amberblissthis On your way down the page, be sure to admire the tester photos and read more about this pattern! At the bottom of the post, you’ll find links to all my other beanies and a coupon code to get any of them for 30% off in Ravelry!
What’s in a name? In particular, what’s in the name of a free crochet beanie pattern? When I began to think about how I wanted to title this beanie, I had a really hard time. As I look at it, it’s absolutely NOT special. (WHAT?? Did I just insult my own crochet beanie pattern?? Kind of, but not really!) It’s a simple two-row repeat that has some unique texture and MAY EVEN teach you a new stitch or two (I’d be surprised if you’ve done a hhdcslst2tog before!). But it did NOT inspire me to name it something wonderful or after anyone I know and love.
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I gave it more thought and I began to consider WHY I had created this beanie and WHY I created it the way I did.
- Something simple and easy to repeat (Yep, 2 rows!)
- Easily donatable (If you can make it quickly, you can make MORE to donate!)
- Easy to make multiple times (The 2 row repeats don’t get too boring & with bulky yarn, before you know it, you’re done!)
- A stash-buster (I love powering through my stash of yarn. I have a lot which I don’t have room for! Don’t tell me you aren’t the same.)
- Warm (If you’re donating it, it’s because you want to help people! What’s the point of a beanie if not for warmth!)
- To make someone else FEEL special and KNOW they are special. (See below)
There it is! That’s the key, I thought. I want this beanie to be our REMINDER that we are all unique. We all have special gifts, talents, abilities, skills, feelings, ways of being, ways of looking, ways of thinking, and on and on. And while (some of us) may be plain on the outside, there are hidden depths to each and every one of us. (OOOOH, LOOK OUT, a BEANIE METAPHOR COMING AT YOU!) So, while this beanie looks simple, plain, and (GULP) completely average (NO, SAY IT ISN’T SO!), it’s created with some AMAZING, UNIQUE, REALLY LONG-NAMED stitches that are kind of fun to work up. And when you finish, you have something with depth and layers that isn’t immediately evident without close inspection. OOOOH, what does that remind you of? People! YES! We are all pieces of amazing workmanship from the inside, out.
And there you have it. A really convoluted, complex beanies are humans and humans are beanies metaphor. You’re welcome.
We are ALL exceptional. That’s what this hat hopes to inspire in you. We are all unique and have special gifts and talents. It doesn’t matter how plain you feel on the outside. You are wonderful, capable and magnificent. And you pass that on when you donate this hat to someone in need!
Hat Not Hate
Let’s talk about Hat Not Hate! This is our (The Crochetmous Crew’s) second year hosting a MAKE ALONG with the end goal of donating to the cause of Hat Not Hate! HNH is an anti-bullying campaign that was begun in 2018. They collect donated blue hats (blue because it represents awareness, peace, and solidarity) and distribute them to schools around the US during October which is National Bullying Prevention Month. This campaign is led by Shira Blumenthal, founder of HNH and brand ambassador of Lion Brand. Please go read her story. Check out the HNH website. Get your questions answered, find the address where you’ll send your hats or the nearest drop-off location, and GET INVOLVED!
The Exceptional Beanie–Slouchy Fit, Free Pattern
Crochet Pattern by Bliss This ©2022 Amber Bliss Calderón. All rights reserved. This pattern is for personal use. You may not alter, sell, copy, transfer, trade, print, screen print, or distribute this pattern or its images. You may not claim this pattern as your own. You are welcome to sell items created from this pattern, but please credit Bliss This or Amber Bliss Calderón as the pattern designer.
Please NOTE, this pattern is ALSO available as a download in Ravelry and Etsy. If you wish to print the pattern, you should only do so by purchasing the affordable PDF. Printing from the blog and screenshots of the blog post constitute a copyright violation. (This note is meant to inform, not accuse! I’ve run into too many people who didn’t know this to be true!)
An Easy Project
Materials
- Bulky (5) Yarn or 2 strands worsted (4)–2 strands of Pound of Love (Denim) used in sample
- Approximate Yardage: 100 (120, 140, 160, 180) (Don’t forget to double this if using 2 strands of worsted.)
- 8 mm hook
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Measuring tape or ruler
Abbreviations and Stitch Key
- BL = back loop
- ch(s) = chain
- FL = front loop
- hdc = half double crochet stitch
- hdcslst = half double crochet slip stitch
- hhdc = herringbone half double crochet stitch
- hhdcslst2tog = herringbone half double crochet slip stitch 2 stitches together.
- RS = right side
- slst(s) = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- WS = wrong side
- yo = yarn over
Special Stitches
Hdcslst = yo, insert hook into indicated st, yo, pull through st and both loops on hook.
Hhdc = yo, insert hook into st, yo, pull up a loop, and through first loop on hook, yo, pull through remaining 2 loops.
