Classic Ribbed Slouchy Beanie

Designer: PurlJam • Website: https://purljam.verde.uk • Support: team@verde.uk • Socials: #purljam

Overview

An easy-to-knit, modern slouchy beanie worked in the round with a stretchy 2x2 rib brim and a smooth stockinette body. Great for beginners who know knit and purl in the round; clear decrease rounds for a neat crown finish. Knit in worsted weight yarn; pattern includes multiple sizes from newborn to large adult.

Finished Measurements

• Newborn: circumference 13" (33 cm), height 5" (12.5 cm)
• Baby (0–6 mo): circumference 15" (38 cm), height 6" (15 cm)
• Child (6–12 y): circumference 17" (43 cm), height 7" (18 cm)
• Teen / Small Adult: circumference 19" (48 cm), height 8" (20.5 cm)
• Adult (M): circumference 21" (53 cm), height 9" (23 cm)
• Large Adult (L/XL): circumference 23" (58 cm), height 10" (25.5 cm)

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (US 4). Imperial/Metric baseline: 100 g skein ≈ 200 yd / 183 m. Estimated yardage by size:
• Newborn: 50 yd / 46 m
• Baby: 100 yd / 91 m
• Child: 125 yd / 114 m
• Teen/Small Adult: 150 yd / 137 m
• Adult: 200 yd / 183 m
• Large Adult: 225 yd / 206 m
• Needles (choose one method):
• US 8 / UK (old) 5 / 5.0 mm: 16" (40 cm) circular needle or long circular for magic-loop; set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) in same size for crown decreases.
• US 7 / UK (old) 6 / 4.5 mm: 16" (40 cm) circular or DPNs — used optionally for brim and/or final rounds for a neater crown.
• Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, optional pompom maker.

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette on US 8 (5.0 mm). Check gauge and adjust needle size to match.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on
• K: knit
• P: purl
• K2tog: knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
• SSK: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• P2tog: purl 2 together
• St(s): stitch(es)
• Rnd: round
• PM: place marker

Notes

• This beanie is worked in the round from brim to crown. Brim is 2x2 rib (K2, P2). The body is stockinette in the round (K every rnd).
• If you prefer a firmer brim, use US 7 (4.5 mm) for the brim and switch to US 8 (5.0 mm) for the body. Switching to a smaller needle for the final decreases gives a tidy crown.
• Count your stitches after joining to ensure there is no twist.

Sizing & Cast-On

Choose size and CO as follows (pattern is multiple of 4 for 2x2 rib):

• Newborn — CO 56 sts (16" circumference relaxed)
• Baby — CO 64 sts (17–18" circumference)
• Child — CO 72 sts
• Teen / Small Adult — CO 80 sts
• Adult (M) — CO 88 sts
• Large Adult — CO 96 sts

Note: These cast-on counts assume typical worsted gauge. If your gauge differs, adjust CO to achieve finished circumference about 1–2" (2.5–5 cm) smaller than the wearer’s head circumference for a snug fit.

Pattern

1) Brim (2x2 Rib)

1. Using US 7 (4.5 mm) or your chosen brim needle, CO required stitches using long-tail cast-on. Place marker and join carefully, ensuring stitches are not twisted.
2. Work in 2x2 rib: Rnd 1: *K2, P2* repeat to end. Continue for 1.5–2.5 inches (3.8–6.5 cm) depending on desired brim width; newborn and baby ~1.5", adult ~2.5".

2) Body (Stockinette)

1. Switch to US 8 (5.0 mm) if using a larger needle for the body; if you kept the same needle, continue.
2. Work in stockinette in the round (K every rnd) until hat measures from cast-on edge approximately:
• Newborn: 4.0" (10 cm) from cast-on edge
• Baby: 5.0" (12.5 cm)
• Child: 6.0" (15 cm)
• Teen: 7.0" (18 cm)
• Adult: 8.0" (20.5 cm)
• Large: 9.0" (23 cm)
3. Stop when you have approximately 2.0–2.5" (5–6.5 cm) left to the top to begin crown decreases (measure carefully).

3) Crown Decreases

When body length remaining is 2–2.5" (5–6.5 cm), begin decreases. To keep symmetry, use the following decrease rounds; decrease rounds repeat until small number of stitches remain — then close.

General method (works for all sizes; adjust repeat counts by your CO):

1. Rnd A: *K (n-4), K2tog, K2tog, repeat from * to end — where (n) is the current stitch repeat so decreases are evenly spaced. For a simpler approach use the explicit rounds below based on cast-on counts.

