Those of us raised in Wisconsin & other cold states used them all of our lives.
We called them “Stocking caps’——NEVER BEANIES—and I still use them Wore one today in the 11 degree temps while I fed horses & broke ice on the water tanks.
I have made several in my lifetime, and they are easy to knit. Any teenage girl can do so.
Years ago, when I was a flight attendant and flying into New York, a Jewish gentleman came onboard. I am from the South now and a little naive and had never seen many Jewish people. I said, “oooooohhhhh, I love your beanie!!!”. He said, “Yamaka” and, I proudly said “You are welcome” thinking he was thanking me in Yiddish. Yes, everyone laughed at ‘Ellie Mae’ including the Jewish gentleman.