Classic Worsted Beanie

Upbeat, clear, and calm: a versatile, well-fitting beanie worked in the round for newborn through large adult. This pattern uses worsted weight yarn and a simple 1x1 rib with a stockinette body. Two wear options: fitted or slouchy (instructions included).

Finished sizes (head circumference unstretched)

• Newborn: 14 in / 35.5 cm
• Baby: 16 in / 40.5 cm
• Child: 18 in / 45.5 cm
• Teen / Adult S: 20 in / 51 cm
• Adult M: 22 in / 56 cm
• Adult L: 24 in / 61 cm

Yarn

Worsted / Aran (US 4) yarn. Imperial & Metric: approximately 200 yds / 183 m per 100 g skein. Yardage recommendations by size (approx):

• Newborn: 100 yds / 91 m (~50 g)
• Baby: 120 yds / 110 m (~60 g)
• Child: 140 yds / 128 m (~70 g)
• Teen / Adult S: 200 yds / 183 m (100 g)
• Adult M: 300 yds / 274 m (150 g)
• Adult L: 350 yds / 320 m (150-200 g)

Needles & Notions

• Main needles: 16” (40 cm) circular needle + set of double-pointed needles or magic loop. Recommended: US 8 (5.0 mm / UK 6). Alternative tighter fabric: US 7 (4.5 mm / UK 7 / 4.5 mm). For a looser/slouchy fabric: US 9 (5.5 mm / UK 5 / 5.5 mm).
• Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, stitch holder (optional), small scrap yarn for provisional cast-on or for starting if desired, measuring tape, scissors.

Needle size reference (explicit)

• US 7 — UK (old) 7 — Metric 4.5 mm
• US 8 — UK (old) 6 — Metric 5.0 mm
• US 9 — UK (old) 5 — Metric 5.5 mm

Gauge

20 sts & 28 rounds = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette in the round on US 8 (5.0 mm). If your gauge differs, adjust needle size or cast-on counts accordingly. The cast-on counts in this pattern assume the gauge above.

Abbreviations

• K = knit
• P = purl
• ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd = round
• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• wyib = with yarn in back

Notes

• This pattern is written in the round. For brim-up instructions: work ribbing first, then body. For a top-down style you can adapt by casting on a small number of stitches and increasing; this pattern gives the straightforward brim-up approach.
• Ribbing is 1x1 (k1, p1) which is forgiving for different head sizes. If you prefer 2x2, adjust CO to a multiple of 4 and follow the decrease logic but confirm alignments visually before beginning crown decreases.
• All cast-on numbers below are even and divisible by 10; crown decreases use a staged "decrease every Nth stitch" method that works cleanly with these counts.

Cast-on & Brim

Using your chosen needles and yarn, cast on the number of stitches for the size you want. Join to work in the round being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.

• Newborn — CO 70 sts
• Baby — CO 80 sts
• Child — CO 90 sts
• Teen / Adult S — CO 100 sts
• Adult M — CO 110 sts
• Adult L — CO 120 sts

Rib: *k1, p1* around for 1.5 in / 4 cm (fitted) or 2.5 in / 6.5 cm (folded cuff or extra warmth). For a slouchy look: work rib 1 in / 2.5 cm only and add extra body length below.

Body

Switch to stockinette in the round (knit every round) until hat measures from cast-on edge:

• Newborn: 4.5 in / 11.5 cm (including rib)
• Baby: 5.5 in / 14 cm
• Child: 6.5 in / 16.5 cm
• Teen / Adult S: 7.5 in / 19 cm
• Adult M: 8.0 in / 20.5 cm
• Adult L: 8.5 in / 21.5 cm

Note: For slouchy beanie add 1.5–2 in / 4–5 cm to the body length before starting crown decreases.

Crown Decreases (staged method)

The cast-on counts are multiples of 10 so use the following staged decrease rounds. Work the rounds exactly as written; the plain knit rounds between decrease rounds allow the fabric to rest and decrease to sit evenly. Continue until remaining sts are small enough to gather.

Decrease sequence (applies to all sizes with the cast-on numbers above):

Rnd 1: *k8, k2tog* repeat to end (decreases by 1 in each 10-st section)
Rnd 2: knit
Rnd 3: *k7, k2tog* repeat
Rnd 4: knit
Rnd 5: *k6, k2tog* repeat
Rnd 6: knit
Rnd 7: *k5, k2tog* repeat
Rnd 8: knit
Rnd 9: *k4, k2tog* repeat
Rnd 10: knit
Rnd 11: *k3, k2tog* repeat
Rnd 12: knit
Rnd 13: *k2, k2tog* repeat
Rnd 14: knit
Rnd 15: *k1, k2tog* repeat
Rnd 16: knit
Rnd 17: *k2tog* across

After Rnd 17 you will have 10% of your original stitch count remaining (for example, from 100 sts down to 10 sts). Cut yarn leaving ~8–12 in / 20–30 cm tail, thread through remaining sts using tapestry needle and pull tight to close top. Weave tail to inside and secure. If you have slightly more or fewer sts left because of differences in gauge, continue decrease rounds until 8–12 sts remain, then gather.

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends neatly on inside.
2. If using a pompom: attach to the center top by threading yarn multiple times through the center and knotting securely. Weave the tails inside the hat and knot again for security before trimming.
3. Block lightly: soak briefly in lukewarm water, squeeze gently, lay flat and shape the crown. For ribbed brim you can steam-block lightly to relax stitches.

Customization & Fit Tips

• To make brim fold-up cuff: knit longer rib (2.5 in / 6.5 cm) and fold up. Consider using needles one size smaller for rib to keep brim firm.
• For a slouchy beanie: increase body length by 1.5–2 in / 4–5 cm and use the larger needle for a softer drape.
• To tighten fit for small heads: drop to US 7 (4.5 mm) to reduce gauge and/or reduce CO by 5% but keep rib multiple (for 1x1 keep CO even).

Troubleshooting

• Hat feels too tight: go up one needle size and reknit a swatch to match gauge, or add 1–2 inches to body length only if circumference is fine.
• Hat feels too loose: go down one needle size or reduce CO by 5-10% and re-evaluate.
• Decreases look uneven: ensure you are using alternating decrease rounds with a plain knit round between; ssk + k2tog can help create mirrored decreases if you prefer a more symmetrical look.

Pattern Notes & License

Use for personal and small-business completed items. Please credit PurlJam / Verde when selling items made from this pattern. For support: team@verde.uk. Visit https://purljam.verde.uk for more patterns. Share finished projects with tag #purljam on socials.

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