Purljam Beanie (Knit & Crochet)

Simple, reliable beanie instructions in both knitting and crochet. Two sizes (Small/Medium/Large) with clear materials, gauge and step-by-step shaping. Friendly and calm—perfect for a weekend project.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (US #4). Imperial yardage: Small 150 yd, Medium 175 yd, Large 200 yd. Metric: Small 137 m, Medium 160 m, Large 183 m. Choose a 100% wool or wool blend for warmth and good stitch definition.
• Knitting needles (recommended for the knit version):
  • Main set: 16"/40 cm circular needle, plus a set of 5 double-pointed needles for the crown decreases. Size: US 7 — Metric 4.5 mm — UK (old) 7.
  • Optional for a slouchy fabric: US 9 — Metric 5.5 mm — UK (old) 5 (16"/40 cm circular + DPNs).
• Crochet hook (for the crochet version): US I-9 — Metric 5.5 mm — UK (old) 5. Optional smaller: H-8 — Metric 5.0 mm — UK (old) 6 for a firmer brim.
• Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, optional pompom maker or fur pompom.

Gauge

• Knitting: 18 sts x 24 rows = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette on US 7 / 4.5 mm. Adjust needle size as needed to meet gauge.
• Crochet: 14 sc x 16 rows = 4" / 10 cm in single crochet (sc) on 5.5 mm. Adjust hook if necessary.

Finished measurements

• Small: Circumference ~16" / 41 cm, Height ~8.5" / 21.5 cm
• Medium: Circumference ~17.8" / 45 cm, Height ~9" / 23 cm
• Large: Circumference ~19.6" / 50 cm, Height ~9.5" / 24 cm

Abbreviations (knitting, US terms)

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
• St(s) = stitch(es)
• Rnd = round

Knitting version - Instructions (Top-down 1-piece, worked in the round)

Notes: This pattern uses a typical rib brim then stockinette body worked in the round. Sizes are given as Small (Medium, Large). When two numbers appear, they correspond to Small (Medium, Large).

Cast on and brim

1. CO 72 (80, 88) sts using a stretchy cast-on. Join to work in the round, placing a marker for beginning of round, being careful not to twist.
2. Work K1, P1 rib (or K2, P2 if you prefer) for 2" / 5 cm.

Body

1. Change to stockinette in the round (knit every round). Knit until the hat measures 6.5" / 16.5 cm from CO for Small, 7" / 18 cm for Medium, 7.5" / 19 cm for Large, measured to the base of where you want the crown to begin.

Crown shaping (worked evenly in rounds)

We use an 8-section decrease scheme so decreases remain balanced and centered. Below are explicit decrease rounds for each starting stitch count.

Small (72 sts):

1. Rnd 1: *K7, K2tog* repeat 8 times (72 → 64)
2. Rnd 2: Knit
3. Rnd 3: *K6, K2tog* repeat 8 times (64 → 56)
4. Rnd 4: Knit
5. Rnd 5: *K5, K2tog* repeat 8 times (56 → 48)
6. Rnd 6: Knit
7. Rnd 7: *K4, K2tog* repeat 8 times (48 → 40)
8. Rnd 8: Knit
9. Rnd 9: *K3, K2tog* repeat 8 times (40 → 32)
10. Rnd 10: Knit
11. Rnd 11: *K2, K2tog* repeat 8 times (32 → 24)
12. Rnd 12: Knit
13. Rnd 13: *K1, K2tog* repeat 8 times (24 → 16)
14. Rnd 14: Knit
15. Rnd 15: *K2tog* repeat 8 times (16 → 8)
16. Finish: Cut yarn leaving an 8" / 20 cm tail. Thread tail through tapestry needle and draw through remaining 8 sts. Pull tight, secure on wrong side, weave in ends.

