Classic Knit Beanie

Simple, versatile beanie worked in the round. Options for fitted, slouchy or cuffed brim. Gauge, needles and yarn options provided so you can swap sizes easily.

Materials

Yarn: Worsted / Aran (Medium / 4). Imperial: Small 120 yd (110 m), Medium 150 yd (137 m), Large 180 yd (165 m) required (1 standard 100 g skein contains ~200--220 yd, so 1 skein for Small/Medium, up to 2 for Large or very slouchy versions). Metric: Small 110 m, Medium 137 m, Large 165 m. Typical skein weight: 100 g.
Needles (knitting in the round):
- Main: US 8, 5.0 mm, UK (old) 6 — 16" / 40 cm circular needle (or long circular + magic loop) OR set of double-pointed needles (DPNs)
- Brim (optional slightly firmer): US 7, 4.5 mm, UK (old) 7 — same length circular or DPNs
Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, optional pompom maker or scrap yarn.

Sizes & Finished Measurements

Small: fits head circumference ~19" / 48 cm. Cast on 84 sts.
Medium: fits ~20.5" / 52 cm. Cast on 92 sts.
Large: fits ~22" / 56 cm. Cast on 100 sts.

Adjust cast-on by +/-4 sts (or multiple needed for pattern) to change circumference in ~0.9" / 2.3 cm increments.

Gauge

18 sts x 24 rnds = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette (knit every rnd) on US 8 (5.0 mm). Always knit a swatch and block it to confirm gauge.

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)
rnd(s) = round(s)
RS = right side

Notes

This pattern is worked in the round. If using a 16" circular and your cast-on is larger than fits comfortably, use a longer cable or DPNs.
Brim: two options provided — folded (longer cuff folded up) and simple 1.5" rib cuff.

Pattern

Cast On & Brim

CO 84 (Small) / 92 (Medium) / 100 (Large) stitches using a stretchy cast-on. Place marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.

Brim option A — Folded cuff (recommended for warmth):

Rib with smaller needles (US 7 / 4.5 mm): *K2, P2* around for 1.5" / 4 cm. Change to larger needles and continue *K2, P2* for another 1.5" / 4 cm. Fold cuff up and pick up inside edge if you like to sew it down, or simply fold and leave free.

Brim option B — Simple cuff:

With smaller needles: *K2, P2* around for 1.5--2.0" / 4--5 cm, switch to larger needles and begin body.

Body

Change to US 8 (5.0 mm). Knit every rnd (stockinette in the round) until bonnet measures from cast-on edge (before folded cuff if used) approximately 6.5" / 16.5 cm (Small), 7.0" / 18 cm (Medium), 7.5" / 19 cm (Large) — or desired length before crown shaping.

Crown Decreases

We show decreases for each cast-on multiple (all start with a round of evenly spaced decreases). Place a marker at the start of the round and keep it in place to track rounds.

Small — 84 sts

Rnd 1: *K8, K2tog* repeat to end (84 -> 76 sts).
Rnd 2: Knit all sts.
Rnd 3: *K7, K2tog* repeat (76 -> 68 sts).
Rnd 4: Knit all sts.
Rnd 5: *K6, K2tog* repeat (68 -> 60 sts).
Rnd 6: Knit all sts.
Rnd 7: *K5, K2tog* repeat (60 -> 52 sts).
Rnd 8: Knit all sts.
Rnd 9: *K4, K2tog* repeat (52 -> 44 sts).
Rnd 10: Knit all sts.
Rnd 11: *K3, K2tog* repeat (44 -> 36 sts).
Rnd 12: *K2, K2tog* repeat (36 -> 27 sts).
Rnd 13: *K1, K2tog* repeat (27 -> 18 sts).
Rnd 14: *K2tog* around (18 -> 9 sts). Break yarn leaving ~8" / 20 cm tail, thread through tapestry needle, pull through remaining sts, secure, weave in end.

Medium — 92 sts

Rnd 1: *K9, K2tog* repeat (92 -> 84 sts).
Rnd 2: Knit all sts.
Rnd 3: *K8, K2tog* repeat (84 -> 76 sts).
Rnd 4: Knit all sts.
Rnd 5: *K7, K2tog* repeat (76 -> 68 sts).
Rnd 6: Knit all sts.
Rnd 7: *K6, K2tog* repeat (68 -> 60 sts).
Rnd 8: Knit all sts.
Rnd 9: *K5, K2tog* repeat (60 -> 52 sts).
Rnd 10: Knit all sts.
Rnd 11: *K4, K2tog* repeat (52 -> 44 sts).
Rnd 12: *K3, K2tog* repeat (44 -> 36 sts).
Rnd 13: *K2, K2tog* repeat (36 -> 27 sts).
Rnd 14: *K1, K2tog* repeat (27 -> 18 sts).
Rnd 15: *K2tog* around (18 -> 9 sts). Fasten off as above.

Large — 100 sts

Rnd 1: *K10, K2tog* repeat (100 -> 92 sts).
Rnd 2: Knit all sts.
Rnd 3: *K9, K2tog* repeat (92 -> 84 sts).
Rnd 4: Knit all sts.
Rnd 5: *K8, K2tog* repeat (84 -> 76 sts).
Rnd 6: Knit all sts.
Rnd 7: *K7, K2tog* repeat (76 -> 68 sts).
Rnd 8: Knit all sts.
Rnd 9: *K6, K2tog* repeat (68 -> 60 sts).
Rnd 10: Knit all sts.
Rnd 11: *K5, K2tog* repeat (60 -> 52 sts).
Rnd 12: *K4, K2tog* repeat (52 -> 44 sts).
Rnd 13: *K3, K2tog* repeat (44 -> 36 sts).
Rnd 14: *K2, K2tog* repeat (36 -> 27 sts).
Rnd 15: *K1, K2tog* repeat (27 -> 18 sts).
Rnd 16: *K2tog* around (18 -> 9 sts). Fasten off as above.

Finishing

Weave in ends with a tapestry needle. Tighten crown with final tail before weaving to secure top.
Block lightly: wet block or steam to settle stitches. Reshape as needed.
Optional pompom: make pompom approximately 2.5"--4" / 6--10 cm depending on preference. Attach securely and weave in the anchor tail.
Optional lining: for extra warmth, cut a circle of fleece matching the beanie crown diameter and hand-sew to inside brim, or knit a duplicate hat with smaller needles and seam inside.

Variations & Tips

To make a slouchier hat increase the body length by 1"--2" / 2.5--5 cm before starting decreases and add 30--50 yd / 30--45 m of yarn.
Want a bulkier look? Use bulky yarn and larger needles; recalc cast-on to match your gauge swatch. For finer yarn, decrease needle size accordingly.
If your gauge is tighter/looser than stated, recalc cast-on: desired circumference (inches) x (stitches per inch from your swatch) and round to nearest multiple of 4.

Care

Follow yarn label. Most worsted acrylic or wool blends: hand wash cold and lay flat to dry. Avoid tumble drying unless yarn label permits.

Happy knitting! If you need a crochet version or a different brim style, request a follow-up pattern specifying finished circumference and style.

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