Free Half Double Crochet Beanie Hat Pattern | Haylee Beanie Free Crochet Pattern

This is a free crochet pattern for how to crochet the Haylee Beanie, an easy crochet beanie pattern worked in simple half double crochet stitches, and available in 7 sizes.

Find the free crochet pattern instructions below, or purchase a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF on Ravelry by clicking here.

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Confession time: I have never worked a beanie in half double crochet before this one.

When I started on this beanie, I worked it exactly the same as I would if I were working one in double crochet, and that is 2″ smaller than my head circumference. As I was working, I just felt like it was turning out huge, but I shrugged it off, and kept going thinking it had to be right. About halfway through the adult small beanie I was working on, I held it up to my Striped Dylan Claire Beanie, and realized it was 1″ wider than it laying flat, which meant 2″ larger in total. It was huge! I was so upset. I had already written the pattern out, as well as filmed and edited videos, and on top of that, this entire time, I really thought beanies were all worked using the same fundamentals. It felt like I was having a mini crisis, and I had to put the beanie aside for several days while I worked on a laceweight scarf you may have seen on Instagram.

After a few days, I had reached a point where I could address this beanie again, and decided to try working it 3″ smaller than my head circumference. Finally, it was taking a shape I recognized, and the rest is history.

I need to give a big shout out to WeCrochet for supplying me with the yarn to complete this project. I picked WeCrochet Swish Yarn. It’s 100% superwash merino wool, but it’s so soft, not itchy, and it’s so cozy, it feels like it’s giving you a big hug.

Here with my sweet Shiloh. He always makes sure I take my breaks.

Free Half Double Crochet Patterns:

Haylee is an easy crochet line that features simple half double crochet stitches. I love the texture of half double crochet when the fabric is turned at the end of each row/round, though I designed this beanie with turned rounds to help keep the seam straight. While easy, I don’t recommend starting with a project that is worked in the round as a beginner – try it after you are comfortable working back and forth in rows using the half double crochet stitch pattern.

Haylee Ear Warmer

Haylee Scarf

Haylee Rectangle Shawl

Kid’s Size Slippers | Women’s Size Slippers | Men’s Size Slippers

Find more Haylee accessory and home decor crochet patterns here on EyeLoveKnots, and Haylee accessory and wearables crochet patterns on Cre8tion Crochet.

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Materials:

51 (66, 78, 86, 117, 141, 177) Yards of Worsted Weight Yarn – I used WeCrochet Swish in Dove Heather
H8/5mm Crochet Hook
Tapestry Needle
Soft Tape Measure – Gauge is Essential

Material Notes:

I’ve learned from my friend Krissy of Krissy’s Over the Mountain Crochet that as a beanie for cancer patients, the best yarn for a sensitive head is going to be a bamboo blend, like Berroco Modern Cotton or Lion Brand Coboo. Some can tolerate 100% acrylic or wool, but not all can. With this said, if you’ll be donating your beanie, I recommend looking up the requirements from the organization. Some say not to use wool yarns. Some say not to use Red Heart Super Saver (though I think this is a great yarn that really softens nicely after washing, and wears and washes so well). Some request the beanies to be washed prior to donating. Each has it’s own set of guidelines so you’ll want to check with the organization first.

As a cold weather beanie, animal fibers are better for keeping warm against the wind, and while alpaca works great, my go-to is always a 100% superwash merino wool, like WeCrochet Swish Yarn, or a wool and acrylic blend, like Lion Brand Wool Ease and Berroco Vintage. All of these that I’ve mentioned hold up well to wear and tear and machine washing and drying.

We have lots of great crochet hooks in our Yarn Crafts and Coffee Yarn Shop. The most popular, and preferred by Candace and Emily, are the Clover Amour Crochet Hooks with the soft handles and smooth metal hook. Alexandra prefers metal crochet hooks with large, ergonomic clay handles and just loves the fun designs from SiennasBowtique and BronzeShepherdStudio! If your preference is wood, the LYKKE brand are lovely, smooth and sturdy.

If you are working a size that ends in a single crochet round, and happen to be a tight crocheter, I recommend working this round only in an I9/5.5mm crochet hook to help keep a looser round so there is no restriction in the final beanie.

Time Spent:

I was able to work up the teen/adult small size in two hours.

Measurements:

The Newborn Size has a crown of 3 5/8″ in diameter, a circumference of nearly 11 3/8″ to fit a head size of 13″ – 14″, and is 5″ in length.

