As always during this time of year, I go back to my trusted old patterns for some holiday gift making. This year its my good old Santa beanie, which I published originally in my second book back in 2013.

It goes without saying that I have made countless of these in the last 12 years, both lots for my boys and as gifts for kids and grownups alike. The beanie is worked in the round in a spiral, so there‘s no joining at the end of round and we‘re using Half double crochet stitches so it workes up really fast. Perfect for quick gifts and these really brighten up these darkest of days while we wait for the solstice and the return of the sun.

These Santa beanies have quite a unique form to them, instead of a normal steady decrease tail, the STÚFUR beanie has a rather plump short tail that is quite sturdy if made in wool and will stand up easily. I sought the inspiration for these beanies to the Nordic Julenisse, or our little Yule elves, that wear red beanies similar to these.

These beanies also suit our traditional Icelandic Yule lads perfectly. Here in Iceland, we have 13 Santas, or Yule lads. They are all brothers and used to be quite mischievous, but now a days they just bring little gifts to the kids the last 13 days before Christmas and are a lovely bunch. One of the most popular ones of the brothers is STÚFUR, he is the smallest and cutest, hence the name for this cute little Santa beanie.

Abbreviations (US terms):
ST = stitch/stitches
SS = slip stitch
CH = chain stitch
SC = single crochet
HDC = half double crochet
HDC2tog = work 2 HDC together

Yarn, colours & sizes

The first STÚFUR beanies I made were all red, but you can also do the ribbing in white for a more traditional look.

You can use either DK, Aran or Bulky weight yarn for these and consequently get different sizes too. All the way from 6-12 months old when making the SMALL in DK yarn, to grown up sizes when making the MEDIUM or LARGE in bulky weight yarn. measurments for all 3 sizes in all three weights of yarn are included in the pattern.

DK yarn
You can use any DK weight yarn
Hook 4.5 mm
Gauge: 12 rounds & 17 ST = 10 cm
You will need 1 skein for size small, 2 skeins for medium and large, plus a little bit of white for the ribbing and pom pom if you want.
DK sizes: 6-12 months, 1-2 years, 3-5 years.

Aran yarn
You can use any Aran weight yarn
Hook 5 mm
Gauge: 11 rounds & 15 ST = 10 cm
You will need 1 skein for size small, 2 skeins for medium and large, plus a little bit of white for the ribbing and pom pom if you want.
Aran sizes: 1-2 years, 3-5 years, 5-10 years

Bulky yarn
You can use any Bulky weight yarn
Hook 6 mm
Gauge: 10 rounds & 12 ST = 10 cm
You will need 2 skeins for all sizes, plus a little bit of white for the ribbing and pom pom if you want.
Bulky sizes: 6-12 years, teenagers and grownups medium, grownups large

You also need thick paper if making the pompom or tassel and I like to add a bell to these too.

It’s good to have a stitch marker as well, but you can make do with a bit of yarn in a contrasting colour.