Quick answer: Cast on 96 stitches, work 2x2 ribbing for 2.5 inches, knit stockinette for 5-6 inches, then decrease to close the crown. The whole hat takes about 2-4 hours in worsted weight.
What you need
- 100g of worsted weight yarn (approx. 200m)
- 4.5-5mm circular needle (40cm length) and DPNs or magic loop needle for the crown
- Stitch marker and tapestry needle
How to knit a basic adult beanie
- Cast on 96 stitches. Join in the round, place a beginning-of-round marker.
- Work 2x2 ribbing (k2, p2) for 2.5 inches for the brim.
- Switch to stockinette (knit every round) for 5-6 inches.
- Begin crown: k10, k2tog around. Knit 1 plain round.
- K9, k2tog around. Knit 1 round. Continue — 1 fewer stitch before k2tog each decrease round.
- When 12 stitches remain: cut yarn, thread through all stitches, pull tight and secure.
Common mistakes
- Twisted join — always check stitches before joining in round
- Not placing a BOR marker — you'll lose track of each round start
- Decreasing too fast — follow the plain rounds between decrease rounds or the crown will be pointy