Wide featured image with a smiling child wearing a turquoise crochet beanie on the right and bold text reading Half Double Crochet Beanie Pattern on the left.

Half double crochet beanie pattern

Make a simple everyday beanie with a clean, classic look that works for just about anyone. Keep it understated in one color, add stripes, or finish it with a pom pom for a little extra personality.

It’s the kind of practical cold-weather project that’s easy to customize and make again in different colors.

Quick answer

This beginner half double crochet beanie is worked from the top down in joined rounds using worsted weight (#4) yarn and an I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook. Half double crochet increases shape the crown, half double crochet rounds form the body, and a final round of single crochet finishes the edge. The pattern includes seven sizes from preemie through adult.

Half double crochet beanie pattern details

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

Skill level

Beginner. This pattern uses a magic circle, half double crochet stitches, simple increases, joined rounds, and a finishing round of single crochet.

Avoid frustration by learning the most common crochet mistakes beginners make and how to fix them.

Materials needed

  • I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook, or size needed to meet gauge
  • Worsted weight yarn #4
  • Yarn needle
  • Scissors
  • Tape measure
  • Pom pom maker, optional

Best yarn for a half double crochet beanie

This pattern is written for worsted weight yarn. Choose a soft yarn with enough stretch to create a comfortable fit.

Acrylic and wool-blend yarns work especially well for warm everyday beanies. For baby sizes, select a soft, washable yarn suitable for sensitive skin.

The amount of yarn needed depends on the hat size and the yardage in your skein.

Finished sizes

Use the wearer’s actual head circumference whenever possible. The measurements below are based on average sizing.

SizeCrown diameterHead circumferenceHat height
Preemie3.5 in12–13 in4 in
0–3 months4.25 in13–14 in5.5 in
3–6 months5 in14–15 in6 in
6–12 months5.5 in16–17 in6.25 in
Toddler6 in18–19 in6.75 in
Child6.5 in19–20 in7.5 in
Adult7 in20–23 in8.25 in

When the wearer falls between sizes, consider the desired fit before sizing up. Crochet hats usually need some negative ease so they fit securely without slipping.

See my crochet hat sizing guide for full details and size charts.

Gauge

16 stitches and 12 rounds = 4 inches

Always make a gauge swatch before beginning, especially when an accurate fit is important.

  • If you have too many stitches in 4 inches, try a larger hook.
  • If you have too few stitches in 4 inches, try a smaller hook.

My guide to crochet gauge explains how to measure your swatch and adjust your hook size.

Crochet abbreviations

Pattern notes

  • Begin with a magic circle.
  • The beginning chain does not count as a stitch.
  • Join each round with a slip stitch to the first stitch.
  • The beanie is worked from the top down in joined rounds.
  • Add or remove half double crochet rounds from the body section before the final single crochet round to adjust the finished length.
  • Repeat instructions between the asterisks for the remainder of the round.
  • The pattern is written using US crochet terms.

New to written instructions? Read my guide explaining how to read a crochet pattern.

Half double crochet beanie pattern instructions

Below are the step-by-step instructions for crocheting this half double crochet beanie from the top down in the round. The pattern uses simple stitches and includes directions for all sizes.

Preemie size

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 hdc into the ring. Join with a sl st. (11 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts; repeat around. Join. (44 sts)
Round 5: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join. (44 sts)
Rounds 6–12: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join. (44 sts)
Round 13: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (44 sts)


0–3 month size

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 hdc into the ring. Join with a sl st. (11 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts; repeat around. Join. (44 sts)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 10 sts; repeat around. Join. (48 sts)
Round 6: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join. (48 sts)
Rounds 7–16: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join. (48 sts)
Round 17: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (48 sts)


3-6 month size

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 hdc into the ring. Join with a sl st. (11 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts; repeat around. Join. (44 sts)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 10 sts; repeat around. Join. (48 sts)
Round 6: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 11 sts; repeat around. Join. (52 sts)
Round 7: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join. (52 sts)
Rounds 8–17: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join. (52 sts)
Round 18: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (52 sts)


6-12 month size

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 hdc into the ring. Join with a sl st. (11 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts; repeat around. Join. (44 sts)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 10 sts; repeat around. Join. (48 sts)
Round 6: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 11 sts; repeat around. Join. (52 sts)
Round 7: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 12 sts; repeat around. Join. (56 sts)
Round 8: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join. (56 sts)
Rounds 9–18: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join. (56 sts)
Round 19: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (56 sts)


Toddler size

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 hdc into the ring. Join with a sl st. (11 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts; repeat around. Join. (44 sts)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 10 sts; repeat around. Join. (48 sts)
Round 6: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 11 sts; repeat around. Join. (52 sts)
Round 7: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 12 sts; repeat around. Join. (56 sts)
Round 8: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 13 sts; repeat around. Join. (60 sts)
Round 9: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join. (60 sts)
Rounds 10–20: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join. (60 sts)
Round 21: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (60 sts)


Child size

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 hdc into the ring. Join with a sl st. (11 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts; repeat around. Join. (44 sts)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 10 sts; repeat around. Join. (48 sts)
Round 6: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 11 sts; repeat around. Join. (52 sts)
Round 7: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 12 sts; repeat around. Join. (56 sts)
Round 8: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 13 sts; repeat around. Join. (60 sts)
Round 9: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 14 sts; repeat around. Join. (64 sts)
Round 10: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join. (64 sts)
Rounds 11–22: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join. (64 sts)
Round 23: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (64 sts)


Adult size

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 hdc into the ring. Join with a sl st. (11 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts; repeat around. Join. (44 sts)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 10 sts; repeat around. Join. (48 sts)
Round 6: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 11 sts; repeat around. Join. (52 sts)
Round 7: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 12 sts; repeat around. Join. (56 sts)
Round 8: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 13 sts; repeat around. Join. (60 sts)
Round 9: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 14 sts; repeat around. Join. (64 sts)
Round 10: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 15 sts; repeat around. Join. (68 sts)
Round 11: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join. (68 sts)
Rounds 12–24: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join. (68 sts)
Round 25: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (68 sts)


Adding a pom pom (optional)

Add an optional yarn pom pom to give your half double crochet beanie a fun finishing touch.

  1. Wrap yarn around your pom pom maker.
  2. Cut the yarn along the outer groove.
  3. Tie the center securely with a strong length of yarn.
  4. Remove the pom pom and fluff the strands.
  5. Trim it into an even shape.
  6. Sew the pom pom securely to the top of the beanie.

Finishing your beanie

Check the finished height and fit. If you’re happy with the fit, fasten off and weave in all loose yarn ends.

If you added a pom pom, tug gently to confirm it is attached securely.

Half double crochet beanie video tutorial

Prefer to learn by watching? This step-by-step half double crochet beanie video tutorial shows how to work the hat from the top down, including the magic circle, crown increases, joined rounds, and finishing steps.

Youtube video
Classic half double crochet beanie made with basic stitches, available as a free pattern in baby, child, and adult sizes.

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Prefer double crochet instead? Try my basic crochet beanie pattern. Want a textured edge? Try my crochet beanie with ribbed brim.

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