A fun, warm, squishy, zigzag spiral, textured beanie design that is unisex in appeal, and will look fabulous on both kids and adults. These beanies are a quick make, and can be made in any DK or Worsted yarn. Finished beanies are perfect for selling, gifting, or charitable donation.

This is an original pattern by Farrah Jane Tate of The Crochet Fix. You are welcome to sell products you have made using my patterns; however, I ask that you refer to the exact name of my pattern somewhere in the text of your listing. You may not copy, re-publish, sell, distribute, translate without permission, or claim my photos or patterns as your own in any way.  Please note: If you have downloaded this pattern from a site other than Ravelry, Love Crochet, or my personal blog, you may not have the most current version. Please visit one of the aforementioned sites to download an official, version-controlled copy.

Pattern Details

• Size: Size to preference. Refer to Sizing Table (Appendix 1) as a guide.
• Skill Level: Intermediate.
• Stitch Terminology: US – refer also to Abbreviations.
• Recommended Yarn: Any 8ply/ DK/ Cat. 3 or 10 ply/ Worsted/ Cat. 4 weight yarn. Suited to any fibre type that yields a good stitch definition (i.e., avoid fluffy, feathery, or textured yarns)
• Hook: Follow yarn label as a guide or use your preferred hook. Make a swatch(es) and adjust hook if/ as necessary to achieve the preferred density of crochet fabric.
• Gauge: No set gauge required – ensure beanie circumference and length approximates the Sizing Table.
  Gauge for the example beanies is provided for reference only.
• Pattern Synopsis: Reversible beanie that is constructed working in rounds, from top to bottom, to form a cylinder of crochet fabric that is finished with a simple brim. The spiral zig zag texture results from a repeating pattern of front post and back post stitches. The top opening of the beanie cylinder is then cinched together by weave stitching the long beginning yarn tail with a needle all around the circumference of the foundation round, and then pulling taut. Wear beanie ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ side, according to preference.
• Social Media Share: Please tag me @TheCrochetFixand Hash Tag your projects: #ZenOnBeanie

Project Examples

Below are a few example beanies. Please note that these were all made with Worsted yarn as thick and warm charity beanies; however other weights of yarn can also be used. Please also refer to the Ravelry listing for this pattern, to view additional projects.

Above Left – shown on reverse side: Yarn: Bernat Super Value Yarn (Worsted/10ply/Cat. 4) in Topaz colour, ~100g/~3.5oz. Hook: 6mm/ J-10. Beanie Design: 1 (available on this blog). Foundation stitch count: 60. Gauge: 5 post stitches are ~4.2cm/~1.65” in width. Beanie pattern rounds: 20. Brim rounds: 5. Relaxed circumference: ~51cm/~20”, with a couple cm of positive ease. Length (incl. brim): ~24cm/~9.5”. Fits: child (slouchy) to average sized woman (slightly slouchy) or small man (fitted).

Above Right: Yarn: Redheart Super Saver Yarn (Worsted/10ply/Cat. 4) in Café Late colour, ~110g/~3.9oz. Hook: 6mm/ J-10.  Beanie Design: 2 (Ravelry). Foundation stitch count: 60. Gauge: 6 post stitches are ~5cm/~2” in width.  Beanie pattern rounds: 20. Brim rounds: 5. Relaxed circumference: ~51cm/~20”, with a couple cm of positive ease. Length (incl. brim): ~24cm/~9.5”. Fits: child (slouchy) to average sized woman (slightly slouchy) or small man (fitted).

Above – shown on reverse side: Yarn: Redheart Super Saver Yarn (Worsted/10ply/Cat. 4 in Frosty Green colour, ~100g/~3.5oz. Hook: 6mm/ J-10. Beanie Design: 1 (available on this blog). Foundation stitch count: 60. Gauge: 5 post stitches are ~4.2cm/~1.65” in width.  Beanie pattern rounds: 20. Brim rounds: 5. Relaxed circumference: ~51cm/20”, with a couple cm of positive ease. Length (incl. brim): ~24cm/~9.5”. Fits: child (slouchy) to average sized woman (slightly slouchy) or small man (fitted).

Above – shown on reverse side: Yarn: Redheart Super Saver Yarn (Worsted/10ply/Cat. 4) in Buff colour, ~120g/~4.2oz. Hook: 6mm/ J-10.  Beanie Design: 2 (Ravelry). Foundation stitch count: 66. Gauge: 6 post stitches are ~5cm/~2” in width. Beanie pattern rounds: 22. Brim rounds: 5. Relaxed circumference: ~55cm/21.7”, with a couple cm of positive ease. Length (incl. brim): ~26cm/~10.2”. Fits: woman (slouchy) to large man (fitted).

