Basic Ribbed Beanie

Adult Small / Medium — Super Bulky

A stretchy k2, p2 beanie worked in the round from the brim up. Super bulky yarn makes it a fast, warm beginner project. Crown uses only k2tog and p2tog. Add a fold-up brim or pompom if you like.

Skill level: Beginner (knit, purl, knitting in the round, k2tog, p2tog)

Size

Adult Small / Medium
To fit head circumference: 21–22½" (53.5–57 cm)

Finished measurements

• Circumference (unstretched): 17½" (44.5 cm); stretches to fit the size above
• Height: 8½" (21.5 cm), unstretched, without pompom

Ribbing has a lot of negative ease. The hat should measure less than the head and stretch to fit.

Yarn

Super Bulky weight (6)
90 yd / 82 m (about 100 yd / 91 m if you add a fold-up brim or a yarn pompom)

Suggested: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick or any super bulky yarn that matches gauge.
Shown fiber: acrylic/wool blend; 100% acrylic or wool super bulky also work.

Needles

• US 13 / 9 mm, 16" (40 cm) circular
• US 13 / 9 mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) for the crown

Or one US 13 / 9 mm, 32" (80 cm) circular for magic loop throughout.

Notions

• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Optional: pompom maker or cardboard

Gauge

11 sts and 15 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in k2, p2 ribbing, unstretched, on US 13 / 9 mm.

Work a small circular swatch (cast on 24 sts, join, work k2, p2 for 3" / 7.5 cm). Measure unstretched.

If you have more than 11 sts in 4" (10 cm), use a larger needle.
If you have fewer than 11 sts in 4" (10 cm), use a smaller needle (try US 11 / 8 mm).

Notes

• The hat is worked in the round from the brim to the crown.
• Use a stretchy cast-on (long-tail is fine).
• Do not twist the stitches when you join.
• The entire body is k2, p2 ribbing.
• Change to DPNs (or magic loop) when the circular needle is too crowded.
• Do not block hard — you want the rib to stay springy. A light steam is enough if the brim rolls.
• Fold-up brim: work even until the piece measures 9" (23 cm) from the cast-on, then start the crown (finished height about 10½" / 26.5 cm). Allow extra yarn.

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)
• pm — place marker
• rep — repeat

p2tog: Insert the right needle into the next 2 stitches as if to purl and purl them together.

Pattern

Brim and body

With US 13 / 9 mm circular needle, CO 48 sts using a stretchy cast-on.
(48 is a multiple of 4 ✓; 48 sts × 4 ÷ 11 sts = 17½" / 44.5 cm unstretched ✓)

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

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

Repeat the Ribbing rnd until the piece measures 7" (18 cm) from the cast-on edge (or 9" / 23 cm for a fold-up brim).

The fabric should look like columns of 2 knits and 2 purls all the way around.

Crown

Change to DPNs (or continue with magic loop) when needed. Keep the marker.

Rnd 1: *K2, p2tog; rep from * to end. 36 sts
(12 decreases: 48 − 12 = 36 ✓)

Rnd 2: *K2, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 3: *K2tog, p1; rep from * to end. 24 sts
(12 decreases: 36 − 12 = 24 ✓)

Rnd 4: *K1, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 5: *K2tog; rep from * to end. 12 sts
(12 decreases: 24 − 12 = 12 ✓)

Rnd 6: *K2tog; rep from * to end. 6 sts
(6 decreases: 12 − 6 = 6 ✓)

Finishing

Cut yarn, leaving an 8" (20 cm) tail. Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle, draw it through the remaining 6 sts, and pull tight to close the hole. Fasten off on the inside.

Weave in the cast-on tail and the crown tail securely on the wrong side. If a small hole remains at the top, use the crown tail to take one extra stitch across it before weaving in.

Lightly steam if needed. Do not stretch the ribbing flat.

Wear: Pull on so the brim sits just above the ears (or fold the brim if you worked the longer version).

Optional pompom

Make a 3–3½" (7.5–9 cm) pompom. Leave two long ties, thread them down through the crown, and knot firmly on the inside. Weave in the ends. Skip this if you prefer a clean top.

Checklist

• [ ] Gauge matched (11 sts = 4" / 10 cm in k2, p2, unstretched)
• [ ] 48 sts on the needles after joining
• [ ] Body is 7" / 18 cm (or 9" / 23 cm with fold-up brim) before crown
• [ ] Crown ends with 6 sts, top cinched closed
• [ ] Ends woven in; optional pompom attached