If you’ve been saving a special skein for “just the right project,” this month’s Project of the Month is a playful and texture-rich take on Lily’s Popcorn Beanie a free pattern on Ravelry.

It’s one of those patterns that looks impressive, feels indulgent, and still knits up in a single weekend. Whether you pair it with laceweight, mohair, or suri for a soft halo, this beanie transforms even the smallest bit of treasure yarn into something warm and delightfully wearable – a perfect canvas for customization, stash diving, and joyful winter knitting. Each little popcorn pops into place with the kind of satisfaction that keeps you saying “just one more round” long after you planned to put your needles down.

With the gentle halo of mohair and the sturdy warmth of aran weight yarn working together, the finished hat is equal parts cozy, cloudlike, and absolutely gift-worthy.

THE PATTERN

Lily’s Popcorn Beanie features rows of textured popcorn stitches that create a raised, staggered motif. It’s a great intermediate project for anyone looking to add a bit of sculptural interest to their knitting.

My version includes a few modifications to adjust the fit and maximize yarn usage details below!

THE YARN

This project combines the coziness of aran-weight wool with the gentle halo of laceweight mohair:

• La Bien Aimée Merino Aran in Ponyo held together with a second SoSke colour

• 16 g mohair/silk laceweight for soft bloom and extra warmth

A total of 91 g of Merino Aran was used – making this a perfect project for using up a single special skein.

PROJECT NOTES & MODIFICATIONS

To achieve a fuller fit and additional pattern repeats, the following adjustments were made:

• Added 16 stitches to the cast-on
  (This creates room for two extra popcorn repeats around the hat.)

• Needles used:

  • 5mm for the cast-on and stockinette inner brim

  • 6mm for the remainder of the hat for a fluffier, more relaxed fabric

• Texture details:
  A total of five sets of staggered popcorn repeats were completed before shaping the tapered crown.

These modifications result in a slightly slouchier, more dramatic popcorn texture while still maintaining a snug and comfortable brim.

If you’re looking for a winter project that lets you play with texture, use up special yarns, or explore small pattern modifications, this one may be your perfect match.

Have you knit a popcorn stitch before? Share your makes with us — we always love seeing what’s on your needles!