Ribbed-Brim Seed Stitch Beanie

A snug, stretchy beanie worked in the round from the brim up. The brim is classic k2, p2 ribbing; the body is seed stitch. Crown shaping uses simple knit-two-together decreases. Designed for category 3 (DK / Light) yarn and 4 mm needles.

Skill Level: Beginner

Techniques used: Long-tail cast on, knit, purl, working in the round, k2tog, weaving in ends.

Sizes

Child (Adult, Large)

Instructions are written for Child, with Adult and Large in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

To fit head circumference: 19–20 (21–22½, 23–24½) in / 48.5–51 (53.5–57, 58.5–62) cm

Finished Measurements

Hat circumference (unstretched): 17½ (19¼, 20¾) in / 44.5 (49, 52.5) cm

Height: 7½ (8½, 9) in / 19 (21.5, 23) cm

The hat is designed with about 2 in (5 cm) of negative ease so it hugs the head.

Yarn

Category 3 (Light / DK) yarn; approximately 130 (170, 200) yd / 120 (155, 185) m

Suggested fiber: Wool or a wool blend for warmth and memory. Cotton or cotton blends also work if you prefer a lighter hat.

Example yarns: Any smooth DK labeled category 3 that meets gauge.

Needles

• US 6 / 4 mm, 16 in (40 cm) circular needle
• US 6 / 4 mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) for the crown

Or one US 6 / 4 mm, 32–40 in (80–100 cm) circular needle and the magic loop method for the entire hat.

Use the needle size needed to obtain gauge. The pattern is written for 4 mm as requested; if your swatch is larger or smaller than gauge, change needle size, not stitch count.

Notions

• Stitch marker (beginning of round)
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Optional: pompom and pompom maker

Gauge

20 stitches and 36 rounds = 4 in (10 cm) in seed stitch, worked in the round, after light blocking.

5 stitches = 1 in (2.5 cm)

Check gauge. A 4 in (10 cm) swatch in seed stitch in the round is ideal. If you have more than 20 sts in 4 in, use a larger needle; if fewer, use a smaller needle.

Abbreviations (US)

Stitch Patterns

2×2 Rib (in the round) All rounds: *K2, p2; rep from * to end of round.

Seed Stitch (in the round, even stitch count)

• Rnd 1: *K1, p1; rep from * to end of round.
• Rnd 2: *P1, k1; rep from * to end of round.

Repeat Rnds 1–2 for pattern.

Important: On an even number of stitches, you must alternate these two rounds. If you work *k1, p1* every round, you will get 1×1 ribbing, not seed stitch. Seed stitch places knits on top of purls and purls on top of knits.

Pattern Notes

• The hat is worked seamlessly in the round from the brim up.
• Join for working in the round carefully so the cast-on edge is not twisted. A twisted join cannot be fixed later.
• Place a marker for the beginning of the round and slip it every round.
• Stitch counts stay the same through brim and body: 88 (96, 104) sts.
• When the crown no longer fits comfortably on the 16 in needle (usually around 64 sts), switch to DPNs or magic loop.
• Seed stitch looks the same on both sides.

Instructions

Brim

Using US 6 / 4 mm needles and a long-tail cast on, CO 88 (96, 104) sts.

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

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

Repeat the ribbing rnd until brim measures 2 in (5 cm) from the cast-on edge.

88 (96, 104) sts remain.

Body

Begin seed stitch:

• Rnd 1: *K1, p1; rep from * to end of round.
• Rnd 2: *P1, k1; rep from * to end of round.

Repeat Rnds 1–2 until piece measures 5½ (6¼, 6½) in / 14 (16, 16.5) cm from the cast-on edge, ending after either a Rnd 1 or a Rnd 2.

88 (96, 104) sts remain. (No increases or decreases in the body ✓)

Crown

The crown is worked in knit (stockinette in the round). Switch to DPNs or magic loop when the stitches no longer fit the circular needle.

Decrease Rnd 1: *K9 (10, 11), k2tog; rep from * to end of round. 80 (88, 96) sts. [8 sts decreased: 88 − 8 = 80; 96 − 8 = 88; 104 − 8 = 96 ✓]

Next rnd: Knit.

Decrease Rnd 2: *K8 (9, 10), k2tog; rep from * to end of round. 72 (80, 88) sts. [80 − 8 = 72; 88 − 8 = 80; 96 − 8 = 88 ✓]

Next rnd: Knit.

Decrease Rnd 3: *K7 (8, 9), k2tog; rep from * to end of round. 64 (72, 80) sts. [72 − 8 = 64; 80 − 8 = 72; 88 − 8 = 80 ✓]

Next rnd: Knit.

Continue in this manner: on each decrease round work 1 fewer knit stitch between k2togs than on the previous decrease round, and knit 1 round even after every decrease round, until 16 sts remain.

You will have just worked: *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end of round. 16 sts. [24 − 8 = 16 ✓]

Next rnd: Knit.

Next rnd: K2tog around. 8 sts. [16 − 8 = 8 ✓]

Finishing

Cut yarn, leaving an 8 in (20 cm) tail.

Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle, draw it through the remaining 8 sts, and pull tight to close the top of the hat. Fasten off on the inside.

Weave in all ends.

Blocking (recommended): Wet-block or steam-block lightly to even the seed stitch. Dry over a balloon, bowl, or hat form close to the finished circumference. Do not stretch the ribbed brim.

Optional pompom: Make or buy a pompom and sew it securely to the crown with the yarn tail, weaving the remaining tail to the inside.

How to Read the Sizes

Work the first number for Child, the second for Adult, and the third for Large.

Example: CO 88 (96, 104) sts means Child casts on 88, Adult casts on 96, Large casts on 104.

Fit Notes

• For a slouchier hat, work extra seed-stitch rounds before starting the crown (about 1 in / 2.5 cm extra for a light slouch).
• For a shorter beanie, begin the crown ½ in (1.5 cm) earlier than written.
• The ribbed brim will pull in smaller than the seed-stitch body; that is intentional and helps the hat stay on.

Quick Reference