How to Crochet a Beanie

A guide for the complete beginner

Starting crochet is super excited but it can also be intimidating! There are just so many options and patterns plus all the different advice about which project should be first. Today I am going to take you through the PERFECT beginner project, a beanie! You will learn the basic stitches, you have options for more shaping or to keep is simple and its a quick make (relative) so you can get that good dopamine hit ASAP.

As always remember that crochet is simply loops.

Tools

Crochet uses a special tool known as a crochet hook. This is basically a stick with a hook at the end so you can make the loops which create a crochet fabric.

These hooks come in a huge variety of sizes and materials, from the tiniest hook you can barely see to ones so big they are hard to hold.

You can even use your hands to "be" the crochet hook. What matters is that your hook matches the yarn you are using. To find out which hook size you should use, simply look at the tag on your ball of yarn.

This is a guide as to the right hook size but you may want to experiment. A larger hook will result in larger loops, this could mean drapier more open (holey) crochet fabric.

If you instead use a smaller hook your work may be tight and rigid which can work great for items requiring structure like toys or homewares.

Apart from you hook its a good idea to have a pair of scissors, a yarn or tapestry needle and some stitch markers. These are all easy to get and relatively inexpensive. Stitch markers can be made out of a loop of contrast yarn, a paper clip or a safety pin. Stitch markers for crochet need to have a gap or opening so that they can be hooked to your stiches, this is different to knitting where stitch markers don't need to have an opening.

Holding your hook

There are as many varieties of grip as their are crafters! I've seen single handed methods, the use of a stick as an extra hand, knitting style grips and more. As long as your crochet is coming out how you want it and you are comfortable then that is all that matters!

There are 2 common grips, the pen grip and the knife grip. These can also be referred to as over and under hook grips.

Pen Grip

I have an old fashioned pen grip or underhand grip. This means that the shaft of the hook rests in the crook between my thumb and forefinger and i use my thumb and forefinger to twist the hook to make my loops. My non dominate hand holds my thread which I twist around my ring finger to keep it at a consistent tension and I pinch my work between my forefinger and thumb.

Knife Grip

A knife grip or overhand grip is more common and relies on the wrist more than the fingers to move the hook. It is also common to hold the forefinger of the non dominant hand outstretched to tension and guide the working yarn onto the hook.

All methods are valid, you just need to find what works for you!

Measuring

Before you begin your beanie you need to work out how big to make your project. The downloadable version of the pattern has some suggested sizes but you can also use the equations below to calculate your own beanie size.

The Stitches

The Lelia Beanie uses 4 stitches

Slip Knot

Lay the yarn tail over the yarn coming out of the ball creating a loop. Pick up the yarn coming from the ball and push this into the loop, creating a new loop. Tug on the yarn tail to tighten the first loop into a knot. Put your crochet hook into the loop and pull the loop closed around the hook.

Chain Stitch

Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull through the previous loop. Continue too do this until you have the required number of chain stitched. If you feel like your chains are a little big then pull the yarn to tighten. If the yarn loop feels a little tight, tug gently on the loop with your crochet hook to pull the yarn through a little more.

Slip Stitch

Push your crochet hook through the stitch and then yarn over. Pull this new loop back through the stitch and through the previous loop on your hook.

Treble

Yarn over, then push your crochet hook into the stitch below. Yarn over again and pull this new loop back through the stitch. Yarn over and pull this through the first 2 loops on your crochet hook. Yarn over and pull through the final 2 loops on your crochet hook.

Half Treble

Yarn over, then push your crochet hook into the stitch below. Yarn over again and pull this new loop back through the stitch. Yarn over and pull this through all 3 loops.

The Pattern

For the full PDF pattern with photo instructions, click here to download

You can also watch the video tutorial here:

The Lelia Crochet Beanie

Lelia Beanie is designed to be made with 4 Seasons Brighton 8ply Cotton/Acrylic Mix

Begin with a slip knot

Foundation Chain

Using a 4.5mm hook, chain 45 for childs size, 50 for a small adult, 55 for a medium adult and 60 for a large adult.

This is the length of your beanie, check that your chain is long enough to go from the crown of your head down and then to turn up again for the rim of the beanie.

Row 1: Change hook to a 4mm. Turn, chain 2, Treble into the top of each chain into the back loop only. You are working right to left. Stop 5 stitches before the end. Work final 5 stitches using a half treble stitch worked into the back loop.

Row 2: Turn, chain 2, half treble 5 stitches then continue the row with 40C (45S, 50M, 60L) treble into the back loop of the V. This will result in a ridge. Continue to end of row.

Row 3 – 40 : Turn, chain 2, treble 40C (45S, 50M, 60L) into the back loop. Half treble 5 into the back loop.

Turn, chain 2, half treble 5 into the back loop. Treble 40C (45S, 50M, 60L) into the back loop.

Repeat.

• Check that you have enough rows for your beanie to fit comfortably around your head.

FINISHING

your final row should end at the brim of your beanie.

Fold rectangle in half, wrong sides facing out, and slip stitch your final row together.

Pull through your working yarn to secure and leave a long tail.

Use the tail of your working yarn to run a line of basting stitches around the open crown of your beanie. Pull the stitch line tight to draw the crown together. Use your original tail to double knot the working yarn.

To fully close the opening stitch across the opening and double knot again.

The ends can be used to attach a pom-pom if desired, then the ends can be weaved in.