Striped Beanie - Knitting Pattern

Simple, unisex striped beanie worked in the round with a folded rib brim. Three sizes and an easy-to-follow crown decrease that works for any multiple of 8 stitches. Stripes are optional; instructions include a two-color stripe schedule.

Finished measurements

Small (S): circumference approx 17.8 in / 45 cm; depth before shaping approx 6.5 in / 16.5 cm
Medium (M): circumference approx 19.6 in / 50 cm; depth before shaping approx 7 in / 18 cm
Large (L): circumference approx 21.3 in / 54 cm; depth before shaping approx 7.5 in / 19 cm

Yarn

Weight: Worsted / Aran (US 4)
Main color (MC): S 150 yd / 137 m, M 175 yd / 160 m, L 200 yd / 183 m
Contrast color (CC) for stripes: S 50 yd / 46 m, M 75 yd / 69 m, L 100 yd / 91 m
Fiber: any smooth worsted-weight yarn (100% wool, wool blends, or acrylic)

Needles & Notions

Circular needle 16 in / 40 cm: US 8 / UK 6 / 5.0 mm
Set of double-pointed needles (or magic loop) US 8 / UK 6 / 5.0 mm
Optional smaller circular for brim if you prefer a firmer brim: US 7 / UK 7 / 4.5 mm
Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors

Gauge

18 stitches × 24 rounds = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette (in the round) on US 8 / 5.0 mm. Adjust needle size to match gauge.

Abbreviations

CO = cast on
K = knit
P = purl
K2tog = knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
St(s) = stitch(es)
Rnd = round
PM = place marker
MC = main color
CC = contrast color

Sizes & Cast-on

Small (S): CO 80 sts
Medium (M): CO 88 sts
Large (L): CO 96 sts

Note: These stitch counts are divisible by 8 and work cleanly with the crown decrease described below.

Brim

Using MC and circular needle, CO required sts using a stretchy cast-on.
Join to work in the round, taking care not to twist. PM to mark beginning of round.
Work K1, P1 rib for 1.75 in / 4.5 cm (or desired brim height). If you prefer a folded brim, work 3.5 in / 9 cm and fold up.

Body and Stripes

After ribbing, continue in stockinette (knit every round) in MC for 6 rounds, then introduce CC as follows for subtle stripes. You may use any stripe sequence you like; this is a sample:

Stripe repeat: 6 rnds MC, 4 rnds CC — repeat until hat measures (from cast-on): S 6.5 in / 16.5 cm, M 7 in / 18 cm, L 7.5 in / 19 cm. End after a complete stripe (i.e., finish a full CC or MC segment so decreases start at the start of a round).

Crown shaping (all sizes)

We use a repeat of 8 evenly spaced decreases per round. Each decrease round is written as *K x, K2tog* repeat 8 times. The starting value x depends on your current stitch count and will step down by 1 each decrease round. Continue decreasing rounds until 8 stitches remain, then gather and finish.

Explicit decrease sequences by size:

Small (80 sts):
Round 1: *K9, K2tog* repeat 8 times —> 72 sts
Round 2: *K8, K2tog* repeat 8 —> 64 sts
Round 3: *K7, K2tog* repeat 8 —> 56 sts
Round 4: *K6, K2tog* repeat 8 —> 48 sts
Round 5: *K5, K2tog* repeat 8 —> 40 sts
Round 6: *K4, K2tog* repeat 8 —> 32 sts
Round 7: *K3, K2tog* repeat 8 —> 24 sts
Round 8: *K2, K2tog* repeat 8 —> 16 sts
Round 9: *K1, K2tog* repeat 8 —> 8 sts —> break yarn and gather through remaining 8 sts; weave end to inside.
Medium (88 sts):
Round 1: *K10, K2tog* repeat 8 —> 80 sts
Round 2: *K9, K2tog* repeat 8 —> 72 sts —> continue as for Small from Round 2 onward (see above) until 8 sts remain; gather.
Large (96 sts):
Round 1: *K11, K2tog* repeat 8 —> 88 sts
Round 2: *K10, K2tog* repeat 8 —> 80 sts
Round 3: *K9, K2tog* repeat 8 —> 72 sts —> continue as for Small until 8 sts remain; gather.

Notes on decreases: Because each decrease round uses 8 repeats, the number of stitches after each round = previous stitches - 8. Always check that you have 8 repeats of the sequence in a round; if you miscount, place a marker every repeat to help.

Finishing

After the final decrease round when 8 stitches remain, cut yarn leaving a 10 in / 25 cm tail. Thread tail through yarn needle and draw through remaining sts. Pull gently to close the top. Secure and weave in all ends on the wrong side.
If you worked a folded brim, fold brim up and sew the inside edge in place with matching yarn, or leave folded without sewing for a looser fold.
Block gently if desired to even out stitches and set the shape. Be careful with steam on acrylic or superwash fibers.

Stripe & color tips

Carry color up the inside when stripes are short to avoid many ends: twist MC and CC every 2-3 rounds to catch floats, or cut and weave ends for very short stripes.
To change color: on the last stitch of the round, drop old color and pick up new color to start the next round. Weave in tails on the inside later.

Customization

To make a slouchier hat: add 1–2 in / 2.5–5 cm to the body length before beginning crown decreases.
For a tighter fit: use smaller needles or make one size down.
Add a pompom in MC or CC to finish.

Troubleshooting

Hat too small/large: change needle size or adjust cast-on by ±8 stitches (one 8-st repeat) to keep decrease math working.
Uneven stripes: carry floats loosely; do not pull tight across the wrong side.

Pattern written by PurlJam. For questions or support contact team@verde.uk. Visit https://purljam.verde.uk and follow #purljam on social media.

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