Classic Ribbed Worsted Beanie (Knit)

Designer note: A clean, modern ribbed beanie worked in the round. Lightweight, warm and endlessly tweakable—great for beginners who want a polished finish. Instructions include multiple sizes, needle conversions and yarn yardage in Imperial and Metric. Website: purljam.verde.uk • Support: team@verde.uk • Socials: #purljam

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight / Aran (medium/10 ply). Example skein size: 100 g = 200 yds (183 m). Use a smooth, plied yarn for clear rib definition.
• Needles: Circular needles and/or double-pointed needles (DPNs). Sizes used in pattern below are given in US, UK (old), and Metric (mm):
• Brim (slightly firmer): US 6 – UK 8 – 4.0 mm – circular 16"/40 cm or DPNs
• Body (softer fabric): US 8 – UK 6 – 5.0 mm – circular 16"/40 cm (small sizes) OR 24"/60 cm (teen/adult) or use Magic Loop; DPNs optional
• Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, optional pompom maker

Gauge

18 sts and 24 rows = 4” (10 cm) in stockinette on larger needles (US 8 / 5.0 mm). Always swatch in the round for accurate circumference.

Sizes & Finished Circumference

• Newborn: 13" (33 cm) – Cast on 60 sts
• Baby: 15" (38 cm) – Cast on 68 sts
• Child: 17" (43 cm) – Cast on 76 sts
• Teen / Small Adult: 19" (48 cm) – Cast on 84 sts
• Adult Medium: 21" (53 cm) – Cast on 96 sts
• Adult Large: 23" (58 cm) – Cast on 104 sts

Notes: Cast-on stitch counts are multiples of 4 to work a K2, P2 rib. If you need more/less ease, adjust cast-on by ±4 sts per 1/2" change, or change needle size.

Yardage (approximate)

• Newborn: 50 yds (46 m)
• Baby: 75 yds (69 m)
• Child: 100 yds (91 m)
• Teen/S: 125 yds (114 m)
• Adult M: 150 yds (137 m)
• Adult L: 175–200 yds (160–183 m)

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• K = knit
• P = purl
• CO = cast on
• St(s) = stitch(es)
• Rnd = round

Pattern Notes

Work in the round, place a marker at the beginning of the round. If using a circular needle, use a 16”/40 cm for smaller sizes; switch to 24”/60 cm or use Magic Loop for larger sizes. For a firmer brim, work the rib on a smaller needle one or two sizes down (pattern uses US 6 for brim, US 8 for body).

Pattern

1. Using smaller needles (US 6 / 4.0 mm), CO the number of stitches for your size. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.

2. Brim: Work K2, P2 rib for desired length:
- Newborn: 1.25” (3 cm)
- Baby: 1.5” (4 cm)
- Child: 1.75” (4.5 cm)
- Teen/S: 2.0” (5 cm)
- Adult M/L: 2.5” (6.5 cm)

3. Change to larger needles (US 8 / 5.0 mm). Knit every round (stockinette in the round) until hat measures from cast-on edge to crown decrease start:

• Newborn: 4.5” (11.5 cm)
• Baby: 5.0” (12.5 cm)
• Child: 6.0” (15 cm)
• Teen/S: 6.5” (16.5 cm)
• Adult M: 7.0” (18 cm)
• Adult L: 8.0” (20.5 cm)

Crown Decreases (all sizes): We use progressive spaced decreases. The stitch counts are multiples of 4 which works well with K2,P2 ribs and even decreases. You will alternate a decrease round with a plain knit round to ease shaping and keep the fabric balanced.

Decrease sequence (repeat these two-row sequences until about 8–12 sts remain):

1. Decrease round (example for a spacing scheme): *K8, K2tog* repeat to end of round. (If your cast-on is smaller, you may begin with *K6, K2tog* or *K7, K2tog*; the number before K2tog is reduced by 1 in subsequent decrease sets as shown below.)
2. Next round: Knit
3. Next decrease round: *K7, K2tog* repeat
4. Next round: Knit
5. Next decrease round: *K6, K2tog* repeat
6. Next round: Knit
7. Continue decreasing in this pattern (— reduce the number of knits between decreases by 1 each decrease round, with a plain knit round between) until approximately 8–12 sts remain across all needles/DPNs.

Tip: If your initial cast-on is high (96–104 sts), your first decrease may be *K8, K2tog*; for 60 sts start at *K5, K2tog* or use an even spacing calculator: divide current stitch count by number of decreases desired to set spacing.

Finishing:

1. When 8–12 sts remain, break yarn leaving a 6”/15 cm tail.
2. Thread tail on tapestry needle, draw tail through remaining stitches, pull tight to close the crown, weave in ends securely on wrong side.
3. Weave in all loose ends. Block gently if desired to even stitches.
4. Optional: Attach a pompom to top using yarn tail or sew on a faux-fur pompom per manufacturer instructions.

Customization & Fit Tips

• To make slouchier: add 1–2 inches to the body length before starting decreases.
• To make brim folded: knit brim twice as long as desired and fold up; weave the cast-on tail or mattress stitch the folded edge to secure.
• To add a brim turn: after ribbing, fold up and sew a few mattress-stitch anchors around inside to keep it folded.

Troubleshooting

• Hat too small/large: adjust needle size up or down one size; check gauge and remeasure circumference calculation (stitches = gauge_sts_per_inch * desired_circumference_in_inches, round to nearest multiple of 4).
• Gaps at crown: switch to a tighter decrease interval (decrease more gradually) or use a smaller needle for final few rounds before decreases.

Care

Care depends on yarn fiber. For common superwash wool or acrylic worsted: machine wash gentle and tumble low or block flat. For non-superwash wool: handwash and dry flat.

Notes on Conversions (needles)

This pattern uses two working sizes; conversions for those sizes are: US 6 = UK 8 = 4.0 mm. US 8 = UK 6 = 5.0 mm. Use these equivalents if following UK needle sizing charts labeled "old" sizes.

License & Contact

You may sell finished items made from this pattern but please credit the pattern source. For questions, errata or support contact team@verde.uk. More patterns and resources at purljam.verde.uk. Share your makes with the tag #purljam.

Enjoy knitting! — Purl Jam

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