Introduction to Simple Beanie Crochet Patterns
Crocheting a beanie is an easy and enjoyable project. If you don’t have a lot of free time available, these simple beanie crochet patterns are the perfect project for you.
Beanies are a great way to learn the basics of crochet, and you can often complete one in a day or less.
Learn just how to crochet a hat from start to finish in my crochet fundamentals course. You learn with step by step video instruction and you will get some tips and tricks along the way while crocheting a hat, scarf and shawl to focus on the crochet fundamentals. Learn free here for 2 days.
While a basic crocheted beanie might be simple, a variety of different patterns can be used to make beanies more interesting. Modern and trendy, beanies can also be made in a wide range of colors and textures.
Crocheted beanies are great for cold weather, and some people wear these kinds of hats all year long. They make great gifts and charity projects, too! Let’s learn more about crocheted beanies and check out these great free patterns.
Why Make a Crochet Beanie?
Beanies are often a first or early project for new crocheters because they are very easy and quick to make.
Basic crochet stitches are all you need to make a simple beanie. There are endless free easy crochet beanie patterns everywhere, including in this post!
Aside from that, crochet hats or beanies are a wardrobe staple, especially in winter and fall. They not only keep you cozy and warm in the cold weather but also keep you in style.
Beanies can be worn all year round. When you don’t feel like doing anything with your hair, all you need is a beanie and your problem is solved. Crochet hats are great for people going through chemotherapy or for others who don’t have hair, to add a layer of warmth any time of year.
There is a very good reason why crochet beanies are popular. These are inexpensive to make and do not take much time to make. With some of these beanie crochet patterns, you can make beautiful beanies for yourself and your family.
Is it Hard to Crochet a Beanie?
Absolutely not. Crocheting a beanie is an easy project. A simple crochet beanie only takes about 30 minutes to half a day depending on your pace, the size you’re making, the stitch you are using, and the weight of the yarn.
If you are new to crochet, making a beanie might seem a little intimidating. Worry not, it’s not as hard as you think.
Knowledge about the basic stitches is all you need. The most basic crochet beanie is made of single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), or half double crochet stitch (hdc) worked flat in rows or in rounds.
If any of that is confusing to you, check out my Crochet Fundamentals workshop. It will take you through all the basic stitches and essential skills you need to know to stitch up your first projects and make any beanie on this list with confidence.
Parts of a Crochet Beanie
There are three parts of a crocheted hat that you need to know about both in terms of how the hat goes together and how to measure the hat and/or the recipient's head to get the right fit.
First is the crown. This indicates the uppermost part of the hat. Depending on how you construct your beanie, this is where you do increases or decreases to shape the hat to fit the top of the head.
Body. This refers to the widest and most extended part of the beanie. If you're making a basic beanie, the body part has the same number of stitches until you reach the desired body length.
And then we have the brim. This part is the base of the hat and it is where the beanie fits the head most closely. In a knit hat this portion is usually worked in ribbing. In crochet, it may be ribbed or worked in the same or a different stitch pattern from the body. Usually the brim measures around 1 to 3 inches in height.
Sometimes the brim is worked as a strip of crochet that you join into a circle and then work the rest of the hat along one edge, or it can be an integrated part of the hat.
How to Size a Crochet Hat
Now, to get the perfect sizing for your crochet beanie project, you need to know these two important measurements:
- Hat Height: to get the height of your beanie, measure from the center of the top of your head to the bottom of your earlobe. Of course, hats can be longer than this if you want a folded-over brim, but this is a good base measurement.
- Head Circumference: from the center of your forehead, wrap a tape measure around your head where you want the hat to sit on your head. For example, over your ear, around the back of the head, and up over the other ear.
Below is a chart that shows the average head measurements for people in different age groups.
Note: Sizes are just estimates. Not all heads are the same but feel free to make this chart as your guide if you don’t have the person you are stitching for handy to measure.
Crochet Beanie Size Chart (in.)
| Circumference | Height | Crown | Brim Height | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preemie | 9-12 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Baby | 14-16 | 5.5 | 4.5 | 1.5 |
| Toddler | 16-18 | 7 | 5 | 1.8 |
| Child | 18-20 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 1.9 |
| Tween | 20-22 | 8 | 6 | 2 |
| Woman | 21-23 | 8.5 | 6.5 | 2.2 |
| Man | 22-24 | 9 | 7 | 2.3 |
Types of Crochet Beanie Construction
Now that you know the parts of the beanie and how big it needs to be, it’s time to consider how your crochet beanie is going to be made. There are a few options.
