Worsted Weight Knit Beanie

A clean, versatile top-down knit beanie with a 2x2 rib brim and simple stockinette crown. Included: 7 sizes, full materials list, gauge, exact cast-on counts, step-by-step instructions, flexible crown-decrease method that works for any stitch count, finishing tips, and optional pompom instructions.

Sizes (finished circumference / height)

Newborn: 13 in / 5 in (33 cm / 13 cm)
Baby (0-6 mo): 15 in / 6 in (38 cm / 15 cm)
Toddler (2-4): 17 in / 6.5 in (43 cm / 16.5 cm)
Child (5-10): 19 in / 7.5 in (48 cm / 19 cm)
Adult Small: 20 in / 8 in (51 cm / 20 cm)
Adult Medium: 22 in / 9 in (56 cm / 23 cm)
Adult Large: 24 in / 10 in (61 cm / 25 cm)

Materials

Yarn: Worsted / Medium (Weight 4). Example: 200 yd (183 m) per 100 g ball. Required yardage (approx): Newborn 50 yd / 46 m; Baby 100 yd / 91 m; Toddler 120 yd / 110 m; Child 140 yd / 128 m; Adult S 150 yd / 137 m; Adult M 175 yd / 160 m; Adult L 200 yd / 183 m.
Needles (knitting in the round): Recommended: 16" (40 cm) circular needle + set of DPNs OR long circular for magic-loop. Use two needle sizes if you like a slightly firmer brim: smaller for rib, larger for body.
- Brim (optional smaller needles): US 7 / UK 5 / 4.5 mm
- Body: US 8 / UK 4 / 5.0 mm
Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, optional pompom maker.

Needle conversion table used above

US 7 = 4.5 mm = UK (old) 5
US 8 = 5.0 mm = UK (old) 4

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette (knit every round) on US 8 / 5.0 mm. Adjust needle size to match gauge.

Cast-on stitch counts (multiple of 4 for 2x2 rib)

Newborn: 60 sts
Baby: 68 sts
Toddler: 76 sts
Child: 84 sts
Adult S: 92 sts
Adult M: 100 sts
Adult L: 108 sts

Abbreviations

CO = cast on
BO = bind off
k = knit
p = purl
k2tog = knit 2 together (right-slanting decrease)
ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-slanting decrease)
st(s) = stitch(es)
rnd = round
pm = place marker

Notes

This pattern is worked in the round from the brim up.
If you prefer a slouchier or tighter fit, adjust cast-on by ±4 sts (one rib repeat) and/or adjust length before decreases.
Use magic-loop or DPNs for small circumferences.

Pattern

Cast on the number of stitches for your size using a stretchy cast-on (e.g., long-tail). Join for working in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.
Brim (2x2 rib): Work in k2, p2 rib for:
- Newborn–Toddler: 1.25 in / 3 cm
- Child: 1.5 in / 4 cm
- Adult S–L: 2 in / 5 cm
Body: Switch to larger needles if you used smaller for the brim. Knit every round (stockinette in the round) until the hat measures (from cast-on edge) the following lengths, ending just before you want the crown decreases to start:
- Newborn: 4.25 in / 11 cm
- Baby: 5 in / 12.5 cm
- Toddler: 5.25 in / 13.5 cm
- Child: 6.25 in / 16 cm
- Adult S: 6.5 in / 16.5 cm
- Adult M: 7.5 in / 19 cm
- Adult L: 8.5 in / 21.5 cm
Preparing for crown decreases (even distribution): To get an even crown, divide the total stitch count into even sections with removable markers or contrasting waste yarn. Recommended sections:
- If your cast-on <= 76 sts: 8 sections
- If your cast-on > 76 sts: 10 sections
How to place markers evenly: count = total sts; sections = 8 or 10. Sts per section = count / sections. Round to nearest whole number as needed; spread the extra/short stitches across the first few sections so the sections are as even as possible. Place a marker at the end of each section (so there are 'sections' markers evenly spaced).
Crown decrease sequence (flexible method) — this method preserves an even, radial crown on any stitch count:
1. Stage A — spaced decreases: Repeat the following two rounds until you have reduced approximately 35–45% of your starting stitches (stop when you think crown is shaping nicely; for smaller sizes 2–3 repetitions, for larger 3–4):
  1. Decrease round: *K to 2 stitches before next marker, k2tog; slip marker; repeat to end of rnd.
  2. Even round: Knit all sts (knit to end).
2. Stage B — accelerate decreases: When there are roughly half the original stitches (or when the crown is noticeably shaping), switch to decreasing every round until about 8–12 stitches remain:
  1. Decrease round (every rnd): *K to 1 stitch before next marker, k2tog; slip marker; repeat to end.
3. When 8–12 stitches remain, cut yarn leaving a 10–12 in / 25–30 cm tail, thread tail through tapestry needle, pull through remaining stitches, draw tight to close center, weave tail to inside and secure. Weave in all ends.
Finishing: Block lightly if desired to even stitches. Add pompom if desired: make a pompom and sew to crown securely. Weave in all ends and trim. Optional lining: sew a small circular fleece lining for warmth.

Worked example (Adult Medium — 100 sts)

CO 100 sts, join and pm.
Rib: k2,p2 for 2 in.
Switch to US 8 / 5.0 mm if you used smaller; knit every rnd until hat measures 7.5 in from cast-on edge (stopping about 2.5 in before top).
Place 10 markers evenly (10 sections). Sts per section = 10. Decrease rounds:
1. Stage A: *K to 2 before marker, k2tog; sl marker. Knit next rnd. Repeat these two rounds 3 times.
2. Stage B: *K to 1 before marker, k2tog; sl marker. Repeat every rnd until ~10 sts remain.
Cut yarn leaving 10 in tail, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, secure, weave in ends.

Optional: Pompom

Make a pompom in desired size/color. Sew securely to crown using yarn tail through inside, knot firmly, and weave in tail. Trim pompom evenly.

Tips & Troubleshooting

If brim seems too loose, go down one needle size for the rib only.
To decrease bulk at crown on thicker yarns, use ssk on the left side and k2tog on the right side for balanced decreases around markers.
If your hat measures larger or smaller than intended, measure gauge and adjust needle size or stitch counts; you can decrease or add 4-stitch rib repeats to fine-tune fit.

Copyright & support

This pattern and text (C) Purljam. For help or pattern questions email team@verde.uk. More patterns and updates at https://purljam.verde.uk. Share your makes: #purljam.

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