Abbreviations

• Beg = Beginning
• BLO = Back Loop Only
• BpDC = Back Post Double Crochet. DC is worked around the back of the stitch post.
• BpDCStndSt = Back Post Double Crochet Standing Stitch. Refer to Special Stitch Instructions.
• Ch = Chain
• DC = Double Crochet
• DCStndSt = Double Crochet Standing Stitch. Refer to Special Stitch Instructions.
• FLO = Front Loop Only
• FpDC = Front Post Double Crochet. DC is worked around the front of the stitch post.
• FpDCStndSt = Front Post Double Crochet Standing Stitch. Refer to Special Stitch Instructions.
• Sl St = Slip Stitch
• SC = Single Crochet
• St = Stitch

Special Stitch Instructions

Standing Stitches

Standing Stitches are worked at the start of a new round. The method described below is the beginner worthy stacked SC method. If you already have a preferred method, then please substitute your preferred method wherever a standing stitch is mentioned  in the pattern instructions.

DCStndSt

Note: This stitch is DC height and counts as a DC stitch for stitch count purposes.

(Without first making a Ch 1), SC in the first stitch from the previous round. Ch 1 and then SC in FLO of the SC that was just made.

FpDCStndSt

Note: This stitch is DC height and counts as a FpDC stitch for stitch count purposes.

Ch 1 and then SC around the front of the stitch post of the first stitch from the previous round. Ch 1 and then SC in the FLO of the SC that was just made.

BpDCStndSt

Note: This stitch is DC height and counts as a BpDC stitch for stitch count purposes.

Ch 1 and then SC around the back of the stitch post of the first stitch from the previous round. Ch 1 and then SC in the FLO of the SC that was just made.

Tips

• Work a swatch of a couple of rounds to determine the best hook size and foundation chain for a beanie of a specific desired circumference.
• When making a Sl St to complete each round, ensure this Sl St is made with a tight tension to ensure the seam is not obvious.
• Avoid using a yarn that is fluffy, feathery, or otherwise textured as the textured pattern will be lost. Similarly, avoid using variegated or short colour change yarns (where the colour change will fall randomly within a round, rather than at the start of a round).
• Soaking a beanie made from rougher acrylic yarn in hair conditioner will relax the yarn fibres a little and soften the yarn. This is a great way to ensure charity beanies are affordable to make, durable and comfortable to wear. I used this method for the Redheart Super Saver yarn example beanies. The Bernat Super Value yarn is beautifully soft without this treatment.

Pattern Instructions

Note:

• Beg DCStndSt to commence round is included in DC stitch count .
• Beg FpDCStndSt to commence round is included in FpDC stitch count.
• Beg BpDCStndSt to commence round is included in BpDC stitch count.
• Ch 1 to commence round and Sl St to complete round are not included in the stitch count for this round.
• The same post stitch sequence is made each round (3 FpDCs followed by 2 BpDCs), however this stitch sequence moves a single stitch counter-clockwise each round.

Beanie Foundation Rounds

Round 1: Refer to Steps 1 and 2 in the Appendix 1: Beanie Sizing Guide if you need assistance with sizing the circumference of your beanie. Leaving a long yarn tail of approximately 35 – 40 cm/ 14 – 18“, make a chainless SC foundation round^ƚ that is a multiple of 5 (ensuring the last chainless foundation SC is joined at the base to the beg chainless foundation SC, and a Sl St is made into the top of the beg SC to form a closed circle).

^ƚIf your preference is to work a foundation Ch round rather than a chainless SC foundation round, the please follow the instructions below:

1. Make a foundation chain of the required length, and then Sl St into first Ch (to make a closed circle of Ch stitches).
2. Ch 1 and SC in first Ch, and then SC in each subsequent Ch around. Sl St into beg SC.

Round 2: DCStndSt in first SC from previous round. DC in each subsequent SC around, and then Sl St into DCStndSt. (Stitch Count: number of DCs = SC foundation stitch count.)

Beanie Pattern Rounds

First Repeat

Round 3: FpDCStndSt around first St. FpDC around each of the next two St. BpDC around each of the next two St. *FpDC around each of the next three St, and then BpDC around each of the next two St.* Repeat the Stitches between * * around. Sl St into beg FpDCStndSt. (Stitch Count: Number of FpDC stitches = (number of foundation chain stitches / 5) x 3 and number of BpDC stitches = (number of foundation chain stitches / 5) x 2.)

Round 4: BpDCStndSt around first St. FpDC around each of the next three St. BpDC around each of the next two St. *FpDC around each of the next three St, and then BpDC around each of the next two St.* Repeat the Stitches between * * until reaching the last four St. FpDC around each of the next three St, and then BpDC around the last St. Sl St into beg BpDCStndSt. (Stitch Count: Number of FpDC stitches = (number of foundation chain stitches / 5) x 3 and number of BpDC stitches = (number of foundation chain stitches / 5) x 2.)

Round 5: BpDCStndSt around first St. BpDC around the next St. FpDC around each of the next three St. *BpDC around each of the next two St, and then FpDC around each of the next three St.* Repeat the Stitches between * * around. Sl St into beg BpDCStndSt. (Stitch Count: Number of FpDC stitches = (number of foundation chain stitches / 5) x 3 and number of BpDC stitches = (number of foundation chain stitches / 5) x 2.)

