How to Crochet a Beanie (Beginner-Friendly Textured Hat)

Grab one skein of worsted weight yarn (Donna uses Red Heart Heat Wave) and a size H 5mm hook. Make a slip knot, then chain 41 loosely. Loose chains are the whole game here, so if your chains feel tight, bump up to a larger hook for the foundation row and switch back to the H for everything after.

A tight foundation will fight you for every row, so take your time and keep tension easy.

For Row 1, skip the first chain and work one sc into each of the next 12 chains. These 12 stitches become the ribbed brim and they stay sc the entire hat. Once you finish stitch 12, slip a stitch marker into that loop so you always know where the ribbing ends and the textured top begins.

The marker saves you from counting on every row, and you'll thank yourself by row 20.

Time for the crunch stitch, the textured top of the hat. In the next chain, work one hdc, then a sl st into the chain after that. Keep going hdc, sl st, hdc, sl st all the way to the end of the row.

The hdc puffs up and the sl st pulls in tight, which is what gives the fabric that scrunched texture. Don't worry if it looks bumpy and weird at first - that's the stitch doing its job.

Row 2: ch 1, turn. You're now on the textured side again, so work the same crunch pattern across - hdc, sl st, hdc, sl st - stopping right before your stitch marker. At the marker, swap to sc and work 12 sc into the back loops only.

Back loops only is what gives the brim that real ribbed look and the stretch you need to pull the hat on. Move the marker up to your new stitch 12 before you finish the row.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 over and over: one row of crunch stitch with sc ribbing on one side, then ch 1, turn, and do it again with the ribbing on the opposite side. Always work the 12 sc in back loops only and keep the ribbing stacked on the ribbing side.

For a woman's size, Donna works 63 rows total. Lay the piece flat every 10 rows or so and aim for about 19 inches of unstretched ribbed edge.

Once you hit 63 rows, leave a long tail (at least 24 inches) for seaming. Fold the rectangle so Row 1 lines up with your last row, ribbing edge to ribbing edge. Thread the tail onto a yarn needle and sew the two short ends together to form a tube.

Whip stitch or mattress stitch both work fine here - whatever you're comfortable with. When the seam is closed, weave in that tail and any other loose ends so nothing pops out later.

Cut a fresh 20-inch strand of yarn, double it for strength, and thread it onto your needle. Run the needle in and out along the top edge of the hat, then pull both ends to cinch the crown closed like a drawstring. Tie several tight knots, and if you want extra insurance, dab a tiny bit of clear nail polish on the knot.

Push the tail ends through a pompom, knot it to the crown, and your beanie is done. Fold up the brim and try it on.