The Bird Tracks Beanie features a textured, traveling stitch pattern. Pick your favorite method (knit flat and seamed, or knit seamlessly in the round) to make your version. This is a bonus pattern for the Hummingbird Hat and Baby Bird Blanket Knit-a-Long, and it uses the same stitch pattern as the Baby Bird Blanket. The Bird Tracks Beanie is available in four sizes from preemie through adult and it’s designed to meet the donation requirements of Knots of Love.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links.This post is part of a sponsored series with Lion Brand. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

When I finished knitting the Baby Bird Blanket, I knew I wanted to play around with the stitch pattern a little bit more.

I mean, who doesn’t love the look of the seed stitch, and the traveling Vs in this pattern are so fun! The stitches really pop in the Lion Brand Heartland yarn. And, Heartland is squishy soft, too.

Since I wanted to make this as a bonus pattern for the Hummingbird Hat and Baby Bird Blanket Knit-a-Long, I thought it would be best to include instructions for knitting in the round seamlessly and knitting flat with a seam because you can do that with the Hummingbird Hat pattern. However, this stitch pattern isn’t the same on both sides so it required a little bit more fiddling to write up the pattern.

That extra fiddling was totally worth it, though! I topped my Bird Tracks Beanie with a pom pom, but (for safety reasons) leave the pom pom off for the preemie sizes. If you’re making a version to donate to Knots of Love, be sure to follow their guidelines!

This is the last pattern in the Hummingbird Hat and Baby Bird Blanket Knit-a-Long. Be sure to share a completed project picture by May 30, 2018 for your chance to win some awesome prizes!

If you make your own Bird Tracks 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!

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Bird Tracks Beanie

Knitting Pattern by Underground Crafter

Updated 7/11/2020

This textured beanie features a traveling stitch pattern. Pick your favorite method (knit flat and seamed, or knit seamlessly in the round) to make your version. This pattern is designed to meet the donation requirements of Knots of Love, a charity that distributes handmade hats to people suffering from traumatic hair loss due to illness or injury and blankets to infants in neonatal intensive care units. Get the matching Baby Bird Blanket pattern here.

Finished Sizes

• 2-Lb. Preemie (5-Lb. Preemie, Toddler, Adult). Photographed sample is Adult.
  • 2-Lb. Preemie: 7” (18 cm) hat circumference x 3.5” (9 cm) height.
  • 5-Lb. Preemie: 10” (25.5 cm) hat circumference x 4.5” (11.5 cm) height.
  • Toddler: 17” (43 cm) hat circumference x 6.5” (16.5 cm) height.
  • Adult: 20” (51 cm) hat circumference x 7.5” (19 cm) height.

Materials

• Lion Brand Heartland yarn (100% acrylic, 5 oz/142 g, 251 yd/230 m) – 1 skein each in MC and CC, or approximately 251 yd (230 m) in each of 2 colors in any medium weight yarn. (I used 149 Great Smoky Mountains as MC and 156 Guadalupe Mountains as CC.)
• US 7/4.5 mm knitting needles, or any size needed to obtain correct gauge. (Use straight needles to knit flat and seam, or use double pointed or circular needles to knit seamlessly in the round for the ribbing.)
• US 8/5 mm knitting needles, or any size needed to obtain correct gauge. (Use straight needles to knit flat and seam, or use double pointed needles to knit seamlessly in the round, or 40”/100 cm circular needles to knit seamlessly in the round with the magic loop method.)
• Yarn needle.
• Clover Extra Large Pom Pom Maker (optional for Toddler and Adult sizes only).
• Clover Quick Locking Stitch Marker Set (optional, but helpful if knitting in the round or to mark repeats in pattern).

Gauge

• 20 sts = 4” (10 cm) in larger needles in pattern. For best fit, always check your gauge.

Instructions for Gauge Swatch

• CO 36 sts.
• Work Rows 1-6 in pattern until swatch measures at least 4” (10 cm) long.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

• CC – Contrasting Color
• CO – cast on
• k – knit
• k2tog – knit 2 sts together – Lion Brand’s video tutorial for this stitch is available here.
• MC – Main Color
• p – purl
• p2tog – purl 2 sts together – Lion Brand’s video tutorial for this stitch is available here.
• rep – repeat
• Rnd(s) – Round(s)
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• *Repeat instructions after asterisk as indicated.
• [] Repeat instructions between brackets as indicated

Pattern Notes

• Instructions are given in each size for knitting flat and seaming or knitting in the round seamlessly.

