Beanie

Versatile, unisex beanie with two options: knitted (classic stockinette with optional folded brim) and a simple crochet alternative. Worked in worsted weight yarn; fits small (teen/child), medium (women/smaller men), and large (men/deep/loose fit). Includes fully detailed materials, needle/hook conversions, gauge adjustments, shaping, finishing, and blocking notes.

Finished measurements

• Small: circumference 18 in / 45.5 cm, height 7.5 in / 19 cm
• Medium: circumference 20 in / 51 cm, height 8.5 in / 21.5 cm
• Large: circumference 22 in / 56 cm, height 9 in / 23 cm

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight, category 4. Example yardage per project: Small 110 yds / 100 m (approx 40 g), Medium 150 yds / 137 m (approx 55 g), Large 190 yds / 173 m (approx 70 g). Typical ball example: 100 g = 200 yds / 183 m. Fiber: wool, wool blends, or acrylic; choose a springy yarn for better stitch definition.
• Needles (knit): US 8 (5.0 mm) circular needle 16 in / 40 cm or 24 in / 60 cm for magic loop; set of double pointed needles US 8 (5.0 mm) or same size for DPNs. Optional for firmer rib: US 7 (4.5 mm) circular 16 in / 40 cm for brim.
• Hook (crochet alternative): US I-9 (5.5 mm) / 5.5 mm recommended; if you prefer tighter fabric, use 5.0 mm.
• UK old needle equivalents (approximate): US 8 = UK 6, US 7 = UK 7. Metric conversions included above in mm.
• Notions: yarn needle for weaving ends, stitch marker, tape measure, scissors.

Gauge

Knitting: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette on US 8 (5.0 mm). If your gauge is tighter or looser, adjust needle size to reach gauge or alter final circumference using recipe adjustments below.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit two together
• SSK = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• PM = place marker
• SM = slip marker
• St(s) = stitch(es)
• Rnd = round
• YO = yarn over

Notes

Pattern is worked in the round. For a tighter brim choose a smaller needle for ribbing. Use magic loop or DPNs for crown decreases. If you want 1in / 2.5cm ease, subtract that from head measurement when choosing finished circumference to ensure a snug fit.

Knitted Beanie Pattern

Cast on and brim

Use the long-tail cast-on for elasticity.

• Small: CO 76 sts (use a 16 in / 40 cm circular if available) on US 7 (4.5 mm) for a firm brim.
• Medium: CO 84 sts on US 7 (4.5 mm).
• Large: CO 92 sts on US 7 (4.5 mm).

Join to work in the round being careful not to twist. PM to mark beginning of round. Work 1x1 rib (K1, P1) or 2x2 rib (K2, P2) for 1.5 in / 4 cm for a single brim, or 3 in / 7.5 cm to fold up.

Body

Switch to US 8 (5.0 mm) if you worked the brim on smaller needles. Work in stockinette in the round (knit every round) until hat measures from cast-on edge: Small 6 in / 15 cm, Medium 7 in / 18 cm, Large 7.5 in / 19 cm, measured to the start of crown shaping.

Crown shaping

When ready for crown decreases, follow the decrease rounds below appropriate to your stitch count. Keep markers to mark decrease sections for even shaping.

• Small (76 sts total): Rnd 1: *K8, K2tog* repeat to end (68 sts). Rnd 2: knit. Rnd 3: *K7, K2tog* repeat (60 sts). Rnd 4: knit. Rnd 5: *K6, K2tog* repeat (52 sts). Rnd 6: knit. Rnd 7: *K5, K2tog* repeat (44 sts). Rnd 8: knit. Rnd 9: *K4, K2tog* repeat (36 sts). Rnd 10: knit. Rnd 11: *K3, K2tog* repeat (28 sts). Rnd 12: knit. Rnd 13: *K2, K2tog* repeat (20 sts). Rnd 14: *K1, K2tog* repeat (13 sts). Rnd 15: K2tog across to end (7 sts).
• Medium (84 sts): Rnd 1: *K9, K2tog* (76). Rnd 2: knit. Rnd 3: *K8, K2tog* (68). Continue decreasing every other round similarly until 7 sts remain.
• Large (92 sts): Rnd 1: *K10, K2tog* (84). Rnd 2: knit. Rnd 3: *K9, K2tog* (76). Continue decreasing every other round similarly until 7 sts remain.

When 6-10 sts remain, break yarn leaving a 10-12 in / 25-30 cm tail. Thread tail through mattress or yarn needle, draw through remaining sts, pull tight to close top, secure with several stitches, and weave in ends on inside.

Finishing

• Weave in all ends with a yarn needle. Tidy the inside by stitching the brim fold down if you made a folded brim.
• Block lightly: steam or wet block depending on fiber. For acrylic, skip heavy wet blocking; use steam to shape.

Crochet Alternative (simple beanie)

Worked in joined rounds from the crown down for a smooth top. Use US I-9 (5.5 mm) hook or size to obtain gauge.

Crochet pattern summary

• Magic ring, Ch 2 counts as first dc. Round 1: 10 dc into ring, join (10 dc).
• Round 2: 2 dc in each st around (20 dc).
• Round 3: *1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next* repeat (30 dc).
• Round 4: *1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next* repeat (40 dc).
• Round 5: *1 dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next* repeat (50 dc) - adjust rounds to reach circumference similar to knitted beanie. Continue increasing evenly until desired crown diameter then work even rounds (dc in each st) until length from crown = Small 7.5 in / 19 cm, Medium 8.5 in / 21.5 cm, Large 9 in / 23 cm. Finish with 1-2 rounds of 1x1 sc ribbing if desired.

Pattern adjustments and tips

• To change fit easily: add or subtract 8 sts at cast-on for 4.5 mm needles to change circumference by approximately 0.8 in / 2 cm. Always keep stitch multiples required by the decrease pattern (usually multiples of 8, 9, or 10 depending on the recipe you follow).
• For slouchier beanie: add 1-2 inches / 2.5-5 cm to body length before starting crown decreases.
• If gauge differs: calculate required stitches by measuring your gauge. Example: if you get 5 sts per inch, multiply desired finished circumference in inches by 5 to get target cast-on; round to the nearest multiple needed for decrease repeats.
• Want a pom pom: secure pom pom to top through inside with a locking stitch and weave tail into seam. For faux fur pom poms, attach via small tail and reinforce with a button inside for durability.

Variants

Add a simple slipped-stitch brim for texture, a cable panel (work flat and seam or use cable in the round), or colorwork band using stranded or fair isle techniques. For bulky yarn, upsize needles and reduce cast-on proportionally; expect fewer total rounds.

Care

Follow yarn manufacturer instructions. For wool, hand wash and lay flat to dry. For superwash or acrylic, machine wash on gentle and dry flat or tumble low depending on label.

Contact and copyright: This pattern is provided by PurlJam. Website: https://purljam.verde.uk Support: team@verde.uk Socials: #purljam

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