Classic Knitted Beanie

A clean, cozy, highly customizable knitted beanie that works for fitted or slouchy styles. Written for worsted-weight yarn with clear needle and yardage information (imperial and metric), three finished sizes, step-by-step shaping, and finishing tips. Suitable for confident beginners and anyone who wants a reliable classic hat.

Finished Measurements

• Small: circumference 18 in (46 cm), depth 7.5 in (19 cm) — kids/teen or small adult
• Medium: circumference 20 in (51 cm), depth 8.5 in (22 cm) — average adult
• Large: circumference 22 in (56 cm), depth 9.5 in (24 cm) — generous/slouchy adult

Yarn

Worsted weight (US 4). Imperial and metric yardage per size:

• Small: approx 150 yards (137 m)
• Medium: approx 175 yards (160 m)
• Large: approx 200 yards (183 m)

Skein weight guide: typical 100 g skein ≈ 200 yds (183 m). If using a different brand check the yardage on the label. Optional bulky version: Bulky weight (US 10.5) — adjust needles and gauge (see Modifications).

Needles (all included as US, UK (old), Metric)

• Brim (rib): US 6 / UK 8 / 4.0 mm circular 16 in (40 cm) or set of DPNs
• Body: US 7 / UK 7 / 4.5 mm circular 16 in (40 cm) and set of DPNs or use magic-loop
• Optional bulky version: US 10.5 / UK 3 / 6.5 mm

Notions

• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle
• Waste yarn or scrap for provisional cast-on (optional)
• Pom-pom maker (optional)

Gauge

Stockinette: 18 sts x 24 rows = 4 in (10 cm) on US 7 / 4.5 mm. Always swatch in the stitch pattern and adjust needle size if necessary.

Abbreviations

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

Cast-On & Setup

Use a stretchy cast-on (long-tail, German twisted, or figure-8) to make the brim comfortable. Join carefully to avoid twisting and place a marker for the beginning of round.

Stitch Counts (CO numbers chosen to work with 8 equal decrease sections)

• Small: CO 80 sts
• Medium: CO 88 sts
• Large: CO 96 sts

Pattern: Fitted/Classic Beanie

1. Using US 6 / 4.0 mm, CO required number of sts. Join for working in the round, PM.
2. Knit 2, purl 2 rib (k2, p2) for 1.5 in (4 cm) to 2 in (5 cm) for a brim you won’t fold. For a folded brim, work 3 in (7.5 cm) to 3.5 in (9 cm) and then fold up.
3. Switch to US 7 / 4.5 mm. Work in stockinette (knit every rnd) until piece measures from CO to crown start: Small 6 in (15 cm), Medium 7 in (18 cm), Large 8 in (20 cm). Adjust if you want slouch: add 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm).
4. Begin crown decreases. This pattern uses 8 decrease sections for even shaping. For clarity define S = stitches per section = total sts ÷ 8. You will perform a decrease round where each section ends with a k2tog; place the first decrease evenly at the start of the round (marker helps).

Crown Decreases (all sizes)

Each pair of rows below is: one decrease round, then one plain knit round (this creates a gentle tapered crown). Continue this sequence until 8 sts remain; then finish as described.

Initial stitches per section and first decrease round:

• Small (80 sts): S=10 — Round A: *k9, k2tog* repeat 8 times (80 → 72)
• Medium (88 sts): S=11 — Round A: *k10, k2tog* repeat 8 times (88 → 80)
• Large (96 sts): S=12 — Round A: *k11, k2tog* repeat 8 times (96 → 88)

After Round A, work Round B: knit all sts. Next decrease round reduce the number of plain ks before k2tog by 1 in each section (so Round 3 for Small becomes *k8, k2tog*; for Medium *k9, k2tog*; Large *k10, k2tog*). Continue alternating: Decrease round, Knit round, Decrease round, Knit round, until 8 sts remain.

Example sequence for Medium (88 sts):

1. Round 1 (dec): *k10, k2tog* × 8 → 80 sts
2. Round 2: knit
3. Round 3 (dec): *k9, k2tog* × 8 → 72 sts
4. Round 4: knit
5. Round 5 (dec): *k8, k2tog* × 8 → 64 sts
6. Round 6: knit
7. Round 7 (dec): *k7, k2tog* × 8 → 56 sts
8. Round 8: knit
9. Round 9 (dec): *k6, k2tog* × 8 → 48 sts
10. Round 10: knit
11. Round 11 (dec): *k5, k2tog* × 8 → 40 sts
12. Round 12: knit
13. Round 13 (dec): *k4, k2tog* × 8 → 32 sts
14. Round 14: knit
15. Round 15 (dec): *k3, k2tog* × 8 → 24 sts
16. Round 16: knit
17. Round 17 (dec): *k2, k2tog* × 8 → 16 sts
18. Round 18: knit
19. Round 19 (dec): *k1, k2tog* × 8 → 8 sts

When you reach 8 sts, break yarn leaving a 10 in (25 cm) tail. Thread tail through remaining stitches with tapestry needle, pull tight to close the crown, secure with a couple of small stitches on the inside, and weave in ends.

Finishing

• Weave in all ends neatly on the wrong side.
• If you did a folded brim: press gently from the inside or tack the fold with a few stitches so it sits evenly.
• Block lightly: soak hat in lukewarm water with a tiny amount of wool wash, squeeze out excess (do not wring), shape on a towel or a hat block to the finished measurements and let dry flat. Bulky yarn may need less blocking.
• Add a pom-pom if desired: use yarn tail to attach from inside and tie securely; weave and hide the tails.

Variations & Tips

• Smaller/Children sizes: reduce CO in multiples of 4; follow same 8-section decrease logic to keep shaping even.
• Slouchy beanie: add 1.5–3 in (4–7.5 cm) before starting decreases.
• Textured brim: try 1x1 rib (k1, p1) or seed stitch for a different look; ensure CO is compatible with the stitch multiple.
• Cables or stitch patterns: establish pattern repeat across the CO count and ensure decreases are placed where they won't disrupt the motif; you can place decreases in plain-stockinette columns between cables.
• Bulky option: use bulkier yarn and US 10.5 / 6.5 mm needles. Cast on fewer stitches to match gauge (aim for 12 sts = 4 in for bulky); then recalculate CO so total stitches divide by 8 for the decrease sections.

Troubleshooting

• Hat too tight/loose: adjust needle size up/down one size and reknit swatch.
• Crown decreases feel lumpy: pace decreases evenly; a plain knit round between decreases smooths shaping.
• Twisted join: if hat is twisted when joining, undo and retake care to keep first round flat before continuing.

Notes

Numbers provided assume the gauge listed. Always swatch and measure gauge before committing to the full hat. Counts and decrease scheme are chosen for simplicity and even shaping (eight equal decrease sections produces a neat crown).

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