Classic Ribbed Beanie

Difficulty: Easy — great first in-the-round hat. Style: 2x2 rib brim, stockinette body, shaped crown. Works for worsted/aran weight yarn. Measurements are given in both imperial and metric.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight / Aran (UK) / Category 4 (US). Example: 100% wool or wool-blend, medium twist. Suggested yardage per size (Imperial / Metric):
  • Newborn: 50 yd (46 m) — ~25 g (0.88 oz)
  • Baby (3–12mo): 75 yd (69 m) — ~35 g (1.23 oz)
  • Child: 100 yd (91 m) — ~50 g (1.76 oz)
  • Teen / Small Adult: 120 yd (110 m) — ~60 g (2.12 oz)
  • Adult M: 150 yd (137 m) — ~85 g (3.00 oz)
  • Adult L: 175 yd (160 m) — ~100 g (3.53 oz)
• Needles (knitting in the round): recommended sizes — Primary: US 8 / UK 6 (Old) / 5.0 mm circular, 16" (40 cm) length for small–adult; for larger heads use 24" (60 cm) circular. Optional slouchy option: US 9 / UK 5 (Old) / 5.5 mm. DPNs: set of double-pointed needles in same sizes for small circumferences and crown finishing. (All three formats listed: US, UK Old, Metric.)
• Notions: stitch marker (contrast), tapestry needle, scissors, stitch holder or waste yarn, optional pompom maker, optional fleece hat lining.

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette worked in the round on US 8 / 5.0 mm needles. Always knit a swatch and adjust needle size to match gauge.

Sizing & Cast-On

Head circumference targets (unstretched) and recommended cast-on (rib multiple = 8).

• Newborn: 14" / 36 cm — Cast on 64 sts
• Baby: 16" / 41 cm — Cast on 72 sts
• Child: 18" / 46 cm — Cast on 80 sts
• Teen / Small Adult: 20" / 51 cm — Cast on 88 sts
• Adult M: 22" / 56 cm — Cast on 96 sts
• Adult L: 24" / 61 cm — Cast on 112 sts

These cast-on counts are multiples of 8 to make crown decreases predictable. If you need a custom circumference, multiply desired circumference (in inches) by your stitches-per-inch (gauge sts per 4" divided by 4) and round to the nearest multiple of 8.

Length Guide (from cast-on edge to crown start)

Approximate finished hat height (measure from cast-on edge to top): Newborn 5.5" / 14 cm; Baby 6.5" / 16.5 cm; Child 7.5" / 19 cm; Teen 8" / 20.5 cm; Adult M 8.5" / 21.5 cm; Adult L 9" / 23 cm. Brim (2x2 rib) recommended: adults 1.5" / 4 cm (9 rows at stated gauge), children 1.25" / 3 cm, newborn 1" / 2.5 cm. Work body until measured length from CO equals the target minus brim depth, then begin crown shaping.

Abbreviations

• CO = Cast On
• k = knit
• p = purl
• k2tog = knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd(s) = round(s)
• PM = place marker
• SM = slip marker
• dpn = double-pointed needle

Notes

This pattern is worked in the round. The brim is worked in 2x2 rib (k2, p2) so cast-on counts are multiples of 8. Use magic loop or suitable circular length for small circumferences; switch to dpns if preferred. Tension relaxes slightly with wear; if you prefer a firmer brim go down one needle size for the rib only.

Pattern

1) Cast on the number of stitches for your size using your preferred stretchy cast-on. Join carefully avoiding twist and place a marker for the beginning of the round.

2) Brim: Work in 2x2 rib (k2, p2) for the brim depth recommended above (adults 1.5" / 4 cm = about 9 rows). For a folded brim cast on double the stitches for desired finished depth and work a longer rib as desired.

3) Body: After brim, switch to stockinette in the round: knit every round until the hat measures the body length measurement (total height minus brim) from the cast-on edge — see the Length Guide. Example row counts (approx) using gauge 6 rows per inch: if adult body length is 8.5" total and brim is 1.5" then knit ~42 rounds of stockinette before crown shaping.

Crown Shaping (fast, even decreases for multiple-of-8 cast-on)

We use repeated decrease rounds with an interval that reduces by one stitch between decreases on successive decrease rounds. General sequence (works when cast-on is multiple of 8):

1. Begin decreases when measured length is reached.
2. Decrease Round 1: *k6, k2tog* repeat to end of round. (This reduces 1 stitch per 8-stitch group.)
3. Next Round: knit all sts.
4. Decrease Round 2: *k5, k2tog* repeat to end of round.
5. Next Round: knit all sts.
6. Continue in this manner decreasing the number of knit stitches between k2tog by one each decrease round: *k4,k2tog*; knit round; *k3,k2tog*; knit round; *k2,k2tog*; knit round; *k1,k2tog*; knit round; finally do a round of only k2tog across the round to finish.

When you can no longer work comfortably on your circular or when the remaining stitches are small (typically < 32 sts) transfer stitches to DPNs. Continue the decrease sequence on DPNs. When about 8–12 stitches remain, cut yarn leaving a 6–8" tail, thread tail through tapestry needle, draw yarn through remaining stitches, pull tight to close top; secure and weave in ends.

Worked example — Adult M (96 sts cast-on)

• After brim and body, start crown: Decrease rounds will be repeated with 12 repeats (96/8 = 12).
• Decrease rounds sequence: *k6,k2tog* x12 -> 84 sts; knit 1 rnd; *k5,k2tog* x12 -> 72 sts; knit 1 rnd; *k4,k2tog* x12 -> 60 sts; knit 1 rnd; *k3,k2tog* x12 -> 48 sts; knit 1 rnd; *k2,k2tog* x12 -> 36 sts; knit 1 rnd; *k1,k2tog* x12 -> 24 sts; knit 1 rnd; *k2tog* x12 -> 12 sts; break yarn and draw through remaining 12 sts to close.

Finishing

• Weave in tail ends with a tapestry needle on wrong side. Tidy rib joins if needed.
• Block lightly if using superwash or non-superwash wool: wet block to shape, pat into shape and let dry flat. Avoid full steam blocking on highly acrylic yarns.
• Optional pompom: make pompom to desired size using same or contrasting yarn (adult: 2"–3" / 5–8 cm pompom typical). Attach securely and reinforce with a few embroidery stitches inside the hat.
• Optional lining: cut fleece circle to size and hand-sew inside brim for warmth and draft reduction.

Variations & Tips

• Slouch: use US 9 / 5.5 mm needles, cast on the same number of sts or add one repeat of 8 sts to increase slouch.
• Tighter brim: use one needle size smaller just for the ribbed brim, then switch to the larger size for the body.
• Textured body: replace stockinette rounds with seed stitch or a simple cable panel—ensure stitch multiple compatibility with your cast-on count.
• Colourwork: for stranded patterns, allow more yarn and mind tension; for stripes, change color after completing a full round for a clean join.

Troubleshooting

• Hat too loose: go down one needle size and re-check gauge.
• Hat too tight: go up one needle size.
• Brim too small: choose a longer brim or use a firmer cast-on.

Copyright & Contact

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