purlJam

Basic Crochet Beanie
(UK terminology)
Beginner top-down beanie

Sizes
One size: Adult (head circumference 54–58 cm)
Finished hat circumference: 52 cm
Finished height (including ribbed band): 22 cm

Materials

• Worsted-weight yarn (UK aran / 10-ply), approx. 100 g / 180 m
• 5 mm crochet hook (or size needed to obtain tension)
• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker
• Scissors

Tension (Gauge)
14 tr and 8 rows = 10 cm × 10 cm measured over treble crochet worked in the round.
Adjust hook size if necessary to match tension.

Abbreviations (UK)
ch – chain
ss – slip stitch
tr – treble crochet
inc – increase (2 tr in same stitch)
FPTr – front post treble
BPTr – back post treble
mr – magic ring
st(s) – stitch(es)
rnd – round
rep – repeat

Notes

• Pattern is worked top-down in joined rounds. Join each round with a ss to the first tr (not the ch-2).
• Beginning ch-2 does not count as a stitch.
• Place a stitch marker in the first treble of every round and move it up as you work.
• An “increase” (inc) means work 2 tr into the same stitch.
• Numbers in parentheses at the end of a round are the total stitch count after that round. Inline checks confirm the arithmetic.

Pattern

Crown

Rnd 1
Make a magic ring, ch 2, work 12 tr into the ring, pull ring tight, join with ss to first tr. (12 sts)

Rnd 2
Ch 2, 1 tr in first st, inc in each of next 11 sts, join with ss to first tr.
(1 tr + 11 increases = 1 + 22 = 23 sts ✓)

Rnd 3
Ch 2, *1 tr in next st, inc in next st; rep from * 10 more times, 1 tr in last st, join with ss to first tr.
(11 increases placed → 23 + 11 = 34 sts ✓)

Rnd 4
Ch 2, *1 tr in each of next 2 sts, inc in next st; rep from * 10 more times, 1 tr in last st, join with ss to first tr.
(11 increases → 34 + 11 = 45 sts ✓)

Rnd 5
Ch 2, *1 tr in each of next 3 sts, inc in next st; rep from * 10 more times, 1 tr in last st, join with ss to first tr.
(11 increases → 45 + 11 = 56 sts ✓)

Rnd 6
Ch 2, *1 tr in each of next 4 sts, inc in next st; rep from * 10 more times, 1 tr in last 2 sts, join with ss to first tr.
(11 increases → 56 + 11 = 67 sts ✓)

Rnd 7
Ch 2, *1 tr in each of next 10 sts, inc in next st; rep from * 5 more times, 1 tr in last st, join with ss to first tr.
(6 increases → 67 + 6 = 73 sts ✓)

Crown diameter should now measure approximately 17–18 cm across.
If a larger or smaller hat is required, add or omit increase rounds, keeping increases evenly spaced, until the desired diameter is reached (circumference ≈ diameter × 3.14).

Body (work even)

Rnd 8
Ch 2, 1 tr in every st around, join with ss to first tr. (73 sts)

Repeat Rnd 8 until the hat measures 18 cm from the magic-ring centre (approximately 10–11 rounds total from Rnd 1).
Do not fasten off.

Optional Ribbed Band

Rnd 1 (rib)
Ch 2, *FPTr around next st, BPTr around next st; rep from * to last st, FPTr around last st, join with ss to first FPTr. (73 sts)

Rnds 2–4
Ch 2, *FPTr around next FPTr, BPTr around next BPTr; rep from * to last st, FPTr around last FPTr, join with ss to first FPTr. (73 sts)

Fasten off after Rnd 4 (band height ≈ 4 cm).

(If you prefer a simple non-ribbed edge, work 2 further plain tr rounds instead and fasten off.)

Finishing
Weave in all ends securely with the yarn needle.
Block lightly if desired by dampening and shaping over a bowl or balloon roughly 52 cm in circumference.
Allow to dry completely.

Customising Fit

• Child size: Stop increasing at Rnd 5 (56 sts ≈ 40 cm circumference) and work body to 14 cm total height before band.
• Slouchy style: Add 4–6 extra plain body rounds before the ribbed band.
• Tighter/looser fabric: Change hook size by 0.5 mm and re-check tension.

Enjoy your beanie!