Taylor Swift’s 87 Beanie Knitting Pattern

Get the full knitting pattern inspired by Taylor Swift’s 87 Beanie that she wore while supporting boyfriend Travis Kelce at his football game.

Get your free written instructions below. You may also purchase my ad-free printable pdf pattern in my Studio Knit Pattern Shop.

Sideline Spirit Beanie Hat Design (Taylor’s Version)

My Sideline Spirit Hat Knitting Pattern replicates the handmade beanie gifted to Taylor by Kut the Knit, which was crocheted in Travis’ Kansas City Chiefs team colors, complete with his jersey number embroidered on its brim.

Knowing that Swiftie Knitters would love to create a similar version for themselves to sport, I’ve rushed this design to the top of my list to produce for you. Whether you’re proudly wearing or lovingly gifting, this sporty knitted beanie will be a prized accessory for years to come.

This knitted hat is created with a combination of these two easy knit and purl textures, both of which are included in my Knit Stitch Pattern Book:

• Seeded Rib Stitch: A 2-row repeat ribbed texture
• Seed Stitch: A vintage texture of raised bumps

Beanie Hat Size

This ribbed pattern is very stretchy, creating one size that fits most adults.

• Fits Head Sizes: 21″ to 24″
• Finished Hat Circumference: 20″
• Finished Hat Height: 10″

Gauge Swatch

13 stitches and 21 rounds = 4 x 4 in (10 x 10 cm) in the Seeded Rib Stitch, lightly stretched

Color Choices

My sample mimics the same white and red yarn colors that Taylor wore to cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs. This design can be easily customized in the team colors of your choice.

Skill Level: Intermediate

This project is perfect for those comfortable:

• Knitting in the round on circular and double-pointed needles
• Changing yarn colors
• Decreasing stitches

Active Time to Complete

This hat can easily be finished in a couple of sittings, taking approximately 8 to 12 hours to complete.

Knitted Bottom-Up

This hat pattern is knitted bottom-up from the brim to the crown.

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Printable Knitting Pattern (ad-free)

WANT THE FREE PATTERN? Keep scrolling, it’s up next!

PRINTABLE DOWNLOAD: Purchase the ad-free printable pdf pattern in my Studio Knit Pattern Shop. Also available on LoveCrafts and Ravelry. A great way to support my knitting work!

Knitting Supplies

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Yarn for Hat: Bulky Weight #5 Yarn

• Total Yardage: 130 yards
• Main Color (White): 113 yards
• Contrasting Color (Red): 17 yards
• Sample: 128 Superwash Merino by Cascade Yarns in colors White #871, Really Red #809, and Black #815
• Feel free to select any fiber and colors of your choice

Knitting Needles: Size 9 US (5.5 mm) 16-inch circular needle and set of 4 double-pointed needles or size needed to obtain gauge

Tapestry Needle

Scissors

Stitch Marker: I simply use a scrap of yarn with a slip knot

Faux Fur Hat Topper (optional): You may wish to craft your own Faux Fur Pom Pom or purchase one pre-made

Yarn for Embroidered Number (optional): Stash Yarn in Aran or Worsted Weight #4
Yardage: Approximately 2 yards
Feel free to select any fiber and colors of your choice

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Knitting Techniques

• CO = Cast On Long Tail
• K = Knit Stitch 
• P = Purl Stitch
• K2Tog = Knit Two Together Decrease
• P2Tog = Purl Two Together Decrease
• MC = Main Color
• CC = Contrasting Color
• Sts Rem = Stitches Remaining
• Weave in Yarn Tails
• * * = Repeat Pattern Between Asterisks

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Knitting Pattern Instructions

The full knitting chart is available further down this page for those who wish to follow the directions visually. If they’re new to you, I have a great tutorial on how to read knitting charts for beginners.

Step 1: Cast On

CO 64 stitches onto circular needle with long-tail method. Place marker at beginning of the round and join without twisting.

Step 2: Ribbing Rounds 1 – 28

Seeded Rib Knitting Chart:

With MC, knit in the Seeded Rib Stitch:

• Round 1: * K3, P1 *
• Round 2: * P1, K1, P2 *

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 thirteen more times for a total of 28 rounds.

Step 3: Seeded Band of Color

With CC, we begin our color change with one round of clean Stockinette Stitch in order to remove purl dash lines that occur with textured patterns. I’ve designed the band of color with six rounds in the vintage Seed Stitch. We then finish it off with one round of Stockinette in our MC to prepare for the continuation of our ribbing.

Seeded Band of Color Knitting Chart:

Switch to CC:

• Round 29: Knit All
• Rounds 30, 32, & 34: * K1, P1 *
• Rounds 31, 33, & 35: * P1, K1 *

Step 4: Continue Ribbing Rounds 36 – 40

Switch to MC:

• Round 36: Knit All
• Round 37: * K3, P1 *
• Round 38: * P1, K1, P2 *
• Round 39: * K3, P1 *
• Round 40: * P1, K1, P2 *

Step 5: Crown Decrease Rounds

Change to double-pointed needles when necessary.

Crown Decrease Knitting Chart:

• Round 41: * K2Tog, K1, P1, K3, P1 * (56 Sts Rem)
• Round 42: * K1, P3, K1, P2 *
• Round 43: * K2Tog, P1, K3, P1 * (48 Sts Rem)
• Round 44: * P3, K1, P2 *
• Round 45: * P2Tog, K3, P1 * (40 Sts Rem)
• Round 46: * P2, K1, P2 *
• Round 47: * K2Tog, K2, P1 * (32 Sts Rem)
• Round 48: * P1, K1, P2 *
• Round 49: * K2Tog, K1, P1 * (24 Sts Rem)
• Round 50: * K1, P2 *
• Round 51: * K2Tog, P1 * (16 Sts Rem)
• Round 52: * P2 *
• Round 53: * P2Tog * (8 Sts Rem)

STEP 6: Finishing

• Cut yarn, run tail through all 8 remaining stitches, weave in, and cut
• Weave in yarn ends
• Add faux fur pom pom (optional)
• Embroider custom initials or jersey number onto folded brim (optional)
• Block to size, if desired

Full Knitting Chart

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Variations for Sports Team Colors

This pattern is easily modified to use other team colors of your choice. For our local San Francisco 49ers football team, I’m knitting another version using their colors of deep red, gold, and white.

I altered the pattern to include white stripes in the Garter Stitch, which is one round knit and one round of purl stitches. I reduced the contrasting color (gold) from 6 rows of seed stitch to 4 rows, then one more white stripe.

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More Knitting Projects

My Football Softie is a super adorable quick-knit for game day. And if you love Taylor Swift, please check out my All Too Well-inspired knitting projects:

• All Too Well Scarf
• Swift Stitch Hat

Original Crochet Beanie by Kut the Knit

The original beanie hat worn by Taylor during the December 17, 2023 Chiefs vs Patriots football game was custom crocheted by designer Kut the Knit. According to her social media, she sent her beanie to Taylor as a fan… isn’t that so exciting?!?

A big thank you to Taylor Swift for showing support of her dedicated fans, as well as the fiber arts community as a whole!