Classic Ribbed Beanie - Knit Pattern

Quick, fuss-free beanie with a neat 1x1 brim and a smooth stockinette crown. Worked in the round; fits newborn through adult. Includes clear sizes, needle conversions (US / UK (old) / mm), yarn imperial and metric amounts, gauge, step-by-step instructions, crown decreases, optional pompom and finishing notes.

Designer notes

Worked top-down in the round. Brim is worked on slightly smaller needles so it stays snug; body on larger needles for a soft drape. If you prefer a tighter or slouchier fit, choose needles 0.5mm smaller or larger, or adjust final length.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight / Aran. Imperial & metric amounts (approx): Newborn 40 yds (37 m); Baby 100 yds (91 m); Child 125 yds (114 m); Adult S 175 yds (160 m); Adult M 200 yds (183 m); Adult L 225 yds (206 m). One 100g / 3.5oz skein of most worsted yarns will cover adult sizes.
• Needles (circular + set of DPNs or magic-loop): Brim (smaller): US 7 / UK 7 / 4.5 mm. Body (larger): US 8 / UK 6 / 5.0 mm. If you knit tightly, go up one needle size for body. Both 16" (40 cm) circular recommended for baby/child; 16" or 24" (60 cm) for adults depending on preference; use DPNs or magic loop for decreases.
• Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, pompom maker (optional).
• Website/support/socials: PurlJam pattern support https://purljam.verde.uk | support: team@verde.uk | socials: #purljam

Needle conversion chart (commonly used here)

• US 7 = UK (old) 7 = 4.5 mm
• US 8 = UK (old) 6 = 5.0 mm
• US 6 = UK (old) 8 = 4.0 mm (if you need a tighter brim alternative)

Gauge

Stockinette in the round: 18 sts = 4" / 10 cm on US 8 (5.0 mm). Approx 28 rounds = 4" / 10 cm. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain gauge.

Finished measurements

• Newborn: circumference 13–14" / 33–36 cm; height 5–5.5" / 13–14 cm
• Baby: circumference 15–16" / 38–41 cm; height 6–6.5" / 15–16.5 cm
• Child: circumference 17–18" / 43–46 cm; height 7–7.5" / 18–19 cm
• Adult S: circumference 19–20" / 48–51 cm; height 8–8.5" / 20–22 cm
• Adult M: circumference 21–22" / 53–56 cm; height 8.5–9" / 22–23 cm
• Adult L: circumference 23–24" / 58–61 cm; height 9–9.5" / 23–24 cm

Cast-on & stitch counts

Using gauge 18 sts = 4", cast-on numbers are rounded to a multiple of 2 (required for 1x1 rib and k2tog decreases):

• Newborn: CO 64 sts
• Baby: CO 72 sts
• Child: CO 82 sts
• Adult S: CO 90 sts
• Adult M: CO 100 sts
• Adult L: CO 108 sts

Abbreviations (US)

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
• SSK = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• St(s) = stitch(es)
• Rnd = round
• PM = place marker
• CO = cast on

Notes

1x1 rib means alternate K1, P1 every round. The body is stockinette in the round (K every round). When decreasing for the crown we use repeated decrease rounds separated by plain knit rounds to keep shaping even. If your stitch count does not divide evenly into the decrease repeat, distribute the extra stitches across the round by knitting an extra stitch at the start of the round(s) so the decreases stay balanced.

Pattern

Work in the round. For smaller needles you can use the same circular needle if using magic loop.

Brim

1. Using smaller needles (US 7 / 4.5 mm) CO the number of stitches for your chosen size. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. PM to mark beginning of round.
2. K1, P1 around for 1.5" / 3.5–4 cm (approximately 10–12 rounds depending on tension). For a cuffed brim fold up, work 2" / 5 cm.

Body

1. Switch to larger needles (US 8 / 5.0 mm). Knit every round (stockinette in the round) until hat measures from cast-on edge: Newborn 5" (12.5 cm), Baby 6" (15 cm), Child 7" (18 cm), Adult S 8" (20 cm), Adult M 8.5" (21.5 cm), Adult L 9" (23 cm). Or stop 2.5" / 6.5 cm shy of total desired height to allow for decreases (see note below).

