If you’ve mastered the knit and purl stitches and are itching to try knitting in the round, this spiral beanie is your perfect next step.
The spiral might look complicated, but it is not at all: the “magic” of this hat lies in a simple mathematical shift.
You are working a 6-stitch repeat (Knit 4, Purl 2), but the total number of stitches on your needle is not divisible by 6. Instead, your total stitch count is (6 x n) – 1.
Because you are one stitch short of a perfect repeat, the pattern shifts by one stitch every time you pass the marker. This offset is what creates that beautiful, continuous spiral effect without really any effort!
What You’ll Need
- Needles: 5mm (US size 8) 40 cm circular needles and a set of 5mm (US size 8) Double Pointed Needles (DPNs) for the decrease.
- Yarn: Any yarn suited for 5mm needles (Worsted/10-ply). You’ll need less than 100g.
- Extras: One stitch marker and a tapestry needle to weave in ends.
The Pattern
1. The Setup (The Ribbing)
- Cast on 76 stitches on your circular needles.
- Place your marker and join in the round, being careful not to twist. To ensure a seamless start, swap the first and last stitches on your needles to close the gap (you can see how it is done in the video).
- Round 1: Knit 2, Purl 2 (K2, P2) repeat until the end of the round.
- Continue this ribbing until the piece measures 4 cm (approx 2 inches).
2. The Spiral Shift
Now, we create the spiral effect.
- The Increase: You need to increase of one stitch. You can either Knit 1 in the front and 1 in the back of the first stitch, or you can use the “running thread” (the bar between your last and first stitch) to pick up and knit one new stitch (this second method is easier in theory, but it does leave a little hole – I have demonstrated both methods in the video so I suggest you do the first as shown in the video). You now have 77 stitches.
- The Pattern: Simply Knit 4, Purl 2 (K4, P2) continuously.
Pro Tip: Don’t worry about what the stitches look like at the marker! Because you have 77 stitches, the pattern will naturally “stair-step” on its own. Just keep K4, P2-ing until the hat measures approximately 19 cm from the cast-on edge. Stop when you reach the marker and the pattern is ready to start a new K4 sequence.
3. Shaping the Crown
Switch to Double Pointed Needles (DPNs) when the stitches feel too tight on the circular needle (I do it at the very end, at round 5).
- Round 1: K3, P2, then (K2tog, K2, P2) to the end (K2tog = Knit 2 together)
- Round 2: K3, P2 to the end.
- Round 3: K3, P2tog to the end. (P2tog = Purl 2 together)
- Round 4: K3, P1 to the end.
- Round 5: K2, P2tog to the end.
- Round 6: K2, P1 to the end.
- Round 7: K1, P2tog to the end.
- Round 8: K1, P1 to the end.
- Round 9: K2tog all the way around.
4. Finishing Touch
Cut your yarn, leaving a 20 cm tail. Use your tapestry needle to thread the yarn through the remaining stitches, pull tight like a drawstring, and weave in your ends on the inside.
I hope you do try making this hat. Please let me know if anything is unclear.
You can also follow the video tutorial I have made, as things might be easier than reading the instructions 🙂
Happy Knitting!
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