Aragorn Beanie

A rugged, slightly slouchy worsted-weight beanie inspired by Aragorn: simple textures, sturdy fabric, and a comfortable fit. Worked in the round with an elastic 2x2 brim and a tapered crown—easy to wear with or without a pompom.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Aran / Medium / US 4). Typical reference: 200 yards (183 meters) per 100 g skein (approx). Yardage by size (approx): Infant: 50 yds (46 m) / 25 g (0.9 oz); Child: 100 yds (91 m) / 50 g (1.8 oz); Teen/Small Adult: 150 yds (137 m) / 75 g (2.6 oz); Adult (medium): 200 yds (183 m) / 100 g (3.5 oz); Large: 250 yds (229 m) / 125 g (4.4 oz).
• Needles: Work in the round with either magic loop or 16"/40 cm circular + set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) for crown, or circular long enough for your preferred method.
  • Suggested sizes: US 7 (4.5 mm) or US 8 (5.0 mm).
  • UK (old) equivalents (approx): US 7 ≈ UK 7 (4.5 mm); US 8 ≈ UK 6 (5.0 mm). Note: older UK numbering runs opposite to size; trust the metric (mm) value first.
  • Metric: 4.5 mm and 5.0 mm.
• Tapestry needle, stitch markers (8), waste yarn for provisional cast-on (optional), scissors, optional pompom maker.

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette stitch using US 8 (5.0 mm). Adjust needle size if your gauge differs.

Finished circumference & cast-on (multiple of 4 for 2x2 rib)

• Infant (16"): cast on 72 sts
• Child (18"): cast on 80 sts
• Teen/Small Adult (20"): cast on 92 sts
• Adult (22"): cast on 100 sts
• Large (24"): cast on 108 sts

Abbreviations (US)

k = knit, p = purl, k2tog = knit two together (right-leaning decrease), ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease), st(s) = stitch(es), yo = yarn over, PM = place marker, SM = slip marker.

Notes

• This pattern is written for circular knitting in the round. If you prefer, you can work on DPNs from the start.
• Circumference given is unstretched. If your gauge or fit preference differs, adjust cast-on up or down in multiples of 4.
• The crown decrease uses 8 equally spaced decrease points to make a smooth top. Place 8 markers to divide the round into 8 sections before beginning decreases.

Instructions

1) Cast on & brim

1. Cast on the number of stitches for your size using a long-tail cast-on (or preferred stretchy cast-on). Join carefully to work in the round, being sure not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.
2. Brim: Work 2x2 rib (k2, p2) around for:
   - Infant: 1.25" / 3.2 cm
   - Child: 1.5" / 4 cm
   - Teen/Adult: 2" / 5 cm
   - Large: 2" / 5 cm
3. After completing the brim length, switch to stockinette in the round (knit every round).

2) Body

Work in stockinette (knit every round) until the hat measures from cast-on edge to crown start:
   - Infant: 4.5" / 11.5 cm (including brim)
   - Child: 5.5" / 14 cm
   - Teen/Small Adult: 6.5" / 16.5 cm
   - Adult (22"): 7.0" / 18 cm
   - Large: 7.5" / 19 cm
Adjust length if you want a shorter/longer slouch.

3) Prepare for crown decreases

Place 8 evenly spaced stitch markers around the round to divide the total number of stitches into 8 sections as evenly as possible. If they are not perfectly even, distribute the extra stitch(es) beginning at the first sections so decreases fall smoothly.

4) Crown shaping (general method)

We use repeating decrease sets that reduce one stitch at each marker every decrease round, producing 8 decreases per decrease round. Alternate decrease rounds with plain knit rounds between them to stagger decreases and keep fabric neat.

Repeat the following sequence until approximately 16–24 stitches remain (you will see the crown start to shape nicely). Then switch to a faster closing method (instructions below for final rounds):

A) Decrease round: *Knit to 2 sts before marker, k2tog; slip marker; repeat from * to end.
B) Knit round: Knit all stitches.

After each pair (A + B), the number of stitches between decreases has effectively gone down by 1. Continue until the spacing between decreases is about 2–3 stitches.

When you have reduced to ~16–24 sts total you can either:
 - Continue the same decrease rhythm until 8–10 sts remain, or
 - Switch to more aggressive decreases:
     * Round X: *k1, k2tog* around (if odd stitches remain, k1 at the end)
     * Round Y: *k2tog* around until 8–12 sts remain.

Finish: Cut yarn leaving a 6" / 15 cm tail. Thread tail through remaining stitches with a tapestry needle and pull tight to close the crown. Secure, weave in ends thoroughly on the inside of the hat.

Worked example (Adult, 100 sts)

1. Place 8 markers to divide 100 sts into sections of 12,12,13,13,13,13,12,12 (or similar distribution).
2. Decrease set example (repeat until spacing reduced):
   - Round 1 (Decrease): *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog; SM; repeat*
   - Round 2: Knit all sts
   Repeat the pair above, which reduces 8 sts every two rounds, until you have ~20 sts.
3. When ~20 sts remain, go to: *k1, k2tog* round. Then *k2tog* round until 8–12 sts remain. Finish as above.

5) Optional PomPom or Folded Brim

• Pompom: Attach a medium-sized pompom to the crown with a secure knot and weave ends through several stitches for reinforcement.
• Folded Brim: For a doubled brim, cast on half the stitches listed and work the brim longer then pick up sts and fold—(advanced; instructions available on request).

Finishing

• Weave in all ends. Turn the hat inside out and tidy internal joins; for a neater finish, you can stitch the inside top closed over the gathered tail and trim excess.
• Block lightly if desired: steam or wet-block gently to relax stitches. Do not over-stretch; this hat relies on elasticity for fit.

Sizing Tips & Alterations

• For a tighter hat, go down one needle size; for a slouchier, looser hat, go up one size. Adjust cast-on by multiples of 4 to maintain rib pattern.
• To add texture: swap stockinette body for simple patterns (e.g., 2 rounds reverse stockinette every 6 rounds, or favorite cabled panel) but ensure final stitch counts remain divisible appropriately for crown decreases.

Copyright & Support

Pattern by PurlJam. For questions or support: team@verde.uk. Website: https://purljam.verde.uk. Share finished projects with #purljam.

Created by purlJam with the help of magic AI dust. Shop Verde for patterns and yarn.

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