Seamless Top-Down Worsted Beanie (Adult Medium)

Quick, cozy, and clean — a seamless top-down beanie in worsted weight yarn. Designed to be worked in the round with an optional folded cuff or single-layer brim. Detailed step-by-step instructions, gauge notes, and a clear crown-decrease sequence make this a reliable go-to beanie.

Finished measurements

• Circumference (unstretched): 21" / 53 cm (comfortable fit for ~21.5" head with ~0.5" negative ease)
• Depth (from cast-on edge to crown): 9" / 23 cm (before blocking)

Yarn

Worsted weight (US 4 / Aran-medium). Approximate quantity for adult medium: 150 yards / 137 meters (about 1 skein of common worsted yarn). For larger heads or to add a large pompom allow 175–200 yards / 160–183 meters.

Needles & notions

• 16" / 40 cm circular needle: US 8 / UK 6 (old) / 5.0 mm
• Set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) or magic-loop: US 8 / UK 6 (old) / 5.0 mm
• Optional smaller needles for firmer ribbing: US 7 / UK 7 (old) / 4.5 mm
• Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scrap yarn for provisional cast-on if you want a fold-up brim, small pair of scissors

Gauge

18 stitches x 24 rounds = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette (knit every round) on US 8 / 5.0 mm. Check your gauge in the round; adjust needle size if necessary.

Abbreviations

• k = knit
• p = purl
• k2tog = knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
• ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd = round
• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off

Notes

• Pattern is written for a standard adult medium (96 sts). If you need a different size, adjust your cast-on to match your gauge and use the same crown-decrease method by keeping the total cast-on a multiple of 8.
• This hat is worked top-down, but the instructions assume you cast on for the brim and work up to the crown. If you prefer a raw edge (no fold), work as written; to make a fold-up cuff cast on with a provisional cast-on or long-tail and fold the rib to the inside after finishing.

Instructions — Adult Medium (96 sts)

1. Cast on

Using your preferred stretchy cast-on (long-tail recommended), cast on 96 stitches. Place marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.

2. Brim / Ribbing

Option A — Folded cuff (recommended): Using smaller needles (US 7 / 4.5 mm) work in K2, P2 rib for 2.5" / 6.5 cm. Switch to main needles (US 8 / 5.0 mm) and continue in pattern as below; fold rib to inside for a neat doubled brim.

Option B — Single-layer brim: Using main needles (US 8 / 5.0 mm) work K2, P2 rib for 1.5" / 4 cm (or desired depth).

3. Body

After ribbing, knit every round (stockinette in the round) until hat measures 6.5" / 16.5 cm from cast-on edge (for a 9" total depth with folded cuff, or 8" total if single-layer brim). Adjust length if you prefer a slouchier or shallower fit.

4. Crown decreases (worked on US 8 / 5.0 mm)

We use a series of decrease rounds interleaved with plain knit rounds to form a neat crown. Follow the rounds exactly; counts are shown after each decrease when helpful.

1. Rnd 1: *k6, k2tog* repeat to end — (12 decreases) 96 -> 84 sts
2. Rnd 2: knit
3. Rnd 3: *k5, k2tog* repeat to end — (12 decreases) 84 -> 72 sts
4. Rnd 4: knit
5. Rnd 5: *k4, k2tog* repeat to end — (12 decreases) 72 -> 60 sts
6. Rnd 6: knit
7. Rnd 7: *k3, k2tog* repeat to end — (12 decreases) 60 -> 48 sts
8. Rnd 8: knit
9. Rnd 9: *k2, k2tog* repeat to end — (12 decreases) 48 -> 36 sts
10. Rnd 10: knit
11. Rnd 11: *k1, k2tog* repeat to end — (12 decreases) 36 -> 24 sts
12. Rnd 12: *k2tog* repeat to end — (12 decreases) 24 -> 12 sts

Cut yarn leaving a 10" / 25 cm tail. Thread tail through tapestry needle and pull through the remaining 12 sts, draw tightly to close the top. Secure with a knot if desired and weave in end on the inside.

Finishing

• Weave in all ends neatly on the inside. Use a blunt tapestry needle and weave along the purl ridges if you worked a folded cuff so the join is invisible.
• If you used the folded cuff option, fold rib to inside and sew the live cast-on edge to the inside of the hat with matching yarn (or, if you used a provisional cast-on, graft the cast-on to the first round so the fold is seamless).
• Optional: Attach a pompom. Use a 2.5"–3.5" / 6–9 cm pompom for balance with worsted yarn.
• Lightly block if desired: soak in lukewarm water with a small amount of gentle detergent, squeeze out excess water, shape on towel and lay flat to dry. Do not hang; that will stretch the hat.

Variations & tips

• To make a slouchy version: add 1–2" / 2.5–5 cm to the body length before starting crown decreases.
• To make a tighter brim: work the ribbing one needle size smaller throughout or use a provisional CO and graft the edge after folding for a cleaner finish.
• Striping: change colors every 10–20 rounds for bold stripes; carry yarn up the inside or cut and weave ends for short stripes.
• If your gauge differs: calculate cast-on as (desired circumference in inches) x (stitches per inch from your swatch). Choose a cast-on that is a multiple of 8 to use the crown decrease sequence unchanged.

Care

Machine-washable yarn: wash on gentle / cool and lay flat to dry. Hand-wash fibers (wool, alpaca): hand-wash gently and lay flat. Avoid hot water or tumble drying to prevent felting or shrinkage.

Troubleshooting

• If crown looks puckered unevenly: check that decreases are evenly spaced each decrease round and that you didn’t miss a k2tog/ssk.
• If hat feels too tight or too loose: adjust needle size and re-check gauge—one needle size up gives a looser fabric, one size down a firmer fabric.

Enjoy your new beanie! For more patterns and variations visit https://purljam.verde.uk. Support: team@verde.uk. Follow us: #purljam

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

Disclaimer: Enjoy the fun! Accuracy of patterns cannot be guaranteed. Remember to use and share content responsibly when engaging with this AI-powered app.