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Custom beanies · Knitting and gauges

Knit Beanie Manufacturer

Knit beanies are made on flatbed and circular knitting machines, and the gauge, stitch and yarn decide how they look and feel. Mr Balaclava manufactures knit beanies to order from 3GG chunky to 14GG fine knits, from 50 pieces per design and with a standard lead time of about 14 days.

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Updated

Cream knitted beanie with a cable pattern, a ribbed brim and a large pom-pom
  • 50 pcsMinimum order
  • 14 daysStandard lead time
  • 100K pcsMonthly capacity
  • ISO 9001Certified (Eco Jersey Limited)
  • SedexMember (Eco Jersey Limited)

Specifications

Knit beanie specifications

The knitting options behind every beanie we make, and the terms that apply to every order.

MachinesFlatbed and circular knitting machines
Gauges3GG, 5GG, 7GG, 9GG, 12GG and 14GG
StitchesRib (1x1 and 2x2), jersey, cable, waffle, jacquard and stripes
YarnsAcrylic and anti-pilling acrylic, wool, merino, wool blends, cotton, bamboo blends and recycled polyester
FinishingLinked or sewn crowns, steamed to shape and inspected by hand
BrandingWoven and printed labels, flat and 3D embroidery, jacquard knit logos, leather, rubber and PVC patches, screen printing and heat transfer
SizesBaby, kids and adult, as one size or graded to your own size chart
Minimum order50 pieces per design
SamplesPre-paid physical samples in about 5–7 days, paid 100% in advance; or a free pre-production sample approved by photos or video after the order
Lead timeApproximately 14 days after sample approval as standard; the confirmed schedule is agreed for each order

Buyer's guide

What is a knit beanie?

A knit beanie is a brimless hat made from knitted fabric, which stretches to fit the head without darts or panels. Almost every beanie is knitted; what changes between styles is the gauge of the machine, the stitch and the yarn.

Those three choices decide warmth, stretch, drape and how sharply a logo or pattern shows, so we settle them before the shape and the branding. See the gauge guide below, or browse all styles on the custom beanies page.

  • Rib knits

    Stretchy 1x1 or 2x2 rib that hugs the head, the standard for cuffed and fisherman beanies.

  • Jersey knits

    Smooth, flat knits that drape well, used for slouchy, skull cap and turban beanies.

  • Cable and texture

    Cable, waffle and other textured stitches for chunky, premium-looking beanies.

  • Jacquard and stripes

    Patterns and logos knitted into the fabric in several colours, sharpest at fine gauges.

Gauge guide

Knitting gauges explained

Gauge, written GG, is the number of needles per inch on the knitting machine. The lower the number, the thicker the yarn and the chunkier the knit; the higher the number, the finer, lighter and smoother the beanie.

GaugeKnit lookTypical yarnsTypical beanies
3GGVery chunky, bold stitchesBulky wool, acrylic and blendsChunky knit, cable and big pom-pom styles
5GGChunkyWool, acrylic and wool blendsCable knit, fisherman and winter beanies
7GGClassic medium knitAcrylic, wool blends and merinoCuffed and high top beanies, most logo beanies
9GGMedium-fineAcrylic, merino and cottonSlouchy beanies and jacquard patterns
12GGFineMerino, cotton and fine acrylicLightweight, skull cap and sports beanies, detailed jacquard
14GGVery fineMerino, cotton and synthetic blendsSummer beanies and helmet liners

Not sure which gauge fits? Send us a reference beanie or a photo, and we recommend the gauge and yarn in your quote.

Customization

Build your knit beanie

Every part of the design is yours. Our design team sends a mockup of each logo and label placement, and every detail is confirmed in a tech pack before sampling.

  • Choose the gauge

    From 3GG chunky to 14GG fine, matched to the season and the level of detail in your design.

  • Pick the stitch

    Rib for stretch, jersey for drape, cable or waffle for texture, jacquard for patterns and logos.

  • Choose the yarn

    Acrylic for durable basics, wool or merino for premium warmth, cotton for lighter wear.

    Fabrics and yarns

  • Brand it

    Jacquard logos knitted in, woven labels, embroidery or patches, placed where the knit shows them best.

    Customization and branding

How ordering works

Three steps to your order

Every order starts with your brief and ends with tracked delivery.

  1. Send your brief

    Tell us the style, yarn, quantities, branding and deadline. We reply with a quote and suggest a suitable yarn and gauge.

  2. Approve the sample

    We confirm every measurement, yarn, colour and logo placement in a tech pack, then knit your sample. Samples are paid 100% in advance.

  3. Production and delivery

    Standard production lead time is approximately 14 days after sample approval. Every piece is inspected, packed to your specification and shipped with tracking.

Request a beanie quote See the full manufacturing process

B2B catalog

Knit beanies from our B2B catalog

Developed styles you can order with your own branding, or use as the starting point for a custom design.

Browse all custom beanies in the B2B catalog

Related

Related beanie categories

Compare the beanie categories this style belongs to, or see the whole range on the custom beanies page.

FAQ

Knit beanies: frequently asked questions

What is the minimum order for knit beanies?

The minimum order is 50 pieces per design. Larger runs are made on the same lines, with a monthly capacity of around 100,000 pieces.

Which gauge should I choose for my beanie?

For a classic logo beanie, 7GG. For a chunky winter look, 3–5GG. For a light, smooth beanie or detailed jacquard, 12–14GG. We recommend a gauge in your quote based on the style, season and design.

What is the difference between rib and jersey knit?

Rib alternates knit and purl stitches, so it stretches and hugs the head; it is used for cuffs and most cuffed beanies. Jersey is flat and smooth on the outside and drapes better; it is used for slouchy, skull cap and turban beanies.

Can you knit my logo into the beanie?

Yes. We knit logos and patterns into the fabric in jacquard. Finer gauges such as 12GG show small logos and text more sharply than chunky gauges.

How long does knit beanie production take?

Standard production lead time is approximately 14 days after sample approval. Actual lead time depends on the product, quantity, customization and material availability, and the confirmed schedule is agreed for each order. Express shipping by DHL, FedEx or UPS then takes 3–6 working days.

Buyer guides

Further reading

Guides from the Journal on knit, ribbed and fine-knit beanies.

Product quick view

Product quick view

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