Child wearing a turquoise crochet beanie, photographed in a clean neutral playroom with soft natural light and light wood furniture.

Basic crochet beanie pattern (free & beginner friendly)

Looking for a basic crochet beanie pattern that’s easy to make and great for beginners? This free crochet beanie is worked from the top down using simple double crochet stitches and includes seven sizes from preemie to adult.

Quick answer
This basic crochet beanie pattern is worked from the top down in the round using simple double crochet stitches. It includes seven sizes from preemie to adult and uses worsted weight yarn for a soft, stretchy beanie that’s easy to make and wear.

Best for: Beginners
Style: Basic crochet beanie with a soft, classic fit
Includes: 7 sizes, written instructions, video tutorial, and FAQs

Why this basic crochet beanie is great for beginners

  • Beginner-friendly — Uses simple stitches and easy increases.
  • Confidence-building — A great first hat project for learning top-down construction.
  • Video support included — Follow along step by step as you crochet.
  • Soft and practical — Creates a stretchy beanie you can actually wear and gift.

Free basic crochet beanie pattern details

Here’s a quick overview of the materials, sizing, gauge, and pattern notes before you begin.

Skill level

Beginner level — This double crochet beanie pattern uses only simple stitches and easy increases, making it a great first crochet hat project.

Materials needed

  • Crochet hook size I-9 (5.5 mm) — Or the size needed to match the gauge.
  • Worsted weight yarn (#4) — Soft yarn works best.
  • Yarn needle — For weaving in ends neatly.
  • Scissors — To cut your yarn.
  • Stitch markers — Optional, to help mark stitches or keep track of rows.
  • Pom pom maker — Optional, to make a yarn pom pom.

Finished size

Use the size chart below to choose the best fit based on head circumference, crown size, and hat height. Always check your gauge for the most accurate results.

If you’re between sizes, size up for a more relaxed fit. Need more help? See my crochet hat sizing guide.

Beanie SizeCrownHead CircumferenceHat Height
Preemie3.5 inches (9 cm)12–13 inches (30-33 cm)4.25 inches (11 cm)
0–3 months4.5 inches (11 cm)13–14 inches (33-36 cm)5 inches (13 cm)
3–6 months5 inches (13 cm)14–15 inches (36-38 cm)5.5 inches (14 cm)
6–12 months5.5 inches (14 cm)16–17 inches (41-43 cm)6.25 inches (16 cm)
Toddler6 inches (15 cm)18–19 inches (46-48 cm)6.75 inches (17 cm)
Child6.5 inches (17 cm)19–20 inches (48-51 cm)7 inches (18 cm)
Adult7 inches (18 cm)20–23 inches (51-58 cm)7.75 inches (20 cm)
Crochet Beanie Size Chart

Gauge

Gauge: 15 stitches and 10 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm)

Too many stitches? Try a larger hook
Too few stitches? Try a smaller hook

Crochet abbreviations

  • dc = double crochet stitch
  • sc = single crochet stitch
  • ch / chs = chain / chains
  • st / sts = stitch / stitches
  • sl st = slip stitch

Pattern notes

  • Begin with a magic circle
  • The starting chain does not count as a stitch
  • Join each round with a slip stitch to the first stitch
  • Hat is worked in the round from the top down
  • Pattern is written in US crochet terms

Get the ad-free printable PDF

Want to crochet your beanie without ads or interruptions? Grab the printable PDF of the Basic Crochet Beanie Pattern in my Etsy shop. It includes all 7 sizes and is perfect for offline use or saving for later.

Basic crochet beanie pattern instructions

Follow the step-by-step instructions below to crochet this hat from the top down in the round. Choose your size and work through the pattern at your own pace.

Preemie size

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join. (11 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat around. Join. (44 sts)
Round 5: Ch 2, dc in each stitch around. Join. (44 sts)
Rounds 6–11: Repeat Round 5. (44 sts per round)
Round 12: Ch 1, sc in each stitch around. Join, fasten off, and weave in ends. (44 sts)


0–3 months size

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join. (11 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat around. Join. (44 sts)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts; repeat around. Join. (48 sts)
Round 6: Ch 2, dc in each stitch around. Join. (48 sts)
Rounds 7–13: Repeat Round 6. (48 sts per round)
Round 14: Ch 1, sc in each stitch around. Join and fasten off. (48 sts)


3–6 months size

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join. (11 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat around. Join. (44 sts)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts; repeat around. Join. (48 sts)
Round 6: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 11 sts; repeat around. Join. (52 sts)
Round 7: Ch 2, dc in each stitch around. Join. (52 sts)
Rounds 8–15: Repeat Round 7. (52 sts per round)
Round 16: Ch 1, sc in each stitch around. Join and fasten off. (52 sts)


6–12 months size

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join. (11 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat around. Join. (44 sts)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts; repeat around. Join. (48 sts)
Round 6: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 11 sts; repeat around. Join. (52 sts)
Round 7: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 12 sts; repeat around. Join. (56 sts)
Round 8: Ch 2, dc in each stitch around. Join. (56 sts)
Rounds 9–16: Repeat Round 8. (56 sts per round)
Round 17: Ch 1, sc in each stitch around. Join and fasten off. (56 sts)


