Simple Beanie — Knit & Crochet (Worsted/Aran)

Yup: one pattern with both knit and crochet options. Designed for worsted/aran weight yarn (multi-size). Clear, calm, practical instructions; choose knit or crochet and follow the size you want.

Sizes & Finished Measurements

• Newborn: circumference ~12 in (30 cm); depth ~5 in (13 cm)
• Toddler: circumference ~14 in (36 cm); depth ~6 in (15 cm)
• Child: circumference ~18 in (46 cm); depth ~7 in (18 cm)
• Adult S/M: circumference ~20–22 in (51–56 cm); depth ~8.5 in (22 cm)
• Adult L/XL: circumference ~23–25 in (58–64 cm); depth ~9 in (23 cm)

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted/Aran (medium). Imperial & metric examples: Newborn 0.9 oz / 25 g (~55 yd / 50 m); Toddler 1.2 oz / 35 g (~80 yd / 73 m); Child 1.8 oz / 50 g (~110 yd / 100 m); Adult S/M 3.5 oz / 100 g (~200 yd / 183 m); Adult L/XL 5.3 oz / 150 g (~300 yd / 275 m). Adjust if using lighter/heavier yarn.
• Needles/hooks (see sizes below).
• Tapestry needle, stitch marker(s), optional pompom maker or scrap yarn for pompom.

Needle & Hook Sizes

Knitting (in the round preference; DPNs or long circulars for magic loop):

• US: 7–8 (commonly US7 or US8)
• UK old: 2–4
• Metric: 4.5–5.0 mm

Crochet (half-double crochet version recommended):

• US: I-9 to K-10.5 (typical HDC on worsted)
• UK old: 5 to 10
• Metric: 5.5–6.5 mm

Gauge (approximate; swatch before starting)

• Knitting: 18 stitches x 24 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette on 5.0 mm (US 8)
• Crochet: 14 HDC x 8 rows = 4 in / 10 cm on 5.5–6.0 mm hook (depends on HDC tension)

Construction Overview

Both versions: work a ribbed brim, then the main body in stockinette (knit) or HDC (crochet) until desired depth, then shape crown with decreases and close.

Abbreviations (US knitting & crochet)

• k: knit
• p: purl
• k2tog: knit 2 together
• st(s): stitch(es)
• CO: cast on
• BO: bind off
• pm: place marker
• rep: repeat
• HDC: half double crochet (US)
• hdc2tog: half double crochet 2 together (decrease)

Knit Version (in the round)

Notes: The pattern below lists suggested cast-on stitch counts that work with the gauge and allow a 1–2 in negative ease for snug beanies. If your gauge differs, choose a cast-on that gives the desired circumference and keep it even (1x1 rib needs an even number). Use long circular with magic loop or DPNs.

Suggested CAST-ON (CO) stitches

• Newborn: CO 48 sts
• Toddler: CO 56 sts
• Child: CO 72 sts
• Adult S/M: CO 88 sts
• Adult L/XL: CO 96 sts

Brim

1. CO specified number of sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker at start of round.
2. Work 1x1 rib (k1, p1) for 1.5–2 in (4–5 cm) for newborn/toddler/child; 2.5 in (6 cm) for adults, or adjust to preferred brim height.

Body

1. After brim, switch to stockinette in the round: knit every round until the hat measures the following from cast-on edge: newborn 5 in (13 cm) total depth including brim; toddler 6 in (15 cm); child 7 in (18 cm); adult S/M 8.5 in (22 cm); adult L/XL 9 in (23 cm). Stop when you have about 2.5–3 in (6.5–7.5 cm) left for crown shaping for adults; proportionally less for smaller sizes.

Crown Decreases (knit)

Use markers to divide the round into equal sections. Example decrease sequence for 88 sts (Adult S/M). Adapt the k/x numbers to your cast-on by dividing stitches by 8 sections.

