Fashion · Hats & Winter Wear

Crochet Hat & Beanie Ideas: Free Top-Down Beanie Pattern (Any Size)

A free top-down crochet beanie pattern that fits any head, with a size chart and row tracker, plus crochet hat ideas: bucket hats, balaclavas, berets, and bonnets.

September 25, 20264 min read

A woman wearing a slouchy berry-pink crochet beanie with ribbed brim outdoors in crisp autumn light.

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A crochet beanie is the perfect first fitted garment. It’s quick, it teaches shaping, and when you work it top-down you can try it on as you go, so it fits whoever it’s for. This free pattern includes a size chart, so the same instructions make a baby hat or an adult XL. After the pattern: bucket hats, balaclavas, berets, and more crochet hat ideas.

Free Pattern: Top-Down Beanie

Worsted wool-blend yarn in berry pink with a 5.5 mm hook and a tape measure. — Worsted wool blend, a 5.5 mm hook, and a tape measure: the tape measure is the important part.

The beanie is hdc in joined rounds. Each round starts with a ch 2 that does not count as a stitch, and ends with a sl st into the first hdc. Put a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round.

Part 1: The Crown

The crown is a flat circle that grows by 10 stitches every round.

The flat crown of a crochet beanie with seven rounds of evenly spaced increases. — The crown is a flat circle: 10 more stitches every round until it reaches your target size.

How to Size It: The Crown Chart

Stop increasing when the crown’s diameter (measured straight across) reaches your size:

Size	Head circumference	Crown diameter	Hat height
Baby (6–12 mo)	42–46 cm	13 cm	15 cm
Child	48–52 cm	15 cm	18 cm
Adult S	52–54 cm	16 cm	20 cm
Adult M	54–57 cm	17 cm	21 cm
Adult L	57–60 cm	18 cm	22 cm

Always stop at a round that’s a multiple of 2 stitches so the ribbing works out.

Measuring the diameter of a crochet beanie crown with a ruler. — Measure straight across the crown. When it matches the chart, stop increasing.

Tick as you go

Top-Down Beanie (Adult M)

0 / 11 done

Different size? Keep increasing (Rnd 8 = [hdc in next 6 sts, 2 hdc in next st] 10 times, for 80) or stop earlier, until the crown matches the chart. Then work even until the hat is about 2.5 cm short of the chart height, and add the brim.

Part 2: The Body

Once the crown is the right size, stop increasing and work even rounds.

The body of a crochet beanie growing straight down with even rounds. — After the crown, no more increases: even rounds grow the body straight down.

Try it on often. The body should reach just above your ears before the brim.

A woman trying on a half-finished crochet beanie in a mirror. — Try it on as you go. It's the whole advantage of working top-down.

Part 3: The Ribbed Brim

Alternate FPdc and BPdc around the posts of the stitches below. Three rounds make a stretchy brim that looks knitted.

Front post and back post double crochet ribbing on the brim of the beanie. — The brim: alternating front and back post double crochet for stretchy, knit-looking ribbing.

Add a yarn or faux-fur pom-pom, or leave it clean and minimal.

A finished crochet beanie with a fluffy faux-fur pom-pom. — Finish with a pom-pom (yarn or faux fur) or leave it plain for a sleek look.

More Crochet Hat Ideas

Bucket Hat

Use the same crown method in cotton, work straight for about 8–9 cm, then start increasing again for a flared brim. Stripes and granny-square bucket hats are huge in summer. Pair one with our summer outfits.

Balaclava

A hood that covers the head and neck, with an opening for the face. It’s usually worked as a ribbed rectangle folded and seamed at the top, plus a neck section.

Beret

A beret is a big flat crown (larger than the head) followed by a few rounds of decreases down to a snug band. It’s surprisingly quick.

More Ideas

Cat-ear beanie: a simple folded rectangle hat where the top corners become ears.

A crochet cat-ear beanie on a child. — Cat-ear beanies: fold the top corners of a rectangle hat into ears. Kids love them.

Baby bonnet: a rectangle with a shaped back and chin ties.
Slouchy beanie: make it 3–5 cm taller than the chart height before the brim.
Headband ear warmer: see our hair accessories guide.
Matching set: add a chunky ribbed scarf in the same yarn.

A stack of crochet beanies in different colors for gifts. — One beanie takes an evening or two. Make one for everyone this winter.

Ready for a bigger garment? Our crochet cardigan and sweater guide uses the same ribbing and fit-as-you-go approach.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a crochet beanie fit?

Work top-down and measure the crown: when its diameter matches the chart for your head size, stop increasing. Then work straight down and try it on as you go. Hats are usually made 2–5 cm smaller than the head so they hug without slipping.

Why is my hat crown ruffling or cupping?

Ruffling means your stitches are looser than the pattern's gauge (or you added too many); cupping means they're tighter. Change hook size, or stop increasing a round earlier or later, and always compare the diameter to the chart.

What's the best yarn for crochet hats?

A soft wool blend or superwash wool for warmth and stretch, or acrylic for easy care. Cotton hats have little stretch, so they work better for summer bucket hats than for snug beanies.

Crochet Yarn Guide →

Why does the seam of my beanie slant?

Joined rounds in half double crochet drift slightly. To keep the seam straight, always join into the first stitch (not the chain-2) and make your first hdc of each round into that same stitch. Some crocheters prefer working in a continuous spiral instead.

How do I make a crochet bucket hat?

Use the same crown method in cotton, work the sides straight for about 8–9 cm, then start increasing again for the brim: roughly 10 stitches every other round for a gentle flare. Firm single crochet gives the brim more structure.

Crochet Summer Outfits →