Free Half Double Crochet Beanie Pattern
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This beginner free half double crochet beanie pattern is crocheted with worsted weight yarn and a 5.50 mm crochet hook. Sizes available: baby hat pattern sizes all the way to adult crochet beanie pattern sizes.
I have had numerous requests for beanies using different yarn and hook combinations. The first request is for a half double crochet beanie pattern using worsted weight yarn (specifically Red Heart with Love) with a 5.50 mm crochet hook. The instructions below are for a mid-ear length beanie using this specific yarn and hook combination. If you want this beanie to reach the base of your earlobe instead – the information you need to increase the length is included at the very end of the post.
I have started the project by working a double magic ring (see this tutorial) but you can just as easily crochet a regular magic ring or begin by crocheting a chain-3 and slip stitch to join to the first chain to form a ring and then work your stitches directly into that ring.
When I finish off and weave in the ends for my hats, I use the invisible join technique. You can read more about this technique in this post: Invisible Join Technique
Please note, you do not need to slip stitch to join the rounds – or add any chain stitches at the end of the round to increase the stitch height to begin the next round.
If you are changing colors in your hat I do recommend finishing off your old color using the Invisible Join Technique and then beginning a new round in your new color. This will give you a much more finished and seamless look to your hat.
Simple Half Double Crochet Beanie Pattern
(Worsted Weight/5.50 mm Hook)
Half Double Crochet Beanie Pattern Details
SUPPLIES
- Yarn: Red Heart with Love Yarn [4] Medium Weight Yarn (Red Heart Super Saver also works for this pattern)
- Hook: 5.5 mm (I) Crochet hook
- Finished Project Yardage: each size uses a different amount of yarn but you do not need more than 1 ball of yarn for any size
- Scissors, Yarn Needle, Stitch Marker (optional)
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Easy
FINISHED SIZE
see individual sizes below – please note hats are slightly smaller than the actual head size because they stretch to fit the head (so they don’t fall off)
GAUGE
3 hdc per inch
2.75 rounds per inch
You can substitute any yarn and hook for this stitch pattern – just remember when you substitute if your gauge is different, the finished size of your project will also be different.
ABBREVIATIONS
US Terminology used
ch – chain
ch1sp – chain 1 space
DMR – double magic ring
hdc – half double crochet
R – row
rem – remaining
rep – repeat
sk – skip
sl st – slip stitch
st/sts – stitch/stitches
() – Repeat the instructions between the brackets the number of times indicated. This repeat will contain of multiple instructions.
[] – at the end of the row – the total number of stitches
HELPFUL TUTORIALS
HELPFUL VIDEO TUTORIALS
Notes:
- Some repeats include instructions you need to repeat 6 times (rather than 8). This is correct and necessary in order to reach the specific hat size. The remaining stitches in the round will only receive 1 hdc each – this is how we reach the specific number of stitches found at the end of the row [30]. I’ve done this because each head size requires a specific number of stitches to be the right size. If I had continued repeating for the full 8 times the hat would end up being too large by the time it was finished.
- You may omit R11 of the hat if you slip stitch tightly – in order for the slip stitch edge to work it must be crocheted at the same gauge as the rest of the hat. If you are unable to make these sl st 3 sts per inch then I recommend you omit this round. Slip stitches which are worked too tightly will decrease the final size of the hat and it will not fit the intended head size. You may alternately add 1 single round of crab stitch if you would prefer, or omit one rounds of the repeat section and work 1 round of single crochet instead of the slip stitch round.
- The longer ear length hat instructions have been included at the end of the post. To make the hat even longer – slouch size – feel free to work additional increase rounds until you reach your desired hat length.
