21 Easy Crochet Gifts for Men (Free Patterns He’ll Actually Use!)
Ever stared into your yarn stash abyss on December 14th and thought, “What on earth do I make for the menfolk in my life?”
Well, you’re not alone, because men are famously hard to crochet for.
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So, I did the only reasonable thing I could think of and asked my husband what a man would actually want.
His answer? A hat. Maybe a scarf. And honestly, that’s about it. (Of course.)
So that’s where this list starts! I rounded up 21 free crochet patterns for men, beginning with the hats and scarves he’s most likely to wear.
Then there are a few fun extras, like a dice bag and a beer growler cozy for your guy who has everything.
The first 4 hats are my own patterns, all modeled by my very patient and adorable (but, like, in a manly way) husband.
Not crocheting for a guy? These patterns work for anyone on your list who likes their handmade gifts simple and isn’t into anything fancy shmancy.
Every pattern on this list is free, and most are easy enough to finish before the holidays sneak up on you. Let’s dive in!
Crochet Hats for Men
A hat is the safest bet on this list, because almost every guy will wear a plain-ish, cozy beanie.
These 10 keep the details nice and simple, so all you have to do is pick a manly color and run with it.
1. Basecamp Crochet Beanie
This is my newest hat, and I’d say it’s my hubby’s favorite. You crochet the ribbed brim first, then work up the hat in continuous rounds so there’s no unsightly seam up the back.
Fold the brim up for extra warmth, or make the shorter brim that doesn’t fold. It comes in 10 sizes from preemie to adult XL, so the whole family can match.
2. Simple Top-Down Crochet Beanie
No brim, no fuss, just a classic beanie you start at the crown and work down. It’s the kind of plain everyday hat a guy will actually reach for.
It comes in 10 sizes, from baby all the way up to adult. That makes it easy to crochet one for every guy on your list. Bonus points: this one is nice and quick.
3. Super Easy Ribbed Crochet Beanie
Ribbing gives a crochet hat that store-bought knit look, which is exactly why guys gravitate toward it.
This easy one comes in 8 sizes and is worked flat and then seamed up at the end.
Mine is in softer colors and my husband still pulled it off. Make it in charcoal or olive, and biggity bam, it’s an instant gift for him.
4. 1 Hour Bulky Crochet Beanie
Running out of time before the holidays? Tell me about it…
This hat works up in about an hour, because the chunky yarn and bigger hook size do most of the work for you.
It’s made brim first and then you work your way up the hat. And if you need to adjust the brim to get the perfect fit, I’ve got some tips to do that in the post.
It’s a great last-minute gift, or a fast one to whip up while you watch a movie with him.
5. Basic Men’s Crochet Hat by B.hooked
This is a simple everyday hat, worked from the top down in double crochet with aran weight yarn. It only takes about 130 yards, so you might have enough yarn in your stash for this one.
It finishes with a ribbed band made from front and back post stitches. It fits heads around 22 to 24 inches, so, you know, man sized.
6. Salt of the Earth Men’s Crochet Beanie by Crochet 365 Knit Too
Cheryl designed this one because she couldn’t find a simple, classic men’s hat that wasn’t too fancy.
It’s mostly half double crochet with a ribbed post stitch brim, and she says it’s easy to make.
One skein of worsted yarn is all you need, and it fits a medium adult head, about 20 inches around. The oatmeal sample is a classic, and you can size it up or down 2 stitches at a time to get a custom fit for your guy.
7. Daddy and Me Slouch Beanie by Winding Road Crochet
This slouchy beanie comes in an adult size and a child size, so dad and the kids can match. Isn’t that sweet?! And one skein of light weight yarn makes both hats, which is also pretty sweet.
Alternating rounds of regular and third loop half double crochet create the ribbed stripes. The sample is bright orange, but it looks lovely (i.e., handsome) in grays and navy too.
8. All Grown Up Striped Slouch Hat by Moogly
Two colors of worsted yarn alternate in stripes, and you carry the unused color inside the hat, so there aren’t 9 billion ends to weave in once you’re finished. Huzzah!
The sample in gray and mint is a good example of stripes that still read grown up and manly.
It comes in a large adult size for 23 to 24 inch heads, plus a smaller size. You can make it longer or shorter by adding or skipping stripes.
9. Brawny Beanie by Crochet 365 Knit Too
Super bulky yarn makes this one fast and seriously warm. It’s mostly half double crochet worked in a spiral, so you don’t have to join every round. Gotta love it.
A short post stitch brim finishes it off. It’s sized to fit an average men’s head, about 22 inches around.
10. Northern Longridge Beanie by Loops & Love Crochet
This one is for the guy who wants a little more texture than plain ribbing. It mixes double crochet, long double crochet, and front post ridges into a cozy textured pattern.
The adult size fits 22 to 24 inch heads, and it uses about 120 to 160 yards of worsted yarn.
You’ll notice the samples are colorful, so make it in a solid neutral if your guy is like my hubby and likes to keep it simple. (Although colorful is totally cool, too.)
Crochet Scarves for Men
A scarf is the next safest gift, because it doesn’t have to fit anybody’s head.
These 4 stick to ribbing, stripes, and simple texture, so they look classic instead of frilly.