2-Lb. Preemie – Knit Flat and Seamed Version

• With CC and smaller needles, CO 36 sts.
• Ribbing Row: *K3, p3; rep from * across.
• Rep Ribbing Row until 1” (2.5 cm) long. Fasten off CC. Switch to MC and larger needles.
• Set Up Row: Knit across. Skip Row 1, continue to Row 2.
• Row 1: *[P1, k1] 4 times, k4, p1, k5; rep from * across.
• Row 2: *P4, [k1, p1] twice, p4, [k1, p1] 3 times; rep from * across.
• Row 3: *[P1, k1] 4 times, k2, [p1, k3] twice; rep from * across.
• Row 4: *P2, k1, p5, k1, p3, [k1, p1] 3 times; rep from * across.
• Row 5: *[P1, k1] 5 times, k6, p1, k1; rep from * across.
• Row 6: *K1, p9, [k1, p1] 4 times; rep from * across.
• Rep Rows 1-6 until hat measures approximately 3.5” (9 cm) long, or approximately desired length, ending after Row 6. Begin decreasing to crown.
• Row 7: *K2tog; rep from * across. (18 sts)
• Row 8: *P2tog; rep from * across. (9 sts)
• Row 9: K1, *k2tog; rep from * across. (5 sts)
• Fasten off MC, leaving a long yarn tail (approximately 18”/46 cm) for seaming. Continue to Closing Crown All Sizes (see page 7).

2-Lb. Preemie – Knit Seamlessly in the Round Version

• With CC and smaller needles, CO 36 sts.
• Ribbing Rnd: *K3, p3; rep from * around, place stitch marker, join and begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.
• Rep Ribbing Rnd until 1” (2.5 cm) long. Fasten off CC. Switch to MC and larger needles.
• Set Up Rnd: Knit around. Skip Rnd 1, continue to Rnd 2.
• Rnd 1: *[P1, k1] 4 times, k4, p1, k5; rep from * around.
• Rnd 2: * [K1, p1] 3 times, k5, [p1, k1] twice, k3; rep from * around.
• Rnd 3: *[P1, k1] 4 times, k2, [p1, k3] twice; rep from * around.
• Rnd 4: *[K1, p1] 3 times, k3, p1, k5, p1, k2; rep from * around.
• Rnd 5: *[P1, k1] 5 times, k6, p1, k1; rep from * around.
• Rnd 6: *[K1, p1] 4 times, k9, p1; rep from * around.
• Rep Rnds 1-6 until hat measures approximately 3.5” (9 cm) long, or approximately desired length, ending after Row 6. Begin decreasing to crown.
• Rnd 7: *K2tog; rep from * around. (18 sts)
• Rnd 8: *K2tog; rep from * around. (9 sts)
• Rnd 9: K1, *k2tog; rep from * around. (5 sts)
• Fasten off MC, leaving a long yarn tail (approximately 18”/46 cm) for seaming. Continue to Closing Crown All Sizes (see page 7).

5-Lb. Preemie – Knit Flat and Seamed Version

• With CC and smaller needles, CO 54 sts.
• Ribbing Row: *K3, p3; rep from * across.
• Rep Ribbing Row until 1” (2.5 cm) long. Fasten off CC. Switch to MC and larger needles.
• Set Up Row: Knit across. Skip Row 1, continue to Row 2.
• Row 1: *[P1, k1] 4 times, k4, p1, k5; rep from * across.
• Row 2: *P4, [k1, p1] twice, p4, [k1, p1] 3 times; rep from * across.
• Row 3: *[P1, k1] 4 times, k2, [p1, k3] twice; rep from * across.
• Row 4: *P2, k1, p5, k1, p3, [k1, p1] 3 times; rep from * across.
• Row 5: *[P1, k1] 5 times, k6, p1, k1; rep from * across.
• Row 6: *K1, p9, [k1, p1] 4 times; rep from * across.
• Rep Rows 1-6 until hat measures approximately 4.5” (11.5 cm) long, or approximately desired length, ending after Row 6. Begin decreasing to crown.
• Row 7: *K2tog; rep from * across. (27 sts)
• Row 8: P1, *p2tog; rep from * across. (14 sts)
• Row 9: *K2tog; rep from * across. (7 sts)
• Fasten off MC, leaving a long yarn tail (approximately 18”/46 cm) for seaming. Continue to Closing Crown All Sizes (see page 7).