Are you looking for an embellishment for your hat? Here are some options:
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Half Double Crochet Beanie Pattern Instructions
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Preemie Hat (fits 12″ circumference, 4″ height)
R1: 8 hdc in DMR [8]
R2: 2 hdc in each st around [16]
R3: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in the next st) 8 times [24]
R4: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts) 6 times, 1 hdc in each remaining st around [30]
R5: 1 hdc in each st around [30]
R6-10: repeat R5 [30]
R11: 1 sl st (loosely) in each st around [30]
Newborn Hat (fits 13.5″ circumference, 4.5″ height)
R1: 8 hdc in DMR [8]
R2: 2 hdc in each st around [16]
R3: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in the next st) 8 times [24]
R4: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts) 8 times [32]
R5: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 3 sts) 3 times, 1 hdc in each remaining st around [35]
R6: 1 hdc in each st around [35]
R7-12: repeat R6 [35]
R13: sl st (loosely) in each st around [35]
0-3 months Hat (fits 16″ circumference, 5.25″ height)
R1: 8 hdc in DMR [8]
R2: 2 hdc in each st around [16]
R3: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in the next st) 8 times [24]
R4: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts) 8 times [32]
R5: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 3 sts) 8 times [40]
R6: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the 4 sts) 2 times, 1 hdc in each remaining st around [42]
R7: 1 hdc in each st around [42]
R8-15: repeat R7 [42]
R16: sl st (loosely) in each st around [42]
3-6 months Hat (fits 17″ circumference, 5.5″ height)
R1: 8 hdc in DMR [8]
R2: 2 hdc in each st around [16]
R3: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in the next st) 8 times [24]
R4: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts) 8 times [32]
R5: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 3 sts) 8 times [40]
R6: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 4 sts) 5 times, 1 hdc in each remaining st around [45]
R7: 1 hdc in each st around [45]
R8-15: repeat R7 [45]
R16: sl st in each st around [45]
6-12 months Hat (fits 18″ circumference, 5.75″ height)
R1: 8 hdc in DMR [8]
R2: 2 hdc in each st around [16]
R3: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in the next st) 8 times [24]
R4: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts) 8 times [32]
R5: (2hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 3 sts) 8 times [40]
R6: (2hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 4 sts) 8 times [48]
R7: 1 hdc in each st around [48]
R8-16 : repeat R7 [48]
R17: 1 sl st (loosely) in each st around [48]
12-24 months Hat (fits 19″ circumference, 6.25″ height)
R1: 8 hdc in DMR [8]
R2: 2 hdc in each st around [16]
R3: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in the next st) 8 times [24]
R4: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts) 8 times [32]
R5: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 3 sts) 8 times [40]
R6: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 4 sts) 8 times [48]
R7: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 5 sts) 3 times, 1 hdc in each remaining st around [51]
R8: 1 hdc in each st around [51]
R9-17: repeat R8 [51]
R18: 1 sl st (loosely) in each st around [51]
3-5 years Hat (fits 20″ circumference, 6.5″ height)
R1: 8 hdc in DMR [8]
R2: 2 hdc in each st around [16]
R3: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in next st) 8 times [24]
R4: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in next 2 sts) 8 times [32]
R5: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in next 3 sts) 8 times [40]
R6: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in next 4 sts) 8 times [48]
R7: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in next 5 sts) 6 times, 1 hdc in each remaining st around [54]
R8: 1 hdc in each st around [54]
R9-17: repeat R8 [54]
R18: 1 sl st (loosely) in each st around [54]
6-10 years Hat (fits 21″ circumference, 7″ height)
R1: 8 hdc in DMR [8]
R2: 2 hdc in each st around [16]
R3: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in the next st) 8 times [24]
R4: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts) 8 times [32]
R5: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 3 sts) 8 times [40]
R6: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 4 sts) 8 times [48]
R7: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 5 sts) 8 times [56]
R8: 1 hdc in each st around [56]
R9-18: repeat R8 [56]
R19: 1 sl st (loosely) in each st around, F/O [56]
Adult Crochet Beanie Patterns
Adult Small Hat (fits circumference 22″, height 7.25″)
R1: 8 hdc in DMR [8]
R2: 2 hdc in each st around [16]
R3: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in the next st) 8 times [24]
R4: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts) 8 times [32]
