Easy Ribbed Beanie In 2×2 Rib Hat Knitting Pattern
Sometimes you need an ultra simple knit beanie. This beginner friendly 2×2 ribbing makes quick and cozy knit hats.
This easy hat pattern is knit in the round. Follow along with the step by step tutorial below, or check out the video for even more support.
The knit 2, purl 2 stitch pattern is generally used as a ribbing for sweater cuffs, hems, and the brims of hats. It’s a super stretchy ribbing and fits snuggly, so it also makes a great knitted hat when winter sets in and you need that extra warmth.
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Pattern Snapshot
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner
CONSTRUCTION: Knit in the round YARN: #4 medium worsted weight yarn
NEEDLES: 5mm(US Size 8) 30″ circular needles
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Since we’re working in medium yarn here it’s easy to fold up the brim. Knit your hat a little long for a taller brim.
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Easy Knit Hat Patterns
Materials
- #4 medium worsted weight yarn pictured in Lion Brand Heartland* (100% acrylic, 251 yd / 230 m, 5 oz, 142 g) in shade: Badlands, — 1 skein. See recommended yarn by size below.
- 5 mm (US Size 8) 30” circular knitting needles* for knitting in the round (or size needed to meet gauge). You will need to do magic loop.
- Measuring tape, yarn needle, stitch markers (1) and scissors.
Yarn By Size
Baby 0 – 3 mos ~ 36 yd (33 m)
Baby 3 – 6 mos ~ 45 yd (41 m)
Baby 6 – 12 mos ~ 53 yd (49 m)
12 – 24 mos ~ 66 yd (60 m)
Toddler 2 – 3 yrs ~ 82 yd (75 m)
Preschool 4 – 5 yrs ~ 102 yd (93 m)
Child 6 – 10 yrs ~ 126 yd (115 m)
Teen 11+ ~ 155 yd (142 m)
Sm Adult ~ 192 yd (176 m)
Med Adult ~ 215 yd (197 m)
Lg Adult ~ 238 yd (218 cm)
Construction
The hat is worked bottom up in the round in 2×2 ribbing. The body of the hat works up like a stretchy tube. We’ll do a couple of rounds of decreases, some sizes will need magic loop here. Finally the top is cinched closed.
Notes
- You can knit this pattern on 16” circulars for some sizes, but you will need to do magic loop method for decreases so a 30” cable is recommended.
- When working in the round the stitch multiple is 4. This means you can add or subtract to the number of stitches cast on in groups of 4.
- If you would like to work this pattern flat on straight needles then you need a stitch multiple of 4 + 2. This means you can add or subtract to the number of stitches cast on in groups of 4, and then add 2. Seam the tube using mattress stitch.
- For best fit knit a gauge swatch with your yarn and needles to check gauge.
Skill Level
Easy
Gauge
4 sts x 5 rnds (after blocking) to 1” (2.5 cm) measured in St st.
26 sts x 23 rnds (after blocking) to 4” (10 cm) measured in 2×2 rib.
Stitches / Abbreviations
US Terms
CO – cast on, I use the long tail cast on for this pattern but you can use another method if you prefer. The German Twisted CO is an excellent stretchy cast on for hats.
k – knit
k2tog – knit two together
p – purl
p2tog – purl two together
pm – place marker
rep – repeat
RS – right side
sm – stitch marker
st(s) – stitch(es)
St st – stockinette stitch
2×2 rib pattern – k2, p2
Tutorials
Join to Knit in the Round I love a simple technique and this is the easiest to me, but you can join in your preferred method as well.
Sizing
The pattern includes different sizes for head circumferences:
To fit age ~ head circumferences:
Baby 0 – 3 mos ~ 14” (35.5 cm)
Baby 3 – 6 mos ~ 15” (38 cm)
Baby 6 – 12 mos ~ 16” (40.5 cm)
12 – 24 mos ~ 17” (43 cm)
Toddler 2 – 3 yrs ~ 18” (45.5 cm)
Preschool 4 – 5 yrs ~ 19” (48 cm)
Child 6 – 10 yrs ~ 20” (51 cm)
Teen 11+ ~ 21” (53.5 cm)
Sm Adult ~ 22” (56 cm)
Med Adult ~ 23” (58.5 cm)
Lg Adult ~ 24” (61 cm)
Fit/Adjustments
This hat has a suggested 2” / 5 cm of negative ease. This means the finished hat is 2” / 5 cm smaller than the actual head circumference, and will stretch to fit.
