THE LILY BEANIE
Your step-by-step guide to making your masterpiece
Hey there, stitch superstar! You’ve got your knitting kit and you've unlocked the secret sauce to making your very own Lily Beanie (the perfect companion to the Lily Scarf 🫶), and we’re excited to be stitching it out with you.
This guide will be your BFF through the entire journey. Whether you’re brand new to knitting or just here for a refresh, we’ll take you from “how do I hold these sticks?” to “look what I made!” — one cosy row at a time.
Heads up! You'll need the physical pattern that came in your knit kit as well as this online guide. The pattern contains the specifics, this guide gives you the extra layer of detail.
INCLUDED IN YOUR KIT
Knitting Glossary
(AKA the Stitch Decoder)
ROW
One line of stitches worked across the needles.
GAUGE
The number of stitches and rows within a 10x10cm square. Checking your gauge helps ensure your finished project is the correct size.
STOCKINETTE STITCH
The name for the stitch pattern created when you knit one row of stitches, then purl the next row of stitches.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT (Or CLOSE ENOUGH!)
Before we dive into the good stuff, let’s warm up those hands and needles. Think of this like stretching before a workout, except comfier, cuter, and way more fun.
Grab some of the yarn from your kit (just a little, you’ve got enough to spare!), and get familiar with the motions. Try out the stitches you’ll be using in this pattern. This is your time to mess it up, try again, and feel things out — no pressure, no judgement, just you and your new fave hobby.
Bonus: practising now = fewer headaches later (trust us on this one).
Slip Knot
Casting On
Knit Stitch
Purl Stitch
Casting Off
TEST YOUR GAUGE
Once you’re feeling comfy with the stitches, it’s time to check your gauge. We know, we know — it sounds technical, but it’s really just about making sure your tension matches the pattern.
Why? Because different knitters = different stitch tightness. And we want your finished masterpiece to fit like a dream.
So grab your measuring tape, knit up a little swatch (there’s a guide for that at the link below!), and let’s make sure you’re on track before the main event begins.
How to test your gauge
THE LILY Beanie
If done correctly, your 10x10cm knitted swatch should measure 16 stitches wide, and 22 rows high when knitted in stockinette stitch on your 5mm needles.
Repeat after me:
“I solemnly swear to knit bravely, unpick calmly, and pretend I meant to do that.
I accept that chaos is part of the craft, and possibly part of my personality.
I will finish what I start… eventually.”
We’ll make our Lily Beanie by knitting a rectangle shape which we then fold together to make a tube. We’ll seam the tube together, and then cinch in the top to complete. For those feeling extra fancy, you can knit this one in the round 😘
Using your 5mm needles, cast on the correct number of stitches.
💭 If you're using circular needles your stitches will run down onto the plastic tube connecting your needles. That's totally fine!
💡 Your piece of knitting will grow as you knit so don't be concerned if after you've cast on the piece doesn't look wide enough.
If you're going to make your beanie in the round you'll cast on the same number of stitches and then you'll join them in the round. So instead of knitting back and forth, you'll knit in loops (or in the round).
To join your stitches in the round, space stitches out around the tube and along both needles. Make sure the needle attached to the ball of yarn is in your right hand, then knit the stitches onto your left needle. Use your stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round and move it up each round to continue keeping track.
We begin our beanie by knitting 4 rows of 1x1 rib stitch. This helps to create a bit of extra stretch around the edge.
We make a rib stitch by alternating knit and purl stitches within the row.
If you're knitting in the round you'll complete 4 loops of 1x1 rib. Just make sure you've got an even number of stitches on your needle. If you've got an odd number, add a stitch so that you're rib stitch lines up properly.
We knit the rest of our beanie in stockinette stitch.
Stockinette stitch is one of the most common knitting stitch patterns. It’s created by knitting every stitch on the right side of your work and purling every stitch on the wrong side.
The result is a smooth fabric with neat V-shaped stitches on the front and a bumpy texture on the back.
If you're knitting in the round we have good news!
Stockinette stitch in the round is even easier than knitting it flat. Instead of alternating knit and purl rows, you simply knit every round.
Because you’re always working from the right side of the fabric, knitting every stitch creates the same smooth V-shaped stitches on the outside and a bumpy texture on the inside.
Cast off all your stitches.
🔥 When you've got just one stitch left on your right needle, simply cut your yarn from the ball (leaving about 20cm) and thread the loose end back through your last stitch to secure it.
More good news! You don't need to cast off your stitches, instead you can use your darning needle to collect all the stitches on your needle. Slide them off your needle as you collect them. then secure with a knot on the inside of your beanie. YOU. ARE. DONE! Epic Work.
Let's sew your beanie together.
Grab your darning needle and thread it with a 40cm piece of yarn. Then, fold your piece in half long ways, lining up your side edges against each other to create a tube.
Use your darning needle to sew the tube together. There’s a video online that shows you how to do this.
The last step is to cinch the top of your beanie together.
Cut another 40cm length of yarn and thread it onto your darning needle.
Make sure your beanie is inside out (so the bumpy side is showing), then, working along the top edge of your tube (i.e. the cast off edge), weave the needle through each stitch all the way around the opening. Gently but firmly pull the yarn to cinch the top closed — kind of like pulling the drawstring on a bag. This will gather the fabric into a neat little puckered top.
Once it’s pulled tight, stitch across the gathered top a few times to hold it in place. Then tie a good ol’ fashioned knot and weave in the ends to tidy up. Turn your beanie so the flat side of the fabric is showing and you’re done!
🪡 The final thing you'll do is use your darning needle to weave the yarn tails back into your work. This gives you a neat finish.
To do this, thread the darning needle with a tail, then pass the needle through the stitches on the wrong side of your work, following the path of the yarn for 5–10cm. Then change direction and weave back through a few more stitches to help lock it in place. Because seamless projects don’t have seams to hide ends in, try to stay within the structure of the stitches so the tail disappears without creating bulk or showing through to the front. Once it’s secure, trim any excess yarn close to the fabric.
