Little Diamond Baby Beanie

A Basic Ribbed Beanie — worked seamlessly in the round from the brim up

Skill Level: Beginner

Finished Measurements

• Flat diameter: approx. 7 in (18 cm)
• Circumference (relaxed, unstretched): approx. 14 in (35.5 cm); stretches comfortably to fit
• Fits: newborn to approx. 3 months
• Height: approx. 5 in (12.5 cm) from brim to crown

Materials

• Yarn: Koigu Othello — 1 skein (this is more than enough for one baby hat)
• Needles: US 9 (5.5 mm) — 16 in (40 cm) circular needle and/or a set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) for the crown
• Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors

Editor's note on yarn & needle pairing: Koigu Othello is a fine (fingering/light-fingering weight) yarn. On US 9 (5.5 mm) needles it will produce a soft, open, airy fabric rather than a dense worsted-weight one. This gives a light, drapey baby hat — which is what your chosen needle and stitch count produce. If you would prefer a warmer, tighter fabric, hold the yarn doubled or drop to a US 4–6 (3.5–4 mm) needle and re-check gauge. The instructions below are written for your stated US 9 needle.

Gauge

• 16 sts and 22 rounds = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on US 9 (5.5 mm) needles = 4 sts per inch.
• Gauge is not critical for a soft baby hat, but checking it helps confirm the fit. Adjust needle size if needed.

Gauge check: 70 sts ÷ 4 sts/in = 17.5 in laid out flat; the k1p1 ribbed brim draws this in to snug comfortably around a ~14 in (7 in flat-diameter) baby head. ✓

Abbreviations (US)

• CO — cast on
• k — knit
• p — purl
• k2tog — knit two stitches together (a right-leaning decrease; removes 1 st)
• rnd(s) — round(s)
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• pm — place marker

A Note on Your Stitch Count

Your request listed 71 stitches. For this hat to work cleanly we use 70 stitches instead, for two reasons:

1. k1p1 ribbing needs an even number of stitches so the rib joins seamlessly in the round (71 is odd and would leave two knits or two purls colliding at the join).
2. The crown decrease "k8, k2tog" repeats over a multiple of 10 stitches. 70 = 7 × 10 works perfectly; 71 does not. ✓

Instructions

Cast On

Using the long-tail cast-on and US 9 (5.5 mm) needles, CO 70 sts.

Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist your stitches. pm to mark the beginning of the round.

(70 sts)

Brim — Ribbing

Rnds 1–9: k1, p1 around. (70 sts, 9 rounds of ribbing complete)

Because 70 is even, the k1/p1 pattern lines up perfectly at the join — every round begins with k1 and ends with p1. ✓

Body

Continue in stockinette stitch (knit every round) until the piece measures 3 in (7.5 cm) from the cast-on edge, measured with the brim relaxed (not stretched).

(70 sts)

Crown Shaping

The crown is decreased evenly to round the top of the hat. Switch to DPNs (or your preferred small-circumference method) once the stitches become tight on the circular needle.

Decrease Rnd 1: k8, k2tog around. → 7 repeats × (8 + 1 st) = 63 sts. (70 − 7 = 63 sts) ✓

Rnd 2: Knit 1 round. (63 sts) (This is the "knit 1 round" from your instructions.)

Continue shaping the crown to close the top:

Decrease Rnd 3: k7, k2tog around. → 7 repeats. (63 − 7 = 56 sts) ✓

Decrease Rnd 4: k6, k2tog around. (56 − 7 = 49 sts) ✓

Decrease Rnd 5: k5, k2tog around. (49 − 7 = 42 sts) ✓

Decrease Rnd 6: k4, k2tog around. (42 − 7 = 35 sts) ✓

Decrease Rnd 7: k3, k2tog around. (35 − 7 = 28 sts) ✓

Decrease Rnd 8: k2, k2tog around. (28 − 7 = 21 sts) ✓

Decrease Rnd 9: k1, k2tog around. (21 − 7 = 14 sts) ✓

Decrease Rnd 10: k2tog around. (14 − 7 = 7 sts) ✓

(7 sts remain)

Finishing

1. Cut the yarn, leaving a tail of about 8 in (20 cm).
2. Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle and draw it through the remaining 7 sts, going in the same direction around the circle.
3. Pull snug to close the crown, then pass the needle to the inside of the hat.
4. Secure with a small stitch or two and weave in all ends on the wrong side.
5. Optional pompom: If desired, make or attach a small pompom to the crown for a finished look.
6. Gently steam or wet-block the hat to even out the stitches, and lay flat to dry.

Quick Reference — Crown Decrease Summary

Enjoy your soft little diamond baby beanie! 🧶