• *With needle, pick up CB from outside of thumb and CA from inside of forefinger, draw CA through CB (1 loop of CA added to needle). With needle, pick up CA from outside of forefinger and CB from inside of thumb, draw CB through CA (1 loop of CB added to needle); rep from *, alternating colors, until 82 sts are cast on.

Begin working hat

• Set-up row: *With CA, k1; with CB, k1; rep from * around, place stitch marker, being careful not to twist the sts, join to begin knitting in the round.
• Round 1: *With CA, k1; with CB, k1; rep from * around.
• Rep Round 1 until piece measures approximately 7″ (18 cm) from beginning.

Shape crown

• Round 1: *With CB, k2tog; with CA, k1; with CB, k1, rep from * around to last 2 sts, with CB, k2tog. (61 sts)
• Round 2: With CB, k1, *with CA, k1; with CB, k2; rep from * around.
• Round 3: *With CA, k2tog; with CB, k1; rep from * to last 4 sts, with CA, k2tog; with CB, k2tog. (40 sts)
• Round 4: *With CA, k1; with CB, k1; rep from * around.
• Round 5: *With CB, k2tog; with CA, k1; with CB, k1; rep from * around. (30 sts)
• Round 6: *With CA, k2tog; with CB, k1; rep from * around. Fasten off CA. (20 sts)
• Round 7: *With CB, k2tog; rep from * around. (10 sts)
• Fasten off CB, leaving a long yarn tail (approximately 12”/31 cm) for seaming. With yarn needle, draw yarn tail through remaining sts, pull tight and secure to seam crown.

Finishing

• Weave in ends with yarn needle. Spray block.

© 2014, 2018 by Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). This pattern is for personal use only. You may use the pattern to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: http://undergroundcrafter.com/2018/01/17/knitting-pattern-yukon-beanie/. Thanks for supporting indie designers!

If you make your own Yukon Beanie, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter, Instragram as @ucrafter, or Twitter as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and other subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

Add the Yukon Beanie to your Ravelry favorites or queue.

If you want an easy print format, you can buy an ad-free PDF version on Craftsy.