Frank is a basic watchcap-style beanie with textured brioche rib accents, and knits up in 140 yards (2 balls) of Kathmandu Aran. It’s nice for a minimalist dude, or a woodsy menswear look.

The sample yarn shown may no longer be available; Jo Sharp Silk Road Aran looks like a very close substitute!

Frank is designed to be worn as a traditional watchcap (with the brim folded), or slouched back a bit. Knit at gauge, it fits average adults (22-23.5” head circumference; some negative ease).

It’s knit at a gauge of 16 sts and 26 rows per 4” in plain, blocked stockinette, and is a quick, simple knit for intermediate knitters who have experience knitting brioche. If you’re willing to learn, it may also be a good introduction to brioche in the round--brioche sections are offset by lots of plain stockinette.

This design is a more serious sibling to Driggs.

Frank knits up for many on US8-9/5-5.5mm needles, but the listed needle size is only a starting point. Always use the needles you need to achieve gauge!
You’ll need a 16”/40cm circular, and/or a set of 5 DPNS in the same size you need for gauge.
Gauge is 16 sts and 26 rows in 4”.

This written pattern for personal use includes a handy schematic so you can check the shape and size of your work against flat measurements. Working measurements should be close to finished flat measurements; for me, the samples grew slightly with wet blocking, but the fit was the same before and after.