Classic PurlJam Beanie

A clean, slouchy-to-fitted knitted beanie worked in the round with a stretchy brim and a smooth stockinette body. Written for multiple sizes with clear gauge and finishing notes so you can adapt it easily.

Finished measurements

• Newborn: head circ 13.5 in / 34 cm, finished circ 12 in / 30.5 cm (unstretched)
• Baby (3–6 mo): head circ 16 in / 41 cm, finished circ 14 in / 36 cm
• Child (2–6 yr): head circ 18 in / 46 cm, finished circ 16 in / 41 cm
• Teen / Small Adult: head circ 20 in / 51 cm, finished circ 18 in / 46 cm
• Adult Medium: head circ 22 in / 56 cm, finished circ 20 in / 51 cm
• Adult Large: head circ 24 in / 61 cm, finished circ 22 in / 56 cm

Yarn

Worsted/Aran weight yarn (US category 4). Fiber: your choice (wool, wool blend, acrylic). Sample uses: 100% superwash wool, worsted weight.

• Newborn: 50 yd / 46 m (approx. 25 g / 0.9 oz)
• Baby: 75 yd / 69 m (approx. 35 g / 1.2 oz)
• Child: 100 yd / 92 m (approx. 50 g / 1.8 oz)
• Teen/Small Adult: 150 yd / 137 m (approx. 75 g / 2.6 oz)
• Adult Medium: 180–200 yd / 165–183 m (approx. 100 g / 3.5 oz)
• Adult Large: 200–225 yd / 183–206 m (approx. 115 g / 4 oz)

Needles (give both options)

Work in the round. Use smaller needles for the brim and larger needles for the body if you prefer a drapier fabric.

• Brim (rib): US 7 / UK (old) 6 / 4.5 mm circular (16"/40 cm) or set of double-pointed needles (DPNs)
• Body: US 8 / UK (old) 5 / 5.0 mm circular (16"/24"/40 cm) or DPNs
• If you prefer slightly firmer fabric use US 7 for body; for more slouch use US 9 / UK (old) 4 / 5.5 mm

Notions

• Stitch marker (1 or more)
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Measuring tape
• Optional: pompom maker or faux-fur pompom

Gauge

18 sts x 24 rows = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on US 8 / 5.0 mm needle after blocking. Adjust needle to match gauge. Rib gauge will be slightly denser.

Abbreviations (US)

• k = knit
• p = purl
• k2tog = knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
• ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd = round
• CO = cast on

Notes

• Pattern is worked in the round; when using circulars, choose length appropriate for the number of stitches (16" shorter for small sizes, 24" for medium/large)
• You can choose 1x1 or 2x2 rib as written
• Finished circumference is 1–2 inches smaller than head circumference for a snug fit; increase or decrease stitches proportionally for a different ease

Cast on & Brim

Pick the size you need in the instructions. Use long-tail or your preferred elastic cast-on.

Cast-on counts

• Newborn: CO 64 sts (divisible by 4)
• Baby: CO 72 sts
• Child: CO 80 sts
• Teen/Small Adult: CO 88 sts
• Adult Medium: CO 96 sts
• Adult Large: CO 104 sts

Join to work in the round being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of rnd.

Ribbing: Work in K1, P1 rib or K2, P2 rib depending on cast-on multiple:

• K1, P1 rib: rnds 1–12 (approx. 2" / 5 cm) for newborn/baby; 12–14 rnds for larger sizes (2"–2.5" / 5–6 cm)
• K2, P2 rib alternative: work same number of rounds (appearance will differ)

Body

Switch to US 8 / 5.0 mm circular (if using larger for more slouch) and work stockinette (knit every rnd) until crown shaping begins. Measurements from cast-on edge to crown decrease start:

• Newborn: 4.5" / 11.5 cm
• Baby: 4.75" / 12 cm
• Child: 5.5" / 14 cm
• Teen/Small Adult: 6.0" / 15 cm
• Adult Medium: 6.5" / 16.5 cm
• Adult Large: 7.0" / 18 cm

Crown Decrease (worked when body length reached)

Switch to DPNs when stitches are too few for the circular needle. Work decrease rounds as follows for each size. You will distribute decreases evenly by placing markers every X stitches (see counts below).

Newborn (64 sts)

1. Rnd 1: *k6, k2tog* repeat to end (8 decreases) — 56 sts
2. Rnd 2: knit
3. Rnd 3: *k5, k2tog* repeat — 48 sts
4. Rnd 4: knit
5. Rnd 5: *k4, k2tog* repeat — 40 sts
6. Rnd 6: knit
7. Rnd 7: *k3, k2tog* repeat — 32 sts
8. Rnd 8: knit
9. Rnd 9: *k2, k2tog* repeat — 24 sts
10. Rnd 10: knit
11. Rnd 11: *k1, k2tog* repeat — 16 sts
12. Rnd 12: *k2tog* repeat — 8 sts; break yarn leaving 8–10" tail, thread through remaining sts, pull tight and secure

Baby (72 sts)

