Got GRIT Beanie

The Got Grit Beanie is an easy textured beanie design with a simple repeat.

This crochet beanie is a versatile accessory – wear it slouchy or fitted with brim folded.

Suited to all ages and genders.

Stress free sizing – no set gauge required. Use any yarn to size to standard sizes using included sizing table or custom size according to individual measurements.

This free pattern was created for #SmallProjectsChallenge2022 for the July ‘Winter Warmers’ category.

This is an original pattern by Farrah Jane Tate. 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. This pattern may not be used in a classroom/workshop setting without my permission. Please note: If you have downloaded this pattern from an unofficial site (other than Ravelry, Love Crafts, Etsy, or my personal blog), this will be an unauthorised version and may not be the most current version. Please visit one of these sites to download an official, version-controlled copy.

A Little Background Regarding This Design

G.R.I.T. stands for Guts, Resilience, Initiative, Tenacity. When I think of grit personified, I think of my dearest mum, Fiona. She has grit in abundance… and yet she also has the biggest of hearts and is one of the kindest people I know. She has spent her life devoting herself to helping and caring for others, even whilst facing significant challenges of her own, which would be so very overwhelming and all-consuming for many.

If you know someone who needs a little encouragement to keep going, to keep steadfastly putting one foot in front of the other, even when their circumstances are so very tough… then gift them a Got GRIT beanie, as a symbol that you are thinking of them and cheering them on through whatever difficult circumstances they are enduring.

Or maybe there is that special person, who you would like to acknowledge for their GRIT and their inspiration for others.

I made a bunch of these beanies for #WinterWarmers2021 charity makes for community members who are doing it tough. I cannot even begin to imagine the GRIT it takes to survive an entire Winter sleeping rough.

Pattern Details

• Size: Size to preference. Refer to Appendix B Beanie Sizing Guide as a guide.
• Skill Level: Beginner.
• 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). Refer to Appendix A for yarn used for Example Projects.
• 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 Appendix B Sizing Table.
• Pattern Synopsis: Beanie is constructed working in rows, alternating RS and WS to form a rectangle of crochet fabric. A modified Grit Stitch row is alternated with a HDC BLO row. When the rectangle is the desired size, a seam is Sl St or sewn to join the starting row with the finishing row, to form the beanie cylinder. The top opening of the beanie cylinder is then cinched together by weave stitching the long yarn tail with a needle around the circumference, and then pulling taut. Beanie can be worn as slouchy or fitted (with brim folded) and either on RS or WS, as preferred.
• Social Media Share: Please tag me @TheCrochetFix and Hash Tag your projects: #GotGritBeanie.

Abbreviations

• ~ = Approximately.
• Beg = Beginning.
• BL = Back Loop.
• BLO = Back Loop Only.
• FC = Foundation Chain.
• FL = Front Loop.
• FLO = Front Loop Only.
• Ch = Chain.
• DC = Double Crochet.
• DCStndSt = Double Crochet Standing Stitch. Refer to Special Stitch Instructions.
• HDC = Half Double Crochet.
• Rep = Repeat.
• RS = Right Side.
• SC = Single Crochet.
• Sk = Skip.
• Sl St = Slip Stitch.
• St = Stitch.
• WS = Wrong Side.

Special Stitch Instructions

DCStndSt

The DCStndSt is worked at the start of each new row. The method described below is the beginner stacked SC method. This can be substituted with any other DC standing stitch method, or Ch 3.

Ch 1, SC in the first st from the previous row, Ch 1, SC in FLO of SC that was just made (so that the second SC is stacked on top of the first SC).

Pattern Instructions

Note:

• Refer to Appendix B: Beanie Sizing Guide for sizing guide.
• DCStndSt is included in DC st count.
• Beg Ch 1 is not included in the st count and should not be worked into in the subsequent row.
• For the HDC row from Row 3 onwards, the HDC stitches can be worked into either the BLO of previous row stitches (to exaggerate the Modified Grit Stitch row) as per instructions, or alternatively into both FL and BL for a smoother/less gritty texture. Try a swatch of each, and then consistently use either BLO or both loops in all these rows.
• ( ) following each row contains the st count for the row.
• RS and WS are indicated, however the beanie can be worn on either side (as preferred).

Beanie Rectangle

Foundation Chain: Ch a FC length that is a multiple of 2 and (when relaxed) corresponds with the desired length of the beanie + optional brim (if the beanie is intended to be worn with a folded brim).

Row 1 – HDC – RS: Ch 1 (in addition to FC already made), HDC in second Ch from hook and each subsequent FC. Turn. (HDC = FC)

Row 2 – Modified Grit Stitch – WS: DCStndSt and SC in first st, sk next st, *DC and SC in next st, sk next st, rep from * until reaching the last two st in the row, DC in second to last st, SC in last st. Turn. (DC = FC/2, SC = FC/2.)

Row 3 – HDC – RS: Ch 1, HDC in BLO of first and each subsequent st in the row. Turn. (HDC = FC)

Row 4 – Modified Grit Stitch – WS: DCStndSt and SC in first st, sk next st, *DC and SC in next st, sk next st, rep from * until reaching the last two st in the row, DC in second to last st, SC in last st. Turn. (DC = FC/2, SC = FC/2.)

