Knitting in the Round for Beginners: First Ribbed Beanie

Instructions

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1. 1Cast onCast on 72 stitches onto the circular needle with the long-tail method (72 sts). Count them by sliding them from one end of the needle to the other. Leave a 15 cm tail.
2. 2Joining in the roundCheck that the cast-on edge lies flat, facing the inside of the needle, and does not spiral around the cable anywhere; a twisted join cannot be fixed later. The last stitch cast on should be on the right tip, the first on the left. Place the marker on the right tip and knit the first stitch on the left tip firmly with the working yarn; you are now knitting in the round. The marker shows the start of each round.
3. 3RibbingRounds 1-10: *k2, p2* 18 times (72 sts). In the round the work is never turned and the right side always faces you, so every round is worked the same way. We will close the small gap at the join with the tail when finishing. The ribbing should measure about 5 cm.
4. 4BodyKnit every round. Knitting every round in the round gives the same look as stockinette on straight needles (knit one row, purl one row). Continue until the hat measures 17 cm from the cast-on edge, about 24 rounds (72 sts).
5. 5Crown decreasesRound 1: *k7, k2tog* 8 times (64 sts). Round 2: Knit. Round 3: *k6, k2tog* 8 times (56 sts). Round 4: Knit. Round 5: *k5, k2tog* 8 times (48 sts). Round 6: Knit. Round 7: *k4, k2tog* 8 times (40 sts). Round 8: Knit. Round 9: *k3, k2tog* 8 times (32 sts). Round 10: *k2, k2tog* 8 times (24 sts). Round 11: *k1, k2tog* 8 times (16 sts). Round 12: k2tog 8 times (8 sts).
6. 6Switching to double-pointed needlesWhen the stitches start to stretch on the circular needle (usually at 48 or 40 sts), move to double-pointed needles: divide the stitches evenly over four needles (10 each at 40 sts) and knit with the fifth. Instead of the marker you can follow the tail at the start of the first needle. If you use a long circular needle, split the stitches in half and pull out a loop of cable in the middle (magic loop) to work the same rounds.
7. 7Closing the topCut the yarn leaving 20 cm. Thread it onto the yarn needle and pass it through the remaining 8 stitches in order, taking them off the needle. Pull firmly to gather the top, push the needle through the hole to the inside and secure it through a few stitches on the wrong side with a knot.
8. 8FinishingUse the cast-on tail to close the little step at the join with one stitch, then weave all ends into the ribbing on the wrong side. Make a 7-8 cm pompom and sew it to the top if you like. Soak the hat in lukewarm water, squeeze out the water in a towel and dry it over a balloon or bowl.