1. Rnd 1: *k7, k2tog* — 64 sts
2. Rnd 2: knit
3. Rnd 3: *k6, k2tog* — 56 sts
4. Rnd 4: knit
5. Rnd 5: *k5, k2tog* — 48 sts
6. Rnd 6: knit
7. Rnd 7: *k4, k2tog* — 40 sts
8. Rnd 8: knit
9. Rnd 9: *k3, k2tog* — 32 sts
10. Rnd 10: knit
11. Rnd 11: *k2, k2tog* — 24 sts
12. Rnd 12: knit
13. Rnd 13: *k1, k2tog* — 16 sts
14. Rnd 14: *k2tog* — 8 sts; finish as above

Child (80 sts)

1. Rnd 1: *k8, k2tog* — 72 sts
2. Rnd 2: knit
3. Rnd 3: *k7, k2tog* — 64 sts
4. Rnd 4: knit
5. Rnd 5: *k6, k2tog* — 56 sts
6. Rnd 6: knit
7. Rnd 7: *k5, k2tog* — 48 sts
8. Rnd 8: knit
9. Rnd 9: *k4, k2tog* — 40 sts
10. Rnd 10: knit
11. Rnd 11: *k3, k2tog* — 32 sts
12. Rnd 12: knit
13. Rnd 13: *k2, k2tog* — 24 sts
14. Rnd 14: *k1, k2tog* — 16 sts
15. Rnd 15: *k2tog* — 8 sts; finish

Teen / Small Adult (88 sts)

1. Rnd 1: *k9, k2tog* — 80 sts
2. Rnd 2: knit
3. Rnd 3: *k8, k2tog* — 72 sts
4. Rnd 4: knit
5. Rnd 5: *k7, k2tog* — 64 sts
6. Rnd 6: knit
7. Rnd 7: *k6, k2tog* — 56 sts
8. Rnd 8: knit
9. Rnd 9: *k5, k2tog* — 48 sts
10. Rnd 10: knit
11. Rnd 11: *k4, k2tog* — 40 sts
12. Rnd 12: knit
13. Rnd 13: *k3, k2tog* — 32 sts
14. Rnd 14: *k2, k2tog* — 24 sts
15. Rnd 15: *k1, k2tog* — 16 sts
16. Rnd 16: *k2tog* — 8 sts; finish

Adult Medium (96 sts)

1. Rnd 1: *k10, k2tog* — 88 sts
2. Rnd 2: knit
3. Rnd 3: *k9, k2tog* — 80 sts
4. Rnd 4: knit
5. Rnd 5: *k8, k2tog* — 72 sts
6. Rnd 6: knit
7. Rnd 7: *k7, k2tog* — 64 sts
8. Rnd 8: knit
9. Rnd 9: *k6, k2tog* — 56 sts
10. Rnd 10: knit
11. Rnd 11: *k5, k2tog* — 48 sts
12. Rnd 12: knit
13. Rnd 13: *k4, k2tog* — 40 sts
14. Rnd 14: knit
15. Rnd 15: *k3, k2tog* — 32 sts
16. Rnd 16: knit
17. Rnd 17: *k2, k2tog* — 24 sts
18. Rnd 18: *k1, k2tog* — 16 sts
19. Rnd 19: *k2tog* — 8 sts; finish

Adult Large (104 sts)

1. Rnd 1: *k11, k2tog* — 96 sts
2. Rnd 2: knit
3. Rnd 3: *k10, k2tog* — 88 sts
4. Rnd 4: knit
5. Rnd 5: *k9, k2tog* — 80 sts
6. Rnd 6: knit
7. Rnd 7: *k8, k2tog* — 72 sts
8. Rnd 8: knit
9. Rnd 9: *k7, k2tog* — 64 sts
10. Rnd 10: knit
11. Rnd 11: *k6, k2tog* — 56 sts
12. Rnd 12: knit
13. Rnd 13: *k5, k2tog* — 48 sts
14. Rnd 14: knit
15. Rnd 15: *k4, k2tog* — 40 sts
16. Rnd 16: knit
17. Rnd 17: *k3, k2tog* — 32 sts
18. Rnd 18: knit
19. Rnd 19: *k2, k2tog* — 24 sts
20. Rnd 20: *k1, k2tog* — 16 sts
21. Rnd 21: *k2tog* — 8 sts; finish

Finishing

1. After final decrease round you will have 8 sts remaining. Cut yarn leaving an 8–10" / 20–25 cm tail.
2. Thread tail through tapestry needle and draw through remaining stitches. Pull tight to close crown securely.
3. Weave in end through inside of hat. Weave in cast-on tail inside brim securely.
4. Optional: attach pompom using yarn tail or a small button + yarn for extra security.
5. Block gently if desired to even stitches and set shape.

Customizing & Fit Tips

• To make it slouchier, add 1"–2" / 2.5–5 cm to the body length before starting decreases.
• To make it more fitted, reduce body length by 1" / 2.5 cm or choose a smaller needle for the body.
• To adjust for different yarns, measure your gauge swatch and calculate cast-on as multiple of 8 (pattern decrease repeat). Maintain same decrease structure.

Troubleshooting

• If brim is too tight: switch to needle one size up for brim or allow extra rows before starting body.
• If crown puckers oddly: check decrease placement and ensure even stitch distribution across markers; use SSK instead of k2tog on alternate decreases for a neater crown.

Copyright & Support

This pattern is provided by PurlJam. You may sell finished objects made from this pattern but please do not redistribute the written pattern for sale or free without permission. For more patterns and updates visit https://purljam.verde.uk. Support: team@verde.uk. Socials: #purljam.

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