Hhdcslst2tog = yo, insert hook into indicated st, yo, pull up a loop, insert hook into next st, yo, pull up a loop and pull through 2 loops, yo, pull through remaining 2 loops.
Sizes
| Size | Circumference | Height |
| Child Sm | 16” | 8.5” |
| Child Med | 18” | 9.25” |
| Child Lg/Teen | 20” | 10” |
| Adult Sm | 22” | 10.75” |
| Adult Lg | 24” | 11.5” |
Notes
- All directions are written in US Crochet Terms.
- This beanie is meant to have a slightly slouchy fit. If you wish to shorten or lengthen the height of the beanie, subtract or add sts in the center of each row.
- Instructions in brackets [ ] are to be worked the number of times indicated.
- Ch 1 at the beginning of a row does not count as a st.
- Hhdcslst2tog sts will always begin in the same st as the previously completed st. You can see an example of working this st in this VIDEO.
- Brim is worked into FL (odd rows) and BL (even rows) with only the last st of even rows worked in both loops. All other sts are worked into both FL and BL.
- To increase or decrease circumference of hat for a better fit, add or subtract rows in multiples of 2.
- Odd rows are worked on WS. Even rows are worked on RS.
Gauge
10 sts x 8.5 rows = 4” in alternating rows of hhdcslst2tog (odd rows) and hdc (even rows)
Ch 14.
Row 1: hhdcslst2tog in 2nd and 3rd ch from hook, continue hhdcslst2tog across, always starting in the same st just completed, hhdc in same st as last hhdcslst2tog. [12 hhdcslst2tog, 1 hhdc]
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across. [13 hdc]
Row 3: Ch 1, turn hhdcslst2tog in 1st and 2nd st, continue hhdcslst2tog across, always starting in the same st just completed, hhdc in same st as last hhdcslst2tog. [12 hhdcslst2tog, 1 hhdc]
Row 4: Repeat Row 2.
Rows 5-8: Repeat Rows 3 and 4 2 times.
Measure the middle 10 sts of your gauge swatch to see if 10 sts = 4”.
“Exceptional” Free Crochet Beanie Pattern
Ch 23 (25, 27, 29, 31).
Row 1: (WS) Sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 3 (3, 4, 5, 5), hdc in next 13 (14, 15, 15, 16), hdcslst in last 5 (6, 6, 7, 8). [22, 24, 26, 28, 30]
Row 2: (RS) Ch 1, turn, hhdc in 5 (6, 6, 7, 8), hhdcslst2tog in last hhdc and next st, [hhdcslst2tog in same st and next st] 12 (13, 14, 14, 15) times, sc in BL next 3 (3, 4, 5, 5), sc in FL and BL last st. [22, 24, 26, 28, 30]
Row 3: (WS) Ch 1, turn, sc in FL first 4 (4, 5, 6, 6), hdc in next 13 (14, 15, 15, 16), hdcslst in last 5 (6, 6, 7, 8).
Row 4: (RS) Ch 1, turn, hhdc in 5 (6, 6, 7, 8), hhdcslst2tog in same st as previous hhdc and next st, [hhdcslst2tog in same st and next st] 12 (13, 14, 14, 15) times, sc in BL next 3 (3, 4, 5, 5), sc in FL and BL last st.
Rows 5-34 (38, 42, 46, 50): Repeat Rows 3 and 4 15 (17, 19, 21, 23) times or until desired circumference is reached.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew up the side and cinch top.
Seaming Your Crochet Beanie
Thread needle with yarn tail. With RSs of beanie together, whip st sides together. Weave tail in and out of row ends, cinch top of hat. Fasten off. Weave in ends.
I hope you enjoyed making this free crochet beanie pattern! If you’re looking for more hat patterns to work on for donation (or gifting, or keeping for yourself), check out the other beanie patterns I have available in Ravelry.
The Cozy Bliss Bulky Beanie is one of my favorites. It works up quickly and I promise you’ve never seen a hat like this before!
The Puff This Way Beanie also works up quickly. It’s unique and has coordinating fingerless mitts and a cowl (scarf, legwarmers and ear warmers to come).
The Crochetmous Beanie was last year’s HNH design. You have the choice of brimmed or brimless versions.
The Trinity Trust Beanie was designed in coordination with the Cancer Hat Challenge hosted by Sweet Potato 3 last October. It is by far my most popular hat pattern. I have to say it’s my absolute FAVORITE.
Now through July 1, use the code EXCEPTIONAL to get 30% off ANY of my beanie patterns in Ravelry! Simply add them to your cart and type in the coupon code!
Before you go, be sure to check out some earring patterns because everyone needs to crochet EARRINGS!
Start with the Morgana Jewelry Set, and then try Octavia Earrings!
Such a phenomenal hat design! I can’t wait to use it to add to my hat not hate stack!