Collection: Knit beanies

A knit beanie is the close-fitting everyday hat, a toque is the Canadian name for much the same hat, and a knit stocking cap is traditionally the long, tapered version with a tail. All three are knitted winter hats, and in parts of the US "stocking cap" is used for any knit hat, so the name mostly depends on where you live.

What they share is the knit fabric, which stretches and traps warmth around the head. A beanie stays short and snug, while a stocking cap adds a tail that can fall behind the shoulder or be folded up. If you want the simplest, most versatile shape, start with a beanie.

Knit beanies are sized by stretch: each one comes in a single size, and knit can loosen slightly with wear. The most common span on Ghelter's knit beanies is 54-61 cm (21.3-24.0 inches), and the full range runs from 53 to 62 cm (20.9 to 24.4 inches).

Wrap a flexible tape around your head just above the eyebrows and check that the figure falls inside the span on the listing. If your head sits at the top of a span, pick a listing whose span reaches higher, as a few go up to 62 cm, because a beanie that is too tight leaves a line on the forehead. Washing it gently helps it keep its shape. US sizes are in our hat sizing guide.

Wool is the warmest of the three, acrylic is a light and warm alternative, and cotton is the coolest, which makes it best for mild days. Thickness and fit matter too, so a thick, close-fitting beanie in any of them keeps more heat in than a thin one.

Most of Ghelter's knit beanies are cotton and acrylic blends, and a few add wool or a lining, so check the material line on each page. A lined beanie adds warmth without adding bulk on the outside. For the coldest days, look for a thick knit with a lining or some wool in the mix.

Some fibers can itch on sensitive skin and others build static, so a soft knit with a lining is the safest choice if you are sensitive. A lining keeps the yarn off your forehead and helps your hair slide instead of cling.

Static builds on dry winter days, so a little leave-in conditioner on your hair before you pull the beanie on helps. To avoid a flat crown, put the beanie on first and then lift your hair at the roots with your fingers, or choose a looser beanie that sits higher on the head.

If the beanie has a care label, follow it first; otherwise wash it by hand in cool water and press the water out instead of wringing. Heat and rubbing can shrink some knits and stretch others out of shape, and a wet beanie hung up stretches under its own weight.

Soak the beanie in cool water with a little mild detergent for about ten minutes, rinse it until the water runs clear and press it in a towel to remove the water. Reshape it with your hands and lay it flat on a dry towel in the shade, far from heaters, and never hang it while it is wet.

Yes, Ghelter accepts return requests for 30 days after delivery. Orders leave within 1-2 business days, tracked and insured delivery usually takes 5-12 business days, and shipping is free on orders over 50 EUR.

To start a return, email support@ghelter.com with a photo of the beanie and a photo of the shipping label, and send the beanie back unworn with its tags, original packaging and proof of purchase. Who pays for the return shipping depends on the reason for the return, as set out in the returns policy, and a size change is handled as a return plus a new order.