Classic Ribbed Beanie (Knitting)

A versatile, unisex beanie worked in the round with optional slouch or fold-up brim. Instructions include five sizes from Newborn to Adult Large, full materials list, needle conversions (US / UK (old) / Metric), yardage in Imperial and Metric, gauge, detailed step-by-step rounds, crown shaping, finishing and blocking notes.

Skills & Techniques

• Knitting in the round on circulars or DPNs
• Knit, Purl, K2tog, SSK, JSS (join, slip, slip, knit) optional decrease techniques
• Stretchy cast-on (long-tail recommended)
• Basic finishing: weaving in ends, blocking, optional pom-pom

Sizes & Finished Measurements

• Newborn: circumference ~13" (33 cm); depth ~5" (12.5 cm)
• Baby: circumference ~15" (38 cm); depth ~5.5" (14 cm)
• Child: circumference ~17" (43 cm); depth ~6.5" (16.5 cm)
• Teen/Adult Small: circumference ~19" (48 cm); depth ~8" (20.5 cm)
• Adult Medium/Large: circumference ~21" (53 cm); depth ~9" (23 cm)

Yarn

Main: Worsted weight yarn (US #4 / Aran). Typical skein: 200 yds / 183 m per 100 g. Yardage by size (approx):

• Newborn: 80 yds (73 m)
• Baby: 100 yds (92 m)
• Child: 125 yds (114 m)
• Teen/Adult Small: 150 yds (137 m)
• Adult Medium/Large: 200 yds (183 m)

Notes: You may substitute DK + larger needles or Bulky + larger gauge for faster results; adjust yardage accordingly.

Needles (include US, UK (old) & Metric)

• Brim & body: US 6 / UK (old) 8 / 4.0 mm (recommended for snug rib)
• Optional slightly looser fabric: US 7 / UK (old) 7 / 4.5 mm
• For a slouchier hat: US 8 / UK (old) 6 / 5.0 mm
• Needle type: 16" (40 cm) circular for small sizes or magic loop; for larger sizes 16" or 24" (40 cm or 60 cm) circular; set of DPNs for crown decreases if preferred.

Notions

• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Pom-pom maker (optional)

Gauge

18 sts & 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch after blocking on US 6 (4.0 mm). If your gauge differs, change needle size to match finished circumference.

Abbreviations

• K: knit
• P: purl
• K2tog: knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
• SSK: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• CO: cast on
• PM: place marker
• SM: slip marker
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side

Notes

• Hat is worked in the round from brim to crown. Rounds are numbered consecutively.
• Rib pattern is 1x1 or 2x2 depending on desired look; instructions below use 1x1 rib for a clean, reversible brim. For 2x2, adjust cast-on so total sts divisible by 4.
• Stretchy cast-on recommended (long-tail).

Cast On & Brim (1x1 rib)

Cast on the number of stitches for your size with long-tail cast-on and join carefully, placing a marker for the beginning of the round. Ensure stitches are not twisted.

• Newborn: CO 56 sts
• Baby: CO 64 sts
• Child: CO 72 sts
• Teen/Adult Small: CO 80 sts
• Adult Medium/Large: CO 92 sts

Rib (1x1): Rounds 1-12 (adjust length for brim): *K1, P1* repeat to end. Standard fold-up brim: work 12 rounds (~1.75" / 4.5 cm); for a deeper fitted brim work 8 rounds; for slouchy or folded look work 16 rounds for a taller cuff.

Body

After brim, switch to stockinette in the round (knit every round) or keep in rib for a textured hat.

• Newborn: Work 12 rounds stockinette (total depth before decreases ~4.5" / 11.5 cm including brim)
• Baby: Work 14 rounds
• Child: Work 18 rounds
• Teen/Adult Small: Work 26 rounds
• Adult Medium/Large: Work 30 rounds

Crown Decreases (standard 8-round decrease sequence for even shaping)

Switch to decreases when hat measures the depth indicated above (including brim). The decrease rounds assume an 8-point crown. If you prefer 6- or 4-point crown, see note below.

Instructions for dividing into 8 wedges: place 7 markers to divide the round into 8 equal sections. Work decreases as follows:

1. Round 1: *K to 3 sts before marker, K2tog, K1; repeat from * around. (8 decreases)
2. Round 2: Knit
3. Round 3: *K to 2 sts before marker, K2tog; repeat from * around. (8 decreases)
4. Round 4: Knit
5. Round 5: *K to 1 st before marker, K2tog; repeat from * around. (8 decreases)
6. Round 6: Knit
7. Round 7: *K2tog across (or as many paired sts remain); repeat from * around.
8. Round 8: If necessary, K2tog across to reduce to ~8-12 sts total. Break yarn leaving a long tail and thread through remaining sts with tapestry needle. Pull tight to close the crown and secure.

Detailed example for 80 sts (Teen/Adult Small): Divide 80 by 8 = 10 sts per wedge. Round 1: (K8, K2tog) x8 = 8 decreases -> 72 sts. Round 3: (K7, K2tog) x8 = 8 decreases -> 64 sts. Round 5: (K6, K2tog) x8 = 8 decreases -> 56 sts. Continue similarly, spacing decreases as shown above until you are ready to finish.

Alternative 6-Point Crown

Divide total sts by 6 and follow the same staged decrease rounds targeting 6 wedges instead of 8. This gives a rounder top with larger wedges.

Finishing

• Thread tail through remaining sts and pull snug; weave tail to inside and knot or backstitch with tapestry needle.
• Weave in all ends on wrong side; trim excess.
• Block lightly: soak in lukewarm water with mild soap, squeeze gently (do not wring), roll in towel, reshape and dry flat. Wool/animal fibers may bloom slightly.
• Attach pom-pom if desired (secure with multiple passes of yarn through hat interior).

Adjustments & Fit

• To make a tighter fit, go down one needle size for brim only, then switch to recommended needle for body.
• To add earflaps or a brim extension, pick up stitches along lower edge and work short rows or ribbed panels as desired.

Care

Check yarn label. For most wool blends: hand wash cold, lay flat to dry. Superwash yarns may be machine-washed on gentle cycle.

Troubleshooting

• If brim is too loose: try tubular cast-on or go down 0.5 mm in needle size for brim.
• If hat is too tight: go up one needle size and re-check gauge.
• If crown is puckling unevenly: make sure decreases are evenly spaced with markers and use SSK for left-leaning decreases opposite K2tog for symmetry.

Variations

• Textured body: alternate 2 rounds stockinette with 2 rounds seed stitch.
• Colorwork: work stranded or fair isle across body before decreases; maintain consistent tension.
• Slouch: use larger needles and add extra length to body before decreases.

Pattern copyright: purljam.verde.uk. For support, email team@verde.uk. Share finished makes: tag #purljam on socials.

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