Top-Down Construction
This type of hat starts from the top by doing a magic circle (magic ring) and increasing the stitches in rounds until the size of the crown is achieved.
Then, make the same number of stitches to form the body until the desired height is reached. Finish with the brim.
Bottom Up or Brim Up
This construction technique starts by making the brim. The brim can be worked as a strip and joined into a circle to form the base of the hat, or you can stitch the brim in the round and go on with the body from there.
Decreases may be worked at the top to give a rounded shape. At the end, you will use the yarn tail to close up the top of the hat.
Seamed Rectangle
If you’re a beginner crocheter this construction method might appeal to you, but it’s quick and easy for stitchers of all skill levels.
First, you make a rectangle in rows. Make sure the width of the rectangle fits around your head and the height should cover your head. There are typically no increases or decreases to shape the top of the hat.
Then, fold the rectangle in half and seam the ends together. Lastly, like the bottom-up construction, cinch the top to close.
Supplies Needed to Crochet a Beanie
Best Yarns for Crochet Beanies
When choosing a yarn for your crocheted beanie, there are a lot of factors to consider.
While you can use any yarn you have, you need to know that there will be huge differences in how the finished beanie will look and feel because of the yarn choice.
Since beanies are mostly worn in the cold weather, (4) worsted weight yarn to (5) bulky weight or even (6) super bulky weight yarn is the perfect yarns to use. Because of their thickness, they give the most warmth.
Here is a list of some of my favorite yarns based on their weight.
(4) Worsted/Medium
- Lion Brand Touch of Alpaca
- Knit Picks Heatherly Worsted
- Furls Wander Acrylic Yarn
- Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
- Caron Simply Soft
(5) Bulky/Chunky
- Red Heart Dreamy
- Knit Picks Brava Bulky
- Lion Brand’s Hue + Me
- Premier Yarns Sofie
- Hayfield Spirit Chunky
(6) Super Bulky/Super Chunky
- Premier Yarns Premier Anti Pilling Everyday Bulky
- Red Heart Sweet Home
- Knit Picks Tuff Puff
- Lion Brand’s Feels Like Butta Thick and Quick
- Sirdar Adventure
How Much Yarn Do I Need to Crochet A Beanie?
The amount of yarn needed to complete a beanie varies depending on the size and design of the beanie, the weight of the yarn, and the hook size.
A typical beanie uses about 150-225 yards of worsted weight yarn. That’s one or two skeins of yarn, depending on the yardage in your ball. If your beanie design has a slouchy beanie, then you would need more than that.
If using bulky or super bulky yarn, you’ll be needing about 125-200 yards.
But, all the given numbers are just estimates. The exact amount of yarn is still dependent on the pattern and the size you’re making. Your pattern will give you an estimate based on how much yarn the designer used as well.
What Size Crochet Hook Do You Use for a Beanie?
If you are working from a particular pattern for a crocheted beanie, it will tell you the weight of the yarn and the size crochet hook the designer used.
If you’re using your own yarn to design a beanie, consult the yarn label for the recommended hook size. In general, you will want to use the range of hook sizes that are made to work with that particular yarn weight.
That’s a 5mm to 6.5mm hook for medium weight yarn. For bulky yarns, 6.5mm to 9mm hooks are recommended. And for super bulky weight yarns, 9mm to 15mm crochet hook size is what you’ll want to try.
Before you start your beanie or any crochet project, make sure to create a gauge swatch first. The gauge swatch will help you see if your number of stitches per inch corresponds to what the designer got (essential if you want your beanie to come out the same size). Or if you’re designing your own hat, it will help you know how many stitches you need to make the size you want.
Notions and Tools Needed
Like any other project, you need to have these tools to crochet a beanie.
- Have some stitch markers handy. You can use them to mark the end of a row or round and to help count rows between increases or decreases if necessary.
- Darning needle to weave the ends of the yarn.
- Scissors
- Faux fur pompoms (optional)
How to Attach a Pom Pom to a Crochet Beanie?
Pom Poms. These very cute little balls of fur or yarn can take your finished crochet beanie to the next level. Adding pom poms is the perfect way to make your beanie have a bit of extra flair.
There are different kinds of pom-poms available and you can make your own, too. Yarn pom poms and faux fur pom poms are both popular choices for crocheted beanies.
There are two ways to attach the poms securely to a crochet beanie without making it wobbly.
First is the button method. You need a pom with strings and a button with holes that the strings will fit into. Feed the strings through the top center of the beanie, then turn the beanie inside out. Place your button in the top of the hat on the inside and thread the strings through. Tie the strings to the button.