Medium (80 sts):

1. Rnd 1: *K8, K2tog* repeat 8 times (80 → 72)
2. Rnd 2: Knit
3. Rnd 3: *K7, K2tog* repeat 8 times (72 → 64)
4. Rnd 4: Knit
5. Rnd 5: *K6, K2tog* repeat 8 times (64 → 56)
6. Rnd 6: Knit
7. Rnd 7: *K5, K2tog* repeat 8 times (56 → 48)
8. Rnd 8: Knit
9. Rnd 9: *K4, K2tog* repeat 8 times (48 → 40)
10. Rnd 10: Knit
11. Rnd 11: *K3, K2tog* repeat 8 times (40 → 32)
12. Rnd 12: Knit
13. Rnd 13: *K2, K2tog* repeat 8 times (32 → 24)
14. Rnd 14: Knit
15. Rnd 15: *K1, K2tog* repeat 8 times (24 → 16)
16. Rnd 16: Knit
17. Rnd 17: *K2tog* repeat 8 times (16 → 8)
18. Finish as above.

Large (88 sts):

1. Rnd 1: *K9, K2tog* repeat 8 times (88 → 80)
2. Rnd 2: Knit
3. Rnd 3: *K8, K2tog* repeat 8 times (80 → 72)
4. Rnd 4: Knit
5. Rnd 5: *K7, K2tog* repeat 8 times (72 → 64)
6. Rnd 6: Knit
7. Rnd 7: *K6, K2tog* repeat 8 times (64 → 56)
8. Rnd 8: Knit
9. Rnd 9: *K5, K2tog* repeat 8 times (56 → 48)
10. Rnd 10: Knit
11. Rnd 11: *K4, K2tog* repeat 8 times (48 → 40)
12. Rnd 12: Knit
13. Rnd 13: *K3, K2tog* repeat 8 times (40 → 32)
14. Rnd 14: Knit
15. Rnd 15: *K2, K2tog* repeat 8 times (32 → 24)
16. Rnd 16: Knit
17. Rnd 17: *K1, K2tog* repeat 8 times (24 → 16)
18. Rnd 18: Knit
19. Rnd 19: *K2tog* repeat 8 times (16 → 8)
20. Finish as above.

Finishing

1. Weave in tail on wrong side. Block gently if desired to even stitches.
2. Add a pompom by sewing through the gathered top and securing the yarn tail to the inside of the hat; weave in ends.

Crochet version (simple beanie)

Notes: Worked in continuous rounds. Stitches and rounds given as Small (Medium, Large). Use a stitch marker to mark round start.

1. Ch 4, join to form a ring.
2. Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as first dc), work 10 dc into ring, join (11 dc). Adjust to get a multiple that matches final stitch counts below. Alternatively, start with an adjustable loop and 12 dc total for even multiples.
3. Increase rounds: Work rounds of 2 dc in each stitch, then *dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next* and so on until you reach approx 60 (66, 72) stitches around. Keep the increases spaced so the circle lays flat.
4. Work even in dc until crown-to-brim length measures 6.5" (7", 7.5").
5. Crown decreases: To decrease evenly, work rounds where you work 1 dc in X stitches, then dc2tog (or dc dec) across the round. Example sequences (Small/Medium/Large):
   • Small (60 sts): *dc 6, dc2tog* repeat to end; next round: *dc 5, dc2tog*; continue decreasing the number of dcs between decreases until about 8 stitches remain, finish by pulling yarn tail through remaining sts and closing.
   • Medium (66 sts): *dc 6, dc2tog* repeat; then *dc 5, dc2tog*; continue similarly until 8 remain.
   • Large (72 sts): *dc 7, dc2tog* repeat; then *dc 6, dc2tog*, and so on.
6. Finish by drawing tail through remaining stitches, cinch, secure, and weave in ends. Optional pompom attachment as above.

Customization & tips

• For a snugger hat, go down one needle/hook size; for slouch, go up one.
• To add a folded brim, cast on fewer stitches and work an extra-long brim (4"+), then fold up and tack into place.
• If your crown looks uneven, block the hat gently and shape to smooth decreases.

Support and notes

If you have questions about sizing, the decrease sequence, or converting measurements, please contact us at team@verde.uk. More patterns and help at https://purljam.verde.uk. Follow or tag us: #purljam.

Pattern by Purljam. Enjoy knitting or crocheting your beanie!

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