This 3-in-1 pattern sprang from the desire to create two little hats for two special little people one Christmas. They and their parents live much further away than we would like, but I always look forward to sending them a parcel in the post when December comes around with something to bring a bit of cheer and warmth.

The hat is worked from the bottom up, and can be made in three different styles: fitted, slouchy and messy bun. You will find notes throughout the pattern to help you achieve your desired fit and shape. And it makes use of worsted weight yarn so that you can work up your beanie in no time at all, whatever size or style you’re making.

I have designed this piece with two options for sizing – you’ll need to meet gauge to get the height right since the hat is worked in sections, but you can use head circumference measurements to get the perfect fit. If, like me, you don’t have the ability to measure the heads of those you’re making it for, I’ve also included a chart with suggested lengths for the ribbing / starting band based on age groups and average head size (see below). You just need to make sure that whatever circumference you settle on results in a multiple of four for your stitch count.

I love working with alpine stitch whenever it comes to texture, and just the name of it makes me drift back to happy days spent around the Lake District – hence the Buttermere Beanie was born.

The Buttermere Beanie makes use of a few other stitches and techniques you may be less familiar with. The extended single crochet is used to start the alpine stitch off because it provides a more closely-knit result with fewer gaps for cold winds to exploit.

There are also several rows of ‘faux knit’ edging between sections of alpine stitch, created by working in the third loop. It’s gives a quicker and more effective look than working in the back loop, and once you’ve found it, you’ll be hooked! Finally, when closing the hat, you’ll make use of a linked double crochet stitch, just to pull things together and minimise any gaps near the top. Once you’ve made it the first time, you won’t forget it. However, if you’re not confident using this stitch, feel free to use a regular double crochet in its stead.

The hat body is worked in rounds without turning, so you don’t need to use stitch markers to keep track of your stitch count, unless of course you find it helpful.

The starting chain of each round does not count as a stitch so the first stitch will go in the same stitch as the chain. When closing the round, the slip stitch will go into the first stitch, not the chain.