And that’s it! Pretty easy right? This is super easy if you’ve made your own yarn pom pom for a project because you can just leave long tails to insert into the button.
The best thing about this method is that you can easily attach and detach the pom poms, especially when you wash them. Some poms don’t do well in the wash, they easily lose their shape or shed, and we don’t want that.
The other method would be the sewing method. To do this very easy trick you need to have a yarn needle and a pom with a string.
First, thread both the strings to the needle through the project, one at a time, from the right side to the wrong side. Make sure that the pom pom is in the middle of the beanie.
On the inside, tie a knot to secure the pom pom. Then weave in the ends for extra security.
And that’s it! Easy peasy, right?
Easy Crochet Beanie Patterns For Beginners
These crochet beanie patterns can help you create a hat in no time and it’s a great way to polish up your skills and start crocheting like a pro.
Chunky Ribbed Beanie
Designer: Sarah Maker
Yarn weight: (5) Bulky
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Hue + Me
Get your hands with this easy-to-remember stitch pattern that resembles knit ribbing. This unisex beanie is designed with basic stitches and simple techniques.
Basic Slouchy Beanie Free Crochet Pattern
Designer: Hooked on Homemade Happiness
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Alla Prima
Get cozy with this very easy and quick-to-finish beanie pattern. This hat can easily be adjusted with more or less slouch depending on the style you would like.
Eleanor Beanie Free Crochet Pattern
Designer: The Stitchin’ Mommy
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Furls Wander
This pretty hat is worked in the round in mostly half double and double crochet. Using different colors for each section makes this a great stash busting project or use fewer colors if you’d rather.
Simple Crochet Beanie Free Pattern
Designer: Ned and Mimi
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Mary Maxim Baby’s Best
Enjoy this simple beanie pattern that is perfect for men and women. It has a snug fit that will surely keep you warm. This pattern includes sizes from baby to adult large.
Elsa Beanie
Designer: Crochet Dreamz
Yarn weight: (6) Super Chunky
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Hometown
Crochet this textured and quick-to-finish beanie pattern. You can make this hat with just one skein of yarn in about an hour and a half!
Easy Peasy 30-Minute Beanie Crochet Pattern
Designer: Ashlea of Heart Hook Home
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Brava Worsted
All you need is just 30 minutes of your time to make this easy pattern. It’s worked with two strands of yarn held together so you can use two of the same color or mix it up with two different colors.
Easy Breezy Chunky Beanie Crochet Pattern
Designer: The Turtle Trunk
Yarn weight: (5) Bulky
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Yarn Hue+ Me
Here’s a perfect beginner pattern for you. This easy crochet beanie pattern uses only one simple stitch and easy construction. It features a ribbed texture and folded brim.
Crochet Brooklyn Ridge Hat
Designer: Sewrella
Yarn weight: (5) Bulky
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Color Made Easy
Need a quick wardrobe update? This might be the best beginner easy crochet hat pattern you've ever seen. This beanie is made from a rectangle and utilizes simple stitches (single crochet or half double crochet).
Easy Breezy Chunky Bun Beanie Crochet Pattern
Designer: The Turtle Trunk
Yarn weight: (5) Bulky
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Color Made Easy
I’m obsessed with this simple and useful beanie pattern. With the hole on the top, you can fit your messy bun or ponytail through. This pattern is written to create a brim approximately 2” tall but you can easily adjust.
Easy Everyday Crochet Beanie
Designer: For The Frills
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: WeCrochet Swish Worsted
This simple hat has a two-row repeat so you can stitch it up in no time. The pattern also includes a video tutorial if you need any help with the project.
Simple Seed Stitch Beanie in 4 Sizes
Designer: Kirsten Holloway Designs
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Caron One Pound
Another very cozy and textured beanie for you to try in this cold weather. Protect your heads from winter winds. This beanie is also a great holiday gift you can make for lots of people on your list since it comes in four sizes.
Basic Hat Crochet Pattern in 8 Sizes
Designer: Crochet It Creations
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Lazy Days
This is the basic of all basic crochet beanie patterns. I use just half double crochet and you’ll be able to make any size from newborn to adult.
Cute and Simple Baby/Kids Beanie Crochet Patterns
Little ones need all the help they can get to stay warm. Keep those precious heads and ears cozy with this collection of beanie crochet patterns for infants and toddlers.
