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.

 

 

Basically Beanie

 

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

Sl st      slip stitch

St         Stitch

Dc        double crochet

Notes:

–        If the above stitches are unfamiliar to you, I suggest a Google or YouTube search. There are many tutorials on the internet that will lead you through them step by step.

–       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” to 2” 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” or smaller

Baby                  14”

Toddler             16”

Child                  18”

Woman              21”

Man                    23”

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

Preemie            6” or smaller

Baby                  7 ½”

Toddler             8 ½”

Child                  9 ½”

Woman             10 ½”

Man                   10 ½”

Happy stitching!
April