Classic Ribbed Knitted Beanie

A versatile, unisex knit beanie worked in the round with a stretchy 2x2 brim and a smooth stockinette body. Suitable for beginners who know knitting in the round and basic decreases. Includes multiple sizes from newborn to adult large, suggestions for circular or magic-loop knitting and an optional pompom finish.

Finished measurements

• Newborn: circumference 14 in (36 cm); height 5.5 in (14 cm)
• Baby (0-6 mo): circumference 16 in (41 cm); height 6.5 in (16.5 cm)
• Child: circumference 18 in (46 cm); height 7.5 in (19 cm)
• Adult S/Teen: circumference 20 in (51 cm); height 8.25 in (21 cm)
• Adult M: circumference 22 in (56 cm); height 9 in (23 cm)
• Adult L: circumference 24 in (61 cm); height 9.5 in (24 cm)

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight / Medium (US 4). Approximate yardage by size: Newborn 75 yd (68 m); Baby 100 yd (91 m); Child 125 yd (114 m); Adult S 150 yd (137 m); Adult M 175 yd (160 m); Adult L 200 yd (183 m). Typical skein example: 200 yd (183 m) / 100 g worsted weight.
• Needles: Use circular needles and/or DPNs or magic loop. Brim and main body recommended needles: smaller for brim and larger for body if you prefer a firmer brim.
  • Smaller (brim): US 6 / UK (old) 4 / 4.0 mm circular 16 in (or DPNs)
  • Larger (body): US 8 / UK (old) 6 / 5.0 mm circular 16 in recommended for small sizes, 24 in for adult sizes, or use magic loop; DPNs for crown decreases
• Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, optional pompom maker.

Gauge

18 sts and 24 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette on US 8 (5.0 mm). Always knit a gauge swatch in the round if you want exact sizing.

Abbreviations

• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
• SSK = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• CO = cast on
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd = round
• DPN = double-pointed needles

Notes

• This pattern uses 2x2 rib (K2, P2) for the brim. Cast-on counts are multiples of 4 to preserve the pattern.
• When switching from circular to DPNs for crown shaping, distribute stitches evenly across 3 or 4 needles.
• If your hat is very stretchy and you prefer a firmer fit, drop down one needle size for both brim and body or work the brim a bit longer.

Sizes and Cast-on (use long-tail CO or preferred cast-on)

• Newborn: CO 64 sts (multiple of 4)
• Baby: CO 72 sts
• Child: CO 80 sts
• Adult S/Teen: CO 88 sts
• Adult M: CO 100 sts
• Adult L: CO 108 sts

Pattern

1. Setup

1. With smaller needles (US 6 / 4.0 mm), CO required number of stitches and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round.

2. Brim

2. Work 2x2 rib: rnds 1-12 (or 1.5 to 2.5 in / 4–6 cm depending on desired brim height): *K2, P2* around.

3. Body

3. Switch to larger needles (US 8 / 5.0 mm). Work stockinette in the round (knit every rnd) until the hat measures from cast-on edge: Newborn 5.5 in (14 cm) total height; Baby 6.5 in (16.5 cm); Child 7.5 in (19 cm); Adult S 8.25 in (21 cm); Adult M 9 in (23 cm); Adult L 9.5 in (24 cm). Measure to the desired crown start point—the top of head to cast-on is the total height.

4. Crown decreases (general decrease scheme)

The following decrease rounds give a balanced crown. The sequence reduces the hat progressively to a small number of stitches to close. If the stitch count does not divide evenly into the given repeat, distribute the extra stitch(s) so decreases are as evenly spaced as possible (slip the first stitch of the rnd and adjust the repeat once to center decreases).

1. Round A: *K8, K2tog* repeat to end (your number of repeats will vary with size)
2. Round B: Knit around
3. Round C: *K7, K2tog* repeat to end
4. Round D: Knit around
5. Round E: *K6, K2tog* repeat
6. Round F: Knit
7. Round G: *K5, K2tog* repeat
8. Round H: Knit
9. Round I: *K4, K2tog* repeat
10. Round J: Knit
11. Round K: *K3, K2tog* repeat
12. Round L: Knit
13. Round M: *K2, K2tog* repeat
14. Round N: Knit
15. Round O: *K1, K2tog* repeat
16. Round P: *K2tog* repeat until 8 sts remain

Note: Depending on starting stitch count and how you spaced decreases, you may reach 8–12 stitches at the end of Round P. If you have more than 12 sts, continue alternating a decrease round (*K1, K2tog* or *K2, K2tog*) and a knit round until you reach 8–12 sts. If you hit fewer than 8 before you reach the final rounds, stop decreasing and knit one round, then close.

5. Finish

6. Break yarn leaving a 6–8 in (15–20 cm) tail. Thread tail through tapestry needle, draw tail through remaining live stitches and pull tight to close the crown. Secure tail on inside with a few stitches and weave in ends. Weave in any other loose ends.

Optional pompom

Attach a pompom by threading the tail through the center top of the hat and securing tightly on the inside with a knot. Weave remaining tail in and trim.

Alternate crown method (for exact even spacing)

For perfectly even decreases: before beginning decreases, divide total stitch count by the number of K2tog decreases you plan for the first decrease round to compute the spacing number (Kx, K2tog). Example: with 88 sts, if you want 8 decreases, spacing = (88-8)/8 = 10, so work *K10, K2tog* across. For subsequent rounds reduce the spacing number by 1 each decrease round (K9, K2tog; then K8, K2tog, etc.) until crown is complete.

Customization & fit tips

• Adjust length by adding or subtracting rounds in the body before starting crown shaping.
• For a slouchier fit, add 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm) to the stockinette length before decreases.
• To make a fitted brim without fold, make the brim shorter (6–8 rnds) on smaller needles only.

Care

Check yarn label for recommended care. Most worsted acrylic blends are machine washable on a gentle cycle; wool should be hand washed and dried flat to avoid felting and shrinking.

Troubleshooting

• Hat too tight: go up a needle size or add 4–8 sts to the cast-on.
• Hat too loose: go down a needle size or subtract 4–8 sts from the cast-on.
• Decreases look uneven: make sure to use SSK for left-leaning decreases if symmetry matters; alternate SSK and K2tog positions around the crown so decreases meet neatly.

Notes on needle sizes

Provided needle sizes are recommendations only. US / UK (old) / metric conversions used here are common conversions: US 6 = UK (old) 4 = 4.0 mm; US 7 = UK (old) 5 = 4.5 mm; US 8 = UK (old) 6 = 5.0 mm. Choose needles that give the gauge listed.

Designer & support

Pattern created for PurlJam. For pattern support or questions visit https://purljam.verde.uk or email team@verde.uk. Share your makes with #purljam on socials.

Created by purlJam with the help of magic AI dust. Shop Verde for patterns and yarn.

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