11. Men’s Knit-Look Ribbed Scarf by A Crocheted Simplicity
Jennifer wanted something for the men in her life besides another hat, and she designed this scarf to fix that. Slip stitches give it a ribbed texture that looks knitted but works up faster.
You’ll crochet it lengthwise in just 25 rows, using about 280 yards of worsted yarn. Make it in one solid color, or stripe it in 3 like the navy, gray, and green sample.
12. Striped Crochet Scarf for Men by Crochet Dreamz
This scarf has a clever trick. You make it in two halves, each worked from one end to the middle, so the stripes match perfectly at both ends.
It’s mostly half double crochet, beginner friendly, and a generous 72 inches long. The navy and cream version is a classic you can’t go wrong with.
13. Hourglass Men’s Scarf by Make It Crochet
Different stitch heights create a little hourglass shape that repeats across the scarf. You only use one color per row, so there are no tricky color changes mid-row. Gotta love that.
It takes about 3 hours and 2 skeins of worsted yarn. The sample is in gold and gray, which proves a pop of color can still look like a guy’s scarf.
14. Dapper Rib Scarf by Winding Road Crochet
Lindsey designed this one for her husband, who likes a classic, dapper look. It’s ribbed with no fringe, but the stitch pattern flips at each end, so it’s not too plain.
This is a really nice scarf and proof that a simple little thing like switching up the stitches can have a big impact. Very cool!
You’ll need 2 skeins of worsted yarn, and it finishes at 68 inches long. Need it longer or shorter? Just add or take away chains in the middle.
Fingerless Gloves and Ear Warmers for Men
Does he work outside, scrape the windshield every morning, or game in a cold basement man cave? Fingerless gloves and ear warmers keep him warm without getting in his way.
Both of these are quick, small projects, so they’re perfect for squeezing in before the holidays.
15. Fingerless Gloves in 7 Sizes by Just Be Crafty
These gloves are worked flat in rows, then seamed into a tube with a thumb opening. Both gloves are made exactly the same, so you don’t have to keep track of a right and a left.
The biggest of the 7 sizes fits an 8.5 inch hand, which covers most men. The samples are in bright variegated yarn, so pick a solid gray, brown, or black for him if he’s picky.
16. Textured Ear Warmer by Winding Road Crochet
An ear warmer is great for the guy who won’t wear a hat, because it keeps his ears warm without smooshing down his hair. This one is a simple textured strip worked in rows and seamed into a loop.
It only takes about 80 yards of worsted yarn, and the large adult size is 18 inches around. The pattern has 4 ways to finish it, so choose the basic seam for a clean, manly look.
Easy Crochet Gifts for the Guy Who Has Everything
What do you make for the guy who already owns 47 crochet hats that you most likely crocheted for him? I’d go with something small that fits what he’s into.
These 5 are quick, practical, and a little bit fun, because the best gifts are the ones that get used every day.
17. Drawstring Dice Bag by You Should Craft
Alex designed this for her partner’s weekly D&D game, because the little pouch that came with the dice just wasn’t cutting it. If your guy plays tabletop games, this one’s a winner.
It’s beginner friendly and takes less than an hour, using under 61 yards of cotton yarn. The pattern comes in 2 sizes, and a drawstring keeps the dice from escaping and getting lost under the fridge.
18. Beer Growler Cozy by Moogly
OK this one is cool. If your guy likes going to local breweries, this is a gift for him.
A cold growler gets slippery with condensation on the way home, and this cozy fixes that. It’s made with cotton yarn, so it soaks up the drips too.
You’ll need about 135 yards and a big button for the closure. The stripes and post stitch texture keep it looking rugged, not frilly.
19. Easy Mini Wallet by Moogly
This little wallet holds his keys, cards, and cash, and it clips onto a lanyard or keychain. It’s just single crochet rectangles joined together, so it’s beginner friendly.
It only takes about 50 yards of yarn, which makes it a great stash buster. The sample is in gold and green with a floral button, so try black, brown, or navy and a wooden button for a more manly version.
20. Men’s Everyday Slippers by Crochet Dreamz
These chunky slippers use super bulky yarn and slip stitches for a knit look. They’re worked flat as a rectangle, then folded and seamed, so they’re beginner friendly.
They come in men’s sizes 7 to 14 and take about an hour or an hour and a half. There’s also a taller boot version if he likes his ankles warm.
21. Men’s Bulky Slipper Socks by Love Life Yarn
These slipper socks are made with bulky yarn and mostly double crochet, so they work up in a matter of hours. One skein was enough for the sample pair, with leftovers.
They come in 3 sizes covering men’s shoe sizes 6 to 13. You can add Sock Stop to the bottom so he doesn’t go sliding across the kitchen floor on his way to the fridge.
In Conclusion
Crocheting for the guys doesn’t have to be a guessing game. When in doubt, go with a hat, because according to my husband, that’s the one thing nearly every man will actually wear.
A scarf is a close second, and the rest of this list is perfect for the guy with a hobby you can work with.
Which one are you making first? I’d start with a beanie in his favorite dark color, because you really can’t go wrong.
If you want to make the Basecamp Beanie, the full pattern is free right here on my blog.
And hey, you can also grab the printable, ad-free PDF if you’d rather have it all in one place! But you’re totally free to stick with the free version if you’d rather.
Don’t forget to pin this post so you can find it again when the holidays sneak up on you! Merry making, my friend!