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

A beanie cap is a tube of fabric sewn closed at one end, with the other end folded up to wear. You need two pieces of fabric, a needle or sewing machine, thread, and about an hour. The seams are straight lines—no curves, no zippers, no lining required. Even if you have never sewn before, a beanie teaches you the core skills: cutting straight, pinning, sewing a seam, and finishing an edge.

This guide walks you through measuring, cutting, sewing the side seam, closing the top, and turning the fabric right-side out. The finished beanie will fit an adult head; you can adjust the measurements down for a child.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two identical rectangles of fabric 20 inches long and 9 inches wide, then pin them with the right sides facing each other.
  • Sew three sides closed with a half-inch seam allowance, leaving one short end open for turning the fabric right-side out.
  • Trim the seam allowance at the corners to reduce bulk, then turn the beanie through the opening and press it flat.
  • Fold the raw edges of the opening inward and sew them closed by hand or machine to finish the beanie.
  • The entire project takes about one hour by machine or two to three hours by hand, depending on your speed.

Gather your materials and take measurements

You will need two pieces of fabric, each 20 inches long and 9 inches wide. Cotton jersey, fleece, or cotton knit work best because they stretch slightly and feel soft against the skin. Avoid stiff fabrics like canvas or denim for a first beanie—they are harder to sew and uncomfortable to wear. You can use the same fabric for both pieces or mix two different colors or patterns.

You will also need thread that matches or blends with your fabric, a needle (if sewing by hand) or a sewing machine, pins, scissors, a measuring tape, and an iron. A seam ripper is useful if you make a mistake, but not essential. If you are sewing by hand, use a needle size 7 or 8 and thread it with about 18 inches of thread at a time.

Cut and pin your fabric pieces

Lay one piece of fabric on a flat surface. Use a measuring tape and a pen or fabric marker to mark a rectangle 20 inches long and 9 inches wide. Cut along the lines with sharp scissors. Repeat for the second piece. The edges do not have to be perfectly straight—small variations will not show in the finished beanie.

Place the two pieces on top of each other with the right sides facing each other (the sides you want to show on the outside of the beanie should be touching). Pin around all four edges, placing pins about 2 inches apart. The pins hold the fabric in place while you sew and prevent the layers from shifting.

Sew the side seam and bottom closed

You will sew three sides of the rectangle, leaving one short end (9 inches) open. This opening is how you will turn the beanie right-side out later. Start at one corner of the long side. If using a machine, set it to a straight stitch with a stitch length of 2.5 to 3 millimeters. If sewing by hand, use a running stitch—push the needle through both layers, then back up through both layers, about one-quarter inch apart.

Sew along the first long side, keeping the seam one-half inch from the edge. At the corner, stop with the needle down, lift the presser foot (if using a machine), pivot the fabric 90 degrees, lower the presser foot, and continue sewing. Sew the entire bottom short side, then the second long side. Stop when you reach the second short end—do not sew this end. Backstitch or tie off the thread to find it.

Remove the pins as you go, or remove them all before sewing. Sewing over a pin can break the needle or damage the machine.

Trim corners and turn the beanie right-side out

The corners of the seam are now thick with four layers of fabric. Trim them to reduce bulk. Cut diagonally across each corner, about one-quarter inch from the seam. Do not cut into the seam itself—cut close to it but not through it. This step makes the corners lie flat when you turn the beanie.

Reach through the open end and grab the fabric on the inside. Pull gently and steadily until the beanie turns inside out and the right sides are now facing outward. The seams are now hidden on the inside. Use your fingers to push the corners out so they are sharp and square, not rounded. Press the beanie flat with an iron on a low to medium setting, paying special attention to the seams and the open edge.

Close the opening with a ladder stitch or machine seam

Fold the raw edges of the open end inward by one-half inch on both pieces of fabric. Pin them together. You can now close this opening by machine or by hand. If using a machine, sew along the fold line with a straight stitch, removing pins as you go. If sewing by hand, use a ladder stitch (also called a whip stitch), which is nearly invisible. Thread a needle, knot the end, and insert the needle into the fold of one piece of fabric. Slide the needle inside the fold for about one-quarter inch, then bring it out and cross over to the other piece. Repeat, alternating sides, until the opening is closed.

Tie off the thread on the inside and trim the excess. Press the seam flat with an iron. The beanie is now complete.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is sewing with the wrong sides of the fabric facing each other. If you do this, the seams will be on the outside of the finished beanie. You can fix this by turning the beanie inside out again, but it is easier to check before you start sewing. Pinch the fabric and look at the sides touching each other—they should be the duller or less finished-looking side.

Another mistake is sewing all four sides closed. If you do this, you cannot turn the beanie right-side out. Always leave one short end open before you start sewing. If you accidentally sew it closed, use a seam ripper to cut the stitches and open it up.

Uneven seams are normal on a first project. The beanie will still fit and look fine even if the seam is a little wavy. Sewing a straight line takes practice. Focus on keeping the same distance from the edge as you go, rather than trying to make the line perfectly straight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sew a beanie by hand instead of using a machine?

Yes. Hand sewing takes longer—usually two to three hours instead of one—but the steps are identical. Use a running stitch for the main seams and a ladder stitch for the opening. Your hands may get tired, so take breaks. Hand-sewn beanies look just as good as machine-sewn ones.

What fabric should I use if I want a warm beanie?

Fleece, wool knit, and thick cotton jersey all make warm beanies. Fleece is the easiest to sew because it does not fray and does not require finishing the edges. Wool knit is warmer but can be itchy against bare skin—line it with cotton jersey if you want to wear it without a hat underneath.

How do I make a beanie that fits a child?

Cut the rectangles 16 inches long and 8 inches wide instead of 20 by 9. The finished beanie will be smaller and fit a child's head. You can adjust the length up or down by one inch at a time to fine-tune the fit.

What do I do if my seam is crooked or uneven?

If the beanie is already finished, a slightly crooked seam will not affect how it fits or looks when worn. If you notice it before closing the opening, you can use a seam ripper to cut out the stitches and sew the seam again. Seam rippers are inexpensive and make fixing mistakes much easier.

Can I add a cuff or fold the beanie up at the bottom?

Yes. After you finish sewing, fold the bottom edge up one to two inches and it will stay folded because the fabric is stretchy. You can fold it up before wearing or leave it flat—both look good. Some people fold it up to make the beanie shorter or to show a contrasting fabric color on the inside.