Quinzhee Beanie

/ˈkwɪnzi/

“A Canadian snow shelter that is made from a large pile of loose snow which is shaped then hollowed to create a domed chamber inside. A quinzhee can be made for winter camping and survival purposes, or for fun.”

The Quinzhee Beanie is a snuggly, stretchy Aran weight beanie designed to keep you warm if you ever found yourself taking shelter in a quinzhee! The beanie is knit from the top (crown) down, creating a ‘domed’ shape as you knit. Its ribbed design gives it stretch and allows it to hug your head nicely with the right amount of negative ease.

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The Quinzhee Beanie is generously sized from XS, right through to XL and has three different brim options: standard single thickness brim, double depth folded brim or a double thickness secured brim. Loaded with texture and from the ‘zigzag’ cable, the Quinzhee Beanie is definitely going to keep you warm and toasty if you ever found yourself taking shelter in a Quinzhee!

XS (Small, Medium, Large, XL).

Size labels provide a rough guide only, I strongly recommend choosing a size based on the actual head circumference and intended amount of negative ease rather than relying on the size labels alone.

Finished beanie circumference

14.5” (16”, 18”, 20”, 22”) / 36.25cm (40cm) (45cm, 50cm, 55cm)

The beanie is designed with 3” (7.5cm) negative ease, apart from the first size where 0.5-2” (1.25-5cm) negative ease is recommended. Therefore, pick a size smaller than the actual head circumference.

Finished beanie length

7” (7.5”, 8”, 8.75”, 9.25”) / 17.5cm (18.75cm, 20cm, 22cm, 23.5cm).

The length is measured from the centre top (crown/cast on) to the bottom of the brim, along the curve of the beanie.

The sample beanie is the Medium size worn with the recommended 3” negative ease. Knit with Floof Fibre Superwash Aran in the colourway Garnet Noir.

Suggested Yarns

West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft Aran. 166m (182yds) per 100g

Any hand dyed Aran weight yarn with approximately 166m (182yds) per 100g

Required Meterage (Yardage)

Two sets of yarn requirements are given. Firstly, estimated amount needed to knit the beanie with the single thickness brim and then the estimated amount for the double depth folded and secured brim.

XS (Small, Medium, Large, XL)

90-140 (100-157, 115-184, 130-212, 150-239)m / 100-154 (110-172, 126-202, 143-232, 164-262)yds

This equates to 1 skein for all sizes for the single thickness brim and 1 (1, 2, 2, 2) skeins for the double depth folded and secured brim.

The stated meterage (yardage) is the estimated quantity needed to create both the beanie and one swatch. Amounts needed are based on the yarns stated.

Gauge

24 stitches and 32 rows = 4x4in (10x10cm) unstretched in the cable rib pattern, using the larger needle size.

Needles

5mm (US size 8) for the main body of the Beanie and 4mm (US size 6) for the ribbed brim OR size needed to get gauge.

Circular needles in both sizes – length suitable to knit your chosen size in the round. For example, the baby size beanie has a finished circumference of 13.2in (33cm) therefore a choose circular needle shorter than this to knit comfortably in the round OR a single circular needle long enough for the magic loop method.

Double Pointed Needles (DPN’s) in the larger size may be useful for the pinhole cast on and initial rounds. Please see my video tutorial for instructions on how to do the pin hole cast on and initial rounds.

5mm (US size 8) double pointed needles can be used for the Pinhole cast on and initial rounds if you prefer.