Striped Two-Color Beanie (knit)

A simple, versatile worsted/aran weight beanie worked in the round with 2-color stripes. Suitable for confident beginner/intermediate knitters. Includes US, UK old and metric needle sizes, yardage in imperial and metric, and a repeatable crown-decrease sequence that scales for three adult sizes.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted / Aran weight (Category 4). Two contrasting colors: Color A and Color B. Recommended skein reference: 100 g = ~200 yd / 183 m (approx). Yarn amounts by size (total / per color): Small 120 yd / 110 m total (60 yd / 55 m each) ~60 g total (30 g each) ~2.12 oz total (1.06 oz each); Medium 160 yd / 146 m total (80 yd / 73 m each) ~80 g total (40 g each) ~2.82 oz total (1.41 oz each); Large 200 yd / 183 m total (100 yd / 91.5 m each) ~100 g total (50 g each) ~3.53 oz total (1.76 oz each).
• Needles: Brim: 16 inch / 40 cm circular or magic-loop + DPNs if preferred. Options: US 7 (UK old 7) 4.5 mm for a firmer brim. Body: 16 inch / 40 cm circular + DPNs or long circular for magic loop: US 8 (UK old 6) 5.0 mm for main fabric. Alternate for slouchier hat: US 9 (UK old 5) 5.5 mm / 5.5 mm.
• Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, optional pompom maker, waste yarn for provisional cast-on (optional).

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette on US 8 / 5.0 mm needles. Adjust needle size to match gauge.

Sizes and finished measurements

• Small (child/small adult): 18 in / 46 cm circumference (cast-on 80 sts)
• Medium (adult average): 20 in / 51 cm circumference (cast-on 90 sts)
• Large (adult large/slouch): 22 in / 56 cm circumference (cast-on 100 sts)

Abbreviations

• K knit
• P purl
• K2tog knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
• SSK slip slip knit (left-leaning decrease)
• St(s) stitch(es)
• Rnd(s) round(s)
• CO cast on

Notes

• Pattern is worked in the round; use long circular + magic loop or small circular + DPNs when crown decreases make the circumference small.
• Striping: change color every 2 rounds for clean horizontal stripes. Carry floats up to 6 rounds; if longer, cut yarn and weave tails.
• When instructions list three numbers they correspond to Small (Medium, Large).

Pattern

1. Cast on using long-tail or preferred method: CO 80 (90, 100) sts using Color A on smaller needles if you prefer firmer brim (US 7 / 4.5 mm) or join immediately on US 8 / 5.0 mm for same tension throughout. Place marker and join, taking care not to twist.
2. Ribbed brim: Work K2, P2 rib in the round for 1.5 in / 4 cm (or 2 in / 5 cm if you want a taller brim). Continue to maintain stripe pattern: if you begin with Color A, work rib entirely in Color A or switch to stripe pattern immediately depending on look desired.
3. Body and stripes: Switch to US 8 / 5.0 mm if you used smaller needles. Work stockinette in the round (knit every round). Stripe pattern: 2 rounds Color A, 2 rounds Color B, repeat until hat measures from cast-on edge approx 7 (8, 9) inches / 18 (20, 23) cm, or desired length to start crown decreases. Tip: end on the same color at the start of decreases for symmetrical stripes, or continue the alternation as you prefer.
4. Crown decreases: You will use an even, repeatable decrease sequence that reduces 10 sts each decrease cycle. For clarity the pattern below lists explicit rounds for each cast-on size. Work decreases in the current stripe sequence; when color changes occur mid-decrease, just follow color change and decrease placement.

Crown decrease sequence (explicit)

General rule: For these sizes the hat is divisible into 10 repeats, so each decrease round uses Kx, K2tog repeated 10 times. Between decrease rounds knit one plain round to stagger decreases and keep fabric neat. After the last decrease rounds, break yarn and pull through remaining stitches.

• Small 80 sts: Rnd 1: *K7, K2tog* repeat 10 (80->70). Rnd 2: knit. Rnd 3: *K6, K2tog* x10 (70->60). Rnd 4: knit. Rnd 5: *K5, K2tog* x10 (60->50). Rnd 6: knit. Rnd 7: *K4, K2tog* x10 (50->40). Rnd 8: knit. Rnd 9: *K3, K2tog* x10 (40->30). Rnd 10: knit. Rnd 11: *K2, K2tog* x10 (30->20). Rnd 12: knit. Rnd 13: *K1, K2tog* x10 (20->10). Rnd 14: *K2tog* repeat 5 -> 5 sts remain. Break yarn, thread tail through remaining 5 sts, pull tight and weave to inside.
• Medium 90 sts: Rnd 1: *K8, K2tog* x10 (90->80). Rnd 2: knit. Rnd 3: *K7, K2tog* x10 (80->70). Rnd 4: knit. Rnd 5: *K6, K2tog* x10 (70->60). Rnd 6: knit. Rnd 7: *K5, K2tog* x10 (60->50). Rnd 8: knit. Rnd 9: *K4, K2tog* x10 (50->40). Rnd 10: knit. Rnd 11: *K3, K2tog* x10 (40->30). Rnd 12: knit. Rnd 13: *K2, K2tog* x10 (30->20). Rnd 14: knit. Rnd 15: *K1, K2tog* x10 (20->10). Rnd 16: *K2tog* x5 -> 5 sts remain. Finish as above.
• Large 100 sts: Rnd 1: *K9, K2tog* x10 (100->90). Rnd 2: knit. Rnd 3: *K8, K2tog* x10 (90->80). Rnd 4: knit. Rnd 5: *K7, K2tog* x10 (80->70). Rnd 6: knit. Rnd 7: *K6, K2tog* x10 (70->60). Rnd 8: knit. Rnd 9: *K5, K2tog* x10 (60->50). Rnd 10: knit. Rnd 11: *K4, K2tog* x10 (50->40). Rnd 12: knit. Rnd 13: *K3, K2tog* x10 (40->30). Rnd 14: knit. Rnd 15: *K2, K2tog* x10 (30->20). Rnd 16: knit. Rnd 17: *K1, K2tog* x10 (20->10). Rnd 18: *K2tog* x5 -> 5 sts remain. Finish as above.

Finishing

• After final decrease round, cut yarn leaving a 12-18 inch tail, thread through remaining stitches with tapestry needle, pull snug to close top, secure and weave tail to inside. Weave in all ends, trim floats if any.
• Optional pompom: make a pompom with either Color A, Color B, or mixed. Attach securely and weave ends into hat interior.

Color change tips

• To change colors every 2 rounds: at the end of round, drop old color, pick up new color and start next round with new color. Catch the tail on first st of new color to lock it if you want no hole at join.
• To carry yarn inside: twist yarns every time you cross colors on the back to avoid long floats; do not carry for more than 6 rounds to avoid tight spots.

Variations and ideas

• Wider stripes: change every 4 rounds. Narrower stripes: every 1 round (tension permitting).
• Make brim in 1x1 rib instead of 2x2 for a different look.
• Use slipstitch colorwork to create patterned stripes without frequent carrying for long floats.

Troubleshooting

• If hat is too small: go up a needle size or add 10 sts (keeping multiple of 10 for the decrease scheme) and adjust yarn amount.
• If crown puckers unevenly: ensure you keep the knit round between decrease rounds to stagger decreases, and keep decrease placement consistent relative to stitch marker.

Notes and support

For questions and support visit https://purljam.verde.uk or email team@verde.uk. Share finished makes with tag #purljam

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