Beanie — Classic Top-Down Worsted Knit Beanie
Upbeat, calm, and thoughtfully written for knitters who want a reliable, flattering beanie in multiple sizes. This is a top-down, circular knit beanie with a stretchy 1x1 rib brim and a simple crown decrease. Suitable for knitters comfortable with magic loop or small-circumference circulars and DPNs.
Sizes and Finished Measurements
- Newborn: finished circumference 15 in (38 cm), crown depth 4.5 in (11.5 cm)
- Child: finished circumference 17 in (43 cm), crown depth 5 in (12.5 cm)
- Teen/Small Adult: finished circumference 19 in (48 cm), crown depth 6 in (15 cm)
- Adult Medium: finished circumference 21 in (53 cm), crown depth 7 in (18 cm)
- Adult Large: finished circumference 23 in (58 cm), crown depth 7.5 in (19 cm)
Yarn
Worsted weight yarn (US 4 / Aran). Example yardage per size:
- Newborn: 75 yds (69 m)
- Child: 100 yds (91 m)
- Teen/Small Adult: 120 yds (110 m)
- Adult Medium: 150 yds (137 m)
- Adult Large: 175 yds (160 m)
Skein example: 100 g / 200 yds (183 m) worsted weight will cover most adult sizes; adjust if using smaller skeins.
Needles
- Circular needle for magic loop or small circumference: US 8 (5.0 mm) — UK 6 — Metric 5.0 mm, 16 in (40 cm) recommended for small sizes or 24 in (60 cm) for magic loop
- For firmer rib: US 7 (4.5 mm) — UK 7 — Metric 4.5 mm (optional; use smaller needle for brim if you like a snug cuff)
- DPNs: set of US 8 (5.0 mm) — UK 6 — Metric 5.0 mm for finishing decreases if you prefer
Notions
- Stitch marker (to mark beginning of round)
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Optional pompom maker
Gauge
18 sts and 24 rounds = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on US 8 (5.0 mm). Make a 4x4 in swatch and wash/block as you will the finished hat; adjust needle size to match gauge.
Abbreviations
- K: knit
- P: purl
- K2tog: knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rnd: round
Cast On and Setup
Because this is a top-down hat, cast on the number of stitches listed for your size. Pick a start that is a multiple of 2 (1x1 rib). Recommended cast-on stitch counts based on gauge above (adjust if your gauge differs):
- Newborn: 68 sts
- Child: 76 sts
- Teen/Small Adult: 86 sts
- Adult Medium: 94 sts
- Adult Large: 104 sts
Join in the round being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.
Rib Brim
Work in 1x1 rib (K1, P1) until brim measures:
- Newborn: 1 in / 2.5 cm
- Child: 1.5 in / 4 cm
- Teen/Small Adult: 2 in / 5 cm
- Adult Medium: 2.5 in / 6.5 cm
- Adult Large: 2.5 in / 6.5 cm
Body
After the brim, switch to stockinette in the round (knit every round) on the US 8 (5.0 mm) circular/needles. Continue until the piece measures from cast-on edge the crown depth listed for your size (see Sizes section).
Crown Shaping — Flexible Decrease Method
This decrease recipe is intentionally flexible so it works for the different stitch counts above. You will work decrease rounds alternating with plain knit rounds. On each decrease round you will decrease by performing K2tog at regular intervals; the number of knit stitches between decreases will reduce by one after each decrease round. Continue this pattern until about 8–12 sts remain, then finish as directed.
Procedure:
- Set a counter X equal to 6 (this is the initial number of knit stitches between decreases; you can start smaller for smaller hats—if your cast-on is 68 or less, set X to 5).
- Round A (decrease round): *K X, K2tog* repeat to end of round. (If the last repeat does not fit exactly, evenly space your decreases by doing the same number of K between the last decreases or move the marker slightly; aim to keep decreases regular.)
- Round B: Knit all sts around.
- Decrease round: decrease X by 1 (X = X − 1). Repeat Round A with the new X, then Round B.
- Repeat this cycle (decrease round, plain round) until there are 8–12 stitches left on your needles. If you reach X=0, switch to decreasing every stitch by working *K2tog* around until you have 8–10 stitches.
Notes on spacing: The decrease round will reduce total sts by the number of K2tog performed. If you want a perfectly even decrease placement, before you start the first decrease round divide your current stitch count by the number of decrease stitches you expect to perform and pick an X that most closely matches that spacing—but the stepwise X, X‐minus‐1 method below gives a predictable crown look without heavy math.
Finishing
- When 8–12 sts remain, cut yarn leaving a 8–10 in (20–25 cm) tail. Thread tail through a tapestry needle and draw through remaining stitches. Pull tight to close the crown.
- Weave in all ends on the WS of the hat with long stitches to secure. Trim excess yarn.
- If you like, make a pompom and sew to top. For adult sizes use a 2.5–3.5 in pompom (6–9 cm) depending on taste; for child sizes 1.5–2.5 in (4–6 cm).
Blocking and Care
Lightly wet-block if your yarn benefits from shaping. Lay flat to dry. Care instructions depend on yarn fiber—follow yarn label. For machine-washable yarns, wash on gentle and dry flat.
Variations and Tips
- For a chunkier look, work the body on US 9–10 (5.5–6.0 mm); you'll need fewer sts and less yardage — check gauge and adjust cast-on stitches accordingly.
- For slouch, add 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) to crown depth before starting decreases.
- Want a folded brim? Work the rib longer, then fold up and stitch in place along the inside.
- To change the rib to 2x2 rib, cast on a multiple of 4 and swap the brim instructions accordingly.
Troubleshooting
- If the hat seems too tight or too loose, change needle size to get gauge; a tighter brim can be achieved by using the smaller needle for the rib only.
- Uneven decrease spacing can be fixed by moving decreases slightly on the first decrease round to distribute them as evenly as possible.
Contact and Pattern Support
Pattern provided by PurlJam. For support email team@verde.uk. Visit https://purljam.verde.uk for more patterns. Share finished projects with #purljam.
Notes: This pattern assumes basic familiarity with knitting in the round, K2tog, and making 1x1 rib. Adjust stitch counts and decrease spacing to taste; the decrease method is built to be forgiving and adaptable.