Simple Everyday Beanie — Knit & Crochet Versions
A versatile, close-fitting beanie with both knitting (top-down, ribbed brim) and crochet (magic ring, worked-in-round) versions. Two adult sizes are written; notes explain how to adjust length and circumference. Friendly for confident beginners and quick to make.
Sizes & Finished Measurements
- Adult Small (S): Finished circumference 20” / 51 cm; height 8.5” / 21.5 cm
- Adult Medium (M): Finished circumference 21.5” / 55 cm; height 9” / 23 cm
- Adult Large (L): Finished circumference 23” / 58.5 cm; height 9.5” / 24 cm
Materials
- Yarn: Worsteds / Aran weight; suggested: 200 yds / 183 m per 100 g (Imperial: 200 yards, Metric: 183 meters per 100 g). Requirements: S: 100 g (1 skein) ~200 yds / 183 m; M: 100–150 g (200–300 yds / 183–275 m); L: 150 g ~300 yds / 275 m depending on head height.
- Knitting needles (circular & double points): Main: US 8 — UK 8 (old) — 5.0 mm (circular 16”/40 cm or longer for magic-loop). Brim if tighter: US 7 — UK 7 (old) — 4.5 mm (optional for a firmer rib).
- Crochet hook: US H-8 — UK 7 (old) — 5.0 mm (or 4.5 mm for a firmer fabric).
- Notions: yarn needle, stitch marker (for join/start of rounds), tapestry needle, pair of scissors, measuring tape.
Gauge
Knitting: 18 sts x 24 rows = 4” / 10 cm in stockinette on 5.0 mm needles. Crochet: 14 sc x 16 rows = 4” / 10 cm using 5.0 mm hook. Adjust needle/hook to match gauge for correct fit.
Abbreviations & Conversions
- Knitting (US terms shown; UK equivalents in parentheses where different): k = knit, p = purl, st(s) = stitch(es), k2tog = knit 2 together, p2tog = purl 2 together, CO = cast on, BO = bind off, rnd = round, dpn = double-pointed needle.
- Crochet: ch = chain, sc = single crochet (UK = dc), sl st = slip stitch, inc = increase (2 sc in same st), dec = sc2tog (single crochet 2 together).
- Needle size conversions: US 8 = 5.0 mm = UK 8 (old). US 7 = 4.5 mm = UK 7 (old). Crochet US H-8 = 5.0 mm = UK 7 (old).
Knitting Version — Top-Down Hat (Worked in the Round)
Cast-on & Brim
Use either magic-loop circular needle or small circular + dpns when necessary.
- Sizing cast-on counts (st counts are multiples of 2 to make decreases tidy): S: 96 sts; M: 104 sts; L: 112 sts.
- With smaller needle (optional for firmer brim) CO your stitch count using a stretchy cast-on. Join to work in the round, place marker.
- Ribbing: K2, P2 rib for 1.5” / 4 cm (for a folded brim: work 3” / 7.5 cm then fold up and seam later). Use larger needle to continue if you used a smaller for the brim.
Body
After ribbing, switch to stockinette (knit all rounds) and work until piece measures from CO to crown start: S: 6.5” / 16.5 cm, M: 7” / 18 cm, L: 7.5” / 19 cm. Measure on the blocked/relaxed hat to match intended height.
Crown Decreases (worked evenly spaced each decrease round)
Place 8 markers to divide rounds into 8 equal sections. Decrease rounds alternate with plain rounds as written so crown lays flat.
Decrease key (example M with 104 sts):
Round A (decrease): *K12, k2tog* repeat to end (reduces 8 sts) -> 96 sts
Round B: Knit all
Round C: *K11, k2tog* repeat -> 88 sts
Round D: Knit all
Round E: *K10, k2tog* -> 80 sts
Round F: Knit all
Round G: *K9, k2tog* -> 72 sts
Round H: Knit all
Round I: *K8, k2tog* -> 64 sts
Round J: Knit all
Round K: *K7, k2tog* -> 56 sts
Round L: Knit all
Round M: *K6, k2tog* -> 48 sts
Round N: Knit all
Round O: *K5, k2tog* -> 40 sts
Round P: Knit all
Round Q: *K4, k2tog* -> 32 sts
Round R: Knit all
Round S: *K3, k2tog* -> 24 sts
Round T: Knit all
Round U: *K2, k2tog* -> 16 sts
Round V: *K1, k2tog* -> 11 sts (if odd adjust: k2tog across leaving 1)
Final round: K2tog across, aiming for 6-8 sts remaining. Break yarn leaving 8–10” tail and thread through remaining sts, pull tight, secure and weave in end.
