Classic Knit Beanie

Simple, cozy beanie worked in the round. This clear, adaptable knit pattern covers newborn to adult large, with a tidy 1x1 rib brim and a classic shaped crown. US knitting terms used.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted/Aran weight recommended. Typical skein: 200 yds (183 m) per 100 g. Estimated yarn needed (approx): Newborn 50 yds (46 m); Baby 75 yds (69 m); Toddler 100 yds (91 m); Child 125 yds (114 m); Adult S 150 yds (137 m); Adult M 175 yds (160 m); Adult L 200 yds (183 m).
• Needles (knitting in the round):
  • Brim: US 6 / 4.0 mm / UK 8 (circular or DPNs)
  • Body: US 7 / 4.5 mm / UK 7 16" (40 cm) circular needle + set of matching double-pointed needles for finishing small circumferences. Optional slouchy fabric: US 8 / 5.0 mm / UK 6.
• Other: stitch markers (you will place 8 evenly spaced markers for crown shaping), tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure, pompom maker (optional).

Gauge

18 sts and 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette on US 7 (4.5 mm). If your gauge differs, change needle size to match the gauge to achieve the listed sizes.

Sizes & Finished Measurements

• Newborn: head circumference ~13" (33 cm) — Cast on 58 sts — Finished height ~5.5" (14 cm)
• Baby: 15" (38 cm) — Cast on 68 sts — Height ~6" (15 cm)
• Toddler: 16" (41 cm) — Cast on 72 sts — Height ~6.5" (16.5 cm)
• Child: 18" (46 cm) — Cast on 80 sts — Height ~7" (18 cm)
• Teen/Adult S: 20" (51 cm) — Cast on 90 sts — Height ~8" (20.5 cm)
• Adult M: 22" (56 cm) — Cast on 100 sts — Height ~8.5" (21.5 cm)
• Adult L: 24" (61 cm) — Cast on 108 sts — Height ~9" (23 cm)

Note: Cast-on counts above assume the stated gauge (approx 4.5 sts/inch). If you want a tighter or slouchier fit, subtract or add 4-8 sts accordingly. Brim and body lengths can be adjusted to taste.

Abbreviations

• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
• SSK = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• St(s) = stitch(es)
• Rnd = round
• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• dpn = double-pointed needle

Notes

• This pattern is worked in the round. Use the magic loop method, a 16" circular needle for small sizes, or DPNs for finishing if preferred.
• The crown decreases are done with 8 evenly spaced decrease points. Place 8 markers to divide the stitches into 8 sections as evenly as possible.

Pattern (Knitting)

1. Cast On: Using US 6 (4.0 mm), CO the number of stitches for your size. Join to work in the round being careful not to twist. Place marker to indicate beginning of round.
2. Brim: Work 1x1 rib (K1, P1) for 1.75" (4.5 cm) for adult sizes (shorten to 1"–1.25" for baby/newborn as desired). If you prefer a folded brim, work twice the height and fold up at finishing.
3. Body: Switch to US 7 (4.5 mm). Knit every round (stockinette in the round) until hat measures the following from cast-on edge (including brim): Newborn 5.5" (14 cm) total, Baby 6" (15 cm), Toddler 6.5" (16.5 cm), Child 7" (18 cm), Adult S 8" (20.5 cm), Adult M 8.5" (21.5 cm), Adult L 9" (23 cm). Measure from the brim edge to the crown to decide when to start decreases; you can shorten or lengthen for a slouchy or snug look.
4. Prepare for Crown Decreases: Place 8 evenly spaced stitch markers around the round to divide your stitches into 8 sections as evenly as possible. Example: with 90 sts, divide into 8 sections of 11,11,11,11,11,11,11,13 (distribute extras to first sections). These markers mark where you will perform k2tog decreases.
5. Crown Decreases: You will perform decrease rounds every other round, knitting plain rounds between decreases to maintain smooth shaping.
   1. Decrease Round (repeat until fewer than 16 sts remain): *K to 2 sts before next marker, K2tog; slip marker, repeat from * to end of round. (This decreases 8 sts each decrease round.)
   2. Next Round: Knit all sts (no decreases).
   3. Repeat a and b until approximately 16 sts remain on your needles. If your stitch count before the final decrease doesn't divide perfectly, simply decrease at the markers each decrease round — the spacing will close up naturally.
6. Finish:
   1. When 16 (or fewer, but aim for 8–16) sts remain, switch to DPNs if needed. Final decrease round: K2tog around (if you end with an odd stitch, SSK the final two to make a pair) until about 8 sts remain. Cut yarn, leaving an 8" (20 cm) tail.
   2. Thread tail through tapestry needle and draw through remaining stitches; pull tight to close top. Weave in the tail securely on the inside. Weave in all ends.
   3. Optional: Attach a pompom to the top by sewing through the gathered top and securing the pompom base; hide tails and knot inside the hat.

Finishing & Blocking

• Lightly block the hat to even stitches: wet block by hand-dipping, shape on a rounded surface or balled towels to maintain head-shape, then lay flat to dry. Do not wring.
• For a folded brim, fold the cast-on edge to the inside and mattress-stitch the purl bumps to the inner brim for a neat finish.

Customization & Tips

• Swap yarn weights: If using lighter yarn (DK), go down 1 needle size and expect a looser fit; for bulky yarn, go up 1–2 needle sizes and reduce cast-on stitches proportionally.
• To make a slouchy beanie: add 1–2" (2.5–5 cm) to the body length before starting decreases and/or use US 8 (5.0 mm) for a drapier fabric.
• To make a cuffed brim (fold-over): cast on twice the number of rounds you want the finished cuff to be and fold up; secure inside with mattress stitch.
• Evenly spaced decreases: if you prefer to place markers mathematically, divide your cast-on stitch count by 8 to get base section size; distribute any remainder by adding 1 stitch to the first n sections where n = remainder.

Care Instructions

• Check yarn label first. General care for worsted acrylic/wool blends: hand wash cold, gentle detergent, reshape and lay flat to dry. Avoid tumble drying for wool.

Troubleshooting

• If crown looks puckered or too pointy: switch to one fewer decrease round (space decreases less aggressively) or use an alternate decrease sequence (alternate k2tog and SSK around) to soften the top.
• If hat is too small: check gauge and consider switching to US 8 (5.0 mm) or add 4–8 sts to the cast on.

Pattern support and questions: visit https://purljam.verde.uk or email team@verde.uk. Share makes and tag us: #purljam.

Happy knitting — be kind to your hands and take breaks!

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