Classic Knit Beanie (Worked in the Round)
Detailed, professional knit beanie pattern in multiple sizes. Worked in the round with a stretchy rib brim and a simple crown decrease. Suitable for confident beginners and intermediate knitters. Includes needle equivalents (US, UK Old, Metric) and yarn yardage in Imperial and Metric.
Sizes (finished circumference / height)
- Newborn: 14 in / 35.5 cm circumference — 5.5 in / 14 cm height
- Toddler: 16 in / 40.5 cm circumference — 6.5 in / 16.5 cm height
- Child: 18 in / 45.5 cm circumference — 7 in / 18 cm height
- Teen / Small Adult: 20 in / 51 cm circumference — 8 in / 20.5 cm height
- Adult Medium: 21 in / 53.5 cm circumference — 9 in / 23 cm height
- Adult Large: 23 in / 58.5 cm circumference — 9.5 in / 24 cm height
Materials
- Yarn: Worsted weight (US #4). Suggested yarn: 100% wool or wool blend, or acrylic worsted. Use a smooth, plied yarn for stitch definition.
- Yardage (approximate, adjust if you knit very loosely or tightly):
- Newborn: 75 yds / 69 m (approx. 25 g)
- Toddler: 100 yds / 91 m (approx. 35 g)
- Child: 125 yds / 114 m (approx. 45 g)
- Teen / Small Adult: 150 yds / 137 m (approx. 55 g)
- Adult Medium: 175 yds / 160 m (approx. 65 g)
- Adult Large: 200 yds / 183 m (approx. 75 g)
- Needles: Use circular needles and double-pointed needles (DPNs) for decreases. Recommended sizes (choose to match your gauge):
- US 6 / UK 8 / 4.0 mm — for firmer fabric (if you want a fitted hat)
- US 7 / UK 7 / 4.5 mm — medium tension
- US 8 / UK 6 / 5.0 mm — typical gauge for worsted beanies
- Circular needles: 16 in / 40 cm length for Newborn through Child sizes; 24 in / 60 cm length (or use magic loop) for Teen/Adult sizes.
- Double-pointed needles: same size as circulars for decreases.
- Tapestry needle, stitch marker, scissors, optional pom-pom maker.
Gauge
18 sts x 24 rounds = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette (knit in the round) on US 8 / 5.0 mm. Adjust needle size to match gauge. Gauge is important for fit.
Notions & Abbreviations
- K: knit
- P: purl
- K2tog: knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
- SSK: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- CO: cast on
- BO: bind off
- PM: place marker
- SM: slip marker
Cast-On & Setup
Choose the size you need from the chart below. Cast on using a stretchy cast-on (long-tail preferred) and join carefully to avoid twisting. Place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round.
Stitch counts (after cast-on)
- Newborn: CO 64 sts (16 rib pattern repeats of k2,p2)
- Toddler: CO 72 sts
- Child: CO 80 sts
- Teen / Small Adult: CO 88 sts
- Adult Medium: CO 96 sts
- Adult Large: CO 104 sts
Brim (Rib)
With smaller needles if you prefer a firmer brim (optional), join in the round and work:
- Rib: *K2, P2* around for 1.5 in / 4 cm (Newborn), 1.75 in / 4.5 cm (Toddler), 2 in / 5 cm (Child), 2.25 in / 5.5 cm (Teen), 2.5 in / 6.5 cm (Adult Medium), 2.75 in / 7 cm (Adult Large).
Body
Switch to larger needles if using two sizes. Work in stockinette (knit every round) until the piece measures from cast-on edge to crown decreases the following lengths (measure on the inside): Newborn 4.0 in / 10 cm minus brim height; Toddler 4.75 in / 12 cm minus brim; Child 5.0 in / 13 cm minus brim; Teen 6.0 in / 15.5 cm minus brim; Adult Medium 6.75 in / 17 cm minus brim; Adult Large 7.25 in / 18.5 cm minus brim.
Crown Decreases
When you have reached the indicated length, begin decreases. The decrease rounds are worked evenly spaced; I recommend placing decrease markers to help distribute decreases evenly. If your stitch count is different, pick a decrease pattern that keeps symmetry.
General decrease pattern (for counts divisible by 8 — adjust as needed)
- Round 1: *K6, K2tog* repeat to end.
- Round 2: Knit all sts.
- Round 3: *K5, K2tog* repeat to end.
- Round 4: Knit all sts.
- Round 5: *K4, K2tog* repeat to end.
- Round 6: Knit all sts.
- Round 7: *K3, K2tog* repeat to end.
- Round 8: Knit all sts.
- Round 9: *K2, K2tog* repeat to end.
- Round 10: Knit all sts.
- Round 11: *K1, K2tog* repeat to end.
- Round 12: Knit all sts.
- Round 13: *K2tog* repeat to end (you will have a small number of stitches left, typically 8 or fewer depending on size).
Cut yarn leaving a 6 in / 15 cm tail. Thread tail through remaining stitches with tapestry needle, draw tight, weave ends into inside securely. If you have more than 8 sts after round 13 repeat a final K2tog round until ~8 sts remain before threading tail.
Finishing
- Weave in all ends on the inside.
- Block gently if desired to even stitches; steam blocking works well for wool blends. For acrylic, use gentle pressing instructions per yarn label.
- Optional: attach a pom-pom. Use a pom-pom maker or wrap yarn; attach securely through crown with a few stitches and hide ends inside.
Notes, Fit & Customization
- This pattern has little negative ease — choose a size equal to head measurement or 0.5-1 in / 1-2.5 cm smaller for a snug fit.
- To make slouchier, add 1–2 in / 2.5–5 cm to the body length before starting decreases.
- To add texture: work a seed stitch, moss stitch or simple cables instead of stockinette; adjust gauge and yardage accordingly.
Troubleshooting
- If your brim is too tight: go up one needle size for brim or use a less tight cast-on.
- If crown pulls or is puckered: try spacing decreases more gradually (add extra knit-only rounds between decrease rounds).
Abbreviated Summary (quick cheat-sheet)
CO required sts for chosen size, join in the round. Work 1.5–2.75 in rib (k2,p2). Knit in the round until total length equals measurements above minus brim. Work crown decreases as written, close top with tapestry needle, weave ends, optionally add pom-pom.
Pattern by PurlJam. Website: https://purljam.verde.uk. Support: team@verde.uk. Socials: #purljam