1. Round 1: *k10, k2tog* around (88 -> 80)
2. Round 2: Knit all sts
3. Round 3: *k9, k2tog* around (80 -> 72)
4. Round 4: Knit all sts
5. Round 5: *k8, k2tog* around (72 -> 64)
6. Round 6: Knit all sts
7. Round 7: *k7, k2tog* around (64 -> 56)
8. Round 8: Knit all sts
9. Round 9: *k6, k2tog* around (56 -> 48)
10. Round 10: Knit all sts
11. Round 11: *k5, k2tog* around (48 -> 40)
12. Round 12: Knit all sts
13. Round 13: *k4, k2tog* around (40 -> 32)
14. Round 14: *k3, k2tog* around (32 -> 24)
15. Round 15: *k2, k2tog* around (24 -> 16)
16. Round 16: *k1, k2tog* around (16 -> 8)
17. Break yarn leaving a 6–8 in tail. Thread tail through tapestry needle and pull through remaining 8 sts, pull tight to close. Weave in ends. Make a pompom or leave rounded top.

Notes: If your cast-on count differs, divide into 8 sections and follow the same decrease rhythm: decrease every other round, reducing one knit between decreases each decrease round until you can close.

Crochet Version (HDC — worked in rounds)

This version uses HDC (US) for a textured, flexible beanie. Work in joined rounds or continuous rounds as you prefer. The increase scheme below is based on multiples of 12 stitches per round; adjust final stitch count to match target circumference.

Magic Ring Start (recommended)

1. Round 1: Make a magic ring, 12 HDC into ring (12)
2. Round 2: 2 HDC in each stitch around (24)
3. Round 3: *2 HDC in next st, HDC in next st* repeat around (36)
4. Round 4: *2 HDC in next st, HDC in next 2 sts* repeat around (48)
5. Round 5: *2 HDC, HDC x3* repeat around (60)
6. Round 6: *2 HDC, HDC x4* repeat around (72)

Keep increasing until the flat circle measures approximately the crown diameter you need before you start working even rounds. For reference: adult crown diameters are often ~7–8 in (18–20 cm). Increase rounds add 12 stitches each round after round 1; stop increases when the circle lays flat and matches desired circumference (or when your stitch count is near your target circumference). If necessary, adjust by adding single increases distributed evenly.

Body

1. Once the crown is the right size, work even HDC rounds (HDC in each st) until hat is desired depth from crown: newborn 5 in, toddler 6 in, child 7 in, adult S/M 8.5 in, adult L/XL 9 in (measure including brim).

Brim Options

• Fold-up ribbed look: switch to HDC in back loop only (BLO) for 6–10 rounds, then fold brim up and sew down.
• Elastic brim: work alternating HDC and chain or front post/back post combos to get stretch (advanced).

Crown Finish (crochet decrease)

1. Begin decreasing rounds: a basic approach is to work decrease rounds that reduce the stitch count roughly by 1/6 to 1/8 each decrease round. Example using 72 sts:
2. Round A: *HDC 8, hdc2tog* repeat (72 -> 64)
3. Round B: HDC around
4. Round C: *HDC 7, hdc2tog* repeat (64 -> 56)
5. Continue in this pattern (one decrease round, one even round), shortening the HDC run between hdc2tog each decrease round until 10–16 sts remain. Cut yarn long, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, weave in end.

Notes: HDC decreases can be done as hdc2tog or by crocheting two stitches together through the loop. Keep decreases evenly spaced; use stitch markers if helpful.

Optional Pompom

1. Make pompom with matching or contrast yarn. Attach firmly: pull tail through top closure and secure with a few stitches, weave in ends inside hat.

Finishing

• Weave in all ends on the inside. Block gently if using yarn that benefits from blocking (not necessary for superwash acrylic).
• Check fit and trim any stray fibers.

Sizing & Adjustments

To change the size: calculate desired circumference and multiply by your stitches-per-inch gauge. Choose a cast-on number that is compatible with your ribbing pattern (even for 1x1 rib). For crochet, aim for a final round stitch count near a multiple you used in increases; you can add or omit increase stitches to fine-tune.

Troubleshooting

• Hat too loose: drop down one needle/hook size or reduce cast-on by 4–8 stitches and re-measure.
• Hat too tight: go up a needle/hook size or add 4–8 stitches.
• Crown looks uneven: ensure decreases are evenly spaced and use markers to divide the round into equal segments.

Happy making. If you want this adapted for a different yarn weight or a brim twist (folded cable brim, earflaps, slouchy increase), tell me which and I’ll give exact counts and adjustments.

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

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