Beanies and knit hats: how to choose

How to choose beanies and knit hats

Start with how you will wear the hat. A close-fitting knit is the easy choice for a commute, a school run or a long walk with the dog, while a hat with ear flaps gives more side coverage on ski mornings and windy city days. If your coat is plain, a pom-pom adds a focal point; if you wear your hair up, a ponytail opening keeps your style visible.

Look at the silhouette next. A brimless dome sits close to the head and tucks neatly under a coat collar or hood, while a brim gives a cleaner finish around the forehead. A ribbed band usually sits just above the ears, and a pom-pom can be eased upright once the crown is on. The Satin-Lined Wool Knit Beanie has a rounded dome crown and a clean brimless edge; the Ponytail Knit Beanie has a 2.5 cm brim.

Think about lining and hair. A satin lining gives the inside a smooth, silky finish so hair slides against it rather than catching, which is useful for braids, curls and a sleek blowout. A fleece lining adds a soft layer at the forehead and ears. The Faux Fur Pom Pom Knitted Beanie has a champagne satin lining, the Satin-Lined Wool Knit Beanie is lined in satin, and the Fleece-Lined Knitted Hat and Scarf Set is lined with fleece.

Materials, details and fit

Our knit hats come in wool, acrylic, rabbit hair, a cashmere blend and a wool blend, with satin and fleece linings. Wool knit gives a smooth, even surface and a dense hand, as on the Monochrome Wool Knit Beanie and the Satin-Lined Wool Knit Beanie. Acrylic knit brings softness and stretch, as on the Ponytail Knit Beanie and the Soft Orlon Knit Beanie. Rabbit hair has a tactile, faintly fuzzy finish, seen on the Rabbit Hair Winter Beanie and the Rabbit Hair Blend Knit Beanie, while the Cashmere Blend Pom-Pom Beanie uses cashmere, acrylic and cotton.

Details change how a hat feels. A lined inner band adds substance without bulk, a fleece lining holds warmth at the ears, and a satin lining helps hair stay neat. Pom-poms range from a generous faux fur style to a plush pom-pom and a high crown pompom. Ear flaps cover the sides, a brim gives a defined edge, and a back opening leaves room for a ponytail, bun or braids. Stretch in the knit helps the hat sit close without pressing.

Fit should be close but comfortable. The Rabbit Hair Winter Beanie is sized 56-58cm for an adult fit and sits close and light at 115-130g. The Soft Orlon Knit Beanie weighs roughly 55g, and the Satin-Lined Wool Knit Beanie sits lightly at around 121-132g. In the Three-Piece Knit Hat, Scarf and Glove Set, the hat measures 23.5cm by 18cm and the scarf 175cm by 21cm, long enough to wrap twice at the neck.

How to style them

Begin with your hair. Pull a beanie on over loose hair or a low bun, letting the stretchy knit sit close without pressing. If you want your ponytail, bun or braids on show, tie your hair first, then slip the hat on and guide your hair through the opening at the back. A satin lining is the one to reach for when you want to protect a blowout, curls or braids from friction.

Then set the hat where you like it. Settle a ribbed band just above the ears and ease the crown back if you want a pom-pom to stand upright. Pull a brim low over the ears for warmth or higher on the forehead for a cleaner line. A brimless dome can sit close with the edge above the brows, or be drawn down to cover the tops of the ears.

Pair the hat with the rest of your outerwear. A monochrome wool knit works with tailored wool, denim and a puffer, while a faux fur pom-pom adds a little theatre to a plain wool coat. A fleece-lined hat and scarf set loops over a coat collar and keeps the neck warm; a three-piece set in one colour makes cold-weather dressing a single decision. Our pieces come in black, red, beige, grey, pink, white, khaki, blue, wine, green, yellow and brown, so you can echo a coat, a scarf or a pair of gloves.

Care and storage

As general advice, check the care label before washing any knit hat. Wool and wool blend knits often benefit from gentle hand washing in cool water, while acrylic knits need little more than a cool wash and a flat dry. Satin linings should be kept away from snags, and fleece linings need to be fully dry before the hat goes away.

Store knit hats folded in a drawer or on a shelf rather than hanging them by the pom-pom, which can pull the crown out of shape. Keep pom-poms from being crushed under heavier items, and store satin-lined hats away from hook-and-loop fasteners, sharp edges and anything that could catch the lining. A little tissue paper inside the crown helps a soft hat hold its shape.

Between seasons, wash and dry the hat fully before storing it. A cedar or lavender sachet in the drawer is a simple way to keep stored knits fresh. If a knit loses its shape, reshape it gently while damp and dry it flat. Give the hat a little air between wears, and keep it away from damp coats and bags.

Standout pieces

• Faux Fur Pom Pom Knitted Beanie: A knitted acrylic beanie with a champagne satin lining and a generous faux fur pom pom, useful when you want a soft hat that still looks considered.
• Satin-Lined Knit Beanie: Fine wool knit outside and smooth satin within, with a rounded dome crown and a clean brimless edge that sits lightly on the head.
• Ponytail Knit Beanie: A thick acrylic knit in a close shape with a 2.5 cm brim and a back opening that lets a ponytail, bun or braids sit free.
• Fleece-Lined Knitted Hat and Scarf Set: A wool knit hat and matching scarf, both lined with fleece, with a dome crown that covers the ears without pressing.
• Pompom Knit Beanie with Ear Flaps: Hand-hooked knit with a fleece-soft feel, ear flaps for side coverage and a pompom set high at the crown.