Basic Ribbed Beanie (Crown-Down)

DK Weight – Beginner

A stretchy, classic K2P2 ribbed beanie worked seamlessly in the round from the crown down to the brim. Simple increases shape the crown; the body and brim are pure rib for warmth and fit. Perfect first hat project.

Sizes

Child (Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large) To fit head circumference: 18–20 (21–22, 23–24, 25–26)" / 45.5–51 (53.5–56, 58.5–61, 63.5–66) cm Finished circumference (unstretched): 16 (17.5, 20.4, 21.8)" / 40.5 (44.5, 52, 55.5) cm Finished length (crown to brim): 7.5 (8.5, 9.25, 10)" / 19 (21.5, 23.5, 25.5) cm

Shown in Adult Medium.

Yarn

DK weight yarn (CYC #3) Approximately 120 (150, 185, 210) yds / 110 (137, 169, 192) m Sample uses a smooth superwash wool DK for clear stitch definition and easy care.

Needles

US 6 / 4 mm – 16" (40 cm) circular needle and set of double-pointed needles (DPNs), or long circular for magic-loop, or size needed to obtain gauge (Optional: US 5 / 3.75 mm for a slightly firmer brim – not required for beginners)

Notions

Stitch marker Tapestry needle Scissors (Optional) Pompom maker or faux-fur pompom

Gauge

22 sts and 30 rnds = 4" / 10 cm in K2P2 rib, slightly stretched, after blocking 22 sts and 30 rnds = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette stitch Take time to check gauge. Swatch in the round for accuracy.

Abbreviations (US)

CO – cast on k – knit p – purl kfb – knit into front and back of stitch (1 st increased) rnd(s) – round(s) pm – place marker sm – slip marker st(s) – stitch(es) DPNs – double-pointed needles

Notes

• The hat is worked from the crown to the brim in the round.
• Crown is worked in stockinette for beginner-friendly shaping; body and brim are K2P2 rib.
• Change to circular needle when stitch count is comfortable.
• Keep increases loose so the crown lies flat.
• Bind off very loosely (or use a stretchy bind-off) so the brim stretches over the head.
• Instructions are written for Child size with Adult Small, Medium, and Large in parentheses: Child (S, M, L).
• When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

Pattern

Crown

Using DPNs (or magic loop), CO 8 sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Pm for beginning of rnd.

Rnd 1: Knit. (8 sts) Rnd 2 (inc): *Kfb; rep from * to end. (16 sts)
(8 increases → 8 + 8 = 16 ✓)

Rnd 3: Knit. Rnd 4 (inc): *K1, kfb; rep from * to end. (24 sts)
(8 increases → 16 + 8 = 24 ✓)

Rnd 5: Knit. Rnd 6 (inc): *K2, kfb; rep from * to end. (32 sts)
(8 increases → 24 + 8 = 32 ✓)

Rnd 7: Knit. Rnd 8 (inc): *K3, kfb; rep from * to end. (40 sts)
(8 increases → 32 + 8 = 40 ✓)

Rnd 9: Knit. Rnd 10 (inc): *K4, kfb; rep from * to end. (48 sts)
(8 increases → 40 + 8 = 48 ✓)

Rnd 11: Knit. Rnd 12 (inc): *K5, kfb; rep from * to end. (56 sts)
(8 increases → 48 + 8 = 56 ✓)

Rnd 13: Knit. Rnd 14 (inc): *K6, kfb; rep from * to end. (64 sts)
(8 increases → 56 + 8 = 64 ✓)

Rnd 15: Knit. Rnd 16 (inc): *K7, kfb; rep from * to end. (72 sts)
(8 increases → 64 + 8 = 72 ✓)

Rnd 17: Knit. Rnd 18 (inc): *K8, kfb; rep from * to end. (80 sts)
(8 increases → 72 + 8 = 80 ✓)

Rnd 19: Knit. Rnd 20 (inc): *K9, kfb; rep from * to end. (88 sts)
(8 increases → 80 + 8 = 88 ✓)

Child size stops here. 88 sts reached after 10 increase rounds.

Adult Small only: Rnd 21: Knit. Rnd 22 (inc): *K10, kfb; rep from * to end. (96 sts)
(8 increases → 88 + 8 = 96 ✓) Adult Small size stops here (11 increase rounds).

Adult Medium only: Continue from 88 sts: Rnd 21: Knit. Rnd 22 (inc): *K10, kfb; rep from * to end. (96 sts) Rnd 23: Knit. Rnd 24 (inc): *K11, kfb; rep from * to end. (104 sts) Rnd 25: Knit. Rnd 26 (inc): *K12, kfb; rep from * to end. (112 sts)
(8 increases → 104 + 8 = 112 ✓) Adult Medium size stops here (13 increase rounds).

Adult Large only: Continue from 88 sts: Rnd 21: Knit. Rnd 22 (inc): *K10, kfb; rep from * to end. (96 sts) Rnd 23: Knit. Rnd 24 (inc): *K11, kfb; rep from * to end. (104 sts) Rnd 25: Knit. Rnd 26 (inc): *K12, kfb; rep from * to end. (112 sts) Rnd 27: Knit. Rnd 28 (inc): *K13, kfb; rep from * to end. (120 sts)
(8 increases → 112 + 8 = 120 ✓) Adult Large size stops here (14 increase rounds).

All sizes now have 88 (96, 112, 120) sts. Knit 1 more rnd even if needed so last rnd is a non-increase rnd.

Body

Switch to K2P2 rib: Next rnd: *K2, p2; rep from * to end. Repeat this rnd until piece measures 7.5 (8.5, 9.25, 10)" / 19 (21.5, 23.5, 25.5) cm from CO center (crown), or desired length.
(For a fold-up brim, add 1.5–2" / 4–5 cm extra length.)

Brim & Finishing

Bind off loosely in rib pattern (*k2, p2; rep from * while binding off).
Tip for beginners: use a needle one or two sizes larger to bind off, or work a yarnover bind-off for extra stretch.

Weave in all ends securely on the wrong side.
Block lightly if desired (rib will bounce back).
Optional: Attach a pompom to the crown.

Wear & Care

Pull on snugly—the rib stretches 3–4" / 7.5–10 cm. Hand wash or machine wash gentle; lay flat to dry.

Enjoy your new beanie!