A536 Ladies Seed Stitch Messy Bun Beanie

How to Knit a Seed-Stitch Messy Bun Beanie

Knit a textured beanie with an open crown designed to fit comfortably around a ponytail or messy bun. The hat is worked in the round in seed stitch, with gradual decreases shaping the upper section.

A self-striping yarn will recreate the colourful effect shown in the project image, while a solid shade will emphasise the seed-stitch texture.

Project Details

• Project number: A536
• Difficulty: Easy knit
• Size: Lady
• Fits head: approximately 56 cm
• Construction: Knitted in the round

What You Will Need

Yarn

• 1 × 100 g ball of Lincraft Acadia yarn

Needles and Equipment

• Set of 4.50 mm double-pointed knitting needles
• Stitch marker
• Wool needle for sewing in ends

Alternative Yarns

Choose a DK, 8 ply or light worsted yarn that can achieve a tension of 18.5 stitches and 27 rounds to 10 cm in seed stitch using approximately 4.50 mm needles.

• Self-striping 8 ply yarn: The closest alternative for recreating the multicoloured bands shown in the finished beanie.
• Variegated DK yarn: Produces shorter colour changes and a lively textured finish.
• Machine-washable 8 ply wool: A warm, resilient option with good stitch definition.
• Merino or merino-blend 8 ply: Creates a soft and warm beanie with comfortable stretch.
• Acrylic or wool-acrylic blend: An easy-care alternative suited to regular wear.

One 100 g ball should usually be sufficient, but check the total metreage and allow extra when using a yarn with less length per ball.

Tension

18.5 stitches and 27 rounds to 10 cm over seed stitch using 4.50 mm needles.

Knitting Abbreviations

• K: knit
• P: purl
• Patt: work in the established seed-stitch pattern
• Patt 2tog: work the next two stitches together while maintaining the seed-stitch pattern
• Sts: stitches
• Rep: repeat

What Is Seed Stitch?

Seed stitch is a textured knitting pattern created by alternating knit and purl stitches across each round, then reversing the sequence on the next round.

In this pattern:

• Round 1: K1, P1, repeating around.
• Round 2: P1, K1, repeating around.

This means every knit stitch is worked above a purl stitch, and every purl stitch is worked above a knit stitch. The result is a firm, slightly raised texture made up of small bumps that resemble scattered seeds.

Begin the Beanie

1. Using 4.50 mm double-pointed needles, cast on 83 stitches.
2. Divide the stitches evenly between the needles.
3. Join to work in the round, taking care not to twist the cast-on edge.
4. Place a marker at the beginning of the round.

Work the Seed-Stitch Body

1. Round 1: K1, *P1, K1; repeat from * to the end.
2. Round 2: P1, *K1, P1; repeat from * to the end.
3. These two rounds form the seed-stitch pattern.
4. Continue in seed stitch until the work measures 15 cm from the cast-on edge, finishing after Round 2.

Shape the Crown Opening

Maintain the seed-stitch pattern while working the decreases.

1. Round 1: Patt 3, *patt 2tog, patt 8; repeat from * to the end. 75 stitches remain.
2. Round 2 and all alternate rounds: Work in pattern to the end.
3. Round 3: Patt 3, *patt 2tog, patt 7; repeat from * to the end.
4. Round 5: Patt 3, *patt 2tog, patt 6; repeat from * to the end.
5. Round 7: Patt 3, *patt 2tog, patt 5; repeat from * to the end.
6. Round 9: Patt 3, *patt 2tog, patt 4; repeat from * to the end.
7. Round 11: Patt 3, *patt 2tog, patt 3; repeat from * to the end. 35 stitches remain.

Finish the Beanie

1. Cast off loosely in the established pattern.
2. Weave in all loose yarn ends securely.
3. Gently shape the beanie by hand.
4. Check that the crown opening stretches comfortably without becoming loose.