Feb
The Basic Beanie That Actually Works
So last February I was sitting on my couch watching The Last of Us and decided I needed to make like five beanies because everyone’s birthday seemed to fall in March and I’m perpetually broke. The easiest pattern I’ve found is just starting with a magic ring and working in continuous rounds until you hit about 7-8 inches, then you just stop. That’s it. No shaping, no decreasing, nothing fancy.
You’re gonna want a 5.5mm hook and some worsted weight yarn. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease for most of them because it was on sale at Michaels and it doesn’t make my hands feel weird like Red Heart Super Saver does. The Wool-Ease comes in like a million colors and it’s actually warm, which seems obvious but I’ve made beanies before that were basically decorative only.
Starting the Thing
Make your magic ring. If you don’t know how to do that, honestly just chain 4 and slip stitch it into a circle. I know everyone acts like magic rings are essential but they’re really not, it’s just—anyway, once you have your ring, you’re putting 12 double crochets in there. Or 10. I’ve done both and it literally doesn’t matter for an adult beanie because the top of your head isn’t that visible.
Then you increase every round until you get to about 9 inches across when you lay it flat. For me that’s usually like 8 or 9 rounds? The formula is supposed to be specific but I just keep trying it on my head every few rounds. My cat Buttons kept sitting on the beanie while I was trying to measure it flat so I gave up on that method pretty quick.
The Increasing Part Nobody Explains Well
Okay so round 1 is your 12 double crochets in the ring. Round 2 is 2 double crochets in each stitch, so you end with 24. Round 3 is where people get weird about it but just do *1 double crochet, 2 double crochets in next stitch* and repeat that around. You’ll have 36 stitches.
Round 4 is *1 dc in each of next 2 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch* around. See the pattern? Each round you’re adding one more single stitch before the increase. Round 5 is *1 dc in each of next 3 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch*. Just keep going.
The thing that really annoyed me about this process is that you have to count constantly if you want it to be even, but if you don’t count, sometimes you end up with a wonky circle that looks like an egg. I made one beanie where I was watching TV and totally zoned out and didn’t count at all and it was fine though, so maybe the counting is overrated.
When to Stop Increasing
Most adult heads need a circle that’s about 9 inches across but honestly just try it on. If it sits on your head like a tiny UFO, keep increasing. Once it covers the top of your head properly, you stop increasing and just work even.
Working even means you just do 1 double crochet in every single stitch, round after round, no increases. This is the boring part but it goes fast. Put on a podcast or something.
How Long to Make It
From the top of the beanie to the brim, you want about 7.5 to 8 inches total for most adults. I usually do 8 because I have a lot of hair and also I think beanies that are too short look weird, like they’re scared of commitment or something.
For the even rounds where you’re not increasing anymore, you’ll probably do like 10-15 rounds depending on your tension. I crochet pretty loose so I need fewer rounds than the patterns usually say.
The Ribbed Brim Thing Everyone Wants
If you want that ribbed look at the bottom, you gotta switch to either half double crochet in the back loop only, or do actual ribbing which is more complicated. The back loop only method is way easier. Just work your last like 6-8 rounds in half double crochet but only put your hook through the back loop of each stitch. It creates these horizontal ridges that look intentional and professional.
I learned this from a YouTube video at like 2am during a breakup in winter 2023 and it honestly changed my beanie game. Before that I was just doing everything in double crochet and wondering why they looked so plain.
Yarn Choices That Aren’t Horrible
Lion Brand Wool-Ease like I mentioned is solid. Caron Simply Soft is really nice if you want something softer but it’s not as warm. Big Twist from Joann is actually decent and cheap. I tried making one with some fancy merino wool I got at a local yarn store and yeah it was beautiful but it cost $28 for one beanie which is insane.
Red Heart Super Saver works and it’s like $3 a skein but it’s scratchy and also it squeaks? When you crochet with it? That squeaking noise makes me want to throw it across the room but some people don’t mind it.
You need roughly 150-200 yards for an adult beanie. One skein of most worsted weight yarns will do it.
The Actual Free Pattern I Use Most
Honestly I don’t really follow written patterns anymore because I just know the formula now, but when I was starting out I used one called “Simple Double Crochet Hat” from AllFreeCrochet or maybe it was on Ravelry, I can’t remember. There’s also one called “Easy Peasy Beanie” that’s good.
But here’s basically what you do:
- Magic ring with 12 dc
- Increase every round until circle is 9 inches across (usually 8-9 rounds of increases)
- Work even in dc for like 10-15 rounds until piece measures 7.5-8 inches from top to bottom
- Optional: switch to hdc in back loops only for last 6-8 rounds
- Fasten off and weave in ends
That’s the whole thing. You can make this in like 2-3 hours once you get the hang of it.
Variations That Are Still Easy
If you want a slouchy beanie, just keep going with the even rounds until it’s like 10-11 inches tall instead of 8. It’ll slouch in the back. Very 2015 Etsy vibes but some people still like that.
You can also add a pom pom on top which I think looks cute but is kind of annoying to make. I bought one of those pom pom makers from Clover and it sits in my drawer because I never actually—I just use my hands and it’s fine.
Stripes are easy too, just change colors every few rounds. Carry the yarn up the inside if you’re doing thin stripes so you don’t have a million ends to weave in.
Sizing for Different Heads
If you’re making this for someone with a smaller head, stop increasing when the circle is like 8-8.5 inches across instead of 9. For someone with a bigger head or lots of hair, go to 9.5 or even 10 inches.
The height stays pretty much the same for all adults unless they specifically want a slouchy one.
Common Problems I’ve Had
Sometimes the beanie gets wavy around the edges when you’re doing the even rounds. This usually means you’re accidentally increasing without meaning to, like you’re putting two stitches where there should be one. Just pay attention at the beginning and end of each round because that’s where I always mess up.
If it’s too tight, go up a hook size. If it’s too loose and floppy, go down a hook size. I made one with a 6mm hook once and it was huge, like it would fit over a watermelon.
The magic ring coming undone is annoying but you can just stitch it closed when you’re weaving in ends. Or do the chain 4 method from the beginning and don’t worry about it.
What About Different Stitches
You can make the whole thing in half double crochet instead of double crochet if you want it thicker and warmer. It’ll take longer though because the stitches are shorter. Single crochet works too but that’s gonna take forever and your hand will cramp.
I’ve seen people do fancy stitches like the moss stitch or even cables but that’s not really a quick easy beanie anymore at that point. The basic double crochet one looks good and works fine.
Some people do the whole beanie in rows instead of rounds and then seam it up the back but why would you do that to yourself when you can just work in continuous rounds and have no seam.
