How to Crochet a Simple Beanie

Simply Perfect Beanie

In 2001 I designed this simple beanie for my grown-up children, who were in their 20's at the time, and living in the sub-tropics of Australia, where it doesn't really get very cold in winter, but when the wet weather and strong winds blow, in those cool morning and evening temperatures you definitely need to keep your head and ears warm. That is how this simple beanie crocheted totally in one stitch was born.


I first released this Simple Beanie Pattern in Feb 2011 on Ravelry, as a FREE PATTERN. Today I have revised the pattern, changed the format and added photos.  Please note - I haven't updated the pdf pattern as yet but will do so in the next 7-10 days, and then you will be able to get a download from my online shops with Ravelry, Craftsy or Loveknitting. 

This Simple Beanie Crochet Pattern is written in such a way so you can play and have fun with different yarns and hook sizes, and still, end up making the perfect beanie to fit any age and any sized head. 

Simple Beanie Pattern instructions are for a three (3) colour beanie, however, you can simply ignore the colour changes and make it all one (1) colour, or two (2) colours changing colour every round, or you can place a colour band wherever you wish.

Always Swatch

My all-time preference is to start with a crochet swatch then I can easily calculate the number of stitches needed for the circumference of the hat. 

NOTE: When calculating the number of stitches for the head circumference, I generally take off 1in (2.5cm) to 2in (5cm) for the hat circumference, because the finished hat will normally stretch up to 2in (5cm) and fit the head snugly and comfortably. For example - my husbands head circumference is 23in (58cm). I needed a total of 90sts to crochet a beanie with a 21in (53cm) circumference, which will then easily stretch to fit a 23in (58cm) head.

You can also use the Child and Adult Hat Sizes Charts below as a guide, remember everything depends on your tension, hook size, type of yarn, crochet stitches and the individual's head shape, sometimes you may need a shorter/longer length or smaller/larger circumference. Nothing is set in concrete!

A SIMPLE GUIDE TO CHILD HAT SIZES
Head Circumference	Crown Diameter	Hat Circumference	Hat Length
14in (36cm)	4-4.5in (10-11cm)	12-13in (30-33cm)	4.5- 5in (10-11cm)
16in (40.5cm)	4.5-5in (11-12.5cm)	14-15in (35.5-38cm)	5.5-6in (12.5-15cm)
18in (46cm)	5-5.5in (12.5-14cm)	16-17in (40.5-43cm)	6.5-7in (16.5-18cm)
Child Hat Sizes Chart © 2015   Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.    All rights reserved

A SIMPLE GUIDE TO ADULT HAT SIZES
Head Circumference	Crown Diameter	Hat Circumference	Hat Length
20in (51cm)	5.5-6in (12.5-15cm)	18-19in (46-48cm)	7-7.5in (18-19cm)
22in (56cm)	6-6.5in (15-16.5cm)	20-21in (51-53cm)	7.5-8in (19-20cm)
24in (61cm)	6.5-7in (16.5-18cm)	22-23in (56-58cm)	8-8.5in (20-21.5cm)
Adult Hat Sizes Chart © 2015   Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.    All rights reserved

What are your favourite yarns? 

You can use any of your favourite yarns, from 4ply to chunky, or from cotton to cashmere. Naturally, the chunkier the yarn the fewer stitches and rows you will need to crochet. All you need to do is simply adapt the pattern to the yarn and hook you are using. 

I have crocheted this beanie using King Cole Cottonsoft DK, if you want to crochet a similar hat size using same or similar yarn, please remember to check the YARNSUB website, to get the best match.

I do hope you have fun using this Simple Beanie Pattern and making a variety of hats in different sizes and colours.

ADD THIS PATTERN TO YOUR RAVELRY QUEUE AND FAVOURITES

Crochet tip for a hat with a:

• softer texture - use a hook size larger than specified on the yarn label;
• compact texture - use the hook size specified on the yarn label or smaller.

