Snug Ribbed Newborn Beanie

A quick chunky k2, p2 hat — brim up, in the round

A stretchy, close-fitting ribbed beanie for a newborn. Chunky yarn and simple k2, p2 ribbing make it a fast first hat in the round. The fabric has plenty of negative ease, so one size covers most babies from birth to about 3 months.

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

Size

One size: Newborn (0–3 months)

Finished measurements

• Circumference: 11½" (29 cm) unstretched; stretches to fit a 13–14½" (33–37 cm) head
• Height: 5½" (14 cm) from cast-on edge to crown, unstretched

Yarn

Chunky weight yarn (CYC 5), 60 yd / 55 m Choose a soft, machine-washable fiber (superwash wool, acrylic, or a wool blend) suitable for next-to-skin baby wear.

Needles

US 10 / 6 mm — double-pointed needles, a 12" circular, or a long circular for magic loop. A 16" circular is too large for this circumference; you will not be able to join and knit comfortably.

Notions

• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors

Gauge

14 sts and 20 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in k2, p2 ribbing, unstretched, after light blocking. Check gauge. A looser gauge makes a slouchier, larger hat; a tighter gauge makes a smaller hat.

Abbreviations (US)

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

Pattern notes

• Worked in the round from the brim to the crown. There is no separate brim; the entire hat is k2, p2 ribbing until the decreases.
• Cast on using a stretchy method (long-tail is fine).
• Join carefully so the cast-on is not twisted. The first round of ribbing will make a twist obvious — stop and redo the join if needed.
• Keep ribbing columns aligned: knit the knits and purl the purls.
• Weave in ends securely. Do not add a pompom; it is a choking hazard for newborns.

Instructions

Cast on Using US 10 / 6 mm needles, CO 40 sts. (40 ÷ 4 = 10 repeats of k2, p2 ✓) Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. PM for BOR.

Body Rnd 1: *K2, p2; rep from * to end of rnd. Repeat Rnd 1 until the piece measures 4½" (11.5 cm) from the cast-on edge. Stitch count remains 40 sts.

Crown Work the following 6 rounds. Switch to DPNs (or continue magic loop) when the stitches no longer fit comfortably.

Rnd 1: *K2, p2tog; rep from * to end. 30 sts (10 repeats × 3 sts = 30 ✓) Rnd 2: *K2, p1; rep from * to end. 30 sts Rnd 3: *K2tog, p1; rep from * to end. 20 sts (10 repeats × 2 sts = 20 ✓) Rnd 4: *K1, p1; rep from * to end. 20 sts Rnd 5: *K2tog; rep from * to end. 10 sts (20 ÷ 2 = 10 ✓) Rnd 6: *K2tog; rep from * to end. 5 sts (10 ÷ 2 = 5 ✓)

Close the crown Cut yarn, leaving an 8" (20 cm) tail. Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle, draw it through the remaining 5 sts, and pull snug to close the hole. Take the tail to the inside and weave it in firmly.

Finishing

Weave in the cast-on tail on the wrong side, following the rib columns so it does not show on the right side. Check that both tails are secure — baby hats get a lot of tugging.

Block lightly if desired: mist with water, pat into a short cylinder, and dry flat. Do not stretch the ribbing out; you want to keep the negative ease.

To wear: The hat should sit just above the eyebrows and cover the ears, with a little positive ease in height so it does not ride up. If it feels tight on a larger newborn, go up one needle size (US 10½ / 6.5 mm or US 11 / 8 mm) for the next one; do not add stitches, or the ribbing multiple and crown math will change.