Scrappy Stash Beanie

Beginner • Top-down • Seamless • 3 mm hook

Sizes

The hat is about 2" (5 cm) smaller than the head, which gives a snug fit. Instructions are written S (M, L).

Materials

• Yarn: About 150 (180, 210) yd / 135 (165, 190) m of scrap yarn in total, roughly 60 (70, 85) g.
  • Choose light worsted/DK scraps whose labels suggest a 3–4 mm hook ("Nadelstärke 3–4", often around 120–140 m per 50 g).
  • Group scraps of similar thickness together so your gauge stays even.
• Hook: 3 mm (US C/2–D/3)
• Stitch marker, tapestry needle and scissors.

About true worsted yarn: Worsted (about 90–100 m per 50 g) worked on a 3 mm hook makes very stiff fabric. If your scraps are worsted, use a 5 mm (US H/8) hook. Then check your gauge and choose the size whose stitch count gives the circumference you want.

Where to find yarn in Germany: Good sources include leftover balls, Restekörbe (bargain bins) in yarn shops, and Wollreste lots on Kleinanzeigen.

Gauge

20 hdc × 15 rounds = 4" (10 cm), measured over the worked-even section. Your crown circle after Round 4 should measure about 2.8" (7 cm) across. If yours is bigger, use a smaller hook. If it is smaller, use a larger hook.

Abbreviations (US terms, with German equivalents)

Pattern Notes

• Joining rounds: Each round ends with a sl st into the first hdc. The next round starts with ch 2, which does not count as a stitch. Work the first hdc into the same stitch as the join.
• Marking: Place a marker in the first hdc of each round and move it up as you go.
• Scrappy color changes: You can change color at the end of any round.
  1. Work the joining sl st with the new color.
  2. Leave 4" (10 cm) tails on both the old and new colors.
  3. Crochet over these tails during the next round. This saves weaving in later.
• Tidier crown (optional): To keep the crown round rather than hexagonal, alternate where the increase falls. On even rounds, start the round with the inc instead of ending with it.

Crown

Make a magic ring.

• Rnd 1: Ch 2, 10 hdc in ring, sl st to first hdc. Pull the ring closed. (10)
• Rnd 2: Ch 2, inc in each st around, join. (20) ✓ 10 + 10
• Rnd 3: Ch 2, 1 hdc, inc 10 times, join. (30) ✓
• Rnd 4: Ch 2, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, inc 10 times, join. (40) ✓
• Rnd 5: Ch 2, 1 hdc in each of next 3 sts, inc 10 times, join. (50) ✓
• Rnd 6: Ch 2, 1 hdc in each of next 4 sts, inc 10 times, join. (60) ✓
• Rnd 7: Ch 2, 1 hdc in each of next 5 sts, inc 10 times, join. (70) ✓
• Rnd 8: Ch 2, 1 hdc in each of next 6 sts, inc 10 times, join. (80) ✓
• Rnd 9: Ch 2, 1 hdc in each of next 7 sts, inc 10 times, join. (90) ✓
  • Size S: Stop increasing here. You have 90 sts (90 ÷ 5 sts/in = 18" ✓).
• Rnd 10 (M, L only): Ch 2, 1 hdc in each of next 8 sts, inc 10 times, join. (100) ✓
  • Size M: Stop increasing here. You have 100 sts (100 ÷ 5 = 20" ✓).
• Rnd 11 (L only): Ch 2, 1 hdc in each of next 9 sts, inc 10 times, join. (110) ✓
  • Size L: Stop increasing here. You have 110 sts (110 ÷ 5 = 22" ✓).

Check: The crown should lie flat and measure about 5.7 (6.4, 7)" / 14.5 (16, 18) cm across. If it ruffles, you are crocheting too loosely. If it cups, you are crocheting too tightly.

Body (work even)

• Next rnds: Ch 2, 1 hdc in each st around, join. (90, 100, 110)
• Repeat this round for a total of 11 (14, 15) rounds.
• Total hdc rounds so far: S 20 / M 24 / L 26. Height ≈ 5.3 (6.4, 6.9)" / 13.5 (16, 17.5) cm.

If you want a slouchier hat, work 4–6 extra rounds.

Brim

Option A: Ribbed band (recommended)

A ribbed band is about 1.6" (4 cm) tall. It is easiest in a single color. The rib pattern works because 90, 100 and 110 are all even numbers.

• Rib Rnd 1: Ch 2 (does not count), fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st repeat around, join. (90, 100, 110) ✓ 45 (50, 55) pairs
• Rib Rnds 2–4: Ch 2, fpdc around the fpdc, bpdc around the bpdc repeat around, join.

Fasten off.

Option B: Simple band (easiest)

• Rnds 1–4: Ch 2, hdc in back loop only of each st around, join. (90, 100, 110)

Fasten off.

Finishing

1. Weave in any remaining ends, staying inside a single color stripe.
2. Pull the magic ring tail tight, then weave it in securely.
3. Optional: Add a pompom made from leftover scraps.
4. Optional: Wash the hat gently and lay it flat to dry. Follow the care instructions on your yarn labels. Wool scraps need a cool wash or hand wash.

Final check:

• Circumference: 18 (20, 22)"
• Height: 7 (8, 8.5)"
• Stitch count from crown to brim: 90 (100, 110) ✓