Banded Beanie with Brim Motif (Knitted)

A warm, everyday beanie worked in the round with a stranded colorwork motif around the brim. Designed so the motif repeats evenly; sizes are multiples of an 8-stitch motif repeat.

Finished measurements

• Small (S): approx 19.5" / 49.6 cm circumference, 9" / 23 cm total height (including brim)
• Medium (M): approx 21.3" / 54 cm circumference, 9.5" / 24 cm height
• Large (L): approx 23.1" / 58.7 cm circumference, 10" / 25.5 cm height

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4). Suggested: 100% wool or wool blend, 200 yd / 183 m per 100 g skein. Amounts: S: 1 skein (approx 200 yd / 183 m, 100 g), M: 1-2 skeins (200-250 yd / 183-229 m), L: 2 skeins (approx 250-300 yd / 229-274 m) depending on yardage per skein and whether you want a long crown.
• Colors: MC = Main color (background), CC = Contrast color (motif). For this pattern you'll need small amounts of CC (approx 50 yd / 46 m).
• Needles: Circular and/or DPNs in the sizes below. Use whichever combination you prefer for working small circumferences.
  • Recommended working needle: US 8 / UK 6 (old) / 5.0 mm circular needle, 16" / 40 cm length
  • Set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) in US 8 / UK 6 (old) / 5.0 mm for crown decreases
• Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, waste yarn for provisional cast-on (optional), scissors, scrap yarn for life line (optional)

Needle size conversions (used in this pattern)

• US 8 = UK (old) 6 = 5.0 mm
• If you want a tighter brim for a folded look, try one size smaller: US 7 = UK (old) 7 = 4.5 mm (4.5 mm)

Gauge

18 sts and 24 rows = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette when knitted in the round, using US 8 / 5.0 mm needles. Because stranded colorwork pulls fabric in, swatch both stockinette and a small colorwork swatch and block to check gauge before beginning.

Sizes & cast-on

This pattern uses cast-on counts that are multiples of 8 so the 8-stitch motif repeats evenly around the brim.

• S: cast on 88 sts (11 motif repeats)
• M: cast on 96 sts (12 motif repeats)
• L: cast on 104 sts (13 motif repeats)

Abbreviations

• k = knit
• p = purl
• k2tog = knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• MC = main color
• CC = contrast color
• rnd = round

Motif chart (brim)

Chart is 8 sts wide by 8 rows high. Read each round right-to-left on odd rounds (RS rounds) and left-to-right on even rounds when working circular colorwork. Repeat the 8-stitch pattern across your round the number of times equal to (cast-on sts / 8). Legend: "." = MC (background), "#" = CC (contrast).

Row 8: ........
Row 7: ...##...
Row 6: ..####..
Row 5: .######.
Row 4: .######.
Row 3: ..####..
Row 2: ...##...
Row 1: ........

Notes about the chart: the bottom line shown is Row 1 (work Row 1 first after rib). The pattern creates a simple diamond/medallion motif; repeat the 8-column chart across the round.

Pattern notes

• Work stranded colorwork using the usual fair isle technique: catch floats when they exceed 5 stitches; keep floats loose to preserve elasticity.
• You may work a folded brim (double thickness) by casting on twice the number of stitches and folding and grafting the CO edge at the end; this pattern is written for a single-thickness brim but includes a rib section so it will fold if you prefer.
• If your gauge differs, adjust needle size to match the stated gauge.

Instructions

1. Cast on and join

Using MC and long-tail cast on, cast on the number of stitches for your size (88 / 96 / 104). Place marker and join carefully, making sure the cast-on edge is not twisted. Work in the round.

2. Ribbing

Rnd 1-6 (about 1" / 2.5 cm): *k2, p2* around. (Adjust number of rounds if you prefer a taller or shorter rib.)

3. Brim motif (colorwork)

Change to stranded colorwork: work the motif chart across the round. The chart is 8 rounds tall; work rows 1-8 once (you will have approx 1.3" / 3.4 cm of motif height with the stated gauge). If you want a taller motif band, repeat the 8-row chart additional times (each 8-row repeat = ~1.33" / 3.4 cm).

How to carry colors: always carry the unused color loosely across the back. Keep floats no longer than 5 stitches before catching them. Maintain consistent tension so your motif sits flat and not puckered.

4. Body

After completing the motif, continue in MC only and knit in the round (stockinette) until the hat measures from cast-on to crown approximately 7" / 18 cm (S), 7.5" / 19 cm (M), 8" / 20.5 cm (L). This measurement includes the rib + motif; adjust to your desired slouch/fit.

5. Crown shaping (worked in MC; use DPNs when necessary)

This decrease sequence assumes your starting cast-on was a multiple of 8. The sequence reduces the number of stitches gradually; work the pair of rounds shown (one decrease round, one plain round) repeating the pattern of decreases across each round.

1. Round A (decrease round 1): *k6, k2tog* repeat to end of round. (You will perform one k2tog every 8 sts.)
2. Round B: knit around.
3. Round C: *k5, k2tog* repeat to end of round.
4. Round D: knit around.
5. Round E: *k4, k2tog* repeat to end of round.
6. Round F: knit around.
7. Round G: *k3, k2tog* repeat to end of round.
8. Round H: knit around.
9. Round I: *k2, k2tog* repeat to end of round.
10. Round J: knit around.
11. Round K: *k1, k2tog* repeat to end of round.
12. Round L: knit around.
13. Round M: *k2tog* repeat to end of round. You should be left with roughly 11-13 stitches (varies by starting size). Break yarn, leaving a 12" / 30 cm tail.

Finish: Thread tail on tapestry needle and draw through remaining live stitches, pull tight, secure on wrong side and weave in ends. If desired, close top using Kitchener/grafting is not necessary for such small final count; a gathered finish is standard.

Example stitch counts (for reference)

• S (88 sts): after Round A -> 77, after C -> 66, after E -> 55, after G -> 44, after I -> 33, after K -> 22, after M -> 11 (gather and finish)
• M (96 sts): after Round A -> 84, -> 72, -> 60, -> 48, -> 36, -> 24, -> 12 (gather and finish)
• L (104 sts): after Round A -> 91, -> 78, -> 65, -> 52, -> 39, -> 26, -> 13 (gather and finish)

Finishing

• Weave in all ends on the wrong side with a tapestry needle. If you worked stranded colorwork, weave ends under floats when possible for a tidy finish.
• Block gently: steam or wet-block lightly, reshaping the brim motif so the diamonds sit evenly. Avoid overstretching.

Adjustments & tips

• Make the brim taller by adding extra rib rounds before the motif, or by repeating the 8-row motif multiple times.
• To create a folded brim: cast on double your desired final cast-on (e.g., cast on 176 for S), work rib and motif, then fold up the cast-on edge and graft or mattress stitch to the inside to create a double-thickness brim. Note: folded brim requires planning of stitch distribution — many knitters prefer to work a provisional cast-on for a neat graft.
• If your colorwork is pulling in too much, go up a needle size for the body after completing the motif to loosen the fabric slightly.

Pattern credits & support

Website: https://purljam.verde.uk — support: team@verde.uk — socials: #purljam

Enjoy your beanie! If you need help with the chart or adapting to different yarn weights, contact support at team@verde.uk or visit the website.

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