Simple Crochet Beanie – Free Pattern

Have you been looking for a simple crochet beanie pattern that you can make for both kids and adults, boys and girls? Then look no further!

The Simple Joys beanie is an easy crochet beanie pattern written for 5 sizes – Baby, Toddler, Child, Adult Small and Adult Large.

This beanie has such a classic look and feel, making a perfect crochet beanie for men and women.

The easy pattern requires just two stitches – chain and single crochet (sc) – so I would definitely rate it as a beginner-friendly crochet pattern.

Crochet Cancer Challenge 2021

I designed this pattern as part of the Crochet Cancer Challenge 2021, hosted by Sweet Potato 3 Designs.

The event has ended now, but you can still find out all about the Crochet Cancer Challenge here.

For my Simple Joys Beanie, I chose the color gold in support of childhood cancer, and I used Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran in the colour Caramel. 

I chose a theme of “simplicity” for my design, to remind myself that it is often the simple things in life that are the most important. And so, the pattern is very, very easy, and definitely beginner-friendly, using just chains and single crochet stitches.

What you’ll need for this easy crochet beanie

Yarn

This pattern calls for a worsted weight yarn 

I used Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran (#4/medium/worsted weight yarn) for my hat, which is a soft, 100% acrylic yarn. If wool allergies are a concern, then any #4 acrylic yarn would work great. When crocheting for charity, or for someone who may have extra skin sensitivities, it is a really good idea to choose a premium acrylic yarn if possible, as these are generally softer than cheaper acrylics. Some great yarn options for a crochet beanie include:

• Lion Brand Heartland, which is super soft (and is also 100% acrylic).
• WeCrochet Brava Worsted
• Furls Wander Worsted

Hook

For my beanie, I used  5.5mm (I-9) crochet hook. The stitch pattern can end up being quite tight, so you may find that you need to go up another hook size to a 6mm (J-10) (especially if your crochet tends to be a little on the tight side).

Other supplies

The beanie is worked from the top-down in continuous rounds, meaning that you don’t join with a slip stitch at the end of each round, you simply begin the next round immediately. 

For this reason, you won’t want to attempt this pattern without a stitch marker, as you will need to keep track of the first stitch of each round!

Crochet Beanie Sizing

The head circumference measurements that I used for each size are as follows:

• Baby: 17″ / 43cm
• Toddler: 19″ / 48.5cm
• Child: 21″ / 53.5cm
• Teen / Adult Small: 22″ / 56cm
• Adult Large: 24″ / 61cm

The stitch pattern is not especially stretchy, so this beanie has quite a snug fit. If your head measurement is in between the sizes above, I would suggest making the larger size.

The height of the beanie is designed to sit just below the ear – if you would like to make the beanie a little longer, feel free to add some extra rounds to the BODY section 🙂

How to crochet the Simple Joys Beanie

This hat is crocheted from the top down, beginning with a circle for the crown, and then continuing in even rounds for the sides of the hat.

You will start with a magic circle, and then work a series of “increase” rounds until you have a circle of the required diameter for the size you are making. 

Next, you will stop increasing, and simply crochet in the round until your hat reaches the required height. It is very easy to work a few extra rounds if you would like your beanie to come down a little further past the ears 🙂

Simple Crochet Beanie Inspiration

For some colour inspiration, have a look at the gorgeous projects created by some of my testers!

Finished Sizes

Gauge

15 sts x 16 rows = 4″ x 4″ / 10 cm x 10 cm measured over patt.

Note: as this hat is worked from the top down, it is easier to check your gauge by measuring your circle as you go. After 8 rounds, your circle will measure approx. 4” / 10cm across.

Materials

Hook:

5.5mm (I-9) (or hook required to meet gauge)

Yarn:

Any #4/Medium/Worsted weight yarn.The amounts given here are for Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran (184m/201yds per 100g skein; Weight 4/Aran; 100% Acrylic).

Misc.

• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker

Pattern Notes

Skill Level

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch = chain
• st = stitch
• sk = skip
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• beg = beginning
• rem = remaining

Construction

This hat is worked from the top down as follows: 

• CROWN: Begin with a magic circle, and work increase rounds until you reach the required stitch count for the size you are making.
• BODY: Crochet the rest of the hat body without increasing.
• The hat is worked in continuous rounds i.e. do not join at the end of each round with a sl st. Use a stitch marker to keep track of the first stitch in each round.

General Pattern Notes

• The stitch count for each round is given in [ ] at the end of the round. 
• If no stitch count is given, then the count is the same as the previous round.
• The pattern is written for the smallest size, with larger sizes given in ( ).
• The stitch count includes chain and single crochet stitches.

Crown Notes

• N.B. There are two versions of the crown pattern, depending on the size you are making:
  • one for Baby, Child and Adult L sizes
  • one for Toddler and Adult S sizes
• When working the crown, you can either follow the written instructions in the pattern, or use the stitch charts in Appendix A.

Print-friendly PDF (available at a low cost)

The print-friendly PDF version of this pattern also includes a handy Stitch Chart for the “Crown” section of the hat.

Written Pattern

The hat is worked in continuous rounds i.e. do not join with a sl st at the end of each round. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round.

