Free Pattern!
End ALS Beanie
I originally designed the End ALS Beanie for the ALS NC Autumn Auction to raise money for our Walk to Defeat ALS team. We walk every year and raise money in memory of my mother, Marilue. She is the inspiration behind my business. I have always felt that the knit/crochet world is saturated with so many amazing designers and patterns. I wanted my business to stand for inclusiveness and rethinking patterns for everyone. People living with ALS often have limited dexterity and mobility and I wanted my patterns to make people with chronic illness and disabilities to feel seen.
The End ALS beanie is a 100% not subtle conversation starter to bring awareness to this disease and the very real reality that we need more research for treatments and cures. There is also a big need for community and support for people living with ALS, their families, and caregivers.
So make your beanie, stand up and shout to anyone that will listen! Tell them about this disease and how they can help! These are perfect for teams participating in their Walk To Defeat ALS or other events that benefit or raise awareness for ALS!
What if you don’t knit? I’ve created a free crochet version as well!
Don’t knit but want to show your commitment to END ALS? Reach out to me at differentviewdesigns@gmail.com to discuss options for finished END ALS beanie orders!
Are you interested in making a knit or crochet End ALS beanie to donate? Contact me for more info!
Share your End ALS Beanies!
Share your End ALS beanies online or on social media! I would love to see each and every ALS hat! Tag @differentviewdesigns and use #EndALSBeanie.
Terms of Use
This pattern can be used to create beanies for personal use or to give as gifts or promotional give-always supporting ALS. Any use of this pattern should give credit to Different View Designs as the pattern creator. Do not pass this pattern off as your own design, that’s just crappy behavior.
If you create these beanies to sell I strongly encourage you to donate a portion of the sales to an ALS organization.
All photos in this blog post, on differentviewdesigns.com, or shared on our social media page are property of Different View Designs and can not be used by another person or organization without consent.
#ALSInThisTogether
If you’ve been personally impacted by ALS, I encourage you to reach out to the community around you (physically or virtually!). Sharing our stories with a group of people that understand the devastating impact of this disease can be healing and restorative.
If you would like to connect with me, please reach out on social media or leave a comment on this post.
Find out more about me and what I do!
You can also reach out to one of the organization listed below. Some have support groups or community events.
Please donate to help END ALS!
I am offering this pattern for free to anyone that wants to make it. I’m asking each person to please consider donating to an organization that supports ALS research. Every single dollar helps to fight this disease! I’m going to link to some of the organizations I support and follow to help you decide how you want to donate.
All of these organizations provide ways to donate to help End ALS.
If you don’t feel like you are financially able to help at this time, please consider sharing this blog post or info about these amazing organizations on social media.
**There are so many organizations that are doing great work for ALS. The ones listed here are ones I personally support and follow. Feel free to research different orgs, there are probably some local to you that help to support your community!
ALS Association
The ALS Association is a nation-wide non-profit with many chapters that support their local communities. They are a multifaceted support organization that focuses on research, patient support, education, and policy change.
My local ALS Association here in NC were so supportive when my mom was fighting ALS. They built a community that feels so caring. Even after my mom passed it feels so wonderful to have this organization helping to lead the way.
ALS TDI
ALS Therapy Development Institute is leading the way in drug discovery and research that is all focused on ending ALS. I love their tagline: “ALS is not an incurable disease, it’s an underfunded one.” They are singularly focused on finding a cure.
I AM ALS
I Am ALS is a patient led community that is leading some impactful change and advocacy in this community. They are driving policy change and educating communities through the power of the stories of families that have been impacted by ALS. They strive to provide hope.
Target ALS
Target ALS is a medical research foundation that is doing amazing work to find a cure and viable treatments for ALS. They are opening up more opportunities by expanding funding and increase collaboration.
Team Drea Foundation
Team Drea Foundation is raising money to support ALS research. They have an amazing community supporting Andrea, who was diagnosed with ALS and is competing in marathons with a goal of one marathon in each state! I love their phrase “Go On, Be Brave”
Pattern Specs for the End ALS Beanie
Skills Needed:
Suitable for a beginner to intermediate knitter that is comfortable with knitting in the round and duplicate stitch.
