Handmade hats or beanies are simple are practical to give. They are personal and unique gifts. I think the most challenging part is actually making one that your recipient will like and actually use. People wear hats for many reasons. Up here in Alaska, it is mostly for staying warm and protection from the outdoor elements when the temperatures plummet.
This pattern was inspired by a pattern online using the same 1 x 1 rib stitch, but I had to change the numbers (stitches and rows) to customize the size. DS likes his beanies with enough brim room to be folded and he wears it both ways. The decrease used was purl 3 stitches together (p3tog) to preserve the 1 x 1 rib stitch design. It is custom friendly in many ways.
- Increasing or decreasing the number of rows to make it longer or shorter in height.
- Increasing or decreasing the number of stitches by four for a smaller or larger hat width.
This particular pattern is a Regular Adult Size.
Materials:
- Yarn used is Berroco Vintage in two yarn weights: Worsted and DK. Yarn composition is 52% acrylic, 40% wool and 8% nylon.
- Worsted, 3.5 oz (100 g) / 218 yds (200 m), Color 5145 (Black)
- DK, 3.5 oz (100 g) / 290 yds (26 m), Color 2134 (Red)
- Yardage used:
- Worsted – approximately 130 g / 284 yds
- DK – 26 g / 76 yds
- Yardage used:
- US 8 (5.0 mm) circular knitting needles, 16″
- US 8 (5.0 mm) Double Pointed Needles (DPNs) for shaping the crown
- Stitch marker
- Tapestry needle for weaving the ends
- Scissors
- Tape measure or ruler

Gauge: 24 sts x 22 rows in 4″ square swatch using K1, p1 rib stitch, 2 strands (1 of each yarn weight)
Finished size: Width – 9″ Height – 11 1/2″
Abbreviations:
- BOR – beginning of round
- CO – cast on
- k – knit
- p – purl
- sts – stitches
- p3tog – purl 3 sts together
Pattern:
Note: Repeat sts inside the parentheses as indicated.
- Using US 8 (5.0 mm), CO 108 sts using 2 strands of yarn held together (1 strand of each yarn weight). Palce BOR stitch marker. Join in the round, being careful not to twist sts.
- Rounds 1-24: (K1, p1) until end of round.
- Rounds 25- 48: Drop the DK strand (red) and replace it with another worsted weight strand (black) and continue in 1 x 1 rib stitch pattern until hat measures about 9 1/2″ from brim (about 24 rows).
- Start decrease:
- Round 49: (K1, p1) 11x, k1, p3tog, (k1, p1) 12x, k1, p3tog. Repeat. – (Total: 100 sts)
- Round 50: (K1, p1) until end of round.
- Round 51: (K1, p1) 10x, k1, p3tog, (k1, p1) 11x, k1, p3tog. Repeat. – (Total: 92 sts)
- Round 52: (K1, p1) until end of round.
- Round 53: (K1, p1)9x, k1, p3tog, (k1, p1) 10x, k1, p3tog. Repeat. – (Total: 84 sts)
- Round 54: (K1, p1) 8x, k1, p3tog, (k1, p1) 9x, k1, p3tog. Repeat. – (Total: 76 sts)
- Round 55: (K1, p1) 7x, k1, p3tog, (k1, p1) 8x, k1, p3tog. Repeat. – (Total: 68 sts)
- Round 56: (K1, p1) 6x, k1, p3tog, (k1, p1) 7x, k1, p3tog. Repeat. – (Total: 60 sts)
- Round 57: (K1, p1) 5x, k1, p3tog, (k1, p1) 6x, k1, p3tog. Repeat. – (Total: 52 sts)
- Round 58: (K1, p1) 4x, k1, p3tog, (k1, p1) 5x, k1, p3tog. Repeat. – (Total: 44 sts)
- Round 59: (K1, p1) 3x, k1, p3tog, (k1, p1) 4x, k1, p3tog. Repeat. – (Total: 36 sts)
- Round 60: (K1, p1) 2x, k1, p3tog, (k1, p1) 3x, k1, p3tog. Repeat. – (Total: 28 sts)
- Round 61: K1, p1, k1, p3tog, (k1, p1) 2x, k1, p3tog. Repeat. – (Total: 20 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving about an 8-10 inch tail. Slip the remaining 20 sts off the knitting needle onto the tapestry needle and pull to close. Weave in all ends.
I hope you enjoy this pattern. Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions. I would also love to see your finished project(s).
Happy knitting!