A700 Family Reindeer Beanie

How to Knit a Family Reindeer Beanie

Create a playful reindeer beanie complete with knitted antlers, an optional pompom nose and simple felt or wobble eyes. The hat is worked in the round from the ribbed lower edge to the shaped crown, so there is no main hat seam to sew.

Five sizes are included, from young children through to adults. The antlers are knitted separately, lightly stuffed and sewn securely to the top of the finished beanie.

Sizes and Finished Fit

What You Will Need

Yarn

• 1 × 100 g ball of Lincraft Kimana for each size
• Small amount of contrasting yarn for the optional pompom nose

Needles and Equipment

• One set of 4.5 mm double-pointed knitting needles
• Wool needle for sewing in ends and attaching antlers
• Washable toy filling
• Pompom maker, if adding the optional nose
• Black and white felt or large wobble eyes, if desired
• Stitch marker
• Scissors

Tension

Using 4.5 mm needles, work to the following tension:

20 stitches and 25 rows over 10 cm in stocking stitch.

Knit and wash a tension square before beginning. Correct tension is important because the hat is sized by circumference and the antlers need a firm fabric that will contain the stuffing.

Abbreviations

• K: Knit
• K2tog: Knit two stitches together
• Inc: Increase one stitch
• Sl1: Slip one stitch
• Psso: Pass the slipped stitch over
• St or sts: Stitch or stitches
• St st: Stocking stitch
• Rep: Repeat
• Rem: Remaining

Construction Overview

The beanie is made in four stages:

1. Knit the ribbed brim and hat body in the round.
2. Decrease evenly to shape the crown.
3. Knit, shape and lightly stuff two antlers.
4. Attach the antlers and add the optional pompom nose and facial features.

Beanie

Cast On

Using the 4.5 mm double-pointed needles, cast on:

• 2–4 years: 84 stitches
• 5–7 years: 86 stitches
• 8–10 years: 88 stitches
• Lady: 90 stitches
• Man: 94 stitches

1. Distribute the stitches evenly over the needles.
2. Join to work in the round.
3. Take care not to twist the cast-on edge.
4. Place a marker to identify the beginning of the round.

Work the Ribbed Brim

Work knit-one, purl-one rib around.

The first round establishes the rib pattern. Continue for:

• 2–4 years: 5 rounds
• 5–7 years: 7 rounds
• 8–10 years: 7 rounds
• Lady: 7 rounds
• Man: 7 rounds

Knit the Hat Body

Continue in stocking stitch by knitting every round until the work measures:

• 2–4 years: 12 cm from the cast-on edge
• 5–7 years: 13 cm
• 8–10 years: 14 cm
• Lady: 15 cm
• Man: 16 cm

Adjust the Stitch Count

On the next round, knit and decrease evenly across to reach:

• 2–4 years: 84 stitches
• 5–7 years: 80 stitches
• 8–10 years: 88 stitches
• Lady: 90 stitches
• Man: 90 stitches

Shape the Crown

Work the decrease rounds for the selected size. Knit every alternate round unless the instructions specify otherwise.

First Crown Decrease

Repeat knit two together followed by:

• 2–4 years: Knit 5
• 5–7 years: Knit 6
• 8–10 years: Knit 6
• Lady: Knit 7
• Man: Knit 7

Continue the repeat to the end of the round.

Continue Decreasing

Knit the next round.

On each following decrease round, work one fewer knit stitch between the knit-two-together decreases:

• Third decrease round: knit two together, then knit 4, 5, 5, 6 or 6.
• Fifth decrease round: knit two together, then knit 3, 4, 4, 5 or 5.
• Seventh decrease round: knit two together, then knit 2, 3, 3, 4 or 4.
• Ninth decrease round: knit two together, then knit 1, 2, 2, 3 or 3.
• Eleventh decrease round: knit two together, then knit 0, 1, 1, 2 or 2.

Work a plain knit round between these decrease rounds.

Additional Decreases for Larger Sizes

For sizes 5–7 years, 8–10 years, Lady and Man, work a further decrease round:

Repeat knit two together followed by 0, 0, 1 or 1 knit stitch.

Knit the following round.

For the Lady and Man sizes only, work one final round of knit two together around, leaving 10 stitches.

Close the Crown

For all sizes, work the final decrease round as directed until approximately 5–6 stitches remain.

1. Cut the yarn, leaving a generous tail.
2. Thread the tail through the remaining stitches.
3. Remove the knitting needles.
4. Pull the opening closed firmly.
5. Secure the yarn on the inside of the hat.

