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Beannie Knitting Pattern for Beginners

by Janice Jones

A knitted beanie is one of the easiest and most practical beginner projects. You don’t need fancy stitches.  Knits, purls, and a few simple decreases are really all you need to know.  In this tutorial, you’ll get two FREE beginner-friendly beanie patterns:

Pattern 1: Worked flat on straight needles (seamed at the end).

Pattern 2: Worked in the round on circular needles (no seaming needed).

Each pattern includes instructions for multiple sizes, so you can knit a cozy hat for anyone in the family.

A Note to Those Smart Adventureous Beginners:  I've provided a couple of ideas for you to customize your very own pattern. See the Callout Boxes Below for ideas.

Supplies

  • Yarn: Worsted-weight yarn (medium / #4). About 100–150 yds for adult size.
  • US 8 (5 mm) straight needles (for flat version).
  • US 8 (5 mm) 16″ circular needles + DPNs (for in-the-round version).
  • Tapestry needle
  • Scissors
  • Optional pom-pom maker or ready-made pompom

Skills Needed

Skill Level

Skill level easy per the Craft Yarn Council

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on US 8 (5 mm) needles.
Measured after light blocking.


Tip: If your gauge is tighter (more stitches per 4″), the hat will come out smaller. If looser (fewer stitches), it will be bigger. Adjust needle size if needed: If too tight, try US 9 (5.5 mm) or if too loose, use U.S. 7 (4.5 mm) to match the chart measurements.

Finished Sizes (after blocking, unstretched)

Baby: ~12″ (30.5 cm) circumference, 6.5–7″ (16.5–18 cm) height

Child: ~14–15″ (35.5–38 cm) circumference, 7.5–8″ (19–20 cm) height

Teen/Adult Small: ~16–17″ (40.5–43 cm) circumference, 8–8.5″ (20–21.5 cm) height

Adult Medium/Large: ~18–19″ (45.5–48 cm) circumference, 8.5–9″ (21.5–23 cm) height

Hat Sizing Chart

Standard knit hat sizes, including height to crown shaping point.
Size Head Circumference Finished Hat Circumference* Finished Height Height to Crown
Baby 14–16″ (35.5–40.5 cm) ~12″ (30.5 cm) 6.5–7″ (16.5–18 cm) 5.5″ (14 cm)
Child 17–19″ (43–48 cm) ~14–15″ (35.5–38 cm) 7.5–8″ (19–20 cm) 6.5–7″ (16.5–18 cm)
Teen / Adult Small 20–21″ (51–53.5 cm) ~16–17″ (40.5–43 cm) 8–8.5″ (20–21.5 cm) 7″ (18 cm)
Adult Medium / Large 22–23″ (56–58.5 cm) ~18–19″ (45.5–48 cm) 8.5–9″ (21.5–23 cm) 7.5–8″ (19–20 cm)

*Finished hat circumference: measured unstretched. Each size will stretch 2–3″ (5–7.5 cm) to fit snugly with negative ease.
Height to Crown: measure from the cast-on edge up to where crown decreases begin.

Pattern 1:  Instructions for Beginner Beannie Working Flat

  1. Cast On: Use long-tail cast-on.
    • Baby: 56 sts | Child: 64 sts | Adult Small: 72 sts | Adult Large: 80 sts
  2. Brim (Ribbing):
    • Row 1: K2, P2 across.
    • Repeat Row 1 until ribbing measures 2″.
  3. Body:
    • Row 1: Knit.
    • Row 2: Purl.
    • Repeat these two rows (stockinette stitch) until the hat measures the specified length from the cast-on edge, as indicated in the chart.
  4. Crown Shaping:
    • Row 1: (K6, K2tog); repeat across.
    • Row 2: Purl.
    • Row 3: (K5, K2tog); repeat across.
    • Row 4: Purl.
    • Continue decreasing every RS row (K4, K2tog → K3, K2tog → etc.) until ~10–12 sts remain.
  5. Finish:
    • Cut the yarn, thread it through the remaining stitches, and pull tight.
    • Seam the side using mattress stitch. Weave in Ends.

Pattern 2: Beginner Beanie (Worked in the Round)

  1. Cast On: Use long-tail cast-on.

    • Baby: 64 sts | Child: 72 sts | Adult Small: 80 sts | Adult Large: 88 sts
    • Join to work in the round, place a stitch marker.
  2. Brim (Ribbing):

    • Round 1: K2, P2 around.
    • Repeat until the brim measures 2″.
  3. Body:

    • Knit all rounds (stockinette in the round).
    • Continue until the length matches the sizing chart.
  4. Crown Shaping:

    • Round 1: (K6, K2tog); repeat around.
    • Round 2: Knit.
    • Round 3: (K5, K2tog); repeat around.
    • Round 4: Knit.
    • Continue decreasing every other round until ~8–12 sts remain. Switch to DPNs if needed.
  5. Finish:

    • Cut the yarn, thread it through the remaining stitches, and pull tight to close. Weave in Ends.

Customization Ideas

The patterns above are fundamental and can be customized to create your own unique design. 

  • You could choose a new rib stitch
  • You can change the beanie into a slouchy beanie
  • Add some color
  • Pick a new stitch pattern
  • Add a pompom

For the Ribbing: 

Substitute the 2x2 stitch for one of the following:

  1. Mistake Rib
  2. Beaded Rib 
  3. Twin Rib
  4. Broken Rib
  5. Twisted Rib

Sizing:  Turn it Into a Slouchy Hat

Make it longer for a slouchy fit or shorter for a snug cap. A couple of additional inches will create a slouchy look.  Reduce the number of rows for a shorter beanie.

Colorwork

Add stripes or use self-striping yarn or variegated yarn for an interesting look.

Substitute the Stockinette Stitch for a New Stitch Pattern:

You could customize your beanie in several different ways:

Try making the entire hat using the same rib stitch you began with.

Pick a New Stitch Pattern

  1. To pick a new stitch pattern, start by visiting my page on knit and purl stitches. 
  2. Next, determine the number of stitches you cast on for your project. Working Flat: Baby: 56 sts | Child: 64 sts | Adult Small: 72 sts | Adult Large: 80 sts.  Working in the Round:  Baby: 64 sts | Child: 72 sts | Adult Small: 80 sts | Adult Large: 88 sts
  3. Check the Multiple

  • Every stitch pattern has a multiple (e.g., multiple of 4 + 2).
  • Make sure your cast-on stitch count matches the multiple.
  • Example: If you want to use seed stitch (multiple of 2), you’re fine with any of the charted counts. If you use a pattern with a multiple of 4, you should be fine, at least when working flat.

4.  Work your stitch pattern until you reach the crown, then change to stockinette, to avoid having to do the math involved.

Here are a few stitch pattern ideas that will work with all sizes:

Toppers:

Add a pom-pom for a playful touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to knit a beanie?

Most beginners can finish in 1–3 evenings.

Do I need circular needles?

No.  that’s why the flat version is included. You can make a beanie with straight needles.

How many stitches do I cast on for an adult hat?

Usually 72–80 for flat knitting, 80–88 for circular knitting with worsted-weight yarn.

Beannie Knitting Pattern for Beginners:  Pin for Future Reference

Conclusion

These two simple beanie knitting patterns give beginners an easy way to make their first hat. Whether you prefer flat knitting with a seam or seamless knitting in the round, the result is the same: a cozy handmade beanie. Once you’ve made one, you’ll want to knit a stack of them in every color!

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