Classic Knitted Beanie (Worked in the Round)

A versatile, classic beanie worked top-down in the round. Written for worsted/aran weight yarn with sizes from Newborn to Adult Large. Features a stretchy 2x2 brim, comfortable stockinette body, straightforward crown decreases, and optional pompom. Gauge and needle choices included in US, UK (old) and metric measurements so you can match your yarn and tension.

Finished Measurements (approx.)

• Newborn: circumference ~12.4 in / 31.5 cm (56 sts)
• Baby: circumference ~14.2 in / 36 cm (64 sts)
• Child: circumference ~16.0 in / 40.5 cm (72 sts)
• Teen / Small Adult: ~17.8 in / 45 cm (80 sts)
• Adult Medium: ~19.6 in / 49.8 cm (88 sts)
• Adult Large: ~21.3 in / 54 cm (96 sts)

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted/Aran weight (Category 4). Suggested: 1 skein 200 yds / 183 m (100 g) should cover most sizes; yardage estimates per size: Newborn ~75 yds / 69 m; Baby ~100 yds / 91 m; Child ~125 yds / 114 m; Teen/Sml ~150 yds / 137 m; Adult M ~175 yds / 160 m; Adult L ~200 yds / 183 m.
• Needles: In-the-round needles and DPNs for crown. Recommended sizes below (choose based on your gauge preference):
  • Brim (for firmer rib): US 7 / UK 7 / 4.5 mm - 16 in / 40 cm circular + DPNs in same size
  • Body (for stockinette): US 8 / UK 6 / 5.0 mm - 16 in / 40 cm circular + DPNs in same size
  • Optional looser fabric: US 9 / UK 5 / 5.5 mm (if you prefer a slouchier hat)
• Notions: tapestry needle, stitch marker (marker for beginning of round), scrap yarn or pompom maker for optional pompom, stitch holders (optional).

Gauge

18 sts x 24 rounds = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette worked in the round on US 8 / 5.0 mm. This is the gauge used to calculate stitch counts and lengths.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
• SSK = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• St(s) = stitch(es)
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• Rnd = round

Notes

• Pattern is written in the round; do not join until directed (unless using magic loop or preferred circular method).
• Cast-on counts are multiples of 8 to make the crown decrease sequence simple and even.
• Length measurements are taken from the cast-on edge to the start of crown decreases. You can adjust the body length to make the hat slouchier or shorter for a snug fit.

Sizing and Round Counts

Gauge: 6 rounds = 1 in (24 rounds = 4 in). Suggested total length from CO to start decreases and corresponding rounds (adjust as needed):

• Newborn: 4.0 in / 24 rounds (Stockinette rounds after ribbing: 15)
• Baby: 4.5 in / 27 rounds (Stockinette rounds after ribbing: 18)
• Child: 5.5 in / 33 rounds (Stockinette rounds after ribbing: 24)
• Teen/Sml: 6.5 in / 39 rounds (Stockinette rounds after ribbing: 30)
• Adult M: 7.5 in / 45 rounds (Stockinette rounds after ribbing: 36)
• Adult L: 8.0 in / 48 rounds (Stockinette rounds after ribbing: 39)

Ribbing length used here: 1.5 in / 9 rounds (2x2 rib). To change brim width, work fewer or more rib rounds.

Pattern (Worked in the Round)

All sizes: Cast on using long-tail cast on (or your preferred stretchy CO) the number of stitches for your size and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.

• Newborn: CO 56 sts
• Baby: CO 64 sts
• Child: CO 72 sts
• Teen/Sml: CO 80 sts
• Adult M: CO 88 sts
• Adult L: CO 96 sts

Brim (2x2 Rib)

1. Change to brim needle size (US 7 / 4.5 mm). Place marker for beginning of round.
2. Rnds 1-9: *K2, P2* around. (9 rounds = approx 1.5 in; work fewer or more rounds for a shorter/taller brim.)

Body

1. Change to body needle size (US 8 / 5.0 mm).
2. Work Stockinette in the round (knit every round) until the hat measures the total rounds listed for your size from CO to start of decreases (see "Sizing and Round Counts" above). For example, for Adult M work 36 rounds of stockinette after the ribbing rounds listed above.

Crown Decreases (works for any cast-on that is a multiple of 8)

This decrease scheme reduces evenly and cleanly down to a small number of stitches that can be grafted or gathered. You will alternate a decrease round with a plain knit round until only a small number of stitches remain.

Follow this repeated sequence exactly: (All decreases are spaced evenly using a fixed number of stitches per repeat.)

1. Decrease Round 1: *K6, K2tog* repeat to end of round
2. K Round: Knit all stitches
3. Decrease Round 2: *K5, K2tog* repeat to end of round
4. K Round: Knit all stitches
5. Decrease Round 3: *K4, K2tog* repeat to end
6. K Round
7. Decrease Round 4: *K3, K2tog* repeat
8. K Round
9. Decrease Round 5: *K2, K2tog* repeat
10. K Round
11. Decrease Round 6: *K1, K2tog* repeat
12. K Round
13. Decrease Round 7: *K2tog* repeat (one decrease each repeat)

Notes on the math: because your cast-on count is a multiple of 8, the first decrease round divides your stitches into (stitches/8) repeats. Each subsequent decrease round reduces the stitch-group size by 1 while keeping the number of repeats constant, so the sequence stays even. After the final "K2tog only" round you will be left with (original cast-on / 8) stitches. Example outcomes for the cast-on counts used above:

• 56 → 49 → 42 → 35 → 28 → 21 → 14 → 7 remaining stitches
• 64 → 56 → 48 → 40 → 32 → 24 → 16 → 8 remaining stitches
• 72 → 63 → 54 → 45 → 36 → 27 → 18 → 9 remaining stitches
• 80 → 70 → 60 → 50 → 40 → 30 → 20 → 10 remaining stitches
• 88 → 77 → 66 → 55 → 44 → 33 → 22 → 11 remaining stitches
• 96 → 84 → 72 → 60 → 48 → 36 → 24 → 12 remaining stitches

Finishing

1. After completing the last decrease round (you will have the small number of stitches listed above), cut the yarn leaving a 12 in / 30 cm tail.
2. Thread the tail through a tapestry needle and run the tail through the remaining stitches, draw tight to close the top of the hat, secure with a knot and weave tail to the inside. Weave in all ends.
3. Optional: Create and attach a pompom (use scrap yarn or a pompom maker). Sew pompom securely to crown.
4. Block lightly if desired for even stitches and finished look.

Customising Tips

• To make a slouchy beanie, increase body length by 1–2 in before starting crown decreases.
• To make a folded brim, knit 18 rounds of ribbing (or desired height) and fold up the brim and sew or leave unsewn for a reversible finish.
• Texture: substitute the stockinette section with a simple broken rib, seed stitch, or slip-stitch texture—just keep stitch multiples and total stitch counts compatible with crown decreases.
• Colorwork: simple stripes are easiest. Avoid stranded colorwork that changes the gauge drastically.

Troubleshooting

• If your hat is too small: try larger needles (US 9 / 5.5 mm) or add extra repeats (add 8 sts = ~1.7 in circumference on this gauge).
• If your hat is too loose: try a smaller needle or sub in DK weight with appropriate adjustments to stitch counts.

Support

If you have questions about the pattern, sizing, or techniques, visit our website: https://purljam.verde.uk or email support at team@verde.uk. Connect with us on socials: #purljam

Happy knitting! — PurlJam

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