Classic Worsted Beanie

Easy, modern, and super wearable: a classic unisex beanie in worsted weight yarn. Worked in the round with a 2x2 rib brim and a smooth stockinette body, with a simple wedge-style crown decrease. Suitable for beginner-friendly knitters who are comfortable working in the round. Includes alternative needle sizes and clear cast-on numbers for six sizes.

Sizes (finished circumference / recommended head circumference)

• Newborn: 14” / 36 cm (fits 13”/33 cm head)
• Infant: 16” / 41 cm (fits 15”/38 cm)
• Child: 18” / 46 cm (fits 17”/43 cm)
• Teen / Small Adult: 20” / 51 cm (fits 19”/48 cm)
• Adult: 22” / 56 cm (fits 21”/53 cm)
• Large Adult: 24” / 61 cm (fits 23”/58 cm)

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (US 4 / Medium / Aran). Suggested: 1 skein 100 g (3.5 oz) = 200 yd / 183 m. Yardage by size: Newborn ~75 yd (69 m), Infant ~100 yd (92 m), Child ~125 yd (114 m), Teen ~150 yd (137 m), Adult ~175 yd (160 m), Large Adult ~200 yd (183 m).
• Needles: Circular needle 16” / 40 cm for smaller sizes, 24” / 60 cm for larger sizes if using magic loop; or use DPNs. Primary suggested size: US 7 / UK (old) 6 / 4.5 mm. Optional for a slightly looser fabric: US 8 / UK (old) 5 / 5.0 mm. For a firmer brim you may go down one size: US 6 / UK (old) 7 / 4.0 mm.
• Notions: stitch marker (or 6 markers for crown), tapestry needle, scrap yarn for provisional cast-off or pom-pom, optional pom-pom maker, measuring tape, scissors.

Needle size summary

• US sizes: US 6 (4.0 mm), US 7 (4.5 mm), US 8 (5.0 mm)
• UK (old) sizes: UK 7 (4.0 mm), UK 6 (4.5 mm), UK 5 (5.0 mm)
• Metric: 4.0 mm, 4.5 mm, 5.0 mm
• Circular lengths: 16” / 40 cm recommended for newborn–child; 24” / 60 cm recommended for teen–adult when using magic loop; DPNs same metric sizes.

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4” (10 cm) in stockinette stitch using US 7 / 4.5 mm needles worked in the round. Gauge is important for fit; adjust needle size to match gauge.

Abbreviations (US knitting)

• k: knit
• p: purl
• k2tog: knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
• ssk: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• rnd: round
• CO: cast on
• PM: place marker

Cast-on and stitch counts (work in the round, multiple of 4)

• Newborn: CO 64 sts
• Infant: CO 72 sts
• Child: CO 80 sts
• Teen / Small Adult: CO 92 sts
• Adult: CO 100 sts
• Large Adult: CO 108 sts

Notes

Numbers above are rounded to the nearest multiple of 4 to make the 2x2 ribbing and crown decreases work evenly. If you need a different circumference, multiply your desired circumference (in inches) by your stitches-per-inch (gauge: 18 sts / 4” = 4.5 sts/in) and round to a multiple of 4.

Pattern

1. Cast on & join

1. Using smaller needles (if you prefer a firmer brim) or your main needles, CO the number of stitches for your chosen size. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.

2. Brim

1. Rnds 1–4: *k2, p2* around (2x2 rib) until brim measures: Newborn 1” (2.5 cm), Infant 1.25” (3 cm), Child 1.5” (4 cm), Teen 2” (5 cm), Adult 2.5” (6.5 cm), Large Adult 2.75” (7 cm) or your preferred brim depth.

3. Body

1. Switch to stockinette in the round: knit every stitch (k around) until the hat measures (from cast-on edge to crown start): Newborn 4” (10 cm) total height including brim, Infant 5” (12.5 cm), Child 6” (15 cm), Teen 7” (18 cm), Adult 8” (20.5 cm), Large Adult 9” (23 cm). Row counts: gauge is 24 rows = 4” (6 rows per inch). Calculate your own rows = desired inches x 6.

4. Crown decreases (wedge method)

We work evenly spaced decreases every other round, switching to every round when hat gets small. Place markers to divide the stitches into equal wedges; decreases occur at the start of each wedge.

1. Place additional marker after casting off if needed to mark wedges so that each wedge contains an equal number of stitches. Example: Adult 100 sts – 10 wedges – 10 sts per wedge.
2. Round A (decrease round): *k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, slip marker, ssk*; repeat between * * to end of round. (This reduces 2 sts per wedge = total decreases per round = number of wedges x 2.)
3. Round B (even round): knit all sts around.
4. Repeat Rounds A and B until you have reduced about half the stitches and the hat begins to slope toward the crown. When the wedge count becomes small (for example, when there are around 20–26 sts left), switch to decreasing every round to close the top more quickly: perform Round A every round (no even round between) until 8–12 sts remain.
5. For the final closure, cut yarn leaving a 12”/30 cm tail, thread tail onto tapestry needle and thread through remaining sts, pull tightly to close hole, secure tail inside hat and weave in end. For a neater finish, you can use a small circle of matching fabric as a lining patch inside.

Decrease example (Adult, 100 sts, 10 wedges of 10 sts)

1. Round 1 (A): *k8, k2tog, PM, ssk* repeat 10 times – 80 sts remain.
2. Round 2 (B): knit around.
3. Round 3 (A): *k6, k2tog, PM, ssk* repeat – 60 sts remain.
4. Round 4 (B): knit around.
5. Round 5 (A): *k4, k2tog, PM, ssk* repeat – 40 sts remain.
6. Round 6 (B): knit around.
7. Round 7 (A): *k2, k2tog, PM, ssk* repeat – 20 sts remain.
8. Now decrease every round: Round 8 (A): *k0, k2tog, PM, ssk* (i.e., k2tog, ssk around) – 10 sts remain. Finish as above.

Finishing

• Weave in ends with tapestry needle. Block lightly if desired (steam-block or lay flat to shape). If you like, add a pom-pom: attach securely with tail, knot on inside, and weave in ends.
• Optional lining: cut a circle of fleece or knit a small inner brim and sew in for extra warmth; make sure to leave a small opening to remove for washing if desired.

Variations & Tips

• Slouchy version: increase body length by 1.5”–2” before starting crown decreases.
• Slipped-stitch contrast brim: work two rounds of a slipped-stitch stripe before switching to main color.
• Chunky version: use bulky yarn (US 10–12 / 6–7 mm) and adjust cast-on to a multiple of 4 using a new gauge swatch.
• Fit adjustments: if your hat feels tight, try one needle size larger and re-check gauge; if too loose, go down a size.

Care

Follow yarn label. For most worsted acrylic blends: machine wash gentle, tumble low or lay flat to dry. Wool: hand wash and dry flat. Avoid high heat to maintain shape.

Troubleshooting

• Twisted cast-on: Untwist immediately before joining; if unnoticed for many rounds, it’s easiest to rip back to cast-on and rejoin.
• Uneven brim edge: Ensure a stretchy cast-on (long-tail or tubular cast-on) for a tidy brim edge.
• Gaps at decreases: Use ssk for a neat left-leaning decrease and k2tog for right-leaning; place decreases symmetrically around markers.

Enjoy your knitting! For more patterns, visit Purl Jam. For support email team@verde.uk. Share your makes on socials with #purljam.

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