Versatile Beanie (Knit) - Detailed Pattern

Quick, modern, and adaptable beanie pattern worked in worsted/aran weight yarn. Includes multiple sizes, clear needle conversions (US, UK old, Metric), yarn amounts in Imperial and Metric, step-by-step shaping, optional brim and pompom instructions, and finishing tips. Designed for circular needles or magic loop plus DPNs. Gauge and sizing are provided so you can customize fit and slouch.

Designer notes

Calm, simple structure: 1x1 or 2x2 rib for the brim and stockinette for the body. Worked in the round for a neat finish. When in doubt, measure the recipient's head and choose the smaller size if you want a snug beanie, larger for slouch.

Website & support

Pattern host: https://purljam.verde.uk • Support: team@verde.uk • Socials: #purljam

Yarn (recommended)

Worsted/Aran weight yarn (Category 4). Approx yarn composition: wool, wool blend, or acrylic—choose a yarn you like to touch against the head.

• Typical yardage & weight (approx): 200 yds / 183 m per 100 g.
• Suggested yarn amounts by finished head circumference (use the one that most closely matches):

• Newborn (13-14") — 40 yds / 37 m — ~25 g — 0.9 oz
• Baby (15-16") — 60 yds / 55 m — ~35 g — 1.2 oz
• Toddler (17") — 80 yds / 73 m — ~45 g — 1.6 oz
• Child (18") — 100 yds / 91 m — ~55 g — 1.9 oz
• Teen / Small adult (20") — 140 yds / 128 m — ~80 g — 2.8 oz
• Adult medium (22") — 180 yds / 164 m — ~100 g — 3.5 oz
• Adult large (24") — 220 yds / 201 m — ~125 g — 4.4 oz

Needles (knitting) — sizes and conversions

Use circular needles for the main body (16" / 40 cm length for small sizes, 24" / 60 cm optional for magic loop for larger sizes). You will also need a set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) or the magic loop method to finish the crown.

• Recommended working needles (select to match gauge):
  • US 7 = 4.5 mm = UK 7 (recommended for slightly tighter fabric / firmer rib)
  • US 8 = 5.0 mm = UK 6 (typical for worsted weight beanie — recommended)
  • US 6 = 4.0 mm = UK 8 (to tighten gauge or for firmer hats)
  • US 9 = 5.5 mm = UK 5 (for a slouchy, open fabric)

Needle types: circular needles in the sizes above (16" / 40 cm or 24" / 60 cm), plus 4" / 10 cm double-pointed needles (DPNs) in the same sizes for crown decreases unless you prefer magic loop.

Gauge

18 sts x 24 rows = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette using US 8 / 5.0 mm. Adjust needle size to match gauge. For a firmer hat that will hold shape, go down one needle size; for slouch, go up one size.

Sizes and finished measurements

• Newborn — head circumference 13-14" (33-36 cm) — finished hat circumference (unstretched) ~11-12"
• Baby — 15-16" (38-41 cm)
• Toddler — 17" (43 cm)
• Child — 18" (46 cm)
• Teen / Small Adult — 20" (51 cm)
• Adult Medium — 22" (56 cm)
• Adult Large — 24" (61 cm)

Abbreviations

• k = knit
• p = purl
• k2tog = knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
• ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• p2tog = purl 2 together
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd = round
• CO = cast on
• BP = bind off / cast off

Notes

• This pattern is worked in the round. If you prefer to work flat, convert body to flat stockinette and seam.
• Use the smaller needle for ribbing if you want a firmer brim.
• Crown shaping is given using decreases; pick the method (DPNs or magic loop) you're most comfortable with.

Cast on & setup

Cast on the number of stitches below using a stretchy cast-on (long-tail recommended) and join in the round, making sure stitches are not twisted. Place marker for beginning of round.

Stitch counts (cast on)

• Newborn: CO 64 sts
• Baby: CO 72 sts
• Toddler: CO 80 sts
• Child: CO 88 sts
• Teen/Small adult: CO 96 sts
• Adult medium: CO 104 sts
• Adult large: CO 112 sts

These counts assume US 8 / 5.0 mm. Adjust CO if your gauge differs: desired finished circumference should be about 1 to 3 inches smaller than head circumference for negative ease (snug fit). Calculate CO = (desired finished circumference in inches) x (stitches per inch from your gauge).

Brim (choose one)

1x1 rib (classic)

Rnds 1-16 (or until brim measures 1.5-2.5" / 4-6 cm): *k1, p1* around.

2x2 rib (chunkier)

Rnds 1-12 (or until brim measures 1-2.5" / 4-6 cm): *k2, p2* around.

Folded brim

Work rib for twice the desired brim depth (e.g., 3-4" total for a 1.5-2" folded brim), then fold up and tack inside with scrap yarn or mattress stitch for a neat finish.

