A beanie is the hat most crocheters make first, and the one they make most often. It works up in three to four hours with worsted weight yarn, it fits almost anyone, and it forgives small mistakes because the ribbed brim stretches. Once you have the crown shaping in your hands, you can make a beanie without looking at a pattern at all.
The shape barely changes from beginner to advanced. What changes is the texture: a plain half double crochet beanie for your first one, then ribbed, cabled, color-work, or messy-bun versions as you go. The sizing stays the same, so learn it once and reuse it forever.
What you need
- Yarn
- Worsted weight (CYC 4) for a classic beanie, about 120 to 200 yards. Bulky (CYC 5) for a faster, chunkier hat.
- Skill
- Beginner friendly. The only real skill is even crown decreases, which you reuse in every hat.
Beanie projects to make
- 1Plain half double crochet beanie. Worsted, one skein, about 3 hours. The simplest first beanie. Teaches working in the round and crown decreases.
- 2Ribbed brim beanie. Half double crochet worked in the back loops makes a stretchy rib. Teaches back-loop ribbing.
- 3Slouchy beanie. A few extra rounds before the crown decreases give the relaxed slouch. Teaches adjusting length for fit.
- 4Messy bun beanie. Left open at the crown for a ponytail. A quick, popular gift that skips the final decreases.
- 5Chunky bulky beanie. Super bulky yarn on a large hook, finished in under two hours. The fastest satisfying make.
Where to find free beanie patterns
For a free beanie pattern to download, DROPS Design has dozens graded by size, Ravelry filters beanies by free in one click, and yarn brand sites like Lion Brand and Yarnspirations publish free beanie patterns formatted for their yarns. Search the project name plus "free crochet pattern" and click through to the designer site rather than a roundup.
Stitches you will use
- Half Double CrochetUS: hdc / UK: htr
- Double CrochetUS: dc / UK: tr
- Single CrochetUS: sc / UK: dc
- Slip StitchUS: sl st / UK: ss
Looking for more? See all crochet hats patterns.