Toddler size

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join. (11 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat around. Join. (44 sts)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts; repeat around. Join. (48 sts)
Round 6: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 11 sts; repeat around. Join. (52 sts)
Round 7: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 12 sts; repeat around. Join. (56 sts)
Round 8: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 13 sts; repeat around. Join. (60 sts)
Round 9: Ch 2, dc in each stitch around. Join. (60 sts)
Rounds 10–18: Repeat Round 9. (60 sts per round)
Round 19: Ch 1, sc in each stitch around. Join and fasten off. (60 sts)


Child size

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join. (11 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat around. Join. (44 sts)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts; repeat around. Join. (48 sts)
Round 6: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 11 sts; repeat around. Join. (52 sts)
Round 7: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 12 sts; repeat around. Join. (56 sts)
Round 8: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 13 sts; repeat around. Join. (60 sts)
Round 9: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 14 sts; repeat around. Join. (64 sts)
Round 10: Ch 2, dc in each stitch around. Join. (64 sts)
Rounds 11–19: Repeat Round 10. (64 sts per round)
Round 20: Ch 1, sc in each stitch around. Join and fasten off. (64 sts)


Adult size

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join. (11 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat around. Join. (44 sts)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts; repeat around. Join. (48 sts)
Round 6: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 11 sts; repeat around. Join. (52 sts)
Round 7: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 12 sts; repeat around. Join. (56 sts)
Round 8: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 13 sts; repeat around. Join. (60 sts)
Round 9: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 14 sts; repeat around. Join. (64 sts)
Round 10: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 15 sts; repeat around. Join. (68 sts)
Round 11: Ch 2, dc in each stitch around. Join. (68 sts)
Rounds 12–21: Repeat Round 11. (68 sts per round)
Round 22: Ch 1, sc in each stitch around. Join and fasten off. (68 sts)


Add a pom pom to your crochet beanie

Want to give your beanie a fun finishing touch? Try adding a yarn pom pom.

  1. Wrap yarn around a pom pom maker
  2. Cut along the groove
  3. Tie securely in the center with strong yarn
  4. Fluff and trim
  5. Sew firmly to the top of your hat

Finishing your beanie

Fasten off and weave in your yarn ends. Add a pom pom if you’d like. Your cozy crochet beanie is ready to go—wear it, gift it, or sell it with pride!

Stacked basic crochet beanies in bright colors showing the finished shape of a simple top-down double crochet beanie pattern

Frequently asked questions

Is this a good crochet beanie pattern for beginners?
Yes! This easy crochet beanie pattern is designed with beginners in mind and includes clear instructions plus a full video tutorial.

What sizes are included?
This pattern includes 7 sizes: Preemie, 0–3 months, 3–6 months, 6–12 months, Toddler, Child, and Adult.

What yarn is best for this beanie?
Soft worsted weight yarn (#4 medium) works best. Acrylic yarn is a popular choice because it’s affordable, machine washable, and holds its shape well.

How much yarn do I need?
You’ll need approximately 50–150 yards, depending on the size.

Do I have to add a pom pom?
Nope! The pom pom is completely optional.

Can I sell finished beanies made from this pattern?
Yes! You may sell finished beanies made using this pattern. When possible, please credit Lovable Loops as the designer.

Basic crochet beanie pattern video tutorial

In this basic crochet beanie pattern video tutorial, I demonstrate the 0–3 month size step by step so you can see how the crown, body, and brim come together. Follow along with the video, then use the written instructions below to make any of the 7 sizes.

YouTube video

Perfect for gifts, craft fairs, and quick crochet beanies

This basic crochet beanie pattern is a great choice when you need a reliable hat you can make again and again. The simple construction and classic shape make it easy to batch in multiple colors or sizes.

Because it works up quickly and uses worsted weight yarn, it’s ideal for baby showers, charity donations, and craft fair inventory. Whether you’re crocheting for loved ones or building stock for your handmade shop, this is a beanie pattern you’ll reach for often.


More easy crochet hat patterns

If you’re looking for more simple beanies, explore my collection of easy crochet hat patterns. You’ll find beginner-friendly hats made with basic stitches in baby, child, and adult sizes.

More free crochet hat patterns

Looking for more crochet hat ideas? Browse my full collection of free crochet hat patterns for babies, kids, and adults. You’ll find everything from classic crochet beanies and cozy winter hats to playful animal hats and seasonal designs — all written with clear instructions and helpful sizing details.


Let’s connect!

I’d love to see what you’re making! Share your finished project and follow along for more free crochet patterns and tutorials.

📌 Don’t forget to pin this pattern for later!
Happy crocheting! 🧶
— Melissa

Colorful stack of crocheted beanies in seven different sizes, displayed from smallest to largest, promoting a free basic crochet beanie pattern for beginners using simple double crochet stitches.