Simple Top-Down Crochet Beanie Pattern (in 10 Sizes!) Free Pattern & Video
If you’re looking for a simple, no-fuss crochet beanie that actually fits the way you expect it to… this one’s for you.
This is an everyday, top-down, brimless crochet beanie worked in a classic, straightforward style that’s easy to customize and easy to wear.
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This hat starts at the crown and works downward, which makes it simple to adjust the length as you go and stop exactly where you want.
The pattern includes 10 sizes, from a very small preemie to an adult x-large, and is designed to be easy, quick, and no fuss.
Just a solid, reliable beanie you can make again and again. And it’s perfect for making a whole pile of hats to donate!
Below you’ll find the full written pattern, along with sizing notes to help you choose the best fit.
Let’s make some beanies!
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Everyday Beanie: Top-Down Brimless – Printable PDF Pattern!
Reference this pattern any time you want with the printable PDF version!
It’s ad free, and includes the written pattern for all 5 sizes of hats pattern, plus a photo tutorial for the assembly process and a link to the step by step video!
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💛 A BIG Thank You to My Pattern Testers
A huge thank you to the amazing group of pattern testers who helped test this beanie pattern!
Your feedback helped make sure the sizing is solid and the instructions are easy to follow. You guys are the best!
Best Yarn for this Crochet Beanie
For this pattern, I recommend a soft, washable worsted weight yarn. I used acrylic, but wool would work, too. You maybe need to hand wash it though.
I don’t recommend cotton yarn because it doesn’t have much stretch, and this hat is designed with negative ease so it fits nice and snug.
I made my samples with 3 different worsted weight acrylic yarns:
Here are the approx. yarn amounts for each hat, in grams. (If you crochet tighter or looser, it might be a little different, but this is a good ballpark estimate.)
- Preemie – 18 grams
- Newborn – 23 grams
- 3-6 months – 36 grams
- 6-12 months – 38 grams
- Toddler – 39 grams
- Child – 43 grams
- Adult Small – 50 grams
- Adult Medium – 54 grams
- Adult Large – 58 grams
- Adult X-Large – 64 grams
Pattern Information
- Skill Level: Easy Beginner
- Pattern written in US terms
Supplies & Materials
- Yarn: worsted weight (size 4) yarn – even the largest size can be made using one skein of yarn (assuming it has at least 100 g of yarn in the skein)
- Hook: 5 mm crochet hook (this is my current favorite hook of all time!)
- Notions:
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Optional Pom-Pom
Gauge
After 3 rounds, circle should be approx. 3.25” across.
If your circle ends up being larger than that after 3 rounds, try using a smaller size hook, like a 4 mm.
Abbreviations
- ch(s): chain(s)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- ssc: stacked single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- inc: increase (make 2 dc in one st)
- rep: repeat
- FO: finish off (cut yarn, pull yarn tail through last loop on hook and pull to tighten)
Special Stitches
Stacked Single Crochet (ssc):
Make a single crochet into indicated stitch, then insert hook into left leg on the front of the stitch, and make another single crochet.
Size Chart
Below, you’ll find the chart with all the sizes included in this pattern.
A few things to keep in mind when picking a size:
It’s best to pick a size based on head size rather than the age. The sizes are based on general head sizes, but they can vary a lot from person to person.
For example, my 7 year old son fits better in an adult small than he does in a child size. He just has a sorta big head, lol.
When in doubt, especially with kids, I would go with the bigger size since they’re always growing.
Once you figure out what size hat you want to make, look over the pattern and you’ll see how many increase rows you need to do.
(There’s a note at the end of each round when it’s time to stop for a certain size.)
Then, for the body rows, there’s a chart that says how many rows to do depending on your size in that section of the pattern.
You can also easily customize the length of the hat by adding or subtracting body rows.
Just remember, the last 2 finishing rounds will add approx. ½ an inch to the length of your hat.