CROWN: Baby, (Child, Adult Large) only

For the crown, you can either follow the written instructions here, or use the Stitch Chart in the print-friendly PDF.

Round 1: Start with a mc, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 6 sc in mc, do not join. [6]

Round 2: Sc in first st, ch 1, *sc in next st, ch 1; repeat from * around, do not join. [12]

Round 3: 2 sc in first st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, *2 sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp; repeat from * around, do not join. [18]

Round 4: Sc in first st, ch 1, sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, *sc in next st, ch 1, sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp; repeat from * around, do not join. [24]

Round 5: 2 sc in first st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, *2 sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp; repeat from * around, do not join. [30]

Round 6: Sc in first st, ch 1, twice, *sc in next st, ch 1, twice, repeat from * around, do not join. [36]

Round 7: 2 sc in first st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, twice, *2 sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, twice; repeat from * around, do not join. [42]

Round 8: Sc in first st, ch 1, 3 times, *sc in next st, ch 1, 3 times, repeat from * around, do not join. [48]

Round 9: 2 sc in first st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, 3 times, *2 sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, 3 times; repeat from * around, do not join. [54]

Round 10: Sc in first st, ch 1, 4 times, *sc in next st, ch 1, 4 times, repeat from * around, do not join. [60]

Child (Adult Large) only

Round 11: 2 sc in first st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, 4 times, *2 sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, 4 times; repeat from * around, do not join. [66]

Round 12: Sc in first st, ch 1, 5 times, *sc in next st, ch 1, 5 times, repeat from * around, do not join. [72]

Adult Large only

Round 13: 2 sc in first st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, 5 times, *2 sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, 5 times; repeat from * around, do not join. [78]

Round 14: Sc in first st, ch 1, 6 times, *sc in next st, ch 1, 6 times, repeat from * around, do not join. [84]

Go to BODY.

CROWN: Toddler (Adult Small) only

For the crown, you can either follow the written instructions here, or use the Stitch Chart in the print-friendly PDF.

Round 1: Start with a mc, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 6 sc in mc, do not join. [6]

Round 2: 2 sc in first st, 2 sc in each of next 5 sts, do not join. [12]

Round 3: Sc in first st, ch 1, sc in next st, ch 1, sk next st, sc in next st, ch 1, *sc in next st, ch 1, sc in next st, ch 1, sk next st, sc in next st, ch 1; repeat from * once more, do not join. [18]

Round 4: 2 sc in first st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, 2 sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, *2 sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, 2 sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp; repeat from * once more, do not join. [24]

Round 5: Sc in first st, ch 1, sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] twice, ch 1, sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, *sc in next st, ch 1, sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] twice, ch 1, sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp; repeat from * once more, do not join. [30]

Round 6: 2 sc in first st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] twice, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, 2 sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, *2 sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] twice, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, 2 sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp; repeat from * once more, do not join. [36]

Round 7: Sc in first st, ch 1, sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 3 times, ch 1, sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, *sc in next st, ch 1, sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 3 times, ch 1, sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp; repeat from * once more, do not join. [42]

Round 8: 2 sc in first st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] three times, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, 2 sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] twice, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, *2 sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] three times, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, 2 sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] twice, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, repeat from * once more, do not join. [48]

Round 9: Sc in first st, ch 1, sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 4 times, ch 1, sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] twice, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, *sc in next st, ch 1, sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 4 times, ch 1, sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] twice, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, repeat from * once more, do not join. [54]

Round 10: 2 sc in first st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 4 times, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, 2 sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 3 times, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, *2 sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 4 times, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, 2 sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 3 times, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, repeat from * once more, do not join. [60]

Round 11: Sc in first st, ch 1, sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 5 times, ch 1, sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 3 times, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, *sc in next st, ch 1, sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 5 times, ch 1, sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 3 times, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, repeat from * once more, do not join. [66]

Adult Small only

Round 12: 2 sc in first st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 5 times, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, 2 sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 4 times, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, *2 sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 5 times, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, 2 sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 4 times, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, repeat from * once more, do not join. [72]

Round 13: Sc in first st, ch 1, sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 6 times, ch 1, sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 4 times, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, *sc in next st, ch 1, sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 6 times, ch 1, sc in next st, [ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next st] 4 times, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, repeat from * once more, do not join. [78]

Go to BODY.

BODY: All Sizes (Baby, Toddler, Child, Adult Small, Adult Large)

Round 11 (12, 13, 14, 15): Sc in first st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, *sc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp; repeat from * around, do not join. [60 (66, 72, 78, 84)]

Rounds 12 – 25 (13 – 28, 14 – 30, 15 – 32, 16 – 34): Repeat previous round.

Last Round: Sl st in each st around, sl st to join to beg st.

Cut yarn and fasten off.

Finishing

Weave in ends. All done!

If you wish, you can purchase an inexpensive, ad-free PDF version of this pattern through Ravelry, Etsy or LoveCrafts.

I hope you have enjoyed this pattern, if you have questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me. And be sure to tag your finished project on Instagram or Facebook using @nedandmimi or #nedandmimi!

Happy crocheting!

Sarah