PATTERN DETAILS:

DIFFICULTY:  Easy

SIZES:  One (1) size - Adult Large

MEASUREMENTS:  Circumference 21in (53cm); Length 8.25in (21cm) - will fit 23in (58cm) head

YARN USED:  King Cole Cottonsoft DK ● 100% Cotton ● 100g ● 229yd (210m) ● MC Saxe (718); CC1 Sage (1576); CC2 White (710) ● 1 ball of each

YARDAGE: Approx. 72g = 165yd (150m)

SUBSTITUTE YARN: Any similar cotton DK/8ply yarn. Always check with YARNSUB website to get the best match.

TENSION:  18sts to 4in (10cm) in sc stitch

NOTIONS:  4.5mm hook, Yarn needle

PATTERN NOTES:  Hat is worked in the round, top down. Instructions in this pattern are for a THREE (3) colour hat. Each round is completed before changing colour. Photographs accompany the written instructions of this pattern.

Before you begin:
• read through the pattern to the end;
• check your head size;
• decide whether you want a snug fit or loose fit hat;
• select yarn and hook size;
• crochet a swatch 5in (12.7cm) by 5in (12.7cm) in single crochet;
• count the number of stitches, over 4in (10cm) in the middle of the swatch;
• now you can calculate how many stitches you will need to fit the head circumference.

This Simple Beanie Crochet Pattern is written in USA American Crochet Terms.

USA - American Crochet Terms		UK - British Crochet Terms
[ ] = work instructions within brackets as many times as directed
( ) = work instructions within parenthesis as directed, different sizes, total stitches
* = repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed
** = repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed or repeat from a given set of instructions
Ch = chain
ch-sp/s = chain space/s
sc = single crochet		dc =double crochet
hdc = half double crochet		htr = half treble crochet
dc = double crochet		tr = treble crochet
tr = treble crochet		dtr = double treble crochet
dtr = double treble		ttr = triple treble
rev sc = reverse single crochet (crab stitch)		rev dc = reverse double crochet (crab stitch)
sl st = slip stitch
st/sts = stitch/es
cont = continue
rep = repeat
rnd = round
beg = begin/beginning
yo = yarn over	yrh = yarn round hook
FDC = foundationless double crochet	FTR = foundationless treble crochet
Esc = extended single crochet	Edc = extended double crochet
BL = back loop	blo = back loop only
FL = front loop	flo = front loop only
BPdc = back post double crochet	rtrb = raised treble back
FPdc = front post double crochet	rtrf = raised treble front
Abbreviations List ©2015  Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.  All rights reserved.

PATTERN STARTS:

CROWN OF HAT

With MC
Rnd 1: Magic loop, Ch1, 6sc in the loop, join with sl st. (6sts)

Rnd 2: Ch1, 2sc in each st around, join with sl st. (12sts)

Rnd 3: Ch1, *2sc in next st, 1sc in next st, rep from * around, join with sl st. (18sts)

Rnd 4: Ch1, *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 2sts, rep from * around, join with sl st. (24sts)

CHANGE TO CC1
Rnd 5: Ch1, *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 3sts, rep from * around, join with sl st. (30sts)

Rnd 6: Ch1, *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 4sts, rep from * around, join with sl st. (36sts)

CHANGE TO CC2

Rnd 7: Ch1, *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 5sts, rep from * around, join with sl st. (42sts)

Rnd 8: Ch1, *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 6sts, rep from * around, join with sl st. (48sts)

Remember to carry the yarns not in use, up the rounds, by including them over the hook as you slip stitch, then ch1, which will hold those yarns in place. See photo below.

Rnd 9: Ch1, *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 7sts, rep from * around, join with sl st. (54sts)

CHANGE TO MC

Rnd 10: Ch1, *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 8sts, rep from * around, join with sl st. (60sts)

Rnd 11: Ch1, *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 9sts, rep from * around, join with sl st. (66sts)

Rnd 12: Ch1, *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 10sts, rep from * around, join with sl st. (72sts)

CHANGE TO CC1

Rnd 13: Ch1, *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 11sts, rep from * around, join with sl st. (78sts)

Rnd 14: Ch1, *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 12sts, rep from * around, join with sl st. (84sts)

CHANGE TO CC2

Rnd 15: Ch1, *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 13sts, rep from * around, join with sl st. (90sts)

BODY OF HAT

This is where you can choose to continue with single crochet in each st around, or as an alternative try single crochet in back loop, for a slightly different texture.

