As the leaves start to turn and the temperature begins to drop, there’s nothing quite like the coziness of a warm, handmade beanie to keep you snug and stylish during the chillier months. Crocheting your own beanie is not only creative and rewarding, but also practical. Whether you’re an experienced crocheter or a complete beginner, this blog post is your go-to guide for crafting a simple and stylish beanie. I’ll walk you through how to crochet an easy beanie, share some handy tips and tricks, and have you sporting your very own handmade masterpiece in no time. So, grab your crochet hook, your favorite yarn, and let’s embark on a delightful journey to create the perfect accessory for the upcoming winter season.
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*All crochet terms are in US terminology.*
Materials Needed
Yarn – I used Lion Brand’s Wool Ease in the color Denim (sponsored link). It is a size Medium 4 weight yarn. Almost 1 whole skein was used for this beanie.
Crochet Hook – I used a 4.5 mm hook (sponsored link). The ergonomic ones are my personal favorite but any hook will do.
Tapestry Needle – Any kind with a blunt tip will do to weave in the ends.
Scissors – Any kind will do to cut off the yarn.
Pom – (Optional). Not everyone wants a pom-pom, but if you do and you’re planning on making more than one beanie, take a look at these (sponsored link).
Stitches to Know
Before you begin, make sure you are familiar with the following crochet stitches and abbreviations:
Chain – ch
Half double crochet – Hdc
Half double crochet back loop only – hdcblo (If you are a beginner and you have never worked in the back loops only, watch this short YouTube video I found).
Slip stitch – sl st
Beanie Pattern
This beanie is worked in rows (not rounds) of half double crochet back loop only. At the end of your last row, it will be a rectangular shape (approximately 12 inches wide by 20 inches tall).
Chain 47
Row 1: Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each chain across row (45 st)
Row 2 – 40 : Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), turn work and hdc in the back loop only in each stitch across row (45 st)
At the end of row 40, make sure to position your crochet hook in preparation for seaming of the hat. Chain 1 and turn work. Now, take the bottom of the work and fold it up so that your starting edge is on top of the last row you worked. Right now your work should be WRONG side out – meaning this will not be the side you want to see on the outside of the beanie once finished.
How to Seam Together
Insert your hook into the starting chain and the back loop of the stitch from the last row you just worked and pull the working yarn through both loops to make a slip stitch. Continue to slip stitch both sides together across row. At the end of the row, cut yarn and fasten off leaving a long enough tail to cinch the top of the hat.
How to Cinch the Top of the Hat
Rotate the work so that the ribbing will be going up and down. Next, thread yarn tail (that you just made when you fastened off) into your tapestry needle. Work the needle in a running stitch around the top stitches and pull together to cinch. Then tie a knot to secure. You will still have a small hole. This is ok if you will be using a pom because you will need to get the elastic through the hole to secure the pom to the beanie. If you will not be using a pom, you can continue to use the threaded tapestry needle to make some stitches to close up the hole. Knot the yarn again to secure. The tail from your starting row should be there and you can tie the two tails into a knot as well.
Finishing touches: Weave in all ends and make sure to put the hat right side out. If you will be attaching a pom and need some help, watch this short video I found on YouTube. Now, fold up the brim and place your cozy work of art on your head. Embrace the warmth, both literal and metaphorical, that your crafted beanie brings, and wear it with pride.
Happy Crocheting!
