Easy Top-Down Beanie

A beginner-friendly seamless beanie worked from the crown down in stockinette, with simple 8-point increases, then a stretchy 1x1 rib brim.

Skill level: Beginner
Finished size: Adult, to fit head circumference 21–23 in (53–58 cm). Hat circumference about 19½ in (49.5 cm) unstretched; length about 8½ in (21.5 cm) from crown to brim.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (CYC 4), about 120 yd (110 m). Sample idea: 100% wool or wool-blend.
• Needles: US 8 (5 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs), or a 32 in (80 cm) circular for magic loop, or a 16 in (40 cm) circular plus DPNs for the crown. Use the size needed to obtain gauge.
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors.

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rounds = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette stitch in the round, blocked.
Check gauge. A different gauge changes size.

Abbreviations (US)

• CO — cast on
• k — knit
• p — purl
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• rnd(s) — round(s)
• m1 — make 1 (lift the strand between stitches from front to back and knit through the back loop)
• pm — place marker
• rep — repeat
• k2tog — knit 2 together (not used in this pattern)

Pattern notes

• Worked in the round from the top down. No seaming.
• Crown uses 8 increase points so the top is even and round.
• m1 is a tidy increase; if you prefer, kfb (knit into front and back) may be used instead—counts stay the same.
• Beginners: start on DPNs or magic loop until the circle is large enough for a 16 in needle.
• The hat is meant to be slightly smaller than the head so it stays put.

Instructions

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.

Setup rnd: K all sts. (8 sts)

Inc rnd 1: *K1, m1; rep from * to end. (8 increases → 8 + 8 = 16 sts ✓)

Even rnd: K all sts.

Inc rnd 2: *K2, m1; rep from * to end. (16 + 8 = 24 sts ✓)

Even rnd: K all sts.

Inc rnd 3: *K3, m1; rep from * to end. (24 + 8 = 32 sts ✓)

Even rnd: K all sts.

Inc rnd 4: *K4, m1; rep from * to end. (32 + 8 = 40 sts ✓)

Even rnd: K all sts.

Inc rnd 5: *K5, m1; rep from * to end. (40 + 8 = 48 sts ✓)

Even rnd: K all sts.

Inc rnd 6: *K6, m1; rep from * to end. (48 + 8 = 56 sts ✓)

Even rnd: K all sts.

Inc rnd 7: *K7, m1; rep from * to end. (56 + 8 = 64 sts ✓)

Even rnd: K all sts.

Inc rnd 8: *K8, m1; rep from * to end. (64 + 8 = 72 sts ✓)

Even rnd: K all sts.

Inc rnd 9: *K9, m1; rep from * to end. (72 + 8 = 80 sts ✓)

Even rnd: K all sts.

Inc rnd 10: *K10, m1; rep from * to end. (80 + 8 = 88 sts ✓)

Even rnd: K all sts.

Crown is complete. 88 sts remain.

Body

Knit every round (stockinette) until piece measures 6½ in (16.5 cm) from the very top of the crown, or about 2 in (5 cm) less than desired total length (ribbing will add about 2 in).

Brim

Rib rnd: *K1, p1; rep from * to end.

Repeat Rib rnd until brim measures 2 in (5 cm).

Bind off loosely in 1x1 rib (knit the knits, purl the purls as you bind off) so the edge stretches.

Finishing

Weave in ends on the wrong side. Close any small hole at the crown with the CO tail: thread it through the original 8 sts and pull snug, then weave in.

Wet-block or steam lightly if desired; do not stretch the ribbing. Let dry flat.

Tip: If the hat is too tall, work fewer stockinette rounds in the body. If too short, add rounds before the brim.