Winter’s here in full force, a fine time to crochet something to keep yourself, or someone you love, warm. This simple crochet beanie pattern is not only a breeze for the beginner, but someone more advanced can modify it to suit their style.

Read pattern all the way through before beginning.

Materials needed

1 (3.5-ounce) skein of worsted weight yarn (Vanna’s Choice by Lion Brand was used in the writing of this pattern)

Crochet hook, size H

For the gauge, the first 3 rows = 2 inches

Getting started

To begin, chain four (4)

Join with a slipstitch to form a circle

Round 1: Chain 2. Eight half-double crochet (HDC) in circle; join with a slipstitch to first HDC;

Round 2: Chain 2. HDC twice in each stitch around; join with a slipstitch to the second chain of the chain 2 (16 HDCs);

Round 3: Chain 2. HDC in same stitch. 1 HDC in next stitch. *2HDC in next stitch, 1 HDC in next stitch.* Repeat from * to *. join in second chain of chain 2; (24 stitches);

Round 4: Chain 2. HDC in same stitch. 1 HDC in next two stitches. *2 HDC in next stitch, 1 HDC in next two stitches.* Repeat from * to *. Join in second chain of chain 2; (32 stitches);

Round 5: Chain 2. HDC in same stitch. 1 HDC in next three stitches. *2 HDC in next stitch, 1 HDC in next three stitches.* Repeat from * to *. Join in second chain of chain 2; (40 stitches);

Round 6: Chain 2. HDC in same stitch. 1 HDC in next four stitches. *2 HDC in next stitch, 1 HDC in next four stitches.* Repeat from * to *. Join as before. (48 stitches);

Round 7: Chain 2. HDC in same stitch. 1 HDC in next five stitches. *2 HDC in next stitch, 1 HDC in next five stitches.* Repeat from * to *. Join as before. (56 stitches);

Round 8: Chain 2. HDC in same stitch. 1 HDC in next six stitches. *2 HDC in next stitch, 1 HDC in next six stitches.* Repeat from * to *. Join as before. (64 stitches).

At this point, you have increased the top of the hat to the size it needs to be and you now just begin crocheting one stitch into each stitch on the previous round until the hat is complete. Every other round in the following is crocheted into the Back Loop Only (BLO) of the stitches on the previous round.

Round 9: Chain 2. HDC in the back loop only (BLO) around. Join in second chain of chain 2;

Round 10: Chain 3. Double crochet (DC) in both loops around. Join in third chain of chain 3;

Round 11: Chain 2. HDC in BLO;

Rounds 12 to 20: Repeat rounds 10 and 11;

Round 21 to 22: Chain 2. HDC in BLO

When starting and finishing your project, make sure to leave a tail long enough that it can be weaved in and out of several stitches to secure. Once you finish round 22, cut the tail and weave on inside (wrong side) of hat. Use the tail at the top of the hat to sew the hole closed.

A bit about modifying this pattern: You can stop increasing at any point and move on to the body of the hat to customize the fit for anyone from infants to adults. This pattern was written for the average adult size. You could use a smaller hook, stop increasing a round sooner (with 56 stitches) and make it a child-sized hat. You can also embellish the hat with a pom-pom or noodle.