Continue with CC2
Rnd 1: Ch1, sc around, join with sl st. (90sts)
Rnd 2: Rep Rnd 1

CHANGE TO MC

Rnd 3-5: Rep Rnd 1

CHANGE TO CC1
Rnd 6-7: Rep Rnd 1

CHANGE TO CC2
Rnd 8-10: Rep Rnd 1

CHANGE TO MC
Rnd 11-26: Repeat Rnds 3-10 two (2) more times, continue with colour changes.

BRIM OF HAT

CHANGE TO MC

Rnd 1-4: Ch1, sc around, join with sl st.

Rnd 5: Ch1, rev sc around, then finish with an invisible join. OR if you prefer not to reverse single crochet, simply finish with single crochet.

Fasten off and hide ends.

This Simple Beanie Crochet Pattern is written in USA American Crochet Terms.

USA - American Crochet Terms		UK - British Crochet Terms
[ ] = work instructions within brackets as many times as directed
( ) = work instructions within parenthesis as directed, different sizes, total stitches
* = repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed
** = repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed or repeat from a given set of instructions
Ch = chain
ch-sp/s = chain space/s
sc = single crochet		dc =double crochet
hdc = half double crochet		htr = half treble crochet
dc = double crochet		tr = treble crochet
tr = treble crochet		dtr = double treble crochet
dtr = double treble		ttr = triple treble
rev sc = reverse single crochet (crab stitch)		rev dc = reverse double crochet (crab stitch)
sl st = slip stitch
st/sts = stitch/es
cont = continue
rep = repeat
rnd = round
beg = begin/beginning
yo = yarn over	yrh = yarn round hook
FDC = foundationless double crochet	FTR = foundationless treble crochet
Esc = extended single crochet	Edc = extended double crochet
BL = back loop	blo = back loop only
FL = front loop	flo = front loop only
BPdc = back post double crochet	rtrb = raised treble back
FPdc = front post double crochet	rtrf = raised treble front
Abbreviations List ©2015  Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.  All rights reserved.

BELOW IS AN EXAMPLE of the difference in sizing, WHEN using (A) 4ply cotton yarn with a 3.5mm hook (on the left) and (B) 8ply cotton yarn with a 4.5mm hook (on the right). The stitch count is 90sts in both these examples, you can easily see the difference in size. 

To match the head circumference of the sample on the right you will need more increase rounds and more stitches to achieve the same size beanie when using a smaller hook and finer yarn.

Below example (A) the 4ply and 3.5mm hook on the left, has been increased in size to just smaller than (B) the 8ply and 4.5mm hook on the right. I made it smaller in size so it will fit my 22in (56cm) head circumference.

Below is the Crown diameter for (A) 4ply and 3.5mm hook, which will fit a 22in head circumference. The total number of stitches is 114.

You can see the difference in these two (2) hats:

(A) 4ply and 3.5mm hook (lilac stripes), will fit a 22in head circumference; and 

(B) 8ply and 4.5mm hook (blue stripes), will fit a 23in head circumference

Here are the measurements for (A) 4ply and a 3.5mm hook, hat circumference is 21in (53cm), and the length is 7.75in (19.5cm).

Below is an example of a beanie where the Body of the Hat is crochet with single crochet in back loop, instead of normal single crochet.

This beanie is made with a self-striping DK yarn which is mainly acrylic with 25% wool, using a 4.5mm hook. I am currently crocheting a LINING with 4ply cotton and 3.5mm hook to line the beanie. When it is all finished I will post a photo on my CROCKNIT Facebook page.

In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy making your Simple Beanie.

Enjoy!

ciao, ciao!

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet   www.crocknit.com

Copyright © 2008 Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet. All rights reserved.  All materials contained on this website, including images, are protected by the UK and International Copyright Law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Barbara Summers. Please CONTACT me at crocknit@gmail.com if you wish to obtain such permission.

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