Round 6: FpDCStndSt around first St. BpDC around each of the next two St. FpDC around each of the next three St. *BpDC around each of the next two St, and then FpDC around each of the next three St.* Repeat the Stitches between * * around until reaching the last four St. BpDC around each of the next two St, and then FpDC around each of the last two St. Sl St into beg FpDCStndSt. (Stitch Count: Number of FpDC stitches = (number of foundation chain stitches / 5) x 3 and number of BpDC stitches = (number of foundation chain stitches / 5) x 2.)

Round 7: FpDCStndSt around first St. FpDC around next St. *BpDC around each of the next two St, and then FpDC around each of the next three St.* Repeat the Stitches between * * around until reaching the last three St. BpDC around each of the next two St, and then FpDC around the last St. Sl St into beg FpDCStndSt. (Stitch Count: Number of FpDC stitches = (number of foundation chain stitches / 5) x 3 and number of BpDC stitches = (number of foundation chain stitches / 5) x 2.)

Further Repeats

Refer to Step 3 in the Appendix 1: Beanie Sizing Guide if you need assistance with sizing the length of your beanie. Repeat Rounds 3 to 7 until the beanie is equal to the desired length of the beanie, minus a brim (approximately 2cm/0.8” – 3.5cm/1.4”  in length). The beanie can be finished after any given round of a pattern repeat.

Beanie Brim Rounds

Round 1: Ch 1 and SC in first St, and then SC in each St around. Sl St into beg SC. (Stitch Count: SC stitches = number of foundation chain stitches)

Round 2: Ch 1 and SC in BLO of first SC, and then SC in BLO of each SC around. Sl St into beg SC. (Stitch Count: SC stitches = number of foundation chain stitches)

Rounds 3+: Repeat Round 2 as many times as required to achieve brim of desired length. Fasten off yarn and sew in end.

Cinch Top

Use a darning needle, weave the beg tail of yarn in and out of the entire foundation round circumference, skipping two to three stitches each time. If your chosen yarn is not particularly strong, repeat the weaving process a second time. Gently pull the yarn to cinch the beanie. Ensuring the top opening is fully closed, sew in the end securely and fasten off.

Pattern Support

Pattern support is most readily available via TheCrochetFix Facebook Page.

Pattern Versioning

Acknowledgements

Thanks to the following testers for your efforts to test this beanie design:

• Tania Barry (@shewgirl1 on IG, Shewgirl on Ravelry)
• Shannon Maughan (@the.crafty.runner on IG, TheCraftyRunner on Ravelry)
• Emma-Joy Gilbert (@em_joy87 on IG, Em-J87 on Ravelry)
• Sharon Edwards (@sharon_edwards_act on IG, DefenceLass on Ravelry)
• Bec Smith (@bec_reinyarnated on IG)
• Simone Howes (@simone.makes on IG, SimoneLH on Ravelry)
• Karen Muller (@geekofcrochet on IG)
• Dominique Case (@needalilyarn on IG)
• Helen Maud (@helen.nanna.made on IG)
• Vimala Vignesh (@vimalavignesh on IG, FB, and Ravelry)
• Jaclyn Tasker (@boyohboy.handmade on IG, @boyohboy.handmade.yarravalley on FB)

Appendix 1: Beanie Sizing Guide (as required)

A) If you already have a preferred foundation chain length for beanies of a specific size, as made with a particular yarn, hook size, and tension, then please adjust your standard preferred chain length to the nearest factor of 5. Please note that the post stitch DCs are fractionally tighter than regular DCs, and although the fabric does have some positive ease, it is recommended that  the foundation chain count is increased, rather than decreased, to the nearest factor.

B) Otherwise, your beanie can be approximately sized as follows, using the Sizing Guide Table:

1. Locate the desired beanie size in Column 1.
2. Find the approximate required beanie circumference in Column 2/3 for the beanie size chosen in Step 1. Note: the circumference of the resultant beanie will be a little smaller in relaxed state than the foundation round, but it will have some positive ease. If in doubt, select a circumference value in the upper range of the desired beanie size. Determine the foundation stitch number (relaxed state) that corresponds with the Column 2/3 circumference using the chosen yarn and hook size. Get the adjusted foundation stitch number by determining the nearest stitch count that is a factor of 5. Example: Beanie for Woman, with Head Circumference of 53cm, with my chosen Worsted yarn, 6mm hook, and my specific tension, is the equivalent of 59 Ch. When rounded to the nearest multiple of 5, this results in an adjusted foundation Ch of 60.
3. Find the approximate required beanie length in Column 4/5 for the beanie size chosen in Step 1. Note: If you prefer a slightly slouchy beanie then add a few cm/ an inch or so to the length listed in the table.

Sizing Guide Table

The following Sizing Guide Table has been formulated with consideration of The American Craft Yarn Council standard head circumference sizes.