Basic Ribbed Beanie

A stretchy, warm beanie worked entirely in k2, p2 ribbing from the brim to the crown. Simple decreases keep the rib pattern going as long as possible. Designed for worsted-weight yarn and beginner knitters who are comfortable knitting in the round.

Skill level: Beginner

Sizes

Child (Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large)

To fit head circumference: 18–20 (20–21½, 22–23, 23½–25)" [45.5–51 (51–54.5, 56–58.5, 59.5–63.5) cm]

Choose the size closest to the wearer’s head measurement. Ribbing has a lot of stretch and is meant to be worn with negative ease.

Finished measurements

Unstretched circumference: 16 (17½, 19¼, 20¾)" [40.5 (44.5, 49, 52.5) cm]

Height from brim to crown: 8 (8½, 9, 9½)" [20.5 (21.5, 23, 24) cm]

Yarn

Worsted weight yarn (CYC 4); wool, wool blend, or acrylic.

Approximately 100 (125, 150, 175) yards [91 (114, 137, 160) m]

Most adult sizes use one 200-yard / 100 g skein.

Needles

US 8 / 5 mm, 16" (40 cm) circular needle

US 8 / 5 mm double-pointed needles (or a long circular for magic loop) for the crown

Use the needle size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions

Stitch marker

Tapestry needle

Scissors

Optional: pompom maker or extra yarn for a pompom

Gauge

20 stitches and 28 rounds = 4" (10 cm) in k2, p2 ribbing, unstretched, after a light steam or spray block.

Check gauge in the round. If you have too many stitches in 4" (10 cm), use a larger needle; if you have too few, use a smaller needle.

Notes

• The hat is worked in the round from the brim up. There is no seam.
• Cast on loosely so the brim stretches. Long-tail cast-on is a good beginner choice.
• Do not twist the stitches when you join for working in the round.
• The entire hat is k2, p2 ribbing until the crown. The “brim” is simply the lower portion of the same fabric.
• Change to double-pointed needles (or magic loop) when the stitches no longer fit comfortably on the 16" (40 cm) circular.
• Instructions are written Child (Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large). When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

Abbreviations (US)

CO — cast on k — knit k2tog — knit 2 stitches together (1 stitch decreased) p — purl p2tog — purl 2 stitches together (1 stitch decreased) pm — place marker rep — repeat rnd(s) — round(s) st(s) — stitch(es) * — repeat the instructions after the asterisk as directed

Pattern

Brim and body

Using the circular needle and a stretchy cast-on, CO 80 (88, 96, 104) sts. (80 (88, 96, 104) is a multiple of 4 ✓)

Pm and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist.

Ribbing rnd: *K2, p2; rep from * to end of rnd. (20 (22, 24, 26) repeats of k2, p2 ✓)

Repeat the Ribbing rnd until the piece measures 6½ (7, 7½, 8)" [16.5 (18, 19, 20.5) cm] from the cast-on edge.

Crown

Change to double-pointed needles or magic loop when needed. Keep the marker at the beginning of the rnd.

Rnd 1 (dec): *K2, p2tog; rep from * to end of rnd. 80 (88, 96, 104) sts × 3/4 = 60 (66, 72, 78) sts ✓

Rnds 2–4: *K2, p1; rep from * to end of rnd.

Rnd 5 (dec): *K2tog, p1; rep from * to end of rnd. 60 (66, 72, 78) sts × 2/3 = 40 (44, 48, 52) sts ✓

Rnds 6–8: *K1, p1; rep from * to end of rnd.

Rnd 9 (dec): *K2tog; rep from * to end of rnd. 40 (44, 48, 52) sts ÷ 2 = 20 (22, 24, 26) sts ✓

Rnd 10: Knit.

Rnd 11 (dec): *K2tog; rep from * to end of rnd. 20 (22, 24, 26) sts ÷ 2 = 10 (11, 12, 13) sts ✓

Finishing

Cut the yarn, leaving an 8" (20.5 cm) tail. Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle, draw it through the remaining 10 (11, 12, 13) sts, and pull snug to close the crown. Pass the tail through the stitches a second time, then to the inside of the hat, and weave in the end.

Weave in the cast-on tail on the inside of the brim.

Block lightly if desired: mist or steam the hat and pat it into shape. Do not stretch the ribbing flat or it will lose its bounce.

Optional pompom: make a pompom and sew it securely to the center of the crown, weaving in the joining yarn on the inside.

Wear with the brim unfolded for a classic beanie, or fold up 1–1½" (2.5–4 cm) for a double-thick brim.