A beanie is one of the easiest hats to sew by hand or machine

A beanie is a tube of fabric sewn closed at one end, with the other end folded up to wear. You need only two pieces of fabric, a needle or sewing machine, thread, and scissors. The whole project takes between one and three hours depending on whether you use a machine. No special skills are required—if you can sew a straight seam, you can make a beanie that fits and looks finished.

The basic steps are: cut two identical rectangles of fabric, sew them together along three sides, turn the tube right-side out, fold the top closed, and stitch it shut. Some beanies add a cuff by folding the bottom edge up before wearing, and some include a lining for warmth. This guide walks you through the standard method and shows where you can adapt it.

Key Takeaways

  • A beanie requires two rectangles of fabric cut to your head measurement plus seam allowance, sewn into a tube, and closed at the top.
  • Measure around your head and divide by two to find the width of each rectangle; the length is how tall you want the beanie to be.
  • Sew three sides of the rectangle closed, turn it inside out through the opening, then fold and stitch the top shut.
  • A cuff is made by folding the bottom edge up before you wear it, and a lining is a second, smaller tube sewn inside the first.
  • Stretchy fabrics like jersey knit and fleece are easier to work with than woven cotton because they don't fray and move with your head.

Measure your head and calculate the fabric size

Wrap a soft measuring tape around your head where the beanie will sit—usually about an inch above your eyebrows and ears. Write down that number. Divide it by two. That is the width of each fabric rectangle you will cut.

For the length, decide how tall you want the beanie. A typical beanie is 8 to 10 inches tall when worn. Add one inch to that number for seam allowance (the space where the needle goes). So if you want a 9-inch beanie, cut rectangles that are 9 plus 1 = 10 inches long.

Example: If your head measures 22 inches around, divide by 2 to get 11 inches wide. If you want a 9-inch tall beanie, add 1 inch for seam allowance and cut two rectangles 11 inches wide by 10 inches long.

Choose fabric and cut two identical rectangles

Stretchy knit fabrics like jersey, fleece, and rib knit are the easiest choice for a first beanie. They don't fray at the edges, they stretch to fit your head comfortably, and they look polished without extra finishing. Cotton jersey (the fabric used for t-shirts) is inexpensive and widely available at fabric stores.

Woven fabrics like cotton quilting cotton work but require more care. The edges fray, so you either need to finish them with a zigzag stitch or accept that they will unravel slightly over time. Woven fabric also doesn't stretch, so the beanie will be stiffer.

Lay your fabric on a flat surface. Using a ruler and fabric marker or chalk, draw two rectangles to your calculated measurements. Cut them out with fabric scissors. The rectangles should be identical—if one is slightly different, the seams won't line up evenly.

Sew the two rectangles together along three sides

Place the two rectangles with the right sides (the pretty sides) facing each other and the wrong sides (the back) facing out. Pin or hold them together. You are going to sew three of the four sides closed, leaving one short end open so you can turn the tube right-side out later.

Using a needle and thread or a sewing machine, sew along three sides with a seam allowance of half an inch (the distance from the edge of the fabric to your stitching line). Sew the two long sides and one short side. Leave the other short side completely open—do not sew it at all.

If you are sewing by hand, use a backstitch: push the needle through both layers from back to front, then bring it back through from front to back about a quarter inch behind where it came out. Repeat along the entire seam. If you are using a machine, use a straight stitch at medium speed and let the presser foot guide you.

When you reach a corner, stop with the needle down, lift the presser foot (if using a machine), rotate the fabric 90 degrees, lower the presser foot, and continue sewing. This creates a sharp corner instead of a rounded one.

Turn the beanie right-side out and inspect the seams

You now have a fabric tube with one end open. Reach into the open end and grab the closed end from the inside. Pull it back through the opening, turning the whole tube inside out. The right sides of the fabric are now facing outward, and the seams are hidden inside.

Run your fingers along the seams from the outside to make sure they are straight and even. If a seam is puckered or uneven, you can carefully pick out the stitches with a seam ripper and re-sew it. Once you are satisfied, press the seams flat with an iron on low heat if the fabric allows it (check the care label first).

Fold and sew the open end closed

The open end of the tube is now at the top of your beanie. Fold the raw edges inward by half an inch on both sides, so the opening is now a small rectangle with folded edges. Pin the folded edges together.

Sew the opening closed with a ladder stitch (also called an invisible stitch), which hides the seam inside the fold. Bring the needle out through the fold on one side, then push it straight across into the fold on the opposite side and slide it along inside the fold for about a quarter inch. Push it back out, then repeat on the first side. Pull the thread gently every few stitches to close the gap. When the opening is fully closed, tie off the thread on the inside.

If you prefer a visible seam, use a backstitch or machine stitch instead. The ladder stitch straightforward looks neater, but either method works.

Add a cuff and optional lining

A cuff is made by folding the bottom edge of the beanie up by 1 to 2 inches before you wear it. This creates a double layer of fabric at the bottom and is purely a style choice—it does not require any additional sewing. straightforward fold and wear.

A lining adds warmth and a finished look inside the beanie. To add one, cut two more rectangles from a lighter fabric (like cotton or silk), sew them into a tube the same way as the outer beanie, but leave it slightly smaller so it fits inside without bunching. Slide the lining tube inside the finished beanie, fold the raw edges of both tubes inward together, and sew them closed with a ladder stitch. This is optional and takes an extra 30 to 45 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sew a beanie by hand if I don't have a sewing machine?

Yes. A backstitch by hand is just as strong as a machine stitch and takes about twice as long. Use a needle with an eye large enough for your thread, and make your stitches small and even—about a quarter inch apart. Hand-sewing a beanie typically takes 2 to 3 hours.

What if my beanie is too tight or too loose after I finish it?

If it is too tight, you can carefully unpick the seams, cut the rectangles wider, and re-sew. If it is too loose, you can take in the seams by sewing a new line a quarter inch closer to the edge and trimming the excess fabric. Measure your head again before you start to avoid repeating the mistake.

Do I need a pattern to sew a beanie?

No. A beanie is straightforward two rectangles, so you can calculate the size yourself using your head measurement. Many free patterns exist online if you prefer to follow step-by-step photos, but they all use the same basic math.

What thread should I use?

Use thread that matches your fabric color. All-purpose polyester thread works for most fabrics. If you are sewing stretchy knit, you can use regular thread, but some sewers prefer elastic thread or ballpoint needles designed for knits to prevent skipped stitches.

Can I make a beanie with a pattern on it?

Yes. If your fabric has a directional pattern (like stripes or a print that has a top and bottom), cut both rectangles so the pattern runs the same direction on each piece. This ensures the pattern lines up when you sew the seams and looks intentional rather than mismatched.