The 3-6 Month Size has a crown of 4 3/8″ in diameter, a circumference of nearly 13 3/4″ to fit a head size of 14″ – 16″, and is 5 3/8″ in length.

The 6-12 Month Size has a crown of 5″ in diameter, a circumference of nearly 15 3/4″ to fit a head size of 17″ – 19″, and is 5 3/4″ in length.

The Toddler Size has a crown of 5 1/4″ in diameter, a circumference of nearly 16 1/2″ to fit a head size of 18″ – 20″, and is 6 5/8″ in length.

The Child Size Size has a crown of 6″ in diameter, a circumference of nearly 18 7/8″ to fit a head size of 20″ – 22″, and is 7″ in length.

The Teen/Adult Small Size has a crown of 6″ in diameter, a circumference of nearly 18 7/8″ to fit a head size of 20″ – 22″, and is 8 1/2″ in length.

The Adult Large Size has a crown of 6 3/8″ in diameter, a circumference of nearly 20 1/8″ to fit a head size of 22″ – 23″, and is either 8 1/2″ or 9 1/2″ in length.

*If you are concerned with the size (or want to make a different size), take your tape measure out and measure around your head just above your eyebrows. The distance around is the circumference. You will need to use this equation to figure out what size diameter you will need: Your Circumference – 3” / 3.14 (pi) = crown diameter. 3” is the amount of stretch for acrylic, wool, and similar.

Gauge (Essential):

Measured in Pattern.

Gauge it very important for beanies. If you do not meet gauge, and continue making your beanie, the finished size will either be too small or too big so make sure to stop and check it. If you’re measuring smaller than the given measurements, go up a crochet hook size, and if you’re measuring larger, go down a crochet hook size. Rework the sample, take gauge again, and see where you are.

Abbreviations (US Terms):

HDC – Half Double Crochet (Photo Tutorial | Video Tutorial)
SC – Single Crochet (Photo Tutorial)

Pattern Notes:

I work my crown and body differently than most to help keep my seam straight, and that is that the first stitch from the first set of increases is done in the first stitch of the round, which will appear just to left of the beginning chain, then the round will be worked as normal, and the final stitch of the round will be the second stitch of the first set of increases, and it will be worked into the same stitch as the first, and appear just to the right of the beginning chain. The photo above shows where the first and last stitch are worked, and I have a photo tutorial of this technique in my How to Keep a Straight Seam post. You can work in your preferred increase method as long as we end up with the same stitches at the end of the round.

Slip stitch join to the first stitch of each round.

Only some rounds have a final round of single crochet, and that is to get to the finished length we need. When I am working a beanie where the last round is in single crochet, I like to work it on the right side of the fabric because I think it looks more polished, and the edge lays flatter naturally. For these reasons, this is why some sizes end with a round of single crochet, and also why some instruct to turn, while others don’t.

If you’re working a size that does not instruct to single crochet, but you want to, go ahead and add it. It adds 1/4″ in length. On the flip size, if you’re working a size that does end on a single crochet round, but you don’t want to work in it, you can omit it for less length or work a round of half double crochet in it’s place for a little bit more length.

Haylee Beanie Video Tutorial, Newborn Size:

Haylee Beanie Written Pattern, Newborn Size:

Chain 5. Join to form a ring. Chain 1. 11 HDC into the ring. Join. (11 HDC)

R2: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first stitch, 2 HDC in each of the next 10 HDCs, and 1 HDC into the last stitch. Join. (22 HDC)

R3: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first two stitches, (2 HDC into the next stitch, 1 HDC into the next stitch) 10x, 1 HDC into the last stitch. Join. (33 HDC)

R4: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first three stitches, (2 HDC into the next stitch, 1 HDC into each of the next 2 stitches) 10x, 1 HDC into the last stitch. Join. (44 HDC)

Checkpoint: Stop here, and measure the diameter to ensure the finished beanie will fit correctly. You’ll want your diameter to measure 3 5/8”.

R5 – 15: Chain 1, and turn. HDC into the 1st stitch, and each stitch around. Join. (44 HDC)

Fasten off, and weave in ends.