Sizing:
Sizing provided for child (adult) that stretches to fit up to a 21 (25)” or 53.5 (63.5) cm head.
Finished circumference: 16.5 (20)” or 40.5 (50.75) cm.
Finished height: 7.5 (8.5)” or 19 (21.5) cm.
Materials:
- US size 9 / 5.5 mm circular knitting needles with 16” cable
- US size 9 / 5.5 mm DPN
- 85 (100) yds or 77 (92) m of worsted weight, cat 4 yarn in MC red
- Scrap yarn for duplicate stitch letters, worsted weight, cat 4 in CC white
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
Gauge:
17 stitches and 22 rows in stockinette stitch with size US 9 (5.5 mm) needles (or size needed to match gauge).
Abbreviations:
- CO – Cast On
- K – Knit
- K2tog – Knit 2 together
- Rep – repeat
Pattern:
Brim
Using circular needles, CO 70 (84) stitches. Join for working in the round and add a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of the round.
Round 1 – 35: K all stitches
We will now work the END ALS duplicate stitch. I suggest using needle stoppers or transferring all stitches to scrap yarn during this section so you don’t accidentally drop stitches off your needle. #beentheredonethat
As the name would imply, we’re essentially duplicating stitches. We’ll be taking the white yarn and stitching on top of the red stitches to create the letters. If you are new to duplicate stitch, there are a ton of great YouTube video tutorials. I’m a fan of this Two Of Wands tutorial.
To start duplicate stitch, mark 4 rows from the BOR, and 5 rows down from the live stitches. Using the tapestry needle and scrap CC yarn in white, begin duplicate stitch, following the chart below. Don’t worry about the yarn ends, tie them off and leave the ends free. We will conceal them later.
The letters are sized to be readable on one side of your head (without wrapping around and obscuring some of the letters). You have the option to add the letters to one side of your hat or to both sides of your hat. A single set of the letters looks great if you want to wear your hat with the “END ALS” on the front. If you want to wear the hat with “END ALS” on the side (as shown in photos) you can add the duplicate stitch on both sides. Based on the size of the hat brim, the child size hat will most likely look better with only a single set of letters, but this my personal preference!
If you would like the letters on both sides, skip 5 (12) stitches and repeat the duplicate stitch chart.
Create double brim
Now that you have your duplicate stitch complete will will create a double brim for your hat. This creates a warm and comfy hat and also conceals the yarn ends from the duplicate stitch (yay!).
We will be picking up stitches from the CO edge and working them together with the live stitches on the needle. Make sure you are picking up stitches from the CO edge in the same row as the live stitch. Otherwise your brim will look a little twisted.
Fold the brim in half with wrong sides together. Find the 1st CO st and pick it up with your left needle. K the stitch just picked up together with the 1st live stitch. Continue to pick up the next CO stitch and k it together with the next live stitch until you have worked all the way around.
You should have a created a double brim with the stockinette stitch facing out. The duplicate stitch letters should be visible and all yarn ends are tucked inside the double brim.
Work Hat Body
Round 36 – 58: K all stitches
**This creates the height of the hat. The design if for a slightly slouchy beanie shape. You can knit fewer rows here for a tighter fit or additional rows for even more slouch.
Decrease to close the top of the hat
Switch to the DPN as needed.
Round 59: *k 5, k2tog; rep from * to end. 60 (72) stitches
Round 60: K all stitches
Round 61: *k 4, k2tog; rep from * to end. 50 (60) stitches
Round 62: K all stitches
Round 63: *k 3, k2tog; rep from * to end. 40 (48) stitches
Round 64: K all stitches
Round 65: *k 2, k2tog; rep from * to end: 30 (36) stitches
Round 66: K all stitches
Round 67: *k 1, k2tog; rep from * to end. 20 (24) stitches
Round 68: K all stitches
Round 69: K2tog to end. 10 (12) stitches
Round 70: K2tog to end. 5 (6) stitches
Break yarn and use tapestry needle to pull yarn end through all the live stitches to secure. Weave in ends.
And you’re done! Enjoy your new hat and wear it with purpose!
