Today I am sharing a “recipe” for hat making and offering a free pattern for a basic beanie. The pattern is sized from newborn to adult and is worked up in an easy and quick half double crochet stitch. It is perfect for beginners, unisex and a great pattern to customize too, so have fun with it.
Basic Beanie
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Now, onto the recipe….
Most hat construction starts in one of two ways, either from the forehead (band) up to the top of the head (crown) or from the crown to the band. They are generally shaped the same way until you start adding brims and visors.
Today, we will be constructing a basic beanie hat from crown to band. It is easy to customize hat sizing using a simple mathematical formula. I made this hat in half double crochet, but this formula should work for most stitches.
The Basic Beanie can be constructed by starting in the center crown and increasing stitches to a certain point, followed by working the sides to the band without further increases.
To make increases in rounds follow the sequence below:
Round 1: Start with a chain and join it to form a loop, make 8 stitches in the loop
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 stitches in each stitch for a total of 16
Round 3: Ch1, [2 stitches in first stitch, 1 stitch in the next stitch], repeat to end (24 stitches)
Round 4: Ch1, [2 stitches in first stitch, 1 stitch in next 2 stitches], repeat to end (32 stitches)
Round 5: Ch1, [2 stitches in first stitch, 1 stitch in next 3 stitches], repeat to end (40 stitches)
Round 6: Ch1, [2 stitches in first stitch, 1 stitch in next 4 stitches], repeat to end (48 stitches)
Additional Rounds: Continue following the same pattern increasing the number in red by 1 for each round until you have the desired diameter. Then work 1 stitch in each stitch until you have the desired length for your hat.
Last Round: Work 1 round of sc to finish the hat.
If you can measure the circumference of the hat recipient, use the formula below for an exact fit. If not, use my pattern instructions for standard sizing.
Head circumference: _______ divided by 3.14 = _______ (this will be the diameter at which you stop increasing).
Basic Beanie Pattern
Materials:
• Worsted Weight yarn such as Red Heart Soft
- 100 – 300 yards depending on size
- Contrasting color for flower
• Hook H/5.00 mm
• Yarn needle for weaving ends
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Gauge: 15 hdc; 11 rounds = 4”
Abbreviations:
Beg – beginning
Ch – chain
Hdc – half double crochet
Sc – single crochet
Sl st(s) – slip stitch(es)
St(s) – stitch(es)
Notes:
• Beginning ch1 of each round does not count as a stitch
• Start each round in the same stitch as the beginning ch1
• Each round is joined with a slip stitch in the first hdc of the round (not the ch1)
• Number in ( ) at end of round indicates the number of stitches in that round
• Work instructions in [ ] the designated amount of times
Design Tips:
• Add 2 or 3 more rounds before the Last Round and cuff up the bottom of the hat.
• Use two or more colors and make rounds in different colors for a striped look.
• Add a flower, bow or other decoration for a feminine look. Click HERE for a free basic flower pattern.
Click HERE for a free basic flower pattern.
Size: Newborn – 3 Months
Fits 13″ – 14″ Head Circumference • Height from Crown = 5.5″
Round 1: Ch 4, join with sl st to beg ch to form a loop, ch1, work 8 hdc in center of loop, join. (8)
Round 2: Ch 1, work 2 hdc in each st around, join. (16)
Round 3: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next st] repeat around, join. (24)
Round 4: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 2 sts] repeat around, join. (32)
Round 5: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 3 sts] repeat around, join. (40)
Round 6: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 4 sts] repeat around, join. Your circle should be approximately 4 ½” in diameter. (48)
Round 7 – 14: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join. (48)
Last Round: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. Fasten off and weave in ends. (48)
Size: 3 – 6 Months
Fits 15″ – 16″ Head Circumference • Height from Crown = 6.25″
Round 1: Ch 4, join with sl st to beg ch to form a loop, ch1, work 8 hdc in center of loop, join. (8)
Round 2: Ch 1, work 2 hdc in each st around, join. (16)
Round 3: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next st] repeat around, join. (24)
Round 4: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 2 sts] repeat around, join. (32)
Round 5: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 3 sts] repeat around, join. (40)
Round 6: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 4 sts] repeat around, join. (48)
Round 7: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 5 sts] repeat around, join. Your circle should be approximately 5” in diameter. (56)
Round 8 – 17: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join. (56)
Last Round: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. Fasten off and weave in ends. (56)
Size: 6 – 12 Months
Fits 16″ – 18″ Head Circumference • Height from Crown = 6.75″
Round 1: Ch 4, join with sl st to beg ch to form a loop, ch1, work 8 hdc in center of loop, join. (8)
Round 2: Ch 1, work 2 hdc in each st around, join. (16)
Round 3: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next st] repeat around, join. (24)
Round 4: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 2 sts] repeat around, join. (32)
Round 5: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 3 sts] repeat around, join. (40)
Round 6: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 4 sts] repeat around, join. (48)
Round 7: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 5 sts] repeat around, join. (56)
Round 8: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 6 sts] repeat around, join. Your circle should be approximately 5 ½” in diameter. (64)
Round 9 – 19: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join. (64)
Last Round: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. Fasten off and weave in ends. (64)
Size: Toddler (1 to 3 Years)