Body

After ribbing, switch to stockinette in the round (knit every stitch) and work until hat measures from brim top to crown start the following lengths from cast on edge (measured on the blocked/finished hat):

• Newborn: 4.5" / 11.5 cm
• Baby: 5" / 12.5 cm
• Toddler: 5.5" / 14 cm
• Child: 6" / 15 cm
• Teen / Small adult: 7" / 18 cm
• Adult medium: 7.75" / 19.5 cm
• Adult large: 8.5" / 21.5 cm

Adjust length if you want a slouchier or shorter hat — add or subtract 0.5-1.5" / 1-4 cm.

Crown shaping (standard decrease sequence)

Start decreases when hat reaches lengths above. For convenience, decrease rounds are given for sizes with stitch counts that divide cleanly; if your stitch count differs, adapt by spacing decreases evenly.

Use k2tog for right-leaning decreases and ssk for left-leaning where specified. When you can no longer work comfortably on the circular needle, switch to DPNs or continue magic loop.

Example decrease sequence (for 96 sts — Teen/Small adult)

1. Rnd 1: *k8, k2tog* repeat to end — 96 -> 87 sts
2. Rnd 2: Knit around
3. Rnd 3: *k7, k2tog* repeat — 78 sts
4. Rnd 4: Knit around
5. Rnd 5: *k6, k2tog* repeat — 69 sts
6. Rnd 6: Knit around
7. Rnd 7: *k5, k2tog* repeat — 60 sts
8. Rnd 8: Knit around
9. Rnd 9: *k4, k2tog* repeat — 51 sts
10. Rnd 10: *k3, k2tog* repeat — 42 sts
11. Rnd 11: *k2, k2tog* repeat — 33 sts
12. Rnd 12: *k1, k2tog* repeat — 22 sts
13. Rnd 13: *k2tog* repeat — 11 sts

When about 8-12 sts remain (depending on yarn thickness), cut yarn leaving a long tail (~8-12"), thread through remaining sts with a tapestry needle, pull tight, secure and weave in tail on wrong side. For a rounder crown, you can perform one or two fewer decrease rounds to leave 10-12 sts and then gather; for a sharper crown, continue until 6-8 sts remain.

Quick reference for other cast-on counts

• 112 sts (Adult large): decrease pattern: *k9, k2tog* then proceed reducing the 'k' number by 1 every other decrease round until small number of sts left
• 104 sts (Adult medium): start with *k8, k2tog*
• 88 sts (Child): start with *k7, k2tog*
• 80 sts (Toddler): start with *k6, k2tog*
• 72 sts (Baby): start with *k5, k2tog*
• 64 sts (Newborn): start with *k4, k2tog*

If your stitch count doesn’t match exactly, calculate: desired decrease interval = (current stitch count) / (desired stitch count after next decrease). Round to nearest whole number and space decreases as evenly as possible. Use stitch markers to help keep repeats even.

Finishing

• Weave in ends by threading tails onto a tapestry needle and stitching them into the wrong side of fabric.
• Tack folded brim inside at a few points with matching yarn if you used a folded brim so it stays put.
• Block gently: steam or wet block depending on yarn fiber. Wool: soak briefly, roll in towel, shape and lay flat to dry. Acrylic: steam gently or shape by hand; do not use high heat.
• Add pompom if desired — attach securely by threading yarn tail from pompom through crown and knotting on the inside. For extra security, stitch a few times across the inside of the hat.

Optional variations & tips

• Slouchy version: add 1-2" / 2.5-5 cm to body length before starting decreases.
• Folded brim with contrast color: join contrast color at start of rib, work double depth of brim, fold and tack in place for a clean cuff.
• Textured stitch: replace stockinette with seed stitch or broken rib for a squishier fabric; adjust gauge accordingly.
• Colorwork: when working stranded colorwork, pick a needle one size larger to keep fabric flexible.

Care

Follow yarn manufacturer's care instructions. For handknits, cold wash and lay flat to dry recommended unless yarn is machine washable.

Notes about needle sizing labels

Some suppliers still use UK 'old' numbering. For common sizes used in this pattern the equivalence is shown above (example: US 8 = 5.0 mm = UK 6). If you see only metric sizes on needles, pick the mm size listed above to match US/UK conversions.

Abbreviated quick pattern (one-line summary)

CO to fit, join in rnd, work 1.5-2" rib (1x1 or 2x2), knit in the round until body reaches desired length, decrease in evenly spaced rounds until small number of sts remain, gather, weave in ends, block, add pompom if desired.

Troubleshooting

• Too tight: try one needle size larger or add 2-4 sts to CO.
• Too loose: go one needle size smaller or remove 2-4 sts from CO.
• Twisted at join: undo and rejoin ensuring cast-on edge is not twisted before joining in the round.

Contact & credits

Pattern hosted at purljam.verde.uk. For help, contact team@verde.uk. Share finished hats with #purljam.

Happy knitting — enjoy the beanie!

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