“Learn to knit in the round.”

This Churchmouse Classroom First Projects pattern will teach you to work in the round using two different methods. For the beanie, you’ll begin with a short circular needle. As you begin to decrease for the crown, you will need to change to double-point needles—great practice for the stylish handwarmers! Ribbing is very stretchy, so sizing your beanie is quite forgiving.

PHOTO TUTORIALS IN THIS PATTERN: • Decreasing a stitch. • Joining in the round. • ‘Buttonhole’ thumb opening.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: the cable cast-on method, the knit stitch, the purl stitch, combining knits & purls, binding off in pattern, and weaving in tails. Need help with any of these techniques? See our Learn-To-Knit Companion booklet.

Our First Projects patterns are intended for newer knitters wanting to get a solid understanding of the basics. Each pattern is a “twosie” -- two projects in one, and includes more photo tutorials for the techniques particular to those projects. While simple, these projects create accessories that even advanced knitters will want to wear. Beginners (and those who want to coach new knitters) should refer to the Churchmouse Classroom Learn-To-Knit Companion, an instructional booklet not available here (because it’s not a pattern) but found at many Local Yarn Shops and online at churchmouseyarns.com.

FINISHED SIZES
Child/Small Adult Beanie: To fit 18–22”/46-56cm head; approx. 15”/38cm around x 7½“/19cm deep, not stretched (it will shorten as it stretches out).
Medium/Large Adult Beanie: To fit 20–24”/51-61cm head; approx. 17”/43cm around x 8”/20cm deep not stretched (it will shorten as it stretches out).
Handwarmers: Approx. 7”/18cm around x 7½”/19cm long.

YARN
Child/Small Adult (Med/Large Adult) Beanie: Approx. 115yds/105m (150yds/137m) of worsted-weight yarn (ball band should suggest a gauge of approx. 18 stitches = 4”/10cm).
We used 1 skein Manos del Uruguay Maxima (219 yds/200m) in Color 2545 Pewter (on her), Color 2515 Slate (on him).
Handwarmers: Approx. 140yds/128m of worsted-weight yarn (ball band should suggest a gauge of approx. 18 stitches = 4”/10cm.)
We used 1 skein Manos del Uruguay Maxima (219 yds/200m) in Color 2545 Pewter.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
Beanie: US 7 (4.5mm) 16”/40cm circular needles and double-points, or size needed to obtain gauge.
Handwarmers: US 5 (3.75mm) 7½“/19cm (or longer) double- pointed needles, or size needed to obtain gauge. Note: Handwarmers are knit on smaller needles for a slightly denser fabric.
Stitch marker (beanie only).
Blunt darning needle to finish.

GAUGE
Beanie: Approx. 26 sts/30 rounds = 4”/10cm in K2/P2 ribbing, not stretched.
Handwarmers: Approx. 28 sts/32 rounds = 4”/10cm in K2/P2 ribbing, not stretched.