Antlers

Make two matching antlers using the 4.5 mm needles.

Begin the Main Antler

Cast on 12 stitches.

Work in stocking stitch for:

• 2–4 years: 9 rounds
• 5–7 years: 9 rounds
• 8–10 years: 11 rounds
• Lady: 13 rounds
• Man: 15 rounds

Shape the Antler

Increase at selected points to widen the antler:

1. Knit 9, increase in the next stitch, knit 1 and increase in the final stitch to reach 14 stitches.
2. Knit one round.
3. Knit 3, increase, knit 1, increase, knit 3, increase, knit 1 and increase to reach 18 stitches.
4. Knit one round.
5. Knit 11, increase, knit 5 and increase to reach 20 stitches.

Divide for the First Branch

1. Knit 12 stitches.
2. Cast on 2 stitches.
3. Slip the remaining 7 stitches onto a spare needle.
4. Continue working the first branch on 15 stitches.

Shape this branch with paired decreases worked near the beginning and middle of the round until 9 stitches remain.

Cut the yarn, thread it through the remaining stitches and pull closed.

Complete the Second Branch

1. Return the 7 held stitches to the working needles.
2. Cast on 2 additional stitches to create 9 stitches.
3. Distribute the stitches evenly over three needles.

Work in stocking stitch for:

• 2–4 years: 4 rounds
• 5–7 years: 4 rounds
• 8–10 years: 6 rounds
• Lady: 8 rounds
• Man: 10 rounds

On the next round, work the paired decreases as directed until 7 stitches remain.

Cut the yarn, thread it through the remaining stitches and draw closed.

Finishing

Stuff and Attach the Antlers

1. Add a small amount of washable filling to each antler.
2. Shape the two branches gently as you stuff.
3. Do not overfill, as the antlers should remain lightweight.
4. Position the antlers evenly near the top of the beanie.
5. Sew the cast-on edge of each antler securely to the hat.
6. Reinforce the attachment by sewing around the base more than once.

Try the beanie on or place it over a rounded form before completing the final stitches. This helps ensure the antlers stand evenly.

Add the Pompom Nose

Make a small pompom in a contrasting colour and trim it into a neat, rounded shape.

Position it at the centre front of the beanie, above the ribbed brim, and sew through the pompom’s centre tie several times.

Add the Eyes

Position the eyes evenly above and to either side of the pompom nose.

The original pattern suggests either:

• Large wobble eyes
• Eyes cut from black and white felt

Sew or glue the eyes into place. For children, embroidered eyes are the safest option.

Final Checks

1. Weave in all remaining yarn ends.
2. Check the crown closure.
3. Check both antler attachments.
4. Check the pompom and facial features.
5. Gently shape the crown and ribbed brim.
6. Arrange the antler branches so they face outwards.

Alternative Yarns for This Project

A suitable substitute should achieve approximately 20 stitches and 25 rows over 10 cm on 4.5 mm needles.

• 8 ply wool and acrylic blend – provides warmth, elasticity and reliable shape recovery.
• 8 ply anti-pilling acrylic – an easy-care option for children’s hats.
• 8 ply machine-washable wool – creates a warm, natural beanie with good elasticity.
• 8 ply merino blend – produces a soft, comfortable hat suitable for sensitive skin.
• Light 10 ply acrylic or wool blend – may be suitable if it achieves the stated tension.
• Two strands of fine 4 ply yarn held together – may be used to create a custom marled effect.

Choosing the Best Substitute

Choose a smooth yarn with enough elasticity for a comfortable beanie and enough structure to support the antlers.

Wool and wool blends offer warmth and recovery, while acrylic provides easy washing and a wide colour range.

Avoid very heavy, fluffy or loosely spun yarns. Heavy yarn may cause the antlers to droop, while highly textured yarn can obscure the crown shaping.

Colour Ideas

• Brown beanie with a bright red nose
• Grey beanie with a forest-green nose
• Cream beanie with caramel antlers
• Red beanie with brown antlers
• Navy beanie with pale-grey antlers
• Pink beanie with burgundy antlers
• Rainbow or marled yarn with solid antlers

Care

Follow the yarn-care instructions. Hand washing is generally safest once the antlers and facial features have been attached.

Reshape the beanie and antlers while damp, then dry flat. Avoid hanging the wet hat, as the weight of the antlers may stretch the crown.