1 Hour Easy Child’s Crochet Hat Pattern (+ Adult Sizes)
Designer: Make & Do Crew
Yarn weight: (5) Bulky
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Color Made Easy
You’re only an hour away from having this easy child’s hat. This pattern works for beginners due to its simple construction and basic stitches.
Double Pom Pom Baby Beanie Free Crochet Pattern
Designer: Carroway Crochet
Yarn weight: (6) Super Bulky
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick
One pom-pom is cute, but two pom-poms on the same project? Talk about adorable. This is a great gift for any little one or to gift at a baby shower.
The Parker Crochet Baby Hat
Designer: Sewrella
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
You need this basic baby hat pattern that’s simple and can easily be customized. It’s a great go-to when you need a quick baby gift. You can make this baby hat without expert-level ability.
Easy Crochet Baby Hat
Designer: A Crafty Concept
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Premier Yarns Premier Anti-Pilling Everyday Worsted
Have fun with this easy crochet baby beanie. The pattern features puff stitch, which gives the beanie texture and is really fun to stitch. Multiple sizes are available in this pattern which includes a full video tutorial.
Crochet Newborn Beanie Free Pattern
Designer: Two Brothers Blankets
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted
Crochet the cutest little newborn beanie. Use solid color yarn for awesome texture and pop or try a multicolored option for a completely different look. You just need very small amounts of yarn. A great scrap buster hat for sure!
Double Pom Pom Hat for Baby, Kids, and Adults
Designer: Maria’s Blue Crayon
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: WeCrochet Dishie
This double pompom hat may be one the easiest hats you’ll ever make! This hat is basically a rectangular tube with the yarn color changed after each round. Of course, you can make it a single color to make it even easier and quicker!
Crochet Baby Bear Beanie Free Pattern
Designer: Maisie and Ruth
Yarn weight: (5) Chunky
Suggested yarn: Bernat Velvet
Any cutie patootie will look the cutest ever with this baby bear beanie. This is worked mainly in rounds and works up really fast
Dinosaur Spike Hat
Designer: Lovable Loops
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Love making animal hats like this. The dinosaur spike hat is a quick and easy crochet pattern. The hat is worked in the round from the top down. The ear flaps and braids are super cute but optional.
Sweet Cupcake Hat Free Crochet Pattern
Designer: Nicole Chase
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Want some sweet treat’s for your little one? Crochet up these sweet cupcake hats. A step-by-step photo tutorial is also available to make this one easier for you.
The Luxe Leopard Bonnet
Designer: Crafting For Weeks
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: WeCrochet Brava Worsted
Looking for a unique-looking bonnet? This pixie-style hat with a leopard print is the perfect one for your cutie pie. This pattern utilizes the tapestry crochet technique.
The Best Men’s Beanie Crochet Patterns
Have fun and learn with these free, easy beanie crochet patterns for men. These crochet beanie patterns are warm and stylish enough to wear just about anywhere.
Basic Back Loop Beanie Free Crochet Pattern (7 Sizes)
Designer: Heart Hook Home
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Bernat Super Value
Grab your yarn and hook and begin to crochet this super beginner-friendly pattern. This beanie is made with just one basic rectangle and simple stitches. Available sizes from newborn to adult.
Men’s Classic Beanie
Designer: Rich Textures Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Sugar Bush Rapture
This hat design is such a classic for guys. These beanies are constructed sideways using single crochet and other basic stitches. The pattern contains the instructions for two styles, one with a brim and one without.
Easy Striped Beanie for Men and Boys
Designer: Kirsten Holloway Designs
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Caron One Pound
Have fun with these two-in-one beanie patterns. The pattern includes two great options for you made with very easy crochet stitches. These beanies are so easy to make and are great for gifts for family and friends or donations to any charity.
Men’s Classic Beanie with Colour Crochet Pattern
Designer: Rich Textures Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Learn how to crochet this classic knit-look men’s beanie. This is an incredibly warm, breathable, and cozy beanie. This beanie consists of single crochet and slip stitches and has a great little stripe worked in.
Billow Beanie Free Crochet Hat Pattern for Men
Designer: Rohn Strong
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Bernat Super Value
Are you fond of texture? Then you’ve got it with this pattern. This beanie might look complicated, but it only uses just three stitches. The hat is worked in joined rounds from the crown to the brim. A free video tutorial is also available.
Caron Crochet Fair Isle Hat
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Caron Simply Soft
This hat looks like a classic colorwork knitting design, but it’s actually crochet. This amount of colorwork and the split single crochet stitch technique garner this hat an intermediate rating, but it’s worth the work to learn how to make this gorgeous hat.
