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Easy Ribbed Beanie In 2×2 Rib Hat Knitting Pattern

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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.

Woman in knit maroon beanie and purple plaid button down smiling  at camera.

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Yarn, hooks and needles on white table.

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Or, if like me, you live where spring brings cool mornings and evenings and still need a hat!

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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3 ribbed knit beanies in maroon, grey and light blue.

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.

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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. 
  3. 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.
  4. 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. 

Woman in burgundy knit hat with folded brim.

Video

Watch the video tutorial on my YouTube Channel.

Scroll down for the free pattern!

Pattern Instructions

3 ribbed knit beanies in maroon, grey and light blue.

2x2 ribbed hat

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Active Time: 4 hours
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $5

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.Stitches in center of cable needles.

Find the middle, Hands holding center of cable between stitches. pull the cable between two stitches, sliding half the stitch on one end and the other half on the other end.Hands pulling cable through.

Being careful not to twist the stitches, Hands sliding stitches down to needles. 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, Working yarn coming from right needle.bring it out enough that you have a loop of cable on both ends so you can maneuver the needle to knit with it. Loose cable on both ends with needle pointed to stitch.

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.4 stitches knit on right needle.

Now we need to set up our magic loop again. Drop the empty needle. Drop left needle once all stitches on it are knit.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.Push needle into stitches so they're split between the two.

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.Right needle tip inserted into first stitch.

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. Stitch marker on right needle.


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."Several rounds of 2x2 ribs on the needles.

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 


Tube knit in 2x2 rib stitch on needle.

Finishing
Crown
Next Rnd. K2tog, *P2, k2tog rep from * around. (36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 63, 66 sts)

Purl two stitches.
Last Rnd. *P2tog, K1 Rep from * around. (24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 sts)

Purl two together to decrease.Knit 1 stitch.

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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