NELLI Turn-Up Merino Wool Beanie 20 Zorza Polarna Autumn-Winter
The NELLI Merino 20 Northern Lights turn-up beanie is a handmade merino wool beanie in a medium weight, designed for colder autumn days and winter. The combination of smooth knit fabric and a folded brim gives stable ear coverage for everyday wear.
Who it is for and when it works well
This beanie is a good choice if you are looking for a fitted turn-up beanie for everyday wear, for the city or for walks during the autumn-winter season, when you want warmth without a very thick, heavy hat. The beanie shape and double rib knit work well for head circumferences: children’s 50–54 cm (ages 5–12), women’s 55–57 cm, and men’s 56–58 cm. It is worth measuring your head circumference and choosing the closest size to avoid a fit that feels too tight or slips down. This beanie may not be the best option for extreme frost or long periods of standing still in the cold, as it is medium weight rather than heavily insulating.
Material and how it feels in wear
I made this beanie from yarn composed of 75% merino wool and 25% polyamide, with no fuzzy surface. Natural merino wool retains warmth well while also helping to move moisture away, so in everyday use it does not usually feel overly warm, as long as you match it to the weather and the rest of your clothing. The polyamide is added to improve resistance to stretching and everyday wear, which can matter if you often take the beanie on and off or wear it under a hood.
- smooth knit surface – no fluff or halo, which may suit you if you do not like very fuzzy beanies, though it is still worth keeping in mind that wool may feel slightly itchy on very sensitive skin
- next to skin – for typical sensitivity, the beanie is usually comfortable, but if your scalp or forehead is exceptionally delicate or reactive, some discomfort may occur, so in that case it may be worth trying a similar yarn composition before buying
- pilling resistance: medium – over time, small pills may appear in areas exposed to friction (hood, collar, seat back); these can be removed with a sweater shaver or a special brush
- yarn certified to Oeko-Tex® Standard 100, Class I – the yarn has been tested for harmful substances, which may matter if you pay attention to textile composition in contact with skin, including children’s skin
Construction and making
The NELLI beanie is handmade with knitting needles in a double rib stitch, with a clearly defined folded brim. This construction directly affects fit and everyday comfort.
- double rib knit – the fabric is elastic, sits well on the head, and adapts to different head shapes, which helps keep the beanie in place when walking or cycling
- folded brim – adds an extra double layer of knit over the ears and forehead, which improves the felt warmth in these areas and makes the beanie more stable
- beanie fit / fitted shape – the beanie sits close to the head but does not create a stiff “helmet” effect; with the right size it should not feel strongly tight, although if you are very sensitive to pressure, it is worth considering how ribbed beanies usually feel for you
- Northern Lights multicolour pattern – the colour layout comes from printed yarn, so each piece may have slightly different colour placement, which is a natural feature of handmade knitting
- eco-leather label – sewn on in a way that allows it to be unclipped before washing, making care easier
Practical information
- season: autumn / winter – the medium weight works well for a typical city winter, transitional temperatures, and colder autumn weather
- washing: hand wash only in lukewarm water, without fabric softeners – merino wool does not respond well to high temperatures or sudden changes, so it is best to use a gentle wool wash or mild shampoo and avoid rubbing the beanie; instead, gently squeeze it in the water
- drying: lay flat after shaping – this helps the beanie keep its form and prevents it from stretching in length
- merino wool does not need frequent washing – airing it out is usually enough, which reduces fibre wear and may help the knit keep its good appearance for longer
Optional pom-pom
If you would like to order the NELLI Merino 20 Northern Lights beanie with a pom-pom, you can choose one separately here: pom-pom for your beanie. Adding a pom-pom mainly changes the look and the weight of the top part of the beanie, but it does not significantly affect the felt warmth around the ears.