Basic Ribbed Beanie

A close-fitting beanie worked in the round from the brim up. The entire hat is k2, p2 rib, so it is stretchy, warm, and simple to memorize. The crown is shaped with plain decrease rounds. Wear the brim down, or turn it up for a shorter cap.

Skill level: Beginner Skills used: long-tail cast-on, knit, purl, working in the round, k2tog, p2tog, gathering stitches

Sizes

Child (Adult S, Adult M, Adult L)

Instructions are written for Child, with Adult S, Adult M, and Adult L in parentheses. Where only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

To choose a size, measure the head just above the ears and across the forehead. This rib stretches about 3 to 3.5 inches (7.5 to 9 cm) beyond the unstretched circumference. If you are between sizes, choose the smaller size for a snug fit or the larger size for a more relaxed fit.

Finished measurements (unstretched)

Circumference check at gauge: 80 ÷ 5 = 16; 88 ÷ 5 = 17.6; 96 ÷ 5 = 19.2; 104 ÷ 5 = 20.8 inches ✓

Yarn

Worsted weight (CYC 4), approximately 110 (135, 155, 180) yards / 101 (123, 142, 165) meters.

A smooth wool or wool blend with some elasticity is ideal. One skein of about 220 yards (201 m) is enough for any size, including the optional pom-pom.

Add about 15 yards (14 m) for a pom-pom. If you knit the longer folded-brim variation in the Notes, add about 35 (37, 40, 44) yards / 32 (34, 37, 40) m.

Needles

• US 7 / 4.5 mm circular needle, 16 in (40 cm) long, or size needed to obtain gauge
• US 7 / 4.5 mm double-pointed needles, or a longer circular needle for magic loop, for the crown
• For Child size, magic loop or double-pointed needles may be more comfortable from the start; a 16-inch circular is the same length as the hat and can feel tight

Notions

• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle
• Optional: pom-pom maker, 3 in (7.5 cm)

Gauge

20 stitches and 28 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) in k2, p2 rib, unstretched.

That is 5 stitches and 7 rounds per inch. Measure a swatch worked in the round: cast on 32 stitches, join, work k2, p2 for about 4 inches (10 cm), then measure 4 inches in the center of the fabric without stretching. Rib looked at on the needle is narrower than rib measured flat; always measure off the needle, unstretched.

Length in this pattern is set by measuring the hat, not by counting rounds. Row gauge is used only to estimate the crown.

Abbreviations (US)

• CO: cast on
• k: knit
• p: purl
• k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (1 stitch decreased)
• p2tog: purl 2 stitches together (1 stitch decreased)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• rnd(s): round(s)
• rep: repeat
• pm: place marker
• BOR: beginning of round

Notes

• The hat is worked in one piece from the brim to the crown. Do not turn the work.
• The beginning of the round sits between a purl 2 and a knit 2, so the rib continues smoothly around the join.
• Keep the cast-on relaxed. If your cast-on is usually tight, cast on over a needle one size larger, then change to the gauge needle for Round 1.
• When the stitches no longer slide easily, change to double-pointed needles or magic loop. This is usually at Decrease Round 1 or 2. Move the BOR marker with the work.
• Folded-brim variation: For a brim you can turn up about 1.5 inches (4 cm) and still cover the ears, work even until the piece measures 9.25 (9.75, 10.25, 10.75) inches / 23.5 (25, 26, 27.5) cm before starting the crown. Finished length will be about 10.5 (11, 11.5, 12) inches / 26.5 (28, 29, 30.5) cm before folding.

Instructions

Brim and body

With the long-tail method, CO 80 (88, 96, 104) sts. Leave a tail about 3 times the finished circumference: roughly 48 (53, 58, 62) inches / 122 (135, 147, 157) cm.

Count the stitches. The count must be a multiple of 4: 20 (22, 24, 26) repeats of k2, p2 ✓

Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the cast-on. Pm for BOR.

Round 1: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.

Work this round until the piece measures 6.25 (6.75, 7.25, 7.75) inches / 16 (17, 18.5, 19.5) cm from the cast-on edge, unstretched and smoothed flat. Do not stop in the middle of a round.

The crown adds about 1.25 inches (3 cm). Finished length will be about 7.5 (8, 8.5, 9) inches / 19 (20.5, 21.5, 23) cm.

Crown shaping

Change to double-pointed needles or magic loop when the fabric no longer moves easily on the circular needle. Keep the marker at the BOR.

Decrease Round 1: *K2, p2tog; rep from * to end. 60 (66, 72, 78) sts. One decrease in each 4-stitch repeat: 80 − 20 = 60; 88 − 22 = 66; 96 − 24 = 72; 104 − 26 = 78 ✓

Plain Round: *K2, p1; rep from * to end.

Decrease Round 2: *K2tog, p1; rep from * to end. 40 (44, 48, 52) sts. One decrease in each 3-stitch repeat: 60 − 20 = 40; 66 − 22 = 44; 72 − 24 = 48; 78 − 26 = 52 ✓

Plain Round: *K1, p1; rep from * to end.

Decrease Round 3: *K2tog; rep from * to end. 20 (22, 24, 26) sts (half of 40 (44, 48, 52) ✓). The crown is now stockinette stitch. That is expected.

Plain Round: Knit.

Decrease Round 4: *K2tog; rep from * to end. 10 (11, 12, 13) sts (half of 20 (22, 24, 26) ✓).

Decrease Round 5: *K2tog; rep from * to the last stitch if one stitch remains, k1. 5 (6, 6, 7) sts. Child: 10 ÷ 2 = 5. Adult S: five k2tog plus the last k1 = 6. Adult M: 12 ÷ 2 = 6. Adult L: six k2tog plus the last k1 = 7 ✓

Finishing

Cut the yarn, leaving an 8-inch (20 cm) tail. Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle, draw it through the remaining 5 (6, 6, 7) stitches, and pull firmly to close the crown. There should be no hole. Take the needle to the inside and stitch through the gathered stitches once more to lock them. Weave in the end.

Weave in the cast-on tail along the wrong side of the rib. Give the rib a gentle sideways tug all the way around to even the stitches.

Wash gently in cool water if the yarn allows, and dry flat without stretching the circumference. Do not pin the hat out to head size; the rib should keep its memory.

Optional pom-pom

Make a firm pom-pom about 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter. Sew it to the center of the crown with the yarn tails, passing through the gathered stitches several times. Tie off on the inside and weave in the ends.

A purchased pom-pom may be sewn on the same way.

Care

Follow the ball band. In general, hand-wash cool, squeeze out water in a towel, and dry flat, unstretched. Reshape the rib gently while damp if it has been pulled out of shape.