Haylee Beanie Video Tutorial, 3 – 6 Months Size:

Haylee Beanie Written Pattern, 3 – 6 Months:

Chain 5. Join to form a ring. Chain 1. 11 HDC into the ring. Join. (11 HDC)

R2: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first stitch, 2 HDC in each of the next 10 HDCs, and 1 HDC into the last stitch. Join. (22 HDC)

R3: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first two stitches, (2 HDC into the next stitch, 1 HDC into the next stitch) 10x, 1 HDC into the last stitch. Join. (33 HDC)

R4: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first three stitches, (2 HDC into the next stitch, 1 HDC into each of the next 2 stitches) 10x, 1 HDC into the last stitch. Join. (44 HDC)

R5: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first four stitches, (2 HDC into the next stitch, 1 HDC into each of the next 3 stitches) 10x, 1 HDC into the last stitch. Join. (55 HDC)

Checkpoint: Stop here, and measure the diameter to ensure the finished beanie will fit correctly. You’ll want your diameter to measure 4 3/8”.

R6 – 16: Chain 1, and turn. HDC into the 1st stitch, and each stitch around. Join. (55 HDC)

Fasten off, and weave in ends.

Haylee Beanie Video Tutorial, 6 – 12 Months Size:

Haylee Beanie Written Pattern 6-12 Months:

Chain 5. Join to form a ring. Chain 1. 11 HDC into the ring. Join. (11 HDC)

R2: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first stitch, 2 HDC in each of the next 10 HDCs, and 1 HDC into the last stitch. Join. (22 HDC)

R3: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first two stitches, (2 HDC into the next stitch, 1 HDC into the next stitch) 10x, 1 HDC into the last stitch. Join. (33 HDC)

R4: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first three stitches, (2 HDC into the next stitch, 1 HDC into each of the next 2 stitches) 10x, 1 HDC into the last stitch. Join. (44 HDC)

Checkpoint #1: Stop here, and measure the diameter to ensure the finished beanie will fit correctly. You’ll want your diameter to measure 3 5/8”.

R5: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first four stitches, (2 HDC into the next stitch, 1 HDC into each of the next 3 stitches) 10x, 1 HDC into the last stitch. Join. (55 HDC)

R6: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first 5 stitches, (2 HDC into the next stitch, 1 HDC into each of the next 4 stitches) 10x, 1 HDC into the last stitch. Join. (66 HDC)

Checkpoint #2: Stop here, and measure the diameter to ensure the finished beanie will fit correctly. You’ll want your diameter to measure 5”.

R7 – 17: Chain 1, and turn. HDC into the 1st stitch, and each stitch around. Join. (66 HDC)

R18: Chain 1. Don’t turn. SC into the 1st stitch, and each stitch around. Join. (66 SC)

Fasten off, and weave in ends.

Haylee Beanie Video Tutorial, Toddler Size:

Haylee Beanie Written Pattern, Toddler (1-3 Years):

Chain 3. Work 9 HDC into the 1st chain (skipped chains do not count as a stitch). Join. (9 HDC)

R2: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first stitch, 2 HDC in each of the next 8 HDCs, and 1 HDC into the last stitch. Join. (18 HDC)

R3: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first 2 stitches, (2 HDC into the next stitch, 1 HDC into the next stitch) 8x, 1 HDC into the last stitch. Join. (27 HDC)

R4: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first 3 stitches, (2 HDC into the next stitch, 1 HDC into each of the next 2 stitches) 8x, 1 HDC into the last stitch. Join. (36 HDC)

Checkpoint #1: Stop here, and measure the diameter to ensure the finished beanie will fit correctly. You’ll want your diameter to measure 3 1/4″.

R5: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first 4 stitches, (2 HDC into the next stitch, 1 HDC into each of the next 3 stitches) 8x, 1 HDC into the last stitch. Join. (45 HDC)

R6: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first 5 stitches, (2 HDC into the next stitch, 1 HDC into each of the next 4 stitches) 8x, 1 HDC into the last stitch. Join. (54 HDC)

R7: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first 6 stitches, (2 HDC into the next stitch, 1 HDC into each of the next 5 stitches) 8x, 1 HDC into the last stitch. Join. (63 HDC)

Checkpoint #2: Stop here, and measure the diameter to ensure the finished beanie will fit correctly. You’ll want your diameter to measure 5 1/4″.

R8 – 21: Chain 1, and turn. HDC into the 1st stitch, and each stitch around. Join. (63 HDC)

Fasten off, and weave in ends.

Haylee Beanie Video Tutorial, Child Size:

Haylee Beanie Written Pattern, Child (4-12 Years):