Everyday Beanie — Knitting + Crochet Options

A versatile, unisex beanie you can knit or crochet. Two full versions are included: a classic knitted brim + stockinette hat (folded or unfurled) and a quick crochet alternative. Sizes: Small (teen/child), Medium (adult average), Large (adult large). Skill: Easy–Intermediate. Techniques used: ribbing, stockinette in the round, basic decreases; crochet version uses magic circle, dc/hdc rounds.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted/Aran weight (Medium 4). Suggested: 100% wool or wool-blend for warmth, or acrylic blend for easy care.
• Yardage (approx): Small: 100 yd / 91 m; Medium: 120 yd / 110 m; Large: 140 yd / 128 m.
• Needles (knitting): Circular needle 16"/40 cm and DPNs or long circular for magic loop (see sizes below).
• Crochet hook (crochet version): see sizes below.
• Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, optional pom-pom maker.

Needle & Hook Sizes (equivalents)

• Main knitting: US 8 — Metric 5.0 mm — UK (old) 5 — Use for body of hat (gives a slightly looser drape).
• Brim knitting (optional smaller needles): US 7 — Metric 4.5 mm — UK (old) 6 — Use for firmer ribbed brim.
• Alternative chunkier look: US 9 — Metric 5.5 mm — UK (old) 4.
• Double-pointed needles (if using DPNs): same mm as chosen circular needle (4.5 mm or 5.0 mm).
• Crochet hook (for worsted): US I-9 — Metric 5.5 mm — UK (old) 4 (for a slightly firm fabric). If you want a looser fabric, go to a 6.0 mm hook (US J-10).

Gauge

Knitting: 16 stitches x 22 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette using US 8 / 5.0 mm. Adjust needle size if necessary to match gauge. Crochet: 12 dc x 4 rows = 4" on 5.5 mm hook (adjust if your fabric is tighter/looser).

Finished Circumferences & Ideal Head Measurements

• Small: 18" / 46 cm — fits approx 18" head (teen/small adult)
• Medium: 20" / 51 cm — fits average adult
• Large: 22" / 56 cm — fits large adult

Abbreviations (knit)

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit 2 together
• P2tog = purl 2 together
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd = round
• slm = slip marker
• wyib/wyif = with yarn in back/front

Abbreviations (crochet)

• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet (UK = dc)
• hdc = half double crochet (UK = htr)
• dc = double crochet (UK = tr)
• st(s) = stitch(es)

Notes & Fit

Measure your gauge swatch in stockinette and calculate circumference before beginning. If your hat feels tight, go up a needle size or add 2–4 sts per 1 inch of desired circumference. If you prefer a slouchy style, add 1–2 inches to the body length before beginning decreases. For a folded brim, make brim 2–4 inches so there is enough fabric to fold up.

Knitted Beanie — Step-by-step

Use the stitch counts below depending on size. These counts are multiples of 4 to make 2x2 rib easy.

• Small: CO 72 sts (18" finished)
• Medium: CO 80 sts (20" finished)
• Large: CO 88 sts (22" finished)

1) Cast On & Join

1. CO required stitches using an elastic cast-on (long-tail or German twisted works well), join to work in the round being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.
2. Work 2x2 rib (K2, P2) using smaller needles (US 7 / 4.5 mm) for 1.5" / 4 cm for a low brim, or 2.5" / 6 cm for a folded brim.

2) Body

1. Switch to larger needles (US 8 / 5.0 mm) if you used smaller for the brim. Knit every round (stockinette in the round) until piece measures from cast-on edge: Small 6.75" / 17 cm, Medium 7.5" / 19 cm, Large 8.25" / 21 cm (these are measurements before crown decreases; adjust for desired slouch).

3) Crown Decrease (worked in the round)

Place a removable marker and follow decrease rounds; maintain pattern where possible. Work the following rounds repeating around until you reach final small number of stitches, switching to DPNs when needed.