Explicit decrease sequence by size (counts assume correct cast-on above):

• Newborn (CO 56):
1. Rnd 1: *K6, K2tog; repeat to end — 49 sts remain
2. Rnd 2: Knit
3. Rnd 3: *K5, K2tog; repeat — 42 sts
4. Rnd 4: Knit
5. Rnd 5: *K4, K2tog; repeat — 35 sts
6. Rnd 6: Knit
7. Rnd 7: *K3, K2tog; repeat — 28 sts
8. Rnd 8: Knit
9. Rnd 9: *K2, K2tog; repeat — 21 sts
10. Rnd 10: *K1, K2tog; repeat — 14 sts
11. Rnd 11: *K2tog; repeat — 7 sts
• Baby (CO 64): use sequence similarly: Rnd1 *K7,K2tog → 56; Rnd3 *K6,K2tog → 48; Rnd5 *K5,K2tog → 40; Rnd7 *K4,K2tog → 32; Rnd9 *K3,K2tog → 24; Rnd11 *K2,K2tog → 16; Rnd13 *K1,K2tog → 8; Rnd15 *K2tog → 4 sts remain.
• Child (CO 72): Rnd1 *K8,K2tog → 64; Rnd3 *K7,K2tog → 56; Rnd5 *K6,K2tog → 48; Rnd7 *K5,K2tog → 40; Rnd9 *K4,K2tog → 32; Rnd11 *K3,K2tog → 24; Rnd13 *K2,K2tog → 16; Rnd15 *K1,K2tog → 8; Rnd17 *K2tog → 4 sts.
• Teen (CO 80): Rnd1 *K9,K2tog → 72; Rnd3 *K8,K2tog → 64; Rnd5 *K7,K2tog → 56; Rnd7 *K6,K2tog → 48; Rnd9 *K5,K2tog → 40; Rnd11 *K4,K2tog → 32; Rnd13 *K3,K2tog → 24; Rnd15 *K2,K2tog → 16; Rnd17 *K1,K2tog → 8; Rnd19 *K2tog → 4 sts.
• Adult (CO 88): Rnd1 *K9,K2tog → 80; Rnd3 *K8,K2tog → 72; Rnd5 *K7,K2tog → 64; Rnd7 *K6,K2tog → 56; Rnd9 *K5,K2tog → 48; Rnd11 *K4,K2tog → 40; Rnd13 *K3,K2tog → 32; Rnd15 *K2,K2tog → 24; Rnd17 *K1,K2tog → 16; Rnd19 *K2tog → 8; Rnd21 *K2tog → 4 sts.
• Large Adult (CO 96): Rnd1 *K10,K2tog → 88; Rnd3 *K9,K2tog → 80; Rnd5 *K8,K2tog → 72; Rnd7 *K7,K2tog → 64; Rnd9 *K6,K2tog → 56; Rnd11 *K5,K2tog → 48; Rnd13 *K4,K2tog → 40; Rnd15 *K3,K2tog → 32; Rnd17 *K2,K2tog → 24; Rnd19 *K1,K2tog → 16; Rnd21 *K2tog → 8; Rnd23 *K2tog → 4 sts.

When you have 4–8 sts left (pattern above aims for 4 sts for a tight finish): cut yarn leaving a 6–8" tail. Thread tail through tapestry needle and pull through remaining stitches, pull tight to close. Weave in ends securely on wrong side.

Optional Variations

• Make brim longer for a folded cuff: simply knit rib longer before switching to body.
• Change rib to 1x1 (K1,P1) for a narrower rib texture. Adjust CO to a multiple of 2.
• Add a contrast brim by working first 1.5–2" in a different color.

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends using tapestry needle.
2. Block lightly if desired: steam or wet block to even stitches—reshape and let dry flat. Avoid heavy blocking if using superwash or acrylic; simply flatten and let dry.
3. Add pompom or button if desired.

Care

Care depends on yarn fiber. For wool: hand wash cold, lay flat to dry. For acrylic: machine wash on gentle and dry flat. Always follow yarn label instructions.

Tips & Troubleshooting

• If crown looks too loose, decrease one round earlier or switch to smaller needles for last 2–3 inches of body.
• To avoid a gap at the crown, make sure decreases are evenly distributed; use stitch markers to mark repeat edges if helpful.
• If you want more slouch, add 1–2" to body length before decreasing.

Enjoy knitting your beanie! Tag us: #purljam and visit https://purljam.verde.uk for more patterns. Support: team@verde.uk

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