Basic Ribbed Beanie

Teen size · Worsted weight · Beginner

A stretchy, close-fitting ribbed beanie worked in the round from the brim up. Knit 2, purl 2 ribbing gives warmth and a lot of give, so one size covers most teen heads. Crown shaping uses only k2tog and p2tog.

Skill level: Beginner

Size

Teen / Adult Small (one size)

To fit head circumference: 20–22½ in (51–57 cm)

Finished measurements

• Circumference: 17¾ in (45 cm), unstretched (will stretch to fit the range above)
• Height: 8½ in (21.5 cm) from cast-on edge to crown, unstretched

To add a little slouch, work 1 in (2.5 cm) extra even ribbing before the crown. For a fold-up brim, work 2 in (5 cm) extra even ribbing.

Yarn

Worsted weight yarn (CYC 4), 170 yd (155 m)

Suggested: 1 skein of a wool or wool-blend worsted (about 100 g / 196–220 yd). Smooth, light-colored yarn makes the ribbing easier to read.

Needles

• US 10 (6 mm) 16 in (40 cm) circular needle
• US 10 (6 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) for the crown
• Or size needed to obtain gauge

Magic loop on a longer circular may be substituted for the DPNs if you already use that method.

Notions

• 1 stitch marker (beginning of round)
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Optional: pompom maker or extra yarn for a pompom

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rounds = 4 in (10 cm) in k2, p2 ribbing, unstretched, using US 10 (6 mm) needles.

Work a circular swatch (or a flat swatch measured unstretched). Change needle size if needed to match gauge — the 6 mm size is the target, but fit depends on matching this stitch count.

Abbreviations (US)

• BO — bind off
• 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)

Notes

• The hat is worked in the round. Place a marker at the beginning of the round and slip it every round.
• Do not twist the stitches when you join.
• K2, p2 ribbing is *k2, p2; rep from * to end of every round until the crown.
• When the stitches no longer sit comfortably on the 16 in circular (during crown decreases), switch to DPNs. Divide stitches as evenly as you can across 3 or 4 DPNs.
• Ribbing is very stretchy. The unstretched 17¾ in hat is meant to sit with negative ease on a 20–22½ in head.

Pattern

Brim and body

With US 10 (6 mm) 16 in circular needle, CO 80 sts using a long-tail cast-on (or another stretchy cast-on).

Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Pm for beginning of round.

Ribbing rnd: *K2, p2; rep from * to end of rnd.

Repeat the Ribbing rnd until the piece measures 7½ in (19 cm) from the cast-on edge.

(80 sts remain throughout the even ribbing. ✓)

Crown

Switch to DPNs when the circular needle feels too long.

Rnd 1 (dec): *K2, p2tog; rep from * to end of rnd.
(20 repeats × 1 st decreased = 20 sts decreased; 80 − 20 = 60 sts ✓)

Rnd 2: *K2, p1; rep from * to end of rnd.
(60 sts ✓)

Rnd 3 (dec): *K2tog, p1; rep from * to end of rnd.
(20 repeats; 60 − 20 = 40 sts ✓)

Rnd 4: *K1, p1; rep from * to end of rnd.
(40 sts ✓)

Rnd 5 (dec): *K2tog; rep from * to end of rnd.
(40 − 20 = 20 sts ✓)

Rnd 6 (dec): *K2tog; rep from * to end of rnd.
(20 − 10 = 10 sts ✓)

Finishing

Cut yarn, leaving an 8 in (20 cm) tail. Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle, draw it through the remaining 10 sts, and pull tight to close the crown. Weave the tail to the inside and secure.

Weave in the cast-on tail on the wrong side.

Block lightly if desired: dampen, shape into a beanie, and dry flat. Do not stretch the ribbing out of its natural width if you want to keep the negative ease.

Optional pompom: Make a pompom and sew it firmly to the crown, weaving in the ends on the inside.

Checklist

• Gauge: 18 sts = 4 in in k2, p2 rib, unstretched
• Cast on: 80 sts
• Even ribbing to 7½ in, then 6 crown rounds
• Stitch path: 80 → 60 → 40 → 20 → 10, then cinch
• Finished size: 17¾ in around × 8½ in tall, unstretched