Simple Slouch Beanie — Knitting Pattern

Yarn-friendly, mindfully slouchy beanie worked in worsted weight yarn. Sized newborn through large adult, cuffed or slouchy finish, clear gauge and needle options, DPN/circular instructions and finishing notes included. Designed for knitters who like clean, modern lines.

Skill level

Beginner–intermediate: basic knits/purls, working in the round, simple decreases. Tips included for using either circular needles or double-pointed needles.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (US #4 / Aran) recommended. Typical skein: 100g / 3.5 oz = ~200 yards / 183 m. Yardage needed (approx):
• Newborn (14”): 75 yards / 69 m
• Baby (16”): 100 yards / 91 m
• Child (18”): 110 yards / 100 m
• Teen/Small Adult (20”): 120 yards / 110 m
• Adult (22”): 130 yards / 119 m
• Large (24”): 150 yards / 137 m
• Needles (choose system you prefer):
• Brim (smaller): US 6 / UK 8 (old) / 4.0 mm
• Body (main): US 7 / UK 7 (old) / 4.5 mm
• Optional slouchy body: US 8 / UK 6 (old) / 5.0 mm
• Double-pointed needles (DPNs) same sizes for small circumferences (set of 4 or 5)
• 16” (40 cm) circulars in the same sizes for magic loop or small-circumference or 8” (20 cm) circulars for small heads
• Tapestry needle, stitch marker, scissors, optional pompom maker

Gauge

18 stitches x 24 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette on US 7 (4.5 mm). Always swatch in the round if you plan to knit this hat in the round.

Sizes & Finished Measurements

• Newborn: circumference 14” / 35.5 cm; length (cuffed) ~5.5” / 14 cm
• Baby: 16” / 40.5 cm; length ~6” / 15 cm
• Child: 18” / 46 cm; length ~6.5” / 16.5 cm
• Teen/Small Adult: 20” / 51 cm; length ~7” / 18 cm
• Adult: 22” / 56 cm; length ~7.5” / 19 cm
• Large: 24” / 61 cm; length ~8.5” / 21.5 cm

Abbreviations

• K: knit
• P: purl
• CO: cast on
• PM: place marker
• SM: slip marker
• St(s): stitch(es)
• Rnd: round

Stitch multiples

This pattern uses a 2x2 rib (k2, p2) for the cuff so cast-on counts are multiples of 4. Suggested cast-on counts (multiples of 4) that match gauge to the sizes above:

• Newborn: CO 64
• Baby: CO 72
• Child: CO 80
• Teen/Small Adult: CO 90
• Adult: CO 100
• Large: CO 108

Notes

• Hat is worked in the round from brim to crown.
• You can work a folded cuff (double brim) by casting on twice the recommended cuff length in rows before joining; instructions below give cuff length recommendations.
• If you prefer a slouchier hat, use the larger needle for the body or add length before starting decreases.

Pattern

1. Cast on & setup

1. CO the number of stitches for your size using your preferred method. Place a marker to mark the beginning of the round and join, being careful not to twist.
2. Work brim: Ribbing for 1.5” (3.8 cm) for a standard cuff. For a deep folded cuff work 3.0” (7.5 cm). Rib pattern: rnds 1–end: *K2, P2* around.

2. Body

1. Switch to main needle size (US 7 / 4.5 mm). Work in stockinette (knit every stitch each round) until the hat measures from cast-on edge to top: Newborn 5.5” / 14 cm; Baby 6” / 15 cm; Child 6.5” / 16.5 cm; Teen 7” / 18 cm; Adult 7.5” / 19 cm; Large 8.5” / 21.5 cm. For slouchy style stop 0.5”–1.0” (1.25–2.5 cm) longer before decreases.

3. Crown decreases (universal decrease sequence)

Work the following decrease rounds, alternating a decrease round with a plain knit round, until few stitches remain. The sequence is tolerant of different starting stitch counts; where the repeat doesn't divide evenly, simply work the pattern as written and your last repeat will be shorter (this is normal). Work a plain knit round between each decrease round.

1. Round A (decrease): *K8, K2tog* repeat to end of round.
2. Knit 1 round (no decreases).
3. Round B: *K7, K2tog* repeat to end.
4. Knit 1 round.
5. Round C: *K6, K2tog* repeat to end.
6. Knit 1 round.
7. Round D: *K5, K2tog* repeat to end.
8. Knit 1 round.
9. Round E: *K4, K2tog* repeat to end.
10. Knit 1 round.
11. Round F: *K3, K2tog* repeat to end.
12. Knit 1 round.
13. Round G: *K2, K2tog* repeat to end.
14. Knit 1 round.
15. Round H: *K1, K2tog* repeat to end.
16. Knit 1 round.
17. Round I: K2tog across until small number of stitches remain (usually 8–12 sts). Cut yarn leaving a long tail (~8” / 20 cm) and thread tail through tapestry needle. Pull tail through remaining sts, pull tight to close crown, weave in ends securely.

Notes on decreases: This standard tapered sequence works for the stitch counts suggested. If you're using a very different stitch count, space decreases as evenly as possible across the round; place extra single knit stitches between decreases at the beginning of the round as needed so spacing looks uniform.

4. Finishing

• Weave in ends on the wrong side. Block gently if desired to even stitches.
• Make a pompom if you like and attach securely.
• If you created a long tail to draw the crown, hand-stitch the gathered top from the inside to tuck and secure the tail so it doesn't show.

Alternative options

• Cuff variations: slip-stitch tubular cast-on for a neat single-layer cuff; or cast on fewer sts and work a fitted beanie without a folded brim.
• Colorwork: After the brim, change colors and work the body in stranded colorwork or simple stripes; adjust yarn quantities.
• Lining: Sew a soft fleece lining for extra warmth; cut a circle and a rectangle to fit the interior, stitch by hand along the brim edge.

Troubleshooting & tips

• Hat feels tight? Go up one needle size for the body and check gauge again.
• Crown puckering or uneven decreases? Try placing decreases so they align into a pleasing spiral; use a stitch marker to mark the first decrease of each round.
• Using magic loop? Use the larger circular for the body and switch to DPNs when stitches get small if you prefer.

Care

Follow yarn label: generally machine wash gentle and lay flat to dry for worsted acrylic or hand wash and lay flat for natural fibres.

Notes about conversions

Needle conversion shown above uses common conversions: US sizes, UK old numbering and metric mm values are included for each needle used in this pattern. Yarn totals are provided in both imperial (yards) and metric (meters) measures.

Support

If you need help with the pattern, visit https://purljam.verde.uk or email support at team@verde.uk. Share finished hats and questions on socials with the tag #purljam.

Happy knitting—enjoy your beanie!

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