This free knitting pattern is intended to fit like a beanie, for a slouchy hat you can keep knitting to increase the height at least 2″ before moving on. There is enough height for the brim to fold over about an inch or so. If you would like a taller brim, knit more rounds.
Video
Watch the video tutorial on my YouTube Channel.
Scroll down for the free pattern!
Pattern Instructions
2x2 ribbed hat
Knit a simple hat in 2x2 rib with worsted weight yarn.
Materials
- #4 medium worsted weight yarn, pictured in Lion Brand’s Heartland Yarn.
- See yarn by size above.
Tools
- 5 mm needles with 30+” cables, or needle size needed to meet gauge.
- stitch marker
- tapestry needle
- scissors
- measuring tape
Instructions
Knit In The Round on Circular Needles
0-3 mos [3-6 mos, 6-12 mos, 12-24 mos, Toddler, Preschool, Child, Tween, Sm Adult, Md Adult, Lg Adult]
CO 48 [52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88] sts using the long tail cast on.
Set up for magic loop. Slide stitches to center of cable.
Find the middle, pull the cable between two stitches, sliding half the stitch on one end and the other half on the other end.
Being careful not to twist the stitches, slide them down to the needles, it helps if you don’t let go of the cable.
Turn the needles so the working yarn is coming from the right needle. Pull the right needle up out of the stitches, bring it out enough that you have a loop of cable on both ends so you can maneuver the needle to knit with it.
Now you’re ready to knit the first stitch which will join your work in the round. Knit the second stitch, and purl the next 2 stitches. Continue to repeat the pattern: k2, p2 until you’ve knit all the stitches on the first needle.
Now we need to set up our magic loop again. Drop the empty needle. Pull the center of the cable so the stitches come up to the needle. Then hopld the needle tip and push it into the stitches (that way you don't pull the cable and needle all the way out of the stitches. Notice I'm holding the right needle tip here so that I don't accidentally pull this needle out.
Arrange your stitches as before, with the working yarn coming from the right hand needle. Pull that needle out with a small loop of cable for knitting. Following the stitch pattern k2, p2 knit all the stitches on your left handle and then reset again and continue.
When using magic loop I’ll place the beginning of round stitch marker after the first couple of stitches so it doesn’t pop off every time I have to reset my needles.
ALL SIZES
Rnd 1. *K2, p2; rep * around. Move sm up each Rnd.
Keep knitting in 2 x 2 rib until your hat height reaches the measurements below, then go to "Finishing."
0-3 mos
Rnds 3 - 25. Rep rnd 1. = 5” tall
3-6 mos
Rnds 3 - 30. Rep rnd 1. = 6” tall
6-12 mos
Rnds 3 - 38. Rep rnd 1. = 7.5” tall
12-24 mos
Rnds 3 - 38. Rep rnd 1. = 7.5” tall
Toddler
Rnds 3 - 40. Rep rnd 1. = 8” tall
Preschool
Rnds 3 - 43. Rep rnd 1. = 8.5” tall
Child
Rnds 3 - 43. Rep rnd 1. = 8.5” tall
Teen
Rnds 3 - 45. Rep rnd 1. = 9” tall
Small Adult
Rnds 3 - 45. Rep rnd 1. = 9” tall
Med Adult
Rnds 3 - 48. Rep rnd 1. = 9.5” tall
Lg Adult
Rnds 3 - 50. Rep rnd 1. = 10” tall
Finishing
Crown
Next Rnd. K2tog, *P2, k2tog rep from * around. (36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 63, 66 sts)
Last Rnd. *P2tog, K1 Rep from * around. (24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 sts)
Cut a long tail. 8-12" is plenty of length. Thread tail on to yarn needle.
Weave long tail through all live stitches, remove needles and pull to close.
Optionally you may want to add a pom pom to the top of the hat.
Sew hole closed.
Weave in ends.
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