1. Round 1: *K8, K2tog; repeat to end of round. (This assumes Medium/80 sts: K8,K2tog x 8 = 72 sts after decrease.)
2. Round 2: Knit all sts.
3. Round 3: *K7, K2tog; repeat to end. Knit one round plain between decrease rounds if you prefer a gentler taper. Continue decreasing by spacing the K's between K2tog by 1 stitch each decrease round (K6,K2tog then K5,K2tog etc.) until you have approx 8–10 sts remaining total.
4. Finish: Cut yarn leaving a 12" / 30 cm tail. Thread tail through tapestry needle and draw through remaining sts. Pull tight, secure on wrong side, weave in end. If brim is folded, fold up and secure edge by stitching inside brim.

Simple Example Decrease Sequence (for Medium 80 sts)

1. Round A: *K8, K2tog across: 80 → 72
2. Round B: Knit
3. Round C: *K7, K2tog across: 72 → 64
4. Round D: Knit
5. Round E: *K6, K2tog across: 64 → 56
6. Round F: Knit
7. Round G: *K5, K2tog across: 56 → 48
8. Round H: Knit
9. Round I: *K4, K2tog across: 48 → 40
10. Round J: *K3, K2tog across: 40 → 32
11. Round K: *K2, K2tog across: 32 → 24
12. Round L: *K1, K2tog across: 24 → 16
13. Round M: *K2tog across: 16 → 8; break yarn, draw through.

Note: adjust the spacing above for Small/Large by starting with appropriate initial K count (e.g., for Small CO72, start with K7,K2tog etc.). You can work fewer plain knit rounds between decrease rounds for a steeper crown.

Finishing

• Weave in all ends on wrong side. Block lightly if desired to even out stitches.
• Optional: add a pom-pom (use leftover yarn) and stitch it securely to crown. Reinforce with extra stitching through the top for safety if the hat will be laundered frequently.

Crochet Beanie — Simple Pattern (single piece)

Designed for worsted weight yarn using a 5.5 mm (US I-9) hook. Work in continuous rounds or join with sl st per round.

1. Round 1: Make a magic circle, ch 2 (counts as first hdc if you prefer hdc/hdtr base), 10 dc into circle, tighten circle, join to first dc. (Total 12 if ch2 counts.)
2. Round 2: *2 dc in each st around. Join. (24 sts)
3. Round 3: *1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st. Repeat around. (36 sts)
4. Round 4: *1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st. Repeat around. (48 sts)
5. Round 5: *1 dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st. Repeat around. (60 sts)
6. Round 6: *1 dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st. Repeat around. (72 sts) — stop when you reach the stitch count that approximates desired circumference (Small: 72, Medium: 80, Large: 88). If 72 is too small, do one more increase round for medium/large.
7. Body: Dc in each st around for 6–8 rounds (measure down from crown to desired length: small 6.75–7.5", medium 7.5–8.25") without increasing to form the sides.
8. Decrease crown: Work decreases by crocheting 2 dc together periodically to reduce stitch count (e.g., *dc 5, dc2tog; repeat). Work rounds of decreases until 8–10 sts remain. Fasten off and pull tail through remaining sts, secure and weave in end.

Variations & Tips

• Folded brim: Make brim longer and fold up; sew a few stitches to secure fold at inside edge so it doesn't flip out when worn.
• Slouchy beanie: Add 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) to body length before decreasing.
• Earflap option: Work i-cord or crocheted ties and attach earflaps evenly spaced around brim.
• Colorwork: Carry floats no longer than 3–4 sts for neat fabric. For stranded colorwork, keep gauge in mind and maybe go up one needle size to avoid a tight hat.
• Care: Follow yarn label. For 100% wool, handwash and lay flat to dry. For superwash or acrylic, machine wash on gentle and dry flat recommended.

Troubleshooting

• If hat is too tight: go up one needle/hook size and re-check gauge.
• If hat is too loose: go down one size or decrease number of stitches evenly before ribbing.
• Crown shaping too abrupt: add another plain knit round between decrease rounds.

Support & Credits

Pattern: PurlJam designers. Website: https://purljam.verde.uk. For help email: team@verde.uk. Socials & questions: #purljam.

Enjoy your new beanie! If you want sizing adjusted, a child-size only pattern, or a version with cables or colorwork, ask and I’ll provide a custom variant.

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