Classic Rib Knit Beanie (knit in the round)

Worked in worsted weight yarn, this classic, slouch-friendly beanie uses a folded 1x1 rib brim and simple stockinette body with evenly spaced crown decreases. Multiple sizes included. Pattern suitable for confident beginner & intermediate knitters.

Materials

Yarn: worsted/aran weight (category 4). Amounts (approx): Newborn: 75 yds (69 m) ~ 25 g; Baby: 100 yds (91 m) ~ 35 g; Child: 125 yds (114 m) ~ 45 g; Teen/Small Adult: 150 yds (137 m) ~ 55 g; Adult M: 175 yds (160 m) ~ 65 g; Adult L: 200 yds (183 m) ~ 75 g.
Needles: Brim - 16″ (40 cm) circular or DPNs US 6 / UK 8 / 4.0 mm. Body - 16″ (40 cm) circular needle US 8 / UK 6 / 5.0 mm (use magic loop or DPNs as preferred). Optional: US 7 / UK 7 / 4.5 mm if you prefer slightly tighter gauge.
Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, removable marker for crown, optional pompom maker.

Gauge

18 sts = 4” (10 cm) in stockinette (in the round) on US 8 / 5.0 mm. Adjust needle size if necessary to match gauge.

Finished Circumferences & Cast-on

Newborn: 14” (36 cm) — CO 64 sts
Baby: 16” (41 cm) — CO 72 sts
Child: 17.8” (45 cm) — CO 80 sts
Teen/Small Adult: 19.6” (50 cm) — CO 88 sts
Adult Medium: 21.3” (54 cm) — CO 96 sts
Adult Large: 23.1” (59 cm) — CO 104 sts

Notes: Cast-on counts are chosen to be divisible by 8 to make crown decreases simple and even. If you need a custom size, use the gauge to calculate stitches: (Desired circumference in inches) x (18/4) and round to nearest multiple of 8.

Abbreviations (US)

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

Notes

Work in the round; do not twist when joining.
When the pattern says “work even” it means continue in established stitch pattern without shaping.
This pattern uses 8 evenly spaced decrease points for the crown. We place marker after each section to make decreases straightforward.

Instructions

1. Cast On & Brim

Using US 6 / 4.0 mm needles, CO the number of stitches for your size (see Cast-on table). Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.
Work 1x1 rib (k1, p1) for 2.5” (6.5 cm) for a folded brim. For a shorter brim, work 1.5” (4 cm); for a slouchier look, work 3” (7.5 cm).
Optional: For a neater folded brim, work an extra round of purl on the side that will be folded in before switching needles: fold brim in half and graft or seam the cast-on edge to the inside.

2. Body

Switch to US 8 / 5.0 mm circular needle. Begin stockinette: knit every round until hat measures (from cast-on edge, not folded brim) approximately:
- Newborn: 4.25” (11 cm)
- Baby: 4.5” (11.5 cm)
- Child: 5” (12.5 cm)
- Teen: 5.5” (14 cm)
- Adult M: 6” (15 cm)
- Adult L: 6.5” (16.5 cm)
These are guideline lengths before starting crown decreases; adjust for preferred slouch.

3. Prepare for Crown Decreases

Place 7 additional evenly spaced markers to divide the round into 8 equal sections (you should have 8 sections total including the beginning-of-round marker). Each section will have (Cast-on stitches / 8) stitches. For example, CO 96 sts gives 12 sts per section.

4. Crown Decreases (general method)

We will decrease 8 sts on each decrease round (one k2tog per section), keeping a plain knit round between decrease rounds for a smooth crown. Repeat the two-round sequence until few stitches remain, then finish.

Decrease round (repeat until few stitches remain): *K to 2 sts before next marker, k2tog, slip marker, repeat from * around. (Equivalently: k[n-1], k2tog 8 times where n = stitches per section at the start of the round.)
Next round: knit all sts.
After each decrease round the stitches-per-section will reduce by 1. Continue repeating "Decrease round" + "Knit round" until you have 16 sts (2 sts per section). At that point do one final decrease round: *k1, k2tog* across (8 decreases) to work to 8 sts.
Break yarn leaving a 10” (25 cm) tail. Thread tail through tapestry needle and pull through remaining 8 sts, draw tightly to close top. Weave in ends securely. Block lightly if desired.

Example decrease math (for clarity)

Start: CO 96 sts => 12 sts/section. First decrease round: *k11, k2tog* > 96 - 8 = 88 sts total (11 sts/section). Repeat decreases; each decrease round reduces total by 8 and reduces the sts/section by 1. Continue until 8 sts remain.

Optional Finishes

Pompom: Attach a medium pompom (2”-3” / 5-8 cm) to crown.
Folded brim: fold brim inside and mattress-stitch seam for a tidy look.
Cables or slipped-stitch colorwork: substitute body stockinette with your favorite stitch pattern, but make sure your final stitch count remains divisible by 8 (or recalculate decrease points accordingly).

Finishing & Blocking

Weave in all ends. Lightly steam or wet block to even stitches; pin to desired dimensions while drying if necessary.
If brim is folded, tack the folded edge to the inside at two or three points with mattress stitch to keep it flat.

Customization Tips

Tighter fit: drop one needle size for brim and/or body; wider fit: go up one needle size.
Longer slouch: add 0.5”–1” (1.5–2.5 cm) before beginning decreases.
Color stripes: change color every X rounds; be sure to carry floats when stripes exceed 3 rounds.

Troubleshooting

If your hat is too tight/loose: check gauge and adjust needle size up/down 0.5 mm as needed and recalc cast-on if necessary.
If crown decreases pull in unevenly: make sure markers divide the round exactly; use k2tog vs ssk on opposite sides for balanced leaning decreases if desired.

Support & Licensing

For questions or support contact team@verde.uk. This pattern is offered by PurlJam; see https://purljam.verde.uk. Share finished projects with #purljam on socials. You may sell items made from this pattern but do not redistribute the pattern itself without permission.

Happy knitting!

purlJam

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