Boring Bloke Beanie

I recently read that at the Beanie Festival in Alice Springs, Australia, you can buy hats ranging from a sculptural felted masterpiece to a "boring bloke's beanie." I loved this description of a plain vanilla hat. So clever, and alliterative! Then I thought, "Sometimes a boring bloke beanie is just the thing." Even if you're not a bloke, sometimes you need an easy-to-make, easy-to-wear, basic hat you can stuff in your coat pocket and take out when you need it. Lighter weight. Nothing fancy. Purposely understated. Boring, even. Thus, Boring Bloke Beanie was born. Basic stitches worked in joined-and-turned rounds create reversible texture stripes. The result? A beanie that exudes a simple, cool guy look. I have to admit, though, some pattern testers crocheted distinctly UN-boring beanies. They took the basic pattern and made it in bright colors, striped it, and one tester even added a row of little beads to her black alpaca beanie. Sweet! **SIZES** Small (Medium, Large, Extra Large) To fit head circumferences of 21 (22, 23, 24) in/ 53 (56, 58, 61) cm **Skill level needed** Advanced beginner. **YARN** NOTE: Please know that since the rounds are turned and joined, there can be color jogs at the join if using a self-striping yarn. Plus, a colorful yarn probably would make the beanie too exciting. DK Weight (#3 Light) • Approx. 141 (148, 155, 163) yd./ 129 (135, 142, 149) m **GAUGE** 16 dc = 4 in./10 cm 16 sc = 4 in./10 cm **HOOK AND NOTIONS** • Size 7 (4.5 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge • Yarn needle • 2 stitch markers, optional