Fits 17″ – 19″ Head Circumference • Height from Crown = 7.25″
Round 1: Ch 4, join with sl st to beg ch to form a loop, ch1, work 8 hdc in center of loop, join. (8)
Round 2: Ch 1, work 2 hdc in each st around, join. (16)
Round 3: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next st] repeat around, join. (24)
Round 4: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 2 sts] repeat around, join. (32)
Round 5: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 3 sts] repeat around, join. (40)
Round 6: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 4 sts] repeat around, join. (48)
Round 7: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 5 sts] repeat around, join. (56)
Round 8: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 6 sts] repeat around, join. (64)
Round 9: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 7 sts] repeat around, join. Your circle should be approximately 6” in diameter. (72)
Round 10 – 20: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join. (72)
Last Round: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. Fasten off and weave in ends. (72)
Size: Child (4 to 10 Years)
Fits 18″ – 20″ Head Circumference • Height from Crown = 7.75″
Round 1: Ch 4, join with sl st to beg ch to form a loop, ch1, work 8 hdc in center of loop, join. (8)
Round 2: Ch 1, work 2 hdc in each st around, join. (16)
Round 3: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next st] repeat around, join. (24)
Round 4: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 2 sts] repeat around, join. (32)
Round 5: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 3 sts] repeat around, join. (40)
Round 6: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 4 sts] repeat around, join. (48)
Round 7: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 5 sts] repeat around, join. (56)
Round 8: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 6 sts] repeat around, join. (64)
Round 9: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 7 sts] repeat around, join. (72)
Round 10: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 8 sts] repeat around, join. Your circle should be approximately 6 ½” in diameter. (80)
Round 11 – 21: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join. (80)
Last Round: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. Fasten off and weave in ends. (80)
Size: Adult Small/Teen
Fits 20″ – 22″ Head Circumference • Height from Crown = 8.25″
Round 1: Ch 4, join with sl st to beg ch to form a loop, ch1, work 8 hdc in center of loop, join. (8)
Round 2: Ch 1, work 2 hdc in each st around, join. (16)
Round 3: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next st] repeat around, join. (24)
Round 4: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 2 sts] repeat around, join. (32)
Round 5: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 3 sts] repeat around, join. (40)
Round 6: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 4 sts] repeat around, join. (48)
Round 7: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 5 sts] repeat around, join. (56)
Round 8: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 6 sts] repeat around, join. (64)
Round 9: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 7 sts] repeat around, join. (72)
Round 10: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 8 sts] repeat around, join. (80)
Round 11: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 9 sts] repeat around, join. Your circle should be approximately 7” in diameter. (88)
Round 12 – 23: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join. (88)
Last Round: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. Fasten off and weave in ends. (88)
Size: Adult Large
Fits 22″ – 24″ Head Circumference • Height from Crown = 8.75″
Round 1: Ch 4, join with sl st to beg ch to form a loop, ch1, work 8 hdc in center of loop, join. (8)
Round 2: Ch 1, work 2 hdc in each st around, join. (16)
Round 3: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next st] repeat around, join. (24)
Round 4: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 2 sts] repeat around, join. (32)
Round 5: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 3 sts] repeat around, join. (40)
Round 6: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 4 sts] repeat around, join. (48)
Round 7: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 5 sts] repeat around, join. (56)
Round 8: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 6 sts] repeat around, join. (64)
Round 9: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 7 sts] repeat around, join. (72)
Round 10: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 8 sts] repeat around, join. (80)
Round 11: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 9 sts] repeat around, join. (88)
Round 12: Ch 1, [work 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 10 sts] repeat around, join. Your circle should be approximately 7 ½” in diameter. (96)
Round 13 – 23: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join. (96)
Last Round: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. Fasten off and weave in ends. (96)
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I’m always happy to help you with questions regarding my patterns. Send me a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Please feel free to sell finished items from my patterns. Pattern credit is not required, but is always appreciated.
Copyright © 2018 Pattern Paradise. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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I can't wait to see your finished projects,
so feel free to share them on my Facebook page!
Follow me on…
Sign up for my newsletter and get free patterns, giveaways and
other fun stuff delivered directly to your mailbox!
****************************************************************
I’m always happy to help you with questions regarding my patterns. Send me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Please feel free to sell finished items from my patterns. Pattern credit is not required, but is always appreciated.
Copyright © 2023 Pattern Paradise. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
