The Prudy Beanie: A Free Knitting Pattern

You can purchase a downloadable .PDF version of this pattern here or continue below for the FREE pattern.

One year ago today, I lost my little Prudy. To honor her lovely, little life I have designed and published this pattern for her.

Prudence was a senior when I adopted her. She was in rough shape – gooey eyes, rotten teeth, nasal infection, underweight, overgrown nails, and she could hardly walk. I held her for about an hour at the adoption event and she clung to me the entire time. There was no leaving that day without Pru.

I had recently lost my other dog, Kit, and hated not having my little buddy. Knitting can be a very lonely hobby, especially during market prep season. I’m sure many of you can relate. I spent countless days and evenings in my room knitting on repeat trying to create as much stock as possible – missing out on social events to prepare for markets and shows.

Market prep can be grueling. I needed a quiet companion, a reason to take breaks, and a push to get outside. An active dog would not have suited my lifestyle, but a senior dog was perfect. Pru wanted a cozy spot to sleep and decompress, and I loved her company and snuggly check ins. It got me off my butt throughout the day to care for her, and it made knitting less lonely.

With good food, love, proper vet care, and her own place to call home, Prudence lived out the rest of her life very happy & healthy. If you’re considering adding a dog to your pack – consider a senior! They have just as much love to give and a little love goes a long way.

(I promised myself when I started this blog that I would not turn into one of those “pre-recipe-monologue-bloggers” but here we are…)

Without further ado – The Prudy Beanie

Materials:

• Approximately 150 yds heavy worsted/aran weight yarn. I used WeAreKnitters – The Petite Wool.
• US8 / 5.0mm 16″ circular needles
• US9 / 5.5mm 16″ circular needles
• 5.5mm cable needle
• Darning needle
• Scissors
• Stitch marker
• Row counter (optional)

You can use the code MGMLSHKX7 to get $12 off at WeAreKnitters! Using this code also sends me $12 from WAK (at no extra cost to you) and is apart of the WAK Friends referral program.)

Gauge:

2″ x 2″ = 9 sts x 11 rows. Gauge was obtained using the 5.5mm needles and knit in stockinette stitch.

Notes:

This hat is knit in the round from the brim up. It is sized for an average adult head (~22.5″). You can adjust the length by knitting fewer or additional repeat rows.

Abbreviations:

CO – cast on

K – knit

P – purl

SL1WYIB – slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in back

M1 – pick up the bar between the stitch you knit and the one you are about to knit with your left needle, knit into the back of the stitch to make a new stitch

ST(S) – stitches

K2TOG – knit the next 2 stitches together

P2TOG – purl the next 2 stitches together

C6F – cable 6 front – slip 3 stitches onto the cable needle and hold in front, knit the next 3 stitches from the left needle, knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle

C6B – cable 6 back – slip 3 stitches onto the cable needle and hold in back, knit the next 3 stitches from the left needle, knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle

PM – place stitch marker

*-* – knit the stitch pattern within the * until you reach the number of stitches noted at the end of the row

Pattern

With 5.0mm knitting needles, CO 74 sts using the long tail method and join to knit in the round, PM.

BRIM

Row 1-9: *K1, P1*

Switch to 5.5mm knitting needles.

Cable Set Up

Row 10: K18, M1, K19, M1, K18, M1, K19, M1 (78)
Row 11: *P3, K6, P3, K1*
Row 12: *K12, SL1WYIB*
Row 13: *P3, K6, P3, K1*
Row 14: *K12, SL1WYIB*
Row 15: *P3, C6F, P3, K1, P3, C6B, P3, K1*

Body

Row 16: *K12, SL1WYIB*
Row 17: *P3, K6, P3, K1*
Row 18: *K12, SL1WYIB*
Row 19: *P3, K6, P3, K1*
Row 20: *K12, SL1WYIB*
Row 21: *P3, K6, P3, K1*
Row 22: *K12, SL1WYIB*
Row 23: *P3, C6F, P3, K1, P3, C6B, P3, K1*

Repeat rows 16–23 4 more times for a total of 55 rows.

Decrease

Row 56: *K12, SL1WYIB*
Row 57: *P2TOG, P1, K6, P2TOG, P1, K1* (66)
Row 58: *K2TOG, K6, K2TOG, SL1WYIB* (54)
Row 59: *P1, K2TOG, K2, K2TOG, P1, K1* (42)

Cut the working yarn leaving a long tail. Thread your darning needle and weave through the remaining stitches on the knitting needles to bind off. Pull tightly to close the top of the hat, turn your work inside out, bring the working yarn through to the inside, and weave in the ends.

Yay, you’re done!

Please tag me on social media so I can see and share your work. Use the hashtag: #ThePrudyBeanie and credit me @kitzknitz

The pattern and photographs in this document are property of KitzKnitz. This pattern is for personal use only. You are welcome to sell the finished products made from this pattern, but please reference KitzKnitz when doing so. You may not use photos from this blog post as your own or republish this pattern as your own.