Crochet Big Bay Beanie
Designer: Crochet 365 Knit Too
Yarn weight: (5) Bulky
Suggested yarn: Caron X Pantone
I just love the color transition of this beanie. This hat is made of 5 small skeins of yarn. The pattern's finished size fits medium-sized adults but you can customize to fit you. It’s a great use of leftover yarns.
Intermediate/ Advanced Beanie Crochet Patterns
Grab your hook, find a cozy place, and get to work on these more detailed beanies. Find out how to crochet these intermediate/advanced beanie patterns that work up quickly and produce fun and fashionable hats.
Mosaic Crochet Hat Free Pattern
Designer: MJ’s Off the Hook Designs
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: WeCrochet Wool of the Andes
Modern and stylish in one? I got you. Mosaic crochet is a quick and easy technique used to create pretty colorwork patterns. The hat is worked from the bottom up, and the brim is worked in rows and then joined to the rest of the hat.
Alpine Dreams Beanie
Designer: Hooks, Books, and Wanderlust
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Basic Stitch
Get creative with this heavily textured beanie. The puffy texture of this pattern will remind you of clouds. This pattern is worked in joined rounds.
Simple Crochet Ribbed Checker Beanie
Designer: Hayhay Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Basic Stitch
Here’s a very trendy but simple to stitch beanie made up of mostly half double crochet stitches. Wear this cute and fun beanie on any occasion or every day. The pattern includes a video tutorial.
My Love Beanie & Slouch Free Crochet Hat Pattern
Designer: A Crocheted Simplicity
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Here’s a uniquely designed beanie with an embossed heart on it. This textured crochet hat is created by working a double crochet into the front loop of a single crochet two rounds below.
Neon Rainbow Striped Crochet Hat Pattern
Designer: Easy Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver Stripes
Stand out with this very colorful beanie designed with single crochet and herringbone half double stitches. All you need is just one skein of multicolored yarn for this hat.
One Skein Crochet Beanie Pattern
Designer: Burgundy & Blush
Yarn weight: (5) Bulky
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Just Hemp Yarn
Crochet your own one-skein beanie with this super quick, cozy, and cute pattern. This beanie is worked bottom up and in the round in sizes newborn to adult large.
Jelly Beanie Free Crochet Pattern
Designer: Loops & Love Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Have some fun making this textured beanie. The puff stitches used add a great character to the entire hat. The pattern includes sizes newborn to adult.
Lavender Kisses Beanie
Designer: Moogly
Yarn weight: (4) Medium
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Unforgettable
The stitch pattern on this pretty, feminine hat is so unusual and really fun to stitch. The multicolored yarn makes the hat that much prettier, but you can use a solid color if you’d rather. This pattern also has a matching cowl.
Prismatic Beanie
Designer: Winding Road Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
If you’ve got a wild-colored skein of yarn in your stash that you aren’t quite sure what to do with, this hat is a great option. The solid color neutral yarn tones the brighter color down a bit but is still so fun in the finished hat.
The Lyra Hat
Designer: Noowul Designs
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Bernat Super Value
If you’ve got a wild-colored skein of yarn in your stash that you aren’t quite sure what to do with, this hat is a great option. The solid color neutral yarn tones the brighter color down a bit but is still so fun in the finished hat.
Easy Breezy Ribbed Beanie
Designer: The Turtle Trunk
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
If you’ve got a wild-colored skein of yarn in your stash that you aren’t quite sure what to do with, this hat is a great option. The solid color neutral yarn tones the brighter color down a bit but is still so fun in the finished hat.
Easy Crochet Beanie Tutorial
Designer: Daisy Cottage Designs
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Caron Simply Soft
This video shows a step-by-step tutorial on how to make this adjustable beanie pattern. The hat is worked as a rectangle and the pattern includes sizes from preemie to adult XL.
Country Cottage Beanie Crochet Tutorial
Designer: The Turtle Trunk
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Brava Tweed
Create this beautifully textured beanie that is perfect for all ages. The warm and comforting design is perfect for wearing in the cold months.
Are You a Beginner Crochet Who Would Like Some Extra Help to Learn How to Crochet?
Check out our Fundamentals of Crochet masterclass. This class will help you learn all the basics of crochet so you’ll be armed with the fundamental skills that will give you the confidence to tackle any project with more enjoyment and confidence.
If you're looking for more hat crochet patterns, you might want to check out another curated pattern blog post 26 Crochet Winter Hat Patterns, 60+ Simple Baby Hat Crochet Patterns, 40+ Stylish Crochet Hat and Beanie Patterns for All Seasons