Crown shaping (general decrease scheme)

The following decreasing rounds are shown as a repeating pair: a decrease round, then a plain knit round. Continue the pattern decreasing the number of knit stitches between decreases by one each decrease cycle until you have a small number of stitches remaining. This works cleanly for any even starting stitch count. If your round does not divide evenly into the repeat, work the extra stitches as plain knits at the beginning of the round.

Example decrease sequence (work until approximately 8–12 sts remain):

1. Rnd 1: *(K8, K2tog); repeat to end of rnd. (If your stitch count is smaller, choose a starting number that creates even repeats; for example K6, K2tog.)
2. Rnd 2: Knit round.
3. Rnd 3: *(K7, K2tog); repeat to end.
4. Rnd 4: Knit round.
5. Rnd 5: *(K6, K2tog); repeat.
6. Rnd 6: Knit round.
7. Continue in this manner, reducing the number of plain K between K2tog by 1 every decrease cycle (i.e., K5,K2tog then K4,K2tog, etc.) until you have 8–12 stitches left on the needles.
8. When 8–12 sts remain, move stitches to DPNs if needed, cut yarn leaving a 6" / 15 cm tail, thread tail through tapestry needle, draw through remaining sts, pull tight to close crown. Weave in end securely.

Notes on tailoring decreases to your cast-on

If you started with CO 90 (Adult S) and follow the example above, your first repeat (K8,K2tog) works around as (8+1)=9-stitches-per-repeat including the decrease effect; the exact number of repeats is determined by dividing total sts by (n+1). If the round does not divide evenly, distribute leftover stitches as plain knit stitches at the start of the round so the decreases remain evenly spaced around the crown.

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends with a tapestry needle.
2. Block lightly if desired: soak in lukewarm water with a small amount of wool wash, squeeze out excess water, reshape on a towel and dry flat or on a head form to set the shape.
3. Optional pompom: make a pompom sized to your beanie (baby 2" / 5 cm, child 3" / 7.5 cm, adult 3.5–4" / 9–10 cm), attach securely through several stitches and weave tail inside the hat.

Customization ideas

• Slouchy fit: add 0.5–1" / 1.5–2.5 cm to body length before starting decreases.
• Earflap version: work to desired earflap placement, then shape two earflaps separately with short-row shaping or by binding off and working flat; graft or seam to finish.
• Cabled or textured body: substitute the stockinette section with a 6–8 rnd cable or seed stitch panel; be mindful of gauge and stitch multiples.

Care

Follow yarn label. Most worsted wool blends: hand wash cold, lay flat to dry. Superwash yarns can be machine-washed on gentle cycle but still lay flat to dry for best shape retention.

Troubleshooting & tips

• If crown looks puckery, you may have decreased too quickly; try spacing decreases with more plain rounds between decrease rounds.
• For a neater crown, alternate K2tog and SSK on a final decrease round to create a star-shaped top.
• To check fit before crown shaping, try the hat on the intended wearer or measure circumference and compare to their head measurement minus 1–2" for negative ease (snug fit).

Abbreviated size quick-reference

• Newborn: CO 64, brim 1.5", body to 5", crown decreases as above.
• Baby: CO 72, brim 1.5", body to 6", crown decreases as above.
• Child: CO 82, brim 1.5", body to 7", crown decreases as above.
• Adult S: CO 90, brim 1.5", body to 8", crown decreases as above.
• Adult M: CO 100, brim 1.5", body to 8.5", crown decreases as above.
• Adult L: CO 108, brim 1.5", body to 9", crown decreases as above.

If you need help adapting the decrease rounds exactly to your stitch count, email pattern support at team@verde.uk with your cast-on number and needle sizes and we’ll walk you through spacing the decreases evenly.

Happy knitting! Share finished makes with #purljam.

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