HELEN Turn-Up Beanie 100% Alpaca 8903 Black

The black HELEN turn-up beanie is a medium-weight alpaca wool beanie, made in a single rib knit with a fine halo, designed for the autumn and winter season. To check availability for a specific size (women’s, men’s or children’s), click the selected variant — some pieces are ready to ship, while others are made to order.

When this style is a good choice

This style works well if you are looking for a turn-up beanie with a relatively simple shape, no embellishments, and a neutral black colour for everyday wear in the colder months. The medium weight and natural alpaca yarn make it suitable for typical autumn and winter weather in the city, when you want warmth without too much bulk. This beanie may not be the right choice if you have a very sensitive scalp or do not tolerate any slight itchiness — in that case, it is better to consider a different fibre. If you are looking for a strongly oversized beanie with a pronounced slouch, HELEN may feel too understated.

Feel against the skin and material properties

The beanie is made from 100% alpaca yarn certified to Oeko-Tex Standard 100, which confirms that the fibre has been tested for harmful substances. The knit has a soft visible halo typical of alpaca beanies, which gives it a pleasant feel and good insulation while keeping a moderate weight. From experience working with this material, I know that with this structure and fibre type, it feels comfortable against the skin for most people, but very sensitive skin may notice a slight itch.

Shape, turn-up and fit

HELEN is a turn-up beanie made in a 1x1 rib stitch, which naturally adapts to the shape of the head. The folded brim creates a double layer of knit over the ears, which improves protection from the wind and helps the beanie stay in place during wear. The fit is close, but thanks to the elasticity of the rib knit it does not feel overly tight — it simply sits neatly around the head and stays put. In the photos, you can see a slight break at the back; in practice, this means it is not a stiff, upright shape, but a more relaxed beanie with a natural drape and without excessive slouch.

How this beanie works in everyday wear

• Medium-weight knit – provides noticeable warmth through autumn and winter without feeling like a heavy, overheating layer on the head.
• Double turn-up over the ears – creates an extra barrier of alpaca wool, which in practice means better protection for the ears and sinus area from cold wind.
• 1x1 rib stitch – gives flexible fit across different head shapes, helping the beanie stay in place even when you are on the move.
• Knit with a fine halo – visually softens the black colour and means the surface is not completely smooth, which may matter if you are looking for a beanie with a slightly fuller texture.
• High resistance to pilling – reduces the risk of quick bobbling in standard use, helping the beanie keep a neat appearance for longer.
• Black colour 8903 – easy to pair with most jackets and coats, making everyday outfit choices simpler.
• Handmade on a knitting machine – allows control over the density and tension of the knit, which in practice means an even stitch and consistent fit across individual pieces.

Finishing details and matching accessories

The beanie is finished with a faux leather Nitkowe Love logo tag; the tag can be unclipped for washing so it does not need to be soaked unnecessarily. If you would like to change the look of this style, you can order a matching pom-pom for your beanie, made from the same yarn as the hat. To put together a set for colder days, you can choose from the matching shawls, wraps and snoods available in the shop, paying attention to the colour tone. To help your alpaca beanie keep its shape and properties for longer, it is worth following the advice in the short guide to wool care — especially hand washing in lukewarm water and drying flat.