How to crochet a beanie

Imagine you’re sitting cozy on a rainy afternoon, scrolling through your favorite crafting forum. You’ve seen countless adorable beanies online and felt the urge to try making one yourself. As you gather your yarn and hooks, a thought crosses your mind: How exactly do I crochet a beanie? Whether you’re new to crocheting or looking to expand your skills, this question is likely to pop up, and thankfully, the answer is just a few stitches away.

To crochet a beanie, you’ll need yarn, a crochet hook, and scissors. Start with a magic ring, crochet a series of single crochets to form the base, and increase stitches to expand the size. Once you reach your desired diameter, switch to working in rounds without increasing until the hat reaches your preferred height. Finish by gathering the top and securing it, and voilà!

To create a beanie, begin with the right materials – choose a medium weight yarn and an appropriate hook size (usually 5.5mm for average yarn). Start with a magic ring or slip knot that will form the center of your beanie. If using the magic ring method, chain 1, then single crochet into the ring for the first round, increasing the number of stitches by 6 in the second round (for a total of 12 stitches).

Continue increasing as needed, usually adding 6 stitches for each round until the beanie’s circumference fits your head comfortably, typically around 20-24 inches. Once you reach your desired diameter (usually about 6-8 inches), change to working in continuous rounds (without increasing) for the body of the beanie. Crochet until it’s about 8-10 inches tall or until you’ve reached your desired length.

To finish and close the beanie, cut the yarn, leaving a tail, and pull it through the final loop. Gather the top by weaving the tail through the last round of stitches, pulling tightly to close it up, and secure the yarn. Hide any loose ends beneath your stitches for a neat finish. Finally, embellish your beanie with a pom-pom or other decorations if you wish. Happy crocheting!