| Size | Head Circumference | Crown Diameter (Starting Circle) | Hat Length (Mid Ear – Standard) | Hat Length (Earlobe – Full Coverage) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preemie | 10″-12″ (25-30 cm) | 3.25″ (8.25 cm) | 4.5″ (11.43 cm) | 5″ (12.7 cm) |
| Newborn | 13″-14″ (33-36 cm) | 4″ (10 cm) | 5″ (12.7 cm) | 5.5″ (13.97 cm) |
| 3-6 Months | 15″-16″ (38-41 cm) | 5″ (12.7 cm) | 6″ (15.24 cm) | 6.5″ (16.51 cm) |
| 6-12 Months | 17″-18″ (43-46 cm) | 5″ (12.7 cm) | 6.5″ (16.51 cm) | 7″ (17.78 cm) |
| Toddler | 18″-19″ (46-48 cm) | 5″ (12.7 cm) | 7″ (17.78 cm) | 8″ (20.32 cm) |
| Child | 19″-20″ (48-51 cm) | 6″ (15.24 cm) | 7″ (17.78 cm) | 8″ (20.32 cm) |
| Adult Small/Teen | 20″-21″ (51-53 cm) | 6″ (15.24 cm) | 7.5″ (19.05 cm) | 8.5″ (21.59 cm) |
| Adult Medium | 21″-22.5″ (53-57 cm) | 6″ (15.24 cm) | 8″ (20.32 cm) | 9″ (22.86 cm) |
| Adult Large | 23″-23.5″ (58-60 cm) | 7″ (17.78 cm) | 8″ (20.32 cm) | 9″ (22.86 cm) |
| Adult X-Large | 24″-25″ (61-64 cm) | 8″ (20.32 cm) | 8.5″ (21.59 cm) | 9.5″ (24.13 cm) |
Notes
Choose your size using the size chart on the previous page, then follow the increase rounds until instructed to stop for your size.
Video Tutorial
Here’s the video tutorial for this crochet hat pattern, and be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel so you don’t miss any new videos!
\Instructions
Starting Circle of Hat (Increase Rounds)
Round 1
Attach yarn to hook with a slip knot, leaving a tail that’s about 7 inches long, ch 4, sl st to starting ch to form a ring.
Working into center of ring make ssc, then do 9 dc, sl st to starting ssc. (10)
Round 2
Ssc in same st as join, dc in same st, inc in remaining sts, sl st to starting ssc. (20)
Round 3
Ssc in same st as join, *inc in next st, dc in next st*, rep from * to * 8 more times, inc in last st, sl st to starting ssc. (30)
(stop here for preemie size)
Round 4
Ssc in same st as join, dc in next st, *inc in next st, dc in next 2 sts*, rep from * to * 8 more times, inc in last st, sl st to starting ssc. (40)
(stop here for newborn size)
Round 5
Ssc in same st as join, dc in same st, *dc in next 3 sts, inc in next st*, rep from * to * 8 more times, dc in last 3 sts, sl st to starting ssc. (50)
(stop here for 3-6 mo, 6-12 mo, and toddler sizes)
Round 6
Ssc in same st as join, dc in next 2 sts, *inc in next st, dc in next 4 sts*, rep from * to * 8 more times, inc in next st, dc in last st, sl st to starting ssc. (60)
(stop here for child, adult small/teen, and adult medium sizes)
Round 7
Ssc in same st as join, dc in same st, *dc in next 5 sts, inc in next st*, rep from * to * 8 more times, dc in last 5 sts, sl st to starting ssc. (70)
(stop here for adult large size)
Round 8
Ssc in same st as join, dc in next 2 sts, *inc in next st, dc in next 6 sts*, rep from * to * 8 more times, inc in next st, dc in last 3 sts, sl st to starting ssc. (80)
(stop here for adult x-large size)
Body of Hat (No Increases Here)
For each body round:
Ssc in same st as join, dc in each st around, sl st to starting ssc.
Do this many body rounds for each size of hat:
| Hat Size | Mid Ear Length | Earlobe Length |
|---|---|---|
| Preemie | 6 rounds | 7 rounds |
| Newborn | 6 rounds | 7 rounds |
| 3-6 Months | 7 rounds | 8 rounds |
| 6-12 Months | 8 rounds | 9 rounds |
| Toddler | 9 rounds | 11 rounds |
| Child | 9 rounds | 11 rounds |
| Adult Small/Teen | 10 rounds | 12 rounds |
| Adult Medium | 11 rounds | 13 rounds |
| Adult Large | 10 rounds | 12 rounds |
| Adult X-Large | 10 rounds | 12 rounds |
Finishing Rounds
Repeat the following round twice for all sizes:
Sc in same st as join, sc in every st around, sl st to starting sc.
FO.
Weaving in the Yarn Tails
Thread the center yarn tail onto a yarn needle, and weave the tail through all the stitches from round 1.
Pull tail to cinch up the hole, and tie a knot around one of the sts to secure. Feed tail back through a few round 1 sts and cut off the excess.
Thread the outer yarn tail onto your yarn needle and weave it under several sts on the inside of the beanie, then weave it back in the same direction under some other sts.
Cut off the excess yarn.
Pom-Pom (Optional)
If you want to add a pom pom, you can do that now.
I have 2 different tutorial videos for making your own pom poms! Check them out below:
In Conclusion
If you enjoyed this pattern, be sure to check out my other free crochet designs and don’t forget to share your finished beanie with me on social media.
I love seeing all your beautiful makes!
Looking for more crochet projects? Check out these easy crochet pattern ideas!