Everyday Ribbed-Brim Beanie
A 2×2 rib brim, a stockinette body and an 8-point crown. Once you know this recipe, you can size a hat for anyone.
- Yarn
- Worsted (4); one 200 yd skein fits most adult sizes.
- Needles
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 16 in (40 cm) circular and DPNs (or long circular for magic loop)
- Sizes
- Any size from preemie to adult large. Use the Finished hat and Height columns of the hat size chart. Example: adult medium, 21.5 in (55 cm) finished, 8.5 in (22 cm) tall.
- Example gauge
- 18 sts and 24 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette in the round
- Yarn needed
- About 165 yd (150 m) worsted for adult medium.
- Stitch multiple
- 8 (for the crown), which also covers the 2×2 rib
Do the math
The examples use the gauge above. Put your own swatch into the gauge calculator first, then use your numbers in each formula.
| Step | Formula | Example | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cast on | finished hat circumference × sts per in, rounded to a multiple of 8 | 21.5 × 4.5 = 96.75 → 96 sts | Cast-On Calculator |
| Stitches per crown section | cast on ÷ 8 | 96 ÷ 8 = 12 | By hand |
| Crown depth | ((section sts − 2) × 2 + 1) rnds ÷ rnds per in | 21 ÷ 6 = 3.5 in | By hand |
| Knit straight to | hat height − crown depth | 8.5 − 3.5 = 5 in from cast-on | By hand |
Materials
- Worsted (4) yarn (see yarn needed)
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 16 in (40 cm) circular and DPNs (or long circular for magic loop)
- Beginning-of-round marker
- 7 more markers (optional)
- Tapestry needle
Gauge swatch
Swatch in the round, or knit flat with a loose strand across the back (speed swatch), so the gauge matches how you knit hats.
Instructions
Brim
Cast on (example: 96 sts). Join to work in the round without twisting; place marker. Rnd 1: *K2, p2; rep from * to end. Repeat until the brim is 2 in (5 cm).
Body
Knit every round until the hat measures the “knit straight to” figure from the cast-on edge.
Crown
Rnd 1: *K to 2 sts before end of section (example: k10), k2tog; rep from * 7 more times. 8 sts decreased.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Repeat these 2 rounds, knitting 1 fewer stitch before each k2tog every time, until 16 sts remain, ending after a Rnd 2.
Next rnd: *K2tog; rep from * to end. 8 sts.
Finishing
- Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight and fasten off inside.
- Weave in ends. Add a pom-pom if you like.
Designer’s notes
- For a snugger brim, use a needle one size smaller for the rib.
- Changing yarn weight? Only the gauge changes. Re-run the maths and round to a multiple of 8.
Counter set-up
Counter 1: rounds. Counter 2: crown decrease rounds (goal = section sts − 2).
Open the row & stitch counter for several counters, or use the quick one below.
Want it on paper? This pattern is in Quick Gifts in an Evening, a printable PDF of 12 patterns with photos and row tallies ($8).
Tools for this pattern
- Gauge CalculatorEnter your swatch counts to get stitches and rows per 4 in (10 cm).
- Cast-On CalculatorEnter your width and gauge; it rounds to the stitch multiple for you.
- Size ChartsLook up the finished measurements for the size you are making.
- Yarn Quantity CalculatorPick the project, size and yarn weight to get total yardage and skeins to buy.
- Row & Stitch CounterSet up the counters listed below; the screen stays awake while you work.