Tarmac Beanie

The Tarmac Beanie is a beginner-friendly unisex knitting pattern for a 2 x 2 ribbed beanie with a raised crown, emphasised with a block of ribbing running from the top to the bottom.  

It is provided in eight sizes, from 1 year old to extra-large adult (X-Large).  

It uses a DK (8 ply) yarn with a common gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) and is worked with 4mm needles. 

Only four kinds of stitches required: knit, purl, knit-2-together, purl-2-together. 

The pattern is named “Tarmac Beanie” after the hours I spent waiting on the tarmac in a grounded plane and experimenting with this pattern. Thank goodness I had my knitting. 

Difficulty Level:

Beginner

Sizing:

[head circumference] 

Child 1 year [47 cm or 18 ½ inches] 

Child 2 years [49 cm or 19 ¼ inches] 

Child 5 years [52 cm or 20 ½ inches] 

Child 8 years [55 cm or 21 ¾ inches] 

Youth/Small Adult [56 cm or 22 inches] 

Medium Adult [57 cm or 22 ½ inches] 

Large Adult [60 cm or 23 ½ inches] 

X-Large Adult [61 cm or 24 inches] 

Yarn:

Choose a DK (8 ply) yarn with a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm (4 inches).

Examples of suitable New Zealand (NZ) and international yarns are listed below, but there are many more options.

NZ yarn examples:

• Wild Earth Yarns Natural 8 Ply Undyed NZ Wool, 104 m per 50 grams. 
• Wild Earth Yarns Ashley 8 Ply 100% Merino Wool, 105 m per 50 grams.
• Prosper Yarn DK SW Merino, 100% Superwash Merino, 225 m per 100 grams.
• Ashford Merino DK, 100% Merino Wool, 105 m per 50 grams.
• Skeinz Flight NZ Merino, 100% NZ Merino Wool, 104m per 50 grams.
• Countrywide Yarns Merino Pure 8ply/DK, 100% Merino, 100 m per 50 grams.
• Burnt Hill Yarn Co Vespers Merino 8ply, 100% NZ Merino Wool, 106 m per 50 grams.

International examples:

 Sandnes Garn, Merinoull, 100% Merino Wool, 105 m per 50 grams.

 Rowan Alpaca Soft DK, 70% Wool, 30% Alpaca, 125 m per 50 grams.

 Debbie Bliss Rialto DK, 100% Merino Wool, 105 m per 50 grams.

Approximate yardage:

Child 1 year: 140 m (153 yards)

Child 2 years: 150 m (164 yards)

Child 5 years: 160 m (175 yards)

Child 8 years: 170 m (186 yards)

Youth/Small Adult: 180 m (197 yards)

Medium Adult: 190 m (208 yards)

Large Adult: 200 m (219 yards)

X-Large Adult: 210 m (230 yards)