Classic Rib Beanie

Beat-the-chill, everyday knit beanie worked in the round with a stretchy rib and a tidy crown. Designed to be quick, customizable, and flattering for multiple head sizes. Skill: confident beginner. Finished fit: sits snugly like a classic watch cap; adjust for slouch by adding length.

Sizes (Finished Circumference - unstretched)

• Newborn: 13 in / 33 cm
• Baby: 15 in / 38 cm
• Toddler: 17 in / 43 cm
• Child: 18 in / 46 cm
• Teen/Small Adult: 20 in / 51 cm
• Adult: 22 in / 56 cm
• Large: 24 in / 61 cm

Materials

• Yarn: Worst ed weight / Aran (US 4). Example: 100g skein with approx 200 yd / 183 m. Required yardage (approx): Newborn 75 yd / 69 m (25 g / 0.9 oz), Baby 90 yd / 82 m (35 g / 1.2 oz), Toddler 100 yd / 91 m (40 g / 1.4 oz), Child 125 yd / 114 m (50 g / 1.8 oz), Teen/Small Adult 150 yd / 137 m (75 g / 2.6 oz), Adult 175 yd / 160 m (100 g / 3.5 oz), Large 200 yd / 183 m (115 g / 4.0 oz).
• Needles: Circular needles and double-pointed needles for crown, in these sizes: smaller needle for rib: US 7 (4.5 mm, UK 7); larger needle for body: US 8 (5.0 mm, UK 6). Use 16 in / 40 cm circular for small sizes and 16 or 24 in / 40 or 60 cm circular for medium/large, plus set of DPNs same size as larger circular. Alternative: use magic loop on long circular needle.
• Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, optional pompom maker.

Gauge

18 stitches x 24 rounds = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette on larger needles (US 8 / 5.0 mm). Adjust needle size if necessary to match gauge.

Abbreviations

• 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
• pm = place marker

Notes

• This hat is worked in the round from brim to crown. Rib is worked on smaller needles for snug edge; body in stockinette on larger needles for drape.
• Pattern gives stitch counts and rounds for each size in brackets separated by commas; pick the set matching your chosen finished circumference.

Pattern

1) Cast on and join: Using smaller needles (US 7 / 4.5 mm), CO the number of sts for your size using stretchy cast-on:
Newborn 64, Baby 72, Toddler 80, Child 88, Teen/Small Adult 96, Adult 104, Large 112. Join to work in the round being careful not to twist; pm to mark start.

2) Brim (Rib): Work K2, P2 rib (k2, p2) around for 1.5 in / 4 cm for newborn-baby; 1.75 in / 4.5 cm for toddler-child; 2 in / 5 cm for teen-adult; 2.25 in / 6 cm for large (or your preferred brim depth). End on rib pattern repeat.

3) Change to larger needles (US 8 / 5.0 mm). Continue in stockinette (knit every rnd) until measured from cast-on edge to crown start as follows:
Newborn: 4.25 in / 11 cm total length; Baby: 4.75 in / 12 cm; Toddler: 5 in / 13 cm; Child: 5.25 in / 13.5 cm; Teen/Small Adult: 6.25 in / 16 cm; Adult: 6.75 in / 17 cm; Large: 7.25 in / 18.5 cm.

4) Crown decreases: Switch to DPNs at the same needle size if needed and begin decrease rounds. The crown is worked the same way for all sizes but with different numbers to maintain even decreases. You will work the following decrease sequence, repeating the pattern across the round and working the same number of rounds in each step until small numbers of stitches remain. Use markers to divide the round visually into equal sections (4 or 8 sections depending on size).

Decrease scheme (apply to your current stitch count):

• Round A: *Knit to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, slip marker; repeat from * around.
• Round B: Knit all sts around.
• Round C: *Knit to 1 st before marker, ssk, slip marker; repeat from * around.
• Round D: Knit all sts around.
• Repeat A-D until you have approximately 16-20 sts remaining (depending on yarn bulk). Then work final decrease rounds to close crown:

Final decreases (example finishing technique):

1. Decrease round: *k2tog; repeat across round.
2. Next round: knit.
3. Repeat decrease round and knit round until 8-12 sts remain.
4. Cut yarn leaving a 10 in / 25 cm tail, thread through remaining sts with tapestry needle, pull tight to close top, weave in securely.

Exact stitch-by-size quick reference

Initial CO counts: Newborn 64, Baby 72, Toddler 80, Child 88, Teen/Small Adult 96, Adult 104, Large 112. Work decreases keeping the symmetry so sections decrease evenly. Aim to stop decreases with 8-12 sts remaining for a neat top; smaller counts will create a tighter point.

Optional Pompom

Make a pompom using leftover yarn or a contrasting color. Attach securely by threading yarn tail through the center and tying tightly on inside, then weave tails into the lining of the hat. For scale: Newborn/Baby use ~1.25 in / 3 cm pompom; Child use ~2 in / 5 cm; Adult use ~3 in / 7.5 cm.

Finishing

• Weave in ends with tapestry needle on wrong side.
• Block lightly with steam or by shaping while damp: do not over-stretch; set to finished circumference and let dry flat.
• For extra warmth, add a hand-sewn fleece lining.

Fit Adjustments

• To make slouchier: add 1-2 inches / 2.5-5 cm to the body length before beginning the crown decreases.
• To make more fitted: reduce body length by 0.5-1 in / 1-2.5 cm.
• To change rib width: work k1, p1 for a thinner rib or k3, p3 for a chunkier rib — adjust CO in multiples of the rib repeat.

Troubleshooting & Tips

• If brim is too tight/too loose, change smaller needle size up or down one US size and re-check gauge.
• Use stitch markers every 8 or 12 stitches to keep decreases even across the round.
• When switching from circular to DPNs, distribute stitches evenly and keep tension consistent to avoid laddering at joins.

Notes on Needle Sizing (US, UK Old, Metric)

• Smaller needle for rib: US 7 / 4.5 mm / UK 7
• Larger needle for body and crown: US 8 / 5.0 mm / UK 6
• Use 16 in / 40 cm circular for most sizes; 24 in / 60 cm circular if you prefer fewer joins or for larger sizes. DPNs in same Metric size as larger circular.

Yarn Specifications (Imperial & Metric)

• Suggested yarn: worsted weight (US 4) with approx 200 yd / 183 m per 100 g skein.
• Usage by size (approx): Newborn 75 yd / 69 m (25 g / 0.9 oz); Baby 90 yd / 82 m (35 g / 1.2 oz); Toddler 100 yd / 91 m (40 g / 1.4 oz); Child 125 yd / 114 m (50 g / 1.8 oz); Teen/Small Adult 150 yd / 137 m (75 g / 2.6 oz); Adult 175 yd / 160 m (100 g / 3.5 oz); Large 200 yd / 183 m (115 g / 4.0 oz).

Legal & Contact

Pattern by PurlJam. For support contact team@verde.uk. More patterns and updates at https://purljam.verde.uk. Share your makes: socials #purljam.

Happy knitting — keep tension even, enjoy the rhythm, and adapt this beanie to your personal style.

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