Classic Stretchy Beanie - Knitting Pattern

Quick, modern, and written for a comfortable stretchy fit. Worked in the round in worsted/aran weight yarn with a 1x1 rib brim and a simple evenly-spaced crown decrease so the same instructions scale cleanly from newborn to large adult.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted/Aran weight (#4). Typical skein: 200 yards / 183 metres (per skein example). Estimated yardage by size (allow extra for bulky yarns, deep slouch, or long pompom): Newborn 25–50 yd (23–46 m); Baby 50–75 yd (46–69 m); Toddler 75–100 yd (69–91 m); Child 100–125 yd (91–114 m); Teen 125–150 yd (114–137 m); Adult S 150–175 yd (137–160 m); Adult M 175–200 yd (160–183 m); Adult L 200–225 yd (183–206 m).
• Needles (knitting in the round): Circular needles and/or double-pointed needles for small circumferences.
  • Main needle for body (stockinette): US 7 (4.5 mm, UK7). Use a 16"/40 cm circular for newborn–child sizes or a 24"/60 cm circular for teen–adult sizes; switch to DPNs (double pointed) when top becomes too small to fit on circular.
  • Optional firmer brim: US 6 (4.0 mm, UK8) if you want a tighter rib. (Use same lengths as above.)
  • Alternate size: If you prefer a looser gauge, go up to US 8 (5.0 mm, UK6).
• Notions: tapestry needle, stitch marker for beginning of round, scissors, optional pompom maker.

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette (knit every round) on US 7 / 4.5 mm. Adjust needle size if necessary to match gauge.

Sizes & Finished Circumferences (approx.)

• Newborn: Cast on 56 sts. Finished approx. 12.4" / 31.5 cm.
• Baby: Cast on 64 sts. Finished approx. 14.2" / 36 cm.
• Toddler: Cast on 72 sts. Finished approx. 16.0" / 40.5 cm.
• Child: Cast on 80 sts. Finished approx. 17.8" / 45.2 cm.
• Teen: Cast on 88 sts. Finished approx. 19.6" / 49.7 cm.
• Adult S: Cast on 96 sts. Finished approx. 21.3" / 54 cm.
• Adult M: Cast on 104 sts. Finished approx. 23.1" / 58.7 cm.
• Adult L: Cast on 112 sts. Finished approx. 24.9" / 63.2 cm.

Notes: Cast-on numbers are multiples of 8 to ease crown shaping. The hat is intended to be slightly smaller than head measurement for a snug fit because the rib and fabric are elastic.

Abbreviations

• K = knit
• P = purl
• St(s) = stitch(es)
• Rnd = round
• BO = bind off (not typically used) or finish

Sizing & Measurements Cheat-sheet

Stitches per inch (approx): 4.5 sts = 1 inch. Use the cast-on number matching the size you want from the Sizes list above.

Pattern

All sizes: Work in the round. Place marker at beg of round.

1) Brim (1x1 rib)

Using smaller needles (optional) or main needles if you prefer:
Cast on required number of stitches for your size and join carefully to work in the round, avoiding twisting. Place marker.

Rib 1x1 (K1, P1) for:

• Newborn: 1" / 2.5 cm (about 4 rnds)
• Baby: 1.25" / 3 cm (about 6 rnds)
• Toddler: 1.5" / 4 cm (about 8 rnds)
• Child: 1.75" / 4.5 cm (about 9–10 rnds)
• Teen: 2" / 5 cm (about 10–11 rnds)
• Adult S: 2"–2.25" / 5–6 cm (about 11 rnds)
• Adult M: 2.25" / 6 cm (about 12 rnds)
• Adult L: 2.5" / 6.5 cm (about 13 rnds)

2) Body

Switch to main needle size if you used smaller for brim. Knit every round (stockinette) until hat measures from cast-on edge (including brim):

• Newborn: 4.5" / 11.5 cm (including brim)
• Baby: 5.25" / 13.5 cm
• Toddler: 6" / 15 cm
• Child: 6.5" / 16.5 cm
• Teen: 7.25" / 18.5 cm
• Adult S: 7.75" / 19.5 cm
• Adult M: 8.25" / 21 cm
• Adult L: 9" / 23 cm

3) Crown Shaping (evenly spaced decreases)

This crown uses an every-other-round decrease so it remains smooth. Because the cast-on counts are multiples of 8, we divide the total stitches into 8 equal sections. Let N = cast-on stitches / 8. Example: Adult S 96 sts -> N = 12.

Decrease sequence (repeat these two rounds until you have 8 stitches remaining):

1. Decrease round: *K (N-2), K2tog; repeat from * to end of rnd.
2. Even round: Knit all sts.

After each full decrease pair, each section loses 1 stitch, so N reduces by 1. Continue repeating the two-round sequence until the work has 8 stitches total (1 section of 8 stitches remains).

When you reach 8 stitches total: Cut yarn leaving a 6" / 15 cm tail. Thread tail through tapestry needle and pull through the remaining 8 stitches, draw tight to close crown. Weave in ends securely.

Optional alternate faster crown (for fewer rounds):

1. Repeat: *K (N-3), K2tog, K1; repeat. Next rnd: knit. Repeat until 8–16 stitches remain then finish as above.

Worked example: Adult M (104 sts)

1. Cast on 104 sts and join (marker at beg).
2. Rib 2.25" / 6 cm in K1, P1.
3. Knit in the round until total length from cast-on is 8.25" / 21 cm.
4. Divide: 104/8 = 13 so N = 13.
5. Decrease pair 1: (Rnd A) *K11, K2tog* around (this makes sections effectively 12). (Rnd B) Knit all.
6. Next pair: with N now 12 -> (Rnd A) *K10, K2tog*; (Rnd B) Knit. Continue pairs until 8 sts remain total. Finish by threading yarn and pulling through the final 8 sts.

Finishing

• Weave in ends using tapestry needle. Pull the crown tight and knot the tail inside the hat for safety.
• Block lightly if desired—steam or wet-block gently to relax the stitches and even the fabric.
• Add optional pompom with leftover yarn; secure with extra yarn tail threaded into crown and tied several times.

Alterations & Tips

• Fit: If you want a slouchier hat, add 1–2 inches to the body length before shaping the crown.
• Rib options: 2x2 rib (K2, P2) or twisted rib can add texture; adjust stitch multiple accordingly (this pattern is tuned for multiples of 8).
• Different gauges: If your gauge is not 18 sts/4", recalculate cast-on using 4.5 sts per inch as a guide: desired circumference (inches) x 4.5 = target cast-on sts; round to nearest multiple of 8.
• Brim variations: For a fold-up brim, double the brim length and fold once finished. For a non-folded fitted brim, follow the lengths above.

Needle Size References (for clarity)

• US 6 = 4.0 mm = UK8
• US 7 = 4.5 mm = UK7
• US 8 = 5.0 mm = UK6

Yarn Reference

Worsted/Aran weight yarn, labeled #4. Example: 200 yd / 183 m skein. See yardage per size above.

Support & License

If you need help with sizing or substitutions, visit https://purljam.verde.uk or email team@verde.uk. Share finished projects with #purljam.

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