R5: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 3 sts) 8 times [40]
R6: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 4 sts) 8 times [48]
R7: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 5 sts) 8 times [56]
R8: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 6 sts) 4 times, 1 hdc in each remaining st around [60]
R9: 1 hdc in each st around [60]
R10-19: repeat R9 [60]
R20: 1 sl st (loosely) in each st around, F/O [60]
Medium Hat (fits circumference 23″ height 7.5″)
R1: 8 hdc in DMR [8]
R2: 2 hdc in each st around [16]
R3: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in the next st) 8 times [24]
R4: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts) 8 times [32]
R5: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 3 sts) 8 times [40]
R6: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 4 sts) 8 times [48]
R7: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 5 sts) 8 times [56]
R8: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 6 sts) 7 times, 1 hdc in each remaining st around [63]
R9: 1 hdc in each st around [63]
R10-19: repeat R9 [63]
R20: 1 sl st in each st around, F/O [63]
Adult Large Hat(fits circumference 24″, height 7.75″)
R1: 8 hdc in DMR [8]
R2: 2 hdc in each st around [16]
R3: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in the next st) 8 times [24]
R4: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts) 8 times [32]
R5: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 3 sts) 8 times [40]
R6: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 4 sts) 8 times [48]
R7: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 5 sts) 8 times [56]
R8: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 6 sts) 8 times [64]
R9: (2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in each of the next 7sts) 2 times, 1 hdc in each remaining st around [66]
R10: 1 hdc in each st around [66]
R11-20: repeat R10 [66]
R21: 1 sl st in each st around, F/O [66]
How to Make Your Crocheted Hat Longer!
If you would like this beanie to reach the base of the earlobe, instead of mid-ear, please add additional rounds of repeats (the rounds you work without increasing any stitches) as follows:
- Preemie & Newborn: add 1 additional repeat round
- 0-3 months, 3-6 months: add 2 additional repeat rounds
- 6-12 months: add 3 additional repeat rounds
- 12-24 months: add 2 additional repeat rounds
- 3-5 years: add 3 additional repeat rounds
- 6-10 years: add 3 additional repeat rounds
- Adult small (teen): add 3 additional repeat rounds
- Adult medium (women): add 3 additional repeat rounds
- Adult large (men): add 3 additional repeat rounds
I love EVERYTHING about this pattern! The many sizes you provide, the well-written pattern itself, the inclusion of the number of stitches for each round (so you’re sure to stay on track!), the way you can customize it if you want to and add stripes, blocks of color, etc., and last but not least, how quickly it works up! I made this pair today for a friend who is a farmer and asked for a beanie with “John Deere” colors — I made one for him and surprised him with one for his 4 year old son, too!
Happy crocheting!
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Thanks Becky!
Love your patterns!!
Hi Laurie, If you have 45 stitches and 3 stitches in every inch then the finished hat circumference is 15 inches around. The hat sizes are based on math: 45 divided by 3 is 15.
So that means your granddaughter’s head size is less than 15 inches around, or the hat height is too large (to many rounds in length – if it fits around the circumference)…or a larger sibling tried the hat on and stretched it out of shape (this happened to my son’s hats when he was small as my 2 year old daughter always wanted to try them on – some yarns can’t recover to being overstretched and then will not return to their original size and shape).
If you can measure her head, I’d recommend checking the circumference around her head (across the forward and above the ears all the way around). Then make the size hat that more closely matches her actual head size.
Crochet hats are designed using negative ease which means they will be smaller than the actual head size of the person we are making a hat for. As an example the 17 inch head size (approximately 3-6 months) has a hat that is only 15 inches circumference when complete. Yarn tends to stretch about 2 inches when we make a hat using half double crochet (US terminology) unless it is 100% cotton (which does not stretch much).
So if you maintained your gauge of 3 stitches per inch for the entire hat and you are certain there are 45 stitches in the hat, your granddaughter’s head size is less than 15 inches around. You could try the next size down which would give you a finished hat that measures 14 inches around, it will stretch about 2 inches with wear. You may need to add a few extra rounds to make up for the hat height difference.
