Beanie Pattern — Knit + Crochet (Worsted/Aran)

Quick, modern beanie pattern with both knitting and crochet options. Designed for worsted/aran weight yarn. Includes detailed materials, gauge, sizes, step-by-step instructions, finishing and care tips. Website: https://purljam.verde.uk. Support: team@verde.uk. Socials: #purljam

Overview

Two easy versions: knit stockinette beanie with a classic folded or raw brim; crochet beanie in half-double crochet for a comfy fit. Both are written for adult sizes and are easy to customize.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (US 4) / Aran (UK). Approx 150 yards (137 m) for adult sizes (one skein). Suggested: smooth wool or wool blend for good stitch definition.
• Knitting needles (knit version): Circular 16"/40 cm + set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) in sizes below. You may substitute longer circulars and use the magic loop method.
• Knitting needle sizes (recommended): US 7 (4.5 mm) / UK (old) 6 / Metric 4.5 mm for body; optional smaller needles for brim: US 6 (4.0 mm) / UK (old) 7 / Metric 4.0 mm for firmer ribbing.
• Crochet hook (crochet version): US I-9 / 5.5 mm (Metric 5.5 mm). If you prefer a firmer brim, try a 5.0 mm hook for the brim rounds.
• Notions: stitch marker (at least 8 for knit crown method), tapestry needle, scissors, measuring tape.

Gauge

Knitting: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette on US 7 (4.5 mm). Crochet: 13 HDC and 8 rows = 4" (10 cm) on 5.5 mm (I-9). Adjust hook/needle size to match gauge.

Finished sizes

• Small: fits 19–20" (48–51 cm) head — Cast on 88 sts (knit).
• Medium: fits 21–22" (53–56 cm) head — Cast on 96 sts (knit).
• Large: fits 23–24" (58–61 cm) head — Cast on 104 sts (knit).

Length (from cast-on to crown closure): Small about 8" (20 cm), Medium 8.5" (21.5 cm), Large 9" (23 cm). Adjust length by working more or fewer stockinette rounds.

Abbreviations (knit)

K = knit, P = purl, K2tog = knit 2 together, CO = cast on, BO = bind off, sts = stitches, rnd = round, RS = right side, pwise = purlwise.

Knit Beanie — Instructions

1) Cast on and brim

Using smaller needles (optional) CO the number of stitches for your size (see Finished sizes). Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker for the beginning of round.

Ribbed brim (folded): Work K2, P2 ribbing for 1.5–2.5" (4–6 cm) or desired brim depth. For a single-layer raw brim, work 0.75–1.25" (2–3 cm).

2) Body

Switch to larger needles (US 7 / 4.5 mm) if you used a smaller size for the brim. Work stockinette in the round (knit every round) until the hat measures (from cast-on edge): Small 6.5" (16.5 cm), Medium 7" (18 cm), Large 7.5" (19 cm), or until you are 1.5–2" (4–5 cm) from desired finished length (to allow for crown decreases).

3) Crown shaping (even, easy method—works for any cast-on divisible by 8)

Place 8 evenly spaced markers around the hat to mark 8 sections. If your cast-on is not perfectly divisible by 8, distribute extra stitches starting at the first sections.

Repeat the following two rounds until you have 16–24 stitches remaining total (depending on how tapered you prefer it):

Decrease round: *Knit to 2 stitches before next marker, K2tog, slip marker* — repeat around. (Each decrease round reduces total stitches by 8.)

Even round: Knit all stitches (no decreases).

When you have about 16 stitches left (2 stitches per section), switch to double-pointed needles if needed and perform decrease rounds every round: *K1, K2tog* around (or K2tog until small number remains) until 8 stitches (or fewer) remain. Cut yarn leaving a 6–8" tail, thread tail through tapestry needle and pull through remaining stitches, pull closed and weave in end on the wrong side. If you prefer a neater finish, graft remaining stitches with kitchener stitch as instructed in many resources.

Notes on crown shaping

• Example for Medium (96 sts): Place 8 markers; each section initially has 12 sts. Decrease rounds remove 1 stitch from each section and keep decreases balanced.
• You can make decreases more gradual by spacing them with more plain rounds between decrease rounds (for a gentler slope), or faster by decreasing every round.

Crochet Beanie — Instructions (HDC version)

1) Crown (worked flat in rounds)

Start with a magic ring.

Round 1: 8 HDC into magic ring, join to first HDC with slip stitch. (8)

Round 2: 2 HDC in each stitch around. (16)

Round 3: *HDC 1, inc* repeat around. (24)

Round 4: *HDC 2, inc* repeat around. (32)

Round 5: *HDC 3, inc* repeat around. (40)

Round 6: *HDC 4, inc* repeat around. (48)

Round 7: *HDC 5, inc* repeat around. (56)

Continue increasing in this pattern (each round add one more HDC between increases) until the flat circle measures approximately 6.5–7.5" (16.5–19 cm) across for adult size crown. The exact number of rounds depends on yarn and tension.

2) Body

Once the crown diameter is reached, stop increasing and work even HDC in each stitch around until the hat measures (from top): Small 8" (20 cm), Medium 8.5" (21.5 cm), Large 9" (23 cm) total length (including brim). For a folded brim, stop 1.5–2" before desired total length.

3) Brim options

• Folded brim: Work front-post HDC (FPHDC) and back-post HDC (BPHDC) rows or alternate rows of HDC in back loop only to create a ribbed, elastic texture; work 1.5–2.5" then fold and seam to inside.
• Raw brim: Continue even HDC for 1"–1.5" and finish with a slip stitch round for a tidy edge.

Finishing (both methods)

• Weave in all ends securely with a tapestry needle.
• Gently steam or wet-block if desired to even stitches; reshape to final dimensions and allow to dry flat.
• Optional: Add pompom (approx 3–4" / 7–10 cm) made from same yarn or a contrasting color and sew securely to crown.

Customization & Tips

• To make slouchier beanie: add 1–2" to the body length before starting crown decreases.
• To make a tighter beanie: use a smaller needle/hook for brim or select a yarn with more wool content for less stretch.
• Colorwork: plan crown decreases to maintain your color pattern; stranded colorwork around crown should be kept loose to avoid puckering.
• Adults with thicker hair: choose a slightly larger circumference or a worsted-blend yarn with less elasticity.

Care

Spot clean or hand wash cold with mild detergent. Reshape and dry flat. For superwash yarns: machine wash on gentle in a laundry bag, tumble low or air dry per yarn label.

Common Questions

What if my stitch count isn’t divisible by 8? Distribute the extra stitch(es) among the first sections when placing markers; the decrease method still works and keeps shaping even.

Can I add a lining? Yes—cut a fleece circle and seam to the inside for windproof warmth.

Attribution & Support

Pattern by PurlJam. For questions, pattern support or feedback: team@verde.uk. Website: https://purljam.verde.uk. Follow and tag projects: #purljam

Created by purlJam with the help of magic AI dust. Shop Verde for patterns and yarn.

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