Ribbed Hat — 55 cm circumference (21.5\")

Clean, stretchy knit hat worked in the round with a deep ribbed brim. Sized to fit a 55 cm (21.5\") head. Included: stitch counts, gauge, step-by-step crown decreases, needle and yarn conversions (US, UK old, Metric; Imperial & Metric yarn amounts), finishing and adjustment notes.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted/Aran weight. Approx 200 yards (183 m) / 100 g (one skein). For a lighter hat you can use 150 yds (137 m) / 50 g + adjust gauge.
• Needles (knitting in the round): Circular needles and/or DPNs or magic loop.
  • Brim (smaller needle): 4.5 mm — US 7 — UK 7 — 16"/40 cm circular or DPNs
  • Body (larger needle): 5.0 mm — US 8 — UK 6 — 16"/40 cm circular or DPNs
  • Use a longer cable (32"/80 cm) for magic-loop if preferred. Have a set of DPNs in same sizes ready for decreases.
• Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors.

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 10 cm (4\") in stockinette on 5.0 mm (US 8 / UK 6). Rib gauge will be slightly denser — if your rib feels loose, go down a needle size for the brim.

Finished Measurements

• Head circumference: 55 cm (21.5\").
• Hat depth (from cast-on to crown before finishing): ~20 cm (8\"). Adjust length for slouch or fitted beanie.

Abbreviations

• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
• P2tog = purl two together
= repeat to end of round

Notes

This pattern is written for a 2x2 rib (K2, P2). The cast-on is a multiple of 4. The pattern keeps the rib on the brim and body; for predictable shaping and easy decreases we switch to stockinette for the crown decreases (knitting the purls as knits on the first decrease round). If you prefer to maintain rib down into the crown, see the "Maintain rib through crown" tip at the end.

Stitch calculation

Using the gauge above the nearest multiple of 4 for 55 cm is 100 stitches (100 sts ≈ 56.5 cm relaxed; 2x2 rib will draw in to target circumference). If you prefer slightly firmer fit cast on 96 sts.

Pattern

Cast on and brim

Cast on 100 sts using long-tail cast-on on 4.5 mm (US 7 / UK 7) needles. Join carefully to work in the round, place marker.

Brim: Work in K2, P2 rib for 6 cm (2.25\") — about 14–16 rounds depending on your row gauge. (Adjust to 4–8 cm to preference.)

Body

Switch to 5.0 mm (US 8 / UK 6) needles. Continue in 2x2 rib (K2, P2) until hat measures 20 cm (8\") from cast-on edge (measured along the side) OR 2 cm less than your desired finished depth (you will lose a small amount during decreases). For a slouchy hat, work 2–4 cm longer before starting the crown.

Crown shaping (convert to stockinette for consistent decreases)

To make decreases predictable, you will knit one round to convert any purl stitches into knits on the next round so you are working stockinette for the decrease sequence. On a ribbed hat this means: On the next round, knit every stitch (knit the knits and knit the purls) — now you are in stockinette and can work the decrease sequence below. After the final decreases you will draw through the remaining stitches and gather the crown.

Set-up: Switch to DPNs when the stitches no longer comfortably fit on the circular needle.

Decrease sequence (100 sts)

1. Round 1: *K8, K2tog* repeat to end — 10 decreases — 90 sts remain.
2. Round 2: Purl around.
3. Round 3: *K7, K2tog* repeat to end — 10 dec — 80 sts.
4. Round 4: Purl around.
5. Round 5: *K6, K2tog* — 10 dec — 70 sts.
6. Round 6: Purl around.
7. Round 7: *K5, K2tog* — 10 dec — 60 sts.
8. Round 8: Purl around.
9. Round 9: *K4, K2tog* — 10 dec — 50 sts.
10. Round 10: Purl around.
11. Round 11: *K3, K2tog* — 10 dec — 40 sts.
12. Round 12: Purl around.
13. Round 13: *K2, K2tog* — 10 dec — 30 sts.
14. Round 14: Purl around.
15. Round 15: *K1, K2tog* — 10 dec — 20 sts.
16. Round 16: Purl around.
17. Round 17: *K2tog* around — 10 dec — 10 sts.

Break yarn leaving ~20–25 cm tail. Thread tail through remaining 10 live stitches using a tapestry needle and pull tight to close the crown. Secure with a knot if desired, weave in end neatly into the inside of the hat. Weave in all loose ends and trim.

Finishing

• Weave in ends with tapestry needle.
• Lightly steam or wet-block the hat, shaping it on a flat surface. Avoid overstretching — blocking will relax the rib slightly and even out the stitches.
• Optional: Add a pompom (3–4"/7–10 cm) and sew securely.

Adjustments

• Smaller/Larger circumference: Adjust cast-on in multiples of 4. Use your gauge to calculate required cast-on: (desired cm / 10) * 18 = stitches (round to multiple of 4).
• Firm fit: Cast on 96 sts. Slouchy: add 2–4 cm to body length or cast on up to 104 sts for extra circumference.
• Maintain rib into crown: Instead of converting to stockinette, perform decreases aligned to rib pattern: decrease at the center of every 2x2 rib every other decrease round (patterning gets more complex). For a neat look follow the stockinette decrease above and keep the ribbed brim and body.

Troubleshooting

• If the brim looks loose, drop to 4.0 mm (US 6 / UK 8) for brim only and continue with 5.0 mm for body.
• If crown puckers unevenly, check that you consistently used K2tog (right-leaning) on each decrease round and that you purled the rounds between decreases — this keeps rows flat.

Yarn & Needle Conversions (quick)

• Yarn: approx 200 yds / 183 m per 100 g (Worsted/Aran)
• Needles used: 4.5 mm = US 7 = UK 7 (smaller/brim), 5.0 mm = US 8 = UK 6 (body)

Contact & Credits

Pattern by PurlJam. Website: https://purljam.verde.uk. Support: team@verde.uk. Socials: #purljam.

Created by purlJam with the help of magic AI dust. Shop Verde for patterns and yarn.

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