Rows 5+: Rep Rows 3 and 4 until the long edge of the beanie rectangle is approximately equal to the required beanie circumference.

Finishing

If a sewn seam is preferred, fasten off yarn, leave a long yarn tail (30cm/12”) to sew the rectangle short edges together and to cinch the beanie peak (as per instructions below).

If a crocheted seam is preferred, do not fasten off yarn at this point.

Seam Edges

If sewing: Using the long yarn tail and a darning needle, sew the beg and fin short edges of beanie rectangle together (by sewing together the corresponding stitches on each edge, along the length of the edge), to form a closed cylinder.

If crocheting: Sl St seam the beg and fin short edges of beanie rectangle (by stitching together the   corresponding stitches on each edge, along the length of the edge), to form a closed cylinder. Fasten off yarn, leaving a long yarn tail (15cm/6”).

Cinch Peak

Use a darning needle to weave the yarn tail in and out of the top edge of beanie, at every second row, the entire circumference of the beanie peak. If the chosen yarn is soft, repeat the weaving around the circumference a second time. Gently pull the yarn to cinch the beanie. Ensuring the top opening is fully closed, sew in the end securely on WS.

Pattern Support

Pattern support is available via TheCrochetFix Facebook Page.

Pattern Versioning

Version	Date	Comments
0.1	19.05.2021	Draft Version
0.2	27.07.2022	Blog Version – Untested
1.0	14.08.2024	Refresh

Appendix A: Example Projects

Taupe:

• Bernat Super Value Yarn (Worsted/10ply/Cat. 4) in Taupe colour, ~120g/~4.25oz.
• Hook: 6mm/J-10.
• FC: 50.
• Pattern rows: 50.
• Relaxed circumference: ~53cm/21”, with a couple cm of positive ease.
• Length (incl. brim): ~30cm/11.75”.
• Fits: average sized woman.

Neutral:

• Redheart Super Saver Yarn (Worsted/10ply/Cat. 4) in Buff colour, ~120g/4.25oz.
• Hook: 6mm/J-10.
• FC: 50.
• Pattern rows: 50.
• Relaxed circumference: ~53cm/21”, with a couple cm of positive ease.
• Length (incl. brim): ~30cm/11.75”.
• Fits: average sized woman.

Appendix B: Beanie Sizing Guide

Refer to Ravelry pattern pdf for schematic diagram for beanie length and circumference measure.

The appropriate beanie size can be determined by using:

A) The Sizing Guide Table below, or

B) The Approximate Personalised Sizing Method.

A) Sizing Guide Table

The Sizing Table is based on The American Craft Yarn Council (ACYC) standard head circumference sizes and standard (fitted) beanie length.

To size the beanie length:

1. Look up the Sizing Table listed Beanie Length for the chosen Beanie Size.
   • For a folded brim an additional 5-10cm/2-4” should be added to the length.
   • For a slouchy beanie at least an additional 3-4 cm/1” should be added to the length.
   • For example, for a woman sized beanie of ~22cm/8.5” with a brim length of ~8cm/3”, the total length will be ~30cm/11.5”. If intended to be worn slouchy, the total length will be ~33cm/13”.

2. Determine the even number of relaxed FC that correspond with this length from Step 1.

To size the beanie circumference:

1. Look up the Sizing Table listed Beanie Circumference for the chosen Beanie Size.
2. Construct beanie rows until the width of the rectangle (relaxed state) equals the listed table beanie circumference.
   • For example, for a woman sized beanie, construct pattern row repeats until the rectangle width is ~53cm/21”.
     

Sizing Table

Beanie Size	Beanie Length (excl. brim)		Beanie Circumference
	Inches	Cm	Inches	Cm
Preemie	3.5 – 4.5	9.0 – 11.5	9 – 13	23.0 – 30.5
Baby	5.0 – 6.5	12.5 – 16.5	14 – 16	35.5 – 40.5
Toddler	7.0 – 7.5	18.0 – 19.0	16 – 18	40.5 – 46.0
Child	7.5 – 8.0	19.0 – 20.5	18 – 20	45.5 – 51.0
Tween	8.0 – 8.5	20.5 – 21.5	20 – 22	51.0 – 56.0
Woman	8.0 – 9.0	20.5 – 23.0	21 – 23	53.0 – 58.0
Man	8.5 – 9.5	21.5 – 24.0	22 – 24	56.0 – 61.0

B) Approximate Personalised Sizing Method

Length measure:

1. Use a tape measure, or ask the person to use a tape measure, to measure the length from just above the person’s brow to their crown.
   • For a folded brim an additional 5-10cm/2-4” should be added to the measured length.
   • For a slouchy beanie at least an additional 3-4cm/1” should be added to the measured length.

2. Determine the even number of relaxed FC that correspond with the length from Step 1.

Circumference measure:

1. Measure the person’s head circumference (or ask them to do so) using a tape measure to measure around their head at the level just above their brow.
2. Construct beanie rows until the width of the rectangle (relaxed state) equals the measured circumference.