I am off to the Alice Springs Beanie Festival at the end of the month and have been busy knitting!

 Materials Adult Beanies – 5.5mm needles, 1 ball of double knit and 4 balls of novelty yarns – this quantity will make 3-4 beanies.  Adult Beanies Cast on 81 stitches. Work garter stitch (knit each row), varying yarns, for about 10cm for flat top cap, or 15cm for round top or pointy top. Note: Slip the first stitch of each row!Shape top by slipping 1, [knit 2 tog, K6] to end,Knit 3 rows for round and pointy top, knit 1 row for flat top. Keep decreasing:Slip 1 , [knit 2 tog, K5] to end, knit 3 rows for pointy top, knot 2 rows for flat and round,Slip 1, [knit 2 tog, K4], continue in this way until 21 stitches remain. Slip 1, [knit 2 tog,], alternate rows, until 4 remain for point top, using hairy yarn for final few rows. When 8 stitches remain for flat and round top, thread needle through and finish off.Finishing off:Thread all loose strands back into knitted rows with a tapestry needle, then weave edges together, by pulling the thread through, keeping stripes even. DO NOT oversew edges, too untidy!  Baby Beanie, on RHS – 4mm needles and 5 ply yarn To fit ages 6-9 months, 9-12 months, 12-18 monthsCast on 81, (89);(97) stitches. Continue in garter stitch until work measures 13(15:17) cm from beginning. Knit odd rows with novelty yarn through out.Shape top, decrease row by slipping 1, [knit 2 tog, K6] to end, knit 3 rowsDecrease row slip1, [knit 2 tog, K5] to end, knit 1 rowDecrease row slip1, [knit 2 tog, K4] to end, knit 1 rowContinue in this way, until 21(23:25) stitches remain, knit 1 row,Decrease row slip1, [knit 2 tog] to end, knit 1 row, break off yarn, thread through remaining stitches and finish as above.