Simple Classic Beanie

Sizes: Newborn (13\"/33 cm), Baby 0–6m (15\"/38 cm), Toddler (17\"/43 cm), Child (19\"/48 cm), Adult S (20\"/51 cm), Adult M (22\"/56 cm), Adult L (24\"/61 cm). Finished hat is shown with 0–1\" negative ease for a snug fit; adjust if you prefer slouch.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted/Medium (US 4) / Aran (UK). Suggested: 100% wool or wool-blend for warmth and memory. Imperial & Metric yardage per size: Newborn 100–125 yds (91–114 m), Baby 125–150 yds (114–137 m), Toddler 150–175 yds (137–160 m), Child 175–200 yds (160–183 m), Adult S 200–225 yds (183–206 m), Adult M 225–275 yds (206–251 m), Adult L 275–325 yds (251–297 m).
• Needles (knitting): Circular needles 16\"/40 cm and double-pointed needles (DPNs) in the following sizes: Ribbing option: US 7 (4.5 mm, UK 7). Main body: US 8 (5.0 mm, UK 6). Provide both to check gauge; use the size that gives correct gauge. (If you only have one size, use that plus/ minus to match gauge.)
• Crochet option: Hook US H/8 (5.0 mm, UK 6) for main hat; smaller 4.5 mm for tighter rib if desired.
• Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, stitch holders or waste yarn, measuring tape, optional pompom maker.

Gauge

18 sts and 24 rounds = 4\"/10 cm in stockinette (knit every round) on US 8 (5.0 mm). Always swatch in the round if you will knit in the round.

Abbreviations (US terminology, UK equivalent when different)

• K = knit
• P = purl
• SSK = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• PM = place marker
• RS = right side, WS = wrong side

Notes

• This pattern is worked in the round. If you prefer flat, work straight and seam the crown.
• The crown decrease algorithm below works for any cast-on total divisible by 8. For best symmetry choose a cast-on divisible by 8.
• To create a folded brim for extra warmth, cast on half the number of stitches you want around and work a longer rib then fold up and graft or stitch down. Alternatively cast on the same number and work 2x2 rib for desired length and fold up.

Cast-on stitch counts (divisible by 8)

• Newborn: 64 sts
• Baby: 72 sts
• Toddler: 80 sts
• Child: 88 sts
• Adult S: 96 sts
• Adult M: 104 sts
• Adult L: 112 sts

Knitting Pattern

Choose size and corresponding CO. Use a stretchy cast-on such as long-tail cast-on.

1. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.
2. Ribbing: Work 1x1 rib (K1, P1) or 2x2 rib (K2, P2) for desired brim depth: Newborn/Baby 1\"/2.5 cm; Toddler/Child 1.5\"/4 cm; Adult S 2\"/5 cm; Adult M 2.5\"/6.5 cm; Adult L 3\"/7.5 cm. If you want a folded brim, make it twice the depth and fold up.
3. Body: Switch to stockinette in the round (knit every round) on larger needles. Knit until the hat measures from cast-on edge to crown: Newborn 4.5\"/11.5 cm; Baby 5\"/12.5 cm; Toddler 5.5\"/14 cm; Child 6\"/15 cm; Adult S 7\"/18 cm; Adult M 7.5\"/19 cm; Adult L 8\"/20.5 cm. Measure before starting decreases; length can be adjusted for slouch or deeper coverage.
4. Crown shaping (decrease). This algorithm assumes your stitch count is divisible by 8. You will do a decrease round followed by a plain knit round until few stitches remain. Example: Adult M (104 sts) demonstration follows after the generic algorithm.

Generic crown-decrease algorithm (works for all sizes listed)

1. Compute group = current total stitches / 8.
2. Decrease round: *K (group - 2), K2tog; repeat from * 8 times. (This reduces total stitches by 8.)
3. Knit one round plain.
4. Recompute group = current total stitches / 8 and repeat steps 2–3 until you have 8 stitches remaining or until crown is small enough to finish. (Each decrease pair of rounds reduces stitches by 8.)
5. When you have 8 stitches left, break yarn leaving a 6–8\"/15–20 cm tail. Thread tail through tapestry needle and pull through remaining stitches, pull tight to close the top. Weave in ends securely.

Worked example — Adult M (104 sts)

1. Initial: 104 sts. group = 13.
2. Round A (decrease): *K11, K2tog; repeat 8 times → 96 sts remain.
3. Round B: Knit around.
4. New group = 96/8 = 12. Round C (decrease): *K10, K2tog; repeat 8 times → 88 sts.
5. Round D: Knit around.
6. New group = 11. Round E: *K9, K2tog; rep 8 → 80 sts. Knit rnd. Continue similarly: groups 10 → 72 sts; 9 → 64 sts; 8 → 56 sts; 7 → 48 sts; 6 → 40 sts; 5 → 32 sts; 4 → 24 sts; 3 → 16 sts; 2 → 8 sts. When 8 sts remain, cut yarn and draw through as above.

Finishing

• Weave in ends on WS. Block lightly if desired to even stitches—wool will bloom slightly with a steam or wet block.
• Add pompom: Make pompom to match size (small for newborn, medium for adult), sew securely to top, and reinforce on inside with extra stitches.
• Optional: Add a folded brim by picking up and sewing inside, or graft a tubular cast-on for a neat edge.

Simple Crochet Beanie Option (worked in the round)

1. Use worsted yarn and 5.0 mm (US H/8, UK 6) hook.
2. Chain 4, slip-stitch to first ch to form a ring.
3. Round 1: Work 10 double crochets (dc) into ring, join. (10 dc)
4. Round 2: *2 dc in each st around; join. (20 dc)
5. Round 3: *1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next; rep around. (30 dc)
6. Round 4: *1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next; rep around. (40 dc)
7. Continue increasing rounds by adding 10 stitches each round (i.e., increase rounds until your stitch count reaches the desired circumference based on gauge: approximately same stitch counts as knit pattern). Then work even in dc until crown-to-edge length matches measurements above. Finish by decreasing by working 2 dc together evenly spaced to close crown, pull center closed with yarn tail.

Customizing & Troubleshooting

• If your gauge has more sts per 4\" than pattern, change to larger needles to reach gauge; if fewer sts, use smaller needles.
• Want a slouch? Add 1–2\"/2.5–5 cm to the body length before decreases.
• Want earflaps? Add them by picking up stitches at the brim sides and working triangular decreases; for lined warmth, knit a duplicate layer with smaller needles and sew inside.

Tips

• Place a marker at each repeat boundary when you begin decreases so you can easily see group boundaries.
• Count repeats after each decrease round to confirm even decreases.
• When joining in the round, leave a long tail so you can use it later for a folded brim mattress stitch graft if desired.

Pattern source and support: https://purljam.verde.uk • Support: team@verde.uk • Socials: #purljam

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