Notes: For other cast-on counts follow the same decrease sequence but calculate the initial repeat count (e.g., k(n-1), k2tog where n = current repeat length). If your hat wants to be slouchier, work more rounds before starting decreases; for a fitted hat, begin decreases earlier.
Crochet Version — Magic Ring, Worked in Spiral or Joined Rounds
Crown & Body
Gauge and yarn same as knitting version. Work in continuous rounds (spiral) or join at end of each round with sl st.
Top/crown (approx counts to reach desired circumference):
Round 1: Magic ring, 6 sc into ring, pull tight (6)
Round 2: *inc* around (12)
Round 3: *sc, inc* around (18)
Round 4: *2 sc, inc* around (24)
Round 5: *3 sc, inc* around (30)
Round 6: *4 sc, inc* around (36)
Round 7: *5 sc, inc* around (42)
Round 8: *6 sc, inc* around (48)
Round 9: *7 sc, inc* around (54)
Round 10: *8 sc, inc* around (60)
Continue increasing in this pattern until you reach approx:
S: 58–60 sts, M: 62–66 sts, L: 68–72 sts for the flat crown. Then stop increasing and work even rounds in sc until hat measures from crown to brim: S: 6.5” / 16.5 cm, M: 7” / 18 cm, L: 7.5” / 19 cm.
Brim
- For a simple brim: Continue sc rounds for desired height (1.5” / 4 cm). For a folded brim: work 3” / 7.5 cm and fold up, sewing the turn-up in place with matching yarn.
- For ribbed crochet brim: Round 1: sc in BLO (back loop only) for several rounds to create a ribbed texture; this gives nice stretch and visual ribbing similar to knit.
Finish
When decreasing the crown in crochet, work sc2tog evenly spaced rounds until 6-8 stitches remain, then cut yarn leaving an 8-10” tail, thread tail through remaining stitches, pull tight, secure, and weave in ends.
Finishing & Blocking
- Weave in all loose ends with a tapestry needle. Tidy the inside by burying tails along a seam or in the purl ridges (knit hat).
- Block lightly: steam or wet block depending on fiber. For wool, soak in lukewarm water with wool wash, gently squeeze out excess, shape on a rounded form (bowl or head form) and let dry flat. Avoid overstretching brim if you want fitted fit.
Adjustments & Customization
- To change fit: adjust cast-on / starting crown increase size for crochet or change cast-on sts for knit. Aim for 2” less than head circumference for a snug beanie, or 0-1” less for slouch.
- Add texture: switch stockinette to seed stitch or include a 4-row cable panel (knit) by substituting the central rounds with cable pattern before decreases.
- Two-color options: add fair isle band or simple contrast brim. For stranded colorwork keep floats even and not too tight.
Care
Follow yarn label. Typical wool: hand wash cold, lay flat to dry. Superwash can be machine washed on a gentle cycle but avoid heat and tumble drying. Acrylic: machine washable, check label.
Troubleshooting
- Hat too loose: drop needle size a half or full size; check gauge and retest.
- Hat too tight: increase needle/hook size or add more rounds in the body before decreases.
- Crown puckering: distribute decreases evenly; if puckering persists, try a different decrease sequence (sl1, k2tog, psso) for a neater finish.
Notes
Pattern intentionally uses simple shaping so you can customize easily. Keep a row counter or mark every 4th round; when working magic-loop keep marker always at the start of round. If you prefer an earflap or brim extension, add after finishing the body: pick up stitches around lower edge and work desired shaping.