Hello,

I like a lot beanie. It is true that woll could be a little itchy but with wool you could catch your hot kettle without problem, not true with synthetic.

I like US military "watch cap" they have double wall off wool and they are warm. I have one with military norms written inside and it is not itchy and well made, I have bought it in NYC.

I like also a french model from "Saint James" in Brittany (France). This "bonnet de quart" for sailor is a single wall of wool. The wool is quite special and it come from the old sailor equipment (you could have pull over extra long with this quality).
The wool is very very tight woven so its is somewhat windproof and rainproof. Little itchy on sweet head but very few volume so you could have it easily with you in your coat.

These beanies are very thin and elastic (knitted) so you could have it under or over other cap in emergencies. Not a nice look, but a warm solution.

apologize for my english.

didier.