I’m sorry your hat didn’t fit her properly. That would be very disappointing!
Best wishes, Rhondda
Hello! I made the 3-6 month version of the half-double crochet hat. My gauge is correct, 3 stitches per inch, 9 per 3 inches, and it is 45 stitches around, but my 5-month-old granddaughter (who does NOT have a small head) is swimming in it. Do you have any suggestions? At this point, I feel like I just need to start over with a smaller hook, even though everything is “correct” the way I made it. I did add the decorative chain stitch row, but it’s still too big. Thank you for your time.
Hi Jodi,
If your finished hat is not stretching those 2 extra inches and you added the final slip stitch round, please remove it. Sometimes this final round (which is purely decorative) can stop the hat from stretching. Those slip stitches must be made very loosely to achieve 3 sts per inch like the rest of the hat. So remove the slip stitch round. There is a note about this in the notes section of the pattern.
If you didn’t add that slip stitch round and you have the correct number of stitches and rounds worked for the hat size then the problem falls to gauge.
The pattern gauge is 3 stitches in each inch (measure this before stretching the hat and on the rounds that do not include increases – so only 1 stitch per stitch rounds on the sides of the hat).
If the hat has been stretched please let it ‘rest’ and check the gauge in a few hours to allow the fibers in the yarn to shrink back to their starting sizes.
All of my patterns are based on math – so the number of stitches divided by the stitches per inch will give you the finished hat size. The 3-5 year old’s hat will be 18 inches circumference (before stretching). The yarn will allow 2 inches of stretch (or more) to give you a 20 inch hat size. This allotted stretch is called negative ease and is what allows the hat to stretch to fit to and stay on the head. The pattern indicates “fits 20 inches circumference and 6.5 inches height”. The actual hat size when gauge is met is 18 inches circumference without stretching. When stretched the gauge will be 2.7 stitches per inch – so when the hat is 20 inches after being stretched if you measure gauge you will have 2.7 stitches per inch.
Just half an inch in difference for stitches per inch can create a large size difference in the finished project that is being made.
For hats this is especially true because we are working with such a small number of stitches and rounds.
54 stitches in circumference
Gauge = finished hat size (difference in finished size of the hat)
3 stitches per inch = 18 inches
2.75 stitches per inch = 19.6 inches (just -1/4 inch less stitches per inch, increases the hat size by 1.6 inches)
2.9 stitches per inch = 18.6 inches (just -0.1 inch difference in the gauge increases the hat size by over 1/2 an inch)
and if we go the other way
3.1 stitches per inch = 17.4 inches (+0.1 inch difference in the gauge decreases the hat size by over 1/2 an inch)
3.25 stitches per inch = 16.6 inches (+ 1/4 inch decreases the hat size by 1.4 inches)
If you want the hat to be the same size as the person’s head then you would need to crochet the Adult Small Hat (60 stitches) and only work 17 rounds in total to reach the height for a 3-5 year old. This will give you a hat that is 20 inches in circumference.
Every 3 stitches per inch you add to the hat will add an extra inch in hat size to the finished circumference.
I am sorry that this pattern has caused you frustration. I hope the extra information assists you with making the hat.
Best wishes,
Rhondda
So, the hat I am making EXACTLY as the pattern states for the 3-5 yr old, I used a 5.5 hook and Premier worsted # 4 yarn and the circumference is 18”(54 stitches and I count every round) not 20 and is so small it would literally fit a 3 month old. I get so furious with these designs that don’t work. Now I have a baby hat for a four year old.
Hi Julia, If you are asking based on the Simple Half Double Crochet Basic Beanie pattern which is being crocheted in the round, the Right Side (RS) would be the outside of the hat. The WS (wrong side) is the inside of the hat. When you are crocheting the hat and it begins to take shape be sure to work around the outside of the hat so it takes form like a ‘bowl’ and you are crocheting on the outer side of the bowl. If you are crocheting on the inside of the bowl, flip your hat to make that side be outside and continue working. Hope this helps! Rhondda
How do you know the right side and wrong side of a hat?