Was anyone else more worried about Bryan losing his knit beanie at the farm, than any of the other calamities that happen to him in Resident Evil?
Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil movie gave fans plenty to talk about, but Bryan Hodukavich’s sheep-covered beanie has become an unexpected standout. The knitted hat, with its little flock of white sheep circling the band and a single black sheep among them, is the kind of Halloween costume accessory that makes you want to track one down for yourself.
Fortunately, you don’t have to wait for an official merchandise release to get one. The design has a real knitting history, and you can make your own.
The hat is based on the Baa-ble Hat, a popular colorwork pattern created by Shetland knitting designer Donna Smith. Smith originally designed it for the 2015 Shetland Wool Week, an annual celebration of Shetland wool and the islands’ traditional knitting heritage.
The pattern quickly caught on with knitters around the world. Ravelry, the online knitting and crochet community, has recorded more than 10,000 projects using the design.
The name was suggested by fellow designer Felicity Ford, and the finished hat has a playful look inspired by the landscape of the Shetland Islands. A deep ribbed brim forms the bottom, followed by a row of fluffy white sheep circling the hat. One black sheep stands out from the flock, while the upper section features scattered flecks of color. A chunky pom-pom finishes off the top.
It’s a distinctive design, and it happens to be a pretty close match for the hat worn by Bryan in the film. Costume designer Caroline Fahrer is credited for the movie’s wardrobe, bringing the sheep beanie into the Resident Evil universe and giving knitters a new reason to dig out their needles.
How to Make Your Own Baa-ble Hat
If you’re comfortable with knitting, the original Baa-ble Hat pattern is the place to start. It’s worked seamlessly from the bottom up, in the round, using stranded colorwork to create the sheep design. That means you carry more than one color of yarn as you knit, allowing the little flock to appear across the fabric without having to sew the sheep on individually.
Smith designed the pattern for Aran or heavy worsted-weight yarn. The original version calls for Shetland wool, including Jamieson’s Shetland Heather Aran or Jamieson & Smith Shetland Aran Worsted. The recommended gauge is 23 stitches and 26 rows over four inches, using US 6 (4.0 mm) and US 7 (4.5 mm) needles. Keeping a fairly firm gauge helps produce the dense fabric that makes the hat warm and practical.
The Baa-ble Hat is often recommended as an approachable introduction to Fair Isle, or stranded colorwork, knitting. Its heavier yarn means it works up faster than projects made with the fine wool traditionally associated with Shetland knitting. You still need to keep an eye on your tension and manage the different yarn colors, but the pattern gives beginners a chance to try the technique on a project they can actually wear.
There is one detail worth paying attention to before you cast on: sizing. The original pattern was written around a firm gauge and traditional Shetland wool. Knitters using other yarns, including some popular American worsted-weight options, have reported that the finished adult hat can turn out considerably larger than expected. Check your gauge before committing to the whole project, and look into the sizing adjustments shared by the knitting community if your yarn doesn’t match the original specifications. Designer Susan B. Anderson has also published modifications that knitters have used to scale the hat down.
If you fall in love with the design, Smith later expanded it with matching Baa-ble Mittens and a Cowl patterns. That gives you the option of turning Bryan’s beanie into a whole sheep-themed winter set. Just be prepared for people to ask where you got it.
Where to Find the Pattern and Supplies
The original Baa-ble Hat pattern is available through Ravelry, where you can also browse the many versions other knitters have made. Yarn kits and supplies are available through retailers such as The Woolly Thistle, while Weaving in Beauty offers the pattern with size variations.
Of course, knitting isn’t the only way to get the look. Fans have been making their own versions of the Resident Evil sheep hat, and ready-made examples and craft kits can be found through shops on Etsy. Nerdy Knits has also offered a Resident Evil hat set for people who would rather pick up supplies than hunt everything down separately.
Whether you’re an experienced knitter or someone who just wants to wear a little piece of the movie this Halloween, Bryan’s beanie is a fun project to take on. The original Baa-ble design has been around for years, but Resident Evil has introduced a whole new audience to its flock of sheep. And if you’re heading out to a farm this Halloween, maybe keep a closer eye on your hat than Bryan did.
