Hi everyone! I was recently asked to teach women from church to crochet baby hats to donate to Infant Crisis Services here in Oklahoma City. So, I wrote a pattern. It maybe isn’t the most simple pattern out there, but I made it to be very flexible. This explains how to make a very basic beanie in double crochet in any yarn you want to use, and make it whatever size you want. Keep in mind, if you are going to donate it, that you should probably use a machine-washable yarn.

I used Red Heart Soft Yarn which is machine-washable and soft. Get it from Amazon here.

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Basically Beanie

By April Garwood of Banana Moon Studio

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Yarn: Any yarn you like.

Hook: Sized to match your yarn, suggestions as follows”¦

Yarn weight               Hook size

0/Lace – Steel hook 6 to 8, or B/1

1/Super Fine – B/1 to E/4

2/Fine – E/4 to 7

3/Light – 7 to I/9

4/Medium – I/9 to K/10 ½

5/Bulky – K/10 ½ to M/13

6/Super Bulky – M/13 to Q

Notions: Yarn needle

Gauge: Varies

Abbreviations:

Ch – chain. Tutorial here.

Sl st – slip stitch. Tutorial here.

St – stitch

Dc – double crochet. Tutorial here.

If you would like you can get my free printable crochet abbreviations list here!

Notes:

The hat begins at the center top by gradually increasing to make a flat circle of the desired circumference. Each round thereafter is worked with no increasing until the desired length has been reached. If you need some help learning how to start circles in crochet, see my tutorial by clicking here.

Top of hat:

Ch 4, sl st in first ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 2 (does not count as a st, now and throughout), dc in ring 12 times, join to first st with sl st — 12 sts.

Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st around, join to first st with sl st — 24 sts.

Rnd 3: Ch 2, *dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc (increase made), repeat from * around, join to first st with sl st — 36 sts.

Rnd 4: Ch 2, *dc in each dc to next increase, dc in first st of increase, 2 dc in 2^nd st of increase, repeat from * around, join to first st with sl st — 48 sts.

Repeat Rnd 4 until your circle reaches a circumference 0-2 inches less than the head circumference of the wearer. Remember, circumference = 3.14 x diameter.

Sides of hat:

Rnd 1: Ch 2, dc in each st around, join to first st with sl st.

Repeat Rnd 1 until hat has reached desired length (see Notes below). Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Notes about sizing:

A hat made from a thicker yarn will need to measure closer to the actual head circumference than a hat made with a thinner yarn.

I recommend making this a few inches longer than needed to cover the ears. The bottom can be folded up when worn, or the hat can be worn “slouchy” if desired. This will also prevent having a too-short hat.

Below I have some “standard” and “suggested” measurements. Since people come in all shapes and sizes, the person wearing your hat may not fit these measurements. Thankfully, crochet fabric is very stretchy and forgiving. If you are crocheting for someone that you can’t measure, these will give you some estimated measurements to shoot for. If you can measure the person to wear the hat, go by their measurements.

“Standard” head circumferences (remember, your hat should be a little smaller around than this):

Preemie – 12 inches or smaller

Baby – 14 inches

Toddler – 16 inches

Child – 18 inches

Woman – 21 inches

Man – 23 inches

Suggested lengths from crown to bottom edge (this includes the extra 1 ½ inches I recommend):

Preemie – 6 inches or smaller

Baby – 7 ½ inches

Toddler – 8 ½ inches

Child – 9 ½ inches

Woman – 10 ½ inches

Man – 10 ½ inches

Happy stitching!

April 

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