How to use the crochet beanie pattern generator
- Choose who the beanie is for. Under More options you can type an exact head measurement and height instead.
- Pick a fit and whether you want a ribbed brim.
- Choose your yarn weight and main stitch. Then crochet a small flat swatch and enter how many stitches and rounds fit in 4 inches.
- Read the pattern below the form, or copy it, print it or save it as a PDF.
- Work the crown, then check its width before you stop increasing. The pattern tells you the width to aim for.
What makes this free crochet hat pattern different
A printed hat pattern is written for the designer's yarn and gauge. If your stitches come out bigger or smaller, the hat does too. This generator starts from your own gauge and head size, so the stitch counts are worked out for your hat. Each number comes from the same tested math as our crochet hat size calculator.
The trade-off is design. A generated pattern is a plain, sturdy beanie with a ribbed brim. For textured stitches, stripes or a folded brim, a designer's pattern gives you more. Once you know your numbers here, you can also resize a designer's pattern with them.
Crochet beanie pattern sizes at a glance
Here is what the generator writes for each size in double crochet at 12 stitches and 7 rounds per 4 inches, standard fit, with a 1.5 inch ribbed brim. Your gauge will change these numbers, so enter it above.
| Size | Head | Stitches around | Crown rounds | Total rounds | Worsted yarn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preemie | 12" | 36 | 3 | 8 | 39 to 52 yd |
| Newborn | 13.5" | 36 | 3 | 10 | 50 to 66 yd |
| Baby 3 to 6 m | 15" | 48 | 4 | 11 | 76 to 101 yd |
| Baby 6 to 12 m | 17" | 48 | 4 | 12 | 83 to 111 yd |
| Toddler | 18" | 48 | 4 | 13 | 90 to 120 yd |
| Child | 19" | 48 | 4 | 14 | 97 to 129 yd |
| Teen / adult S | 20.5" | 60 | 5 | 15 | 125 to 167 yd |
| Adult M | 22" | 60 | 5 | 16 | 134 to 178 yd |
| Adult L | 23.5" | 72 | 6 | 17 | 166 to 221 yd |
Notice that some neighboring sizes land on the same stitch count. In double crochet each crown round adds 12 stitches, which is 4 inches of hat at this gauge. When the closest round is too far from your size, switch to half double or single crochet for finer steps.
Single, half double or double crochet?
The same adult medium beanie, at each stitch's example worsted gauge and with no brim, comes out like this.
| Stitch | Round 1 | Stitches around | Total rounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| single crochet | 6 | 84 | 36 |
| half double crochet | 8 | 72 | 23 |
| double crochet | 12 | 60 | 16 |
Double crochet is the quickest, with the fewest rounds. Single crochet takes the most rounds but makes a dense, wind-resistant hat. Half double sits in between. Oombawka Design's free beanie uses half double at 3 stitches per inch, which matches 12 per 4 inches.
Reading the pattern
The pattern is written in US terms and joined rounds. "Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch)" means the chain only lifts your hook to the right height. Your first stitch then goes into the first stitch of the round. "*2 dc in the next st, 1 dc in each of the next 2 sts; repeat from * 12 times" means work that sequence 12 times around. Our guides on reading a crochet pattern and crocheting in the round explain these in more detail.
Getting the fit right
A fitted beanie is made a little smaller than the head so it stretches to stay on. Joy of Motion Crochet suggests about 1 inch less than the head. The standard fit here takes off 6 percent, which is 1.3 inches on a 22 inch head. Choose snug for very stretchy yarn and relaxed for a hat you plan to line.
Measure the head when you can. The Craft Yarn Council head circumference chart is a good fallback for gifts. Our crochet hat sizing guide covers ease and crown math in more depth.