5-Lb. Preemie – Knit Seamlessly in the Round Version

• With CC and smaller needles, CO 54 sts.
• Ribbing Rnd: *K3, p3; rep from * around, place stitch marker, join and begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.
• Rep Ribbing Rnd until 1” (2.5 cm) long. Fasten off CC. Switch to MC and larger needles.
• Set Up Rnd: Knit around. Skip Rnd 1, continue to Rnd 2.
• Rnd 1: *[P1, k1] 4 times, k4, p1, k5; rep from * around.
• Rnd 2: * [K1, p1] 3 times, k5, [p1, k1] twice, k3; rep from * around.
• Rnd 3: *[P1, k1] 4 times, k2, [p1, k3] twice; rep from * around.
• Rnd 4: *[K1, p1] 3 times, k3, p1, k5, p1, k2; rep from * around.
• Rnd 5: *[P1, k1] 5 times, k6, p1, k1; rep from * around.
• Rnd 6: *[K1, p1] 4 times, k9, p1; rep from * around.
• Rep Rnds 1-6 until hat measures approximately 4.5” (11.5 cm) long, or approximately desired length, ending after Row 6. Begin decreasing to crown.
• Rnd 7: *K2tog; rep from * around. (27 sts)
• Rnd 8: K1, *k2tog; rep from * around. (14 sts)
• Rnd 9: *K2tog; rep from * around. (7 sts)
• Fasten off MC, leaving a long yarn tail (approximately 18”/46 cm) for seaming. Continue to Closing Crown All Sizes (see page 7).

Toddler – Knit Flat and Seamed Version

• With CC and smaller needles, CO 90 sts.
• Ribbing Row: *K3, p3; rep from * across.
• Rep Ribbing Row until 1” (2.5 cm) long. Fasten off CC. Switch to MC and larger needles.
• Set Up Row: Knit across. Skip Row 1, continue to Row 2.
• Row 1: *[P1, k1] 4 times, k4, p1, k5; rep from * across.
• Row 2: *P4, [k1, p1] twice, p4, [k1, p1] 3 times; rep from * across.
• Row 3: *[P1, k1] 4 times, k2, [p1, k3] twice; rep from * across.
• Row 4: *P2, k1, p5, k1, p3, [k1, p1] 3 times; rep from * across.
• Row 5: *[P1, k1] 5 times, k6, p1, k1; rep from * across.
• Row 6: *K1, p9, [k1, p1] 4 times; rep from * across.
• Rep Rows 1-6 until hat measures approximately 6.5” (16.5 cm) long, or approximately desired length, ending after Row 6. Begin decreasing to crown.
• Row 7: *K2tog; rep from * across. (45 sts)
• Row 8: P1, *p2tog; rep from * across. (23 sts)
• Row 9: K1, *k2tog; rep from * across. (12 sts)
• Fasten off MC, leaving a long yarn tail (approximately 18”/46 cm) for seaming. Continue to Closing Crown All Sizes (see page 7).

Toddler – Knit Seamlessly in the Round Version

• With CC and smaller needles, CO 90 sts.
• Ribbing Rnd: *K3, p3; rep from * around, place stitch marker, join and begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.
• Rep Ribbing Rnd until 1” (2.5 cm) long. Fasten off CC. Switch to MC and larger needles.
• Set Up Rnd: Knit around. Skip Rnd 1, continue to Rnd 2.
• Rnd 1: *[P1, k1] 4 times, k4, p1, k5; rep from * around.
• Rnd 2: * [K1, p1] 3 times, k5, [p1, k1] twice, k3; rep from * around.
• Rnd 3: *[P1, k1] 4 times, k2, [p1, k3] twice; rep from * around.
• Rnd 4: *[K1, p1] 3 times, k3, p1, k5, p1, k2; rep from * around.
• Rnd 5: *[P1, k1] 5 times, k6, p1, k1; rep from * around.
• Rnd 6: *[K1, p1] 4 times, k9, p1; rep from * around.
• Rep Rnds 1-6 until hat measures approximately 6.5” (16.5 cm) long, or approximately desired length, ending after Row 6. Begin decreasing to crown.
• Rnd 7: *K2tog; rep from * around. (45 sts)
• Rnd 8: K1, *k2tog; rep from * around. (23 sts)
• Rnd 9: K1, *k2tog; rep from * around. (12 sts)
• Fasten off MC, leaving a long yarn tail (approximately 18”/46 cm) for seaming. Continue to Closing Crown All Sizes (see page 7).

