Get ready to create a cozy and colorful hat with this comprehensive pattern. This beanie combines a stretchy, ribbed brim with a classic two-color granny stitch pattern, resulting in a timeless checkered look. The pattern is worked in the round from the bottom up, making it a fun and seamless project.
What You’ll Need
- Yarn:
- Approximately 100 grams of worsted-weight yarn in Color A (e.g., Tan).
- Approximately 50 grams of worsted-weight yarn in Color B (e.g., Blue).
- An acrylic or wool blend yarn works well for a warm, soft hat.
- Hook:
- A 5.0 mm (H/8) crochet hook for the brim.
- A 5.5 mm (I/9) crochet hook for the body of the hat. Using a larger hook for the main body will keep the fabric from being too tight.
- Tools:
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Stitch marker
- Pom-pom maker (optional, you can also make one by hand).
Key Crochet Stitches & Techniques
- ch (chain): Yarn over, pull yarn through the loop on your hook.
- sl st (slip stitch): Insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over, and pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
- sc (single crochet): Insert hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, and pull through both loops.
- dc (double crochet): Yarn over, insert hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over, and pull through the last two loops.
- sc in the back loop only (BLO): Work a single crochet stitch by inserting your hook into the back loop of the stitch only. This creates a ribbed texture.
- Granny Cluster: Work 3 dc stitches in the same stitch or space.
The Pattern: Let’s Get Started!
Part 1: The Ribbed Brim
We’ll start with a ribbed brim that is worked in rows and then joined together to form a circle. This method creates a stretchy, professional-looking brim.
Using Color A (Tan) and a 5.0 mm hook
- Row 1: Chain 10.
- Row 2: Single crochet (sc) in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across. (9 stitches)
- Row 3: Chain 1 (does not count as a stitch), turn your work. Single crochet in the back loop only (BLO) of each sc across. (9 stitches)
- Rows 4-64: Repeat Row 3. Continue this until your brim measures approximately 18-20 inches long when slightly stretched, or until it fits snugly around your head.
- Joining the Brim: Fold your brim in half, aligning the first row with the last row. Slip stitch through the back loop of the last row and the front loop of the starting chain to join the two sides together. This creates a seamless join. Turn your work so the seam is on the inside.
Part 2: The Hat Body
Now, we’ll work the main part of the hat in the round, using the granny stitch.
Switch to a 5.5 mm hook
- Round 1: Chain 1. Work 60 half double crochet (hdc) stitches evenly around the top edge of the brim. Join with a slip stitch to the first hdc. (60 stitches)
Now we will begin the two-color granny stitch pattern.
- Round 2 (Color A): Chain 2 (does not count as a stitch). Work a Granny Cluster (3 dc) in the same stitch as your join. *Skip the next 2 stitches, then work a Granny Cluster in the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * around. Skip the last 2 stitches. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the first dc. (20 Granny Clusters)
Switch to Color B (Blue)
- Round 3 (Color B): Join new yarn in the space between the first two Granny Clusters of the previous round. Chain 2. Work a Granny Cluster in that same space. *Work a Granny Cluster in the next space between the clusters.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the first dc. (20 Granny Clusters)
Switch back to Color A (Tan)
- Round 4 (Color A): Join new yarn in the space between the first two Granny Clusters of the previous round. Chain 2. Work a Granny Cluster in that same space. *Work a Granny Cluster in the next space between the clusters.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the first dc. (20 Granny Clusters)
- Rounds 5-18: Repeat Rounds 3 and 4, alternating colors. Continue until your hat measures about 7 inches from the top of the brim, or until your desired length before decreasing.
Part 3: Shaping the Crown (Decreasing)
To close the top of the hat, we’ll decrease by working single crochet stitches.
- Round 19: With your current color, chain 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 single crochet (sc) into each dc stitch and into each space between the clusters around. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc. (60 stitches)
- Round 20 (Decrease Round): Chain 1. *Work 1 sc in the next 8 stitches, then single crochet two together (sc2tog) over the next two stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a slip stitch. (54 stitches)
- Round 21: Chain 1. *Work 1 sc in the next 7 stitches, then sc2tog over the next two stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a slip stitch. (48 stitches)
- Round 22: Chain 1. *Work 1 sc in the next 6 stitches, then sc2tog over the next two stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a slip stitch. (42 stitches)
- Round 23: Chain 1. *Work 1 sc in the next 5 stitches, then sc2tog over the next two stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a slip stitch. (36 stitches)
- Round 24: Chain 1. *Work 1 sc in the next 4 stitches, then sc2tog over the next two stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a slip stitch. (30 stitches)
- Round 25: Chain 1. *Work 1 sc in the next 3 stitches, then sc2tog over the next two stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a slip stitch. (24 stitches)
Part 4: Finishing Your Beanie
- Close the Crown: Cut your yarn, leaving a long tail (about 12 inches). Thread the tail through your tapestry needle. Weave the needle through the back loop of each of the remaining 24 stitches. Pull the yarn tight to cinch the hole closed. Secure with a knot on the inside of the hat.
- Weave in Ends: Use your tapestry needle to weave in all loose ends.
- Make and Attach the Pom-Pom: Use your pom-pom maker to create a fluffy pom-pom. The image shows a pom-pom in the same color as the brim. Tie it securely to the top of your beanie and trim it to your desired shape.
Video tutorial
Congratulations! You’ve just created a beautiful, handmade beanie. The combination of the ribbed brim and the checkered pattern makes this a hat you’ll want to wear all season long.