Adult – Knit Flat and Seamed Version

• With CC and smaller needles, CO 108 sts.
• Ribbing Row: *K3, p3; rep from * across.
• Rep Ribbing Row until 2.5” (6.5 cm) long. Fasten off CC. Switch to MC and larger needles.
• Set Up Row: Knit across. Skip Row 1, continue to Row 2.
• Row 1: *[P1, k1] 4 times, k4, p1, k5; rep from * across.
• Row 2: *P4, [k1, p1] twice, p4, [k1, p1] 3 times; rep from * across.
• Row 3: *[P1, k1] 4 times, k2, [p1, k3] twice; rep from * across.
• Row 4: *P2, k1, p5, k1, p3, [k1, p1] 3 times; rep from * across.
• Row 5: *[P1, k1] 5 times, k6, p1, k1; rep from * across.
• Row 6: *K1, p9, [k1, p1] 4 times; rep from * across.
• Rep Rows 1-6 until hat measures approximately 7.5” (19 cm) long, or approximately desired length, ending after Row 6. Begin decreasing to crown.
• Row 7: *K2tog; rep from * across. (54 sts)
• Row 8: *P2tog; rep from * across. (27 sts)
• Row 9: K1, *k2tog; rep from * across. (14 sts)
• Fasten off MC, leaving a long yarn tail (approximately 18”/46 cm) for seaming. Continue to Closing Crown All Sizes (see page 15).

Adult – Knit Seamlessly in the Round Version

• With CC and smaller needles, CO 108 sts.
• Ribbing Rnd: *K3, p3; rep from * around, place stitch marker, join and begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.
• Rep Ribbing Rnd until 2.5” (6.5 cm) long. Fasten off CC. Switch to MC and larger needles.
• Set Up Rnd: Knit around. Skip Rnd 1, continue to Rnd 2.
• Rnd 1: *[P1, k1] 4 times, k4, p1, k5; rep from * around.
• Rnd 2: * [K1, p1] 3 times, k5, [p1, k1] twice, k3; rep from * around.
• Rnd 3: *[P1, k1] 4 times, k2, [p1, k3] twice; rep from * around.
• Rnd 4: *[K1, p1] 3 times, k3, p1, k5, p1, k2; rep from * around.
• Rnd 5: *[P1, k1] 5 times, k6, p1, k1; rep from * around.
• Rnd 6: *[K1, p1] 4 times, k9, p1; rep from * around.
• Rep Rnds 1-6 until hat measures approximately 7.5” (19 cm) long, or approximately desired length, ending after Row 6. Begin decreasing to crown.
• Rnd 7: *K2tog; rep from * around. (54 sts)
• Rnd 8: *K2tog; rep from * around. (27 sts)
• Rnd 9: K1, *k2tog; rep from * around. (14 sts)
• Fasten off MC, leaving a long yarn tail (approximately 18”/46 cm) for seaming. Continue to Closing Crown All Sizes (see page 15).

Closing Crown (All Sizes)

• With yarn needle, draw yarn tail through remaining sts, remove sts from needles, pull yarn tight and secure to close crown.

Seaming Hat (All Sizes Knit Flat)

• With yarn needle threaded with MC, seam hat from crown to color change using mattress stitch. (A mattress stitch seam tutorial is available here.) At color change, drop MC, thread yarn needle with CC, and seam rest of hat closed using CC and mattress stitch. Continue to Finishing (All Sizes).

Finishing (All Sizes)

• Weave in ends on inside of hat with yarn needle.
• For Toddler and Adult Sizes ONLY, make pom pom with CC. Use a long yarn tail for tying pom pom together and do not trim this yarn tail.
  • Clover’s video tutorial for using the Clover Pom Pom Maker is available here.
  • Lion Brand’s video tutorial for 3 ways to make a pom pom without a pom pom maker is available here.
• Thread the long pom pom yarn tail with yarn needle. Attach pom pom to top of hat with yarn tail. Securely weave yarn tail on inside of hat with yarn needle.
• Spray block if desired. If you’re new to blocking, read Blocking Basics for Crocheters and Knitters.

© 2018, 2020 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: https://undergroundcrafter.com/2018/05/23/knitting-pattern-bird-tracks-beanie. Thanks for supporting indie designers!