Free Crochet Hat Pattern – Crochet one for Charity Today
The Gentle Kisses beanie is a free crochet hat pattern that works up quickly and has a lot of gorgeous texture to it.
It was originally designed as my contribution to the 2023 Crochet Cancer Challenge – a cause very close to my heart. And I know lots of you feel the same way.
This year I wanted to make sure that I designed a unisex hat pattern that covered all of the sizes from newborn to adult large. This way you can literally support any cancer charity, unit or family with the gift of a hat this winter as the sizes cover almost everyone!
You can find my previous contributions to this challenge on the blog, with all but one being free on the blog post. And they are all unisex hats (despite their names):
2019 – Samantha’s Hope Beanie – free on the blog.
2020 – Robin’s Beanie (this is the paid hat).
2021 – Winterberry Beanie – free on the blog.
2022 – The Hannah Beanie – free on the blog post.
Please note, this post may contain affiliate links – should you purchase anything using my affiliate link I may get a small commission at no extra cost to yourself!
Inspiration behind the design
When I sat down to design this crochet beanie pattern in the summer I had a couple of things that I knew I wanted it to achieve.
- It had to be unisex.
- I wanted to design a hat that would fit the whole family.
- I wanted to try a top down beanie – Can you believe I don’t have a top down one yet?!
- It had to be a fairly quick make. When you make for charity you want it to be able to sit and make it in one sitting if possible.
- I wanted it to be a stash busting pattern – If you could make it in one skein or less that would have been perfect! (As it happens I think just the largest size uses more than 1 skein)
- I wanted to play around with texture a little and mix some stitches that I have not worked together previously.
I am hoping you agree that I achieved all of these.
Construction of the design
This particular crochet hat pattern is worked from the top down and in rounds – so there is no seaming. And because of the stitches used the join at the end of each round is almost invisible.
You start this pattern working the crown. From round 5 there are sizes listed at the end of each round so you can measure to ensure you are keeping gauge or adjust the number of rounds until you reach the required measurements for the size you are working.
Once the crown is the correct size you immediately start working the main body section and finish with the brim.
It is super easy to add any embellishments to this beanie design. You can see my 4 year old nephew wanted a pompom on his. In fact he insisted, and raided my pompom drawer until he found the perfect colour to match his hat.
The Yarn
All of the Gentle Kisses crochet beanies that I made use Paintbox Simply Aran yarn. This yarn is 100% acrylic and so very easy to wash and care for. It also looks great for years so you will absolutely get your money’s worth out of this yarn.
As long as you can meet gauge (crown size) you can use any 4 weight yarn for this project.
However, if you are making a beanie or hat to donate, especially for cancer patients you will need to think about the yarn you use. Make sure it is soft and not scratchy. Patients have often lost their hair and their skin is very sensitive because of the treatment process.
Keep away from yarns that are not soft.
Cotton is ideal, but I would use something more like Paintbox simply cotton aran rather than sugar and cream, which is much rougher.
I would also stay away from yarns that contain wool (it can easily irritate sensitive skin) or nylon (those silver shimmers look great but they can be really uncomfortable.
Get the PDF pattern!
You can find the ad-free PDF Pattern for this one in all of my shops:
Tester Appreciation:
When I put out the testing call for this particular hat pattern I got so many volunteers! It was really awesome! Here are a few of the finished projects from my testers:
The Gentle Kisses Beanie pattern specifics:
Materials:
| #4 weight yarn of your choosing – yardage is estimated below in the sizing section. Stitch markers (optional) 5mm hook Scissors Tapestry needle Measuring Tape |
Gauge:
| 15 sts wide and 12 rows of pattern repeat in 4”. Note: I do give you crown measurements from round 5 to make sure that you are on track. |
Sizing:
This pattern is written for 8 sizes from newborn to adult large.
| Size | Head Circ | Crown width | Hat length | Approx Yardage |
| Newborn | 14” | 4” | 5” | 55 yds |
| Up to 6 months | 17” | 4.5” | 5.5” | 61 yds |
| 6-12 months | 18” | 5” | 6.5” | 89 yds |
| 1-3 yrs | 19” | 5.5” | 6.5” | 117yds |
| 4-10 yrs | 19-20” | 6” | 7” | 135 yds |
| Teen / adult small | 21-21.5” | 6.5” | 8” | 145 yds |
| Adult medium | 21.5”-22.5” | 7” | 8.5” | 170 yds |
| Adult large | 23” | 7.5” | 9” | 190 yds |
Abbreviations used:
| · CH(s) – chain(s) · MR – Magic Ring · St(s) – stitch(es) · Rep – repeat · Sk – skip · HbHDC – herringbone half double crochet (see special stitches section) · X st – crossed double crochet (see special stitches section) · FPHDC – front post half double crochet · BPHDC – Back post half double crochet · SS – slip stitch · YO – yarn over · FO – fasten off |
Other notes:
| Written in US Terms CH1 or CH2 stitches at the beginning do not count as a st unless otherwise stated. The stitch count remains the same for each row. Where pattern is different per size this will be shown as newborn/6mth/12mths/1-3 yrs/4-10 yrs/ teen/ adult med/adult large. Stitch counts are given at the end of each row. Where the stitch count is the same for each size only one count will be given. Please read the pattern and ensure you are comfortable with it before starting your project. When measuring the length of your hat when working the main body, you do so from the top of the crown. You may end on any row before starting the brim, however, I personally prefer ending on a repeat of either row 14 or 15. |
Special Stitches:
Herringbone Half Double Crochet: The herringbone half double crochet is worked by: YO and insert hook into next st, YO and pull through (3 loops on hook), pull through first loop on hook (2 loops on hook), YO and pull through both loops on hook.
Crossed Double Crochet:
This stitch is made working over 2 stitches.
*YO, sk 1 st, insert hook into the next st, YO, pull up a loop, YO pull through two loops, YO pull through 2 loops (DC made). YO working behind the stitch you just made and into the skipped stitch, insert your hook from the front of the stitch to the back (It will feel a little awkward) and complete a dc in this st. Cross stitch is made.
Skip to 2:05 into the video for this stitch:
The Free Crochet Hat Pattern:
** This is a free crochet beanie pattern on the SunflowerCottageCrochet.com blog. If you are reading this anywhere else it is stolen content. Please do not copy and paste any part of it or print this hat pattern out. Please bookmark this page and use the website to work up your pattern. This helps my small business greatly as it provides a little bit of ad revenue which will in turn will allow me to continue to create free content for you!**
Working the crown:
Round 1: In MR, HbHDC 8. SS to first HbHDC to join (8)
OR
CH3, ss to first ch to join (creates a ring), CH1, in the center of the ring HbHDC 8. SS to top of first HbHDC to join (8)
Round 2: TURN, CH1, work 2 HbHDC in each st around. SS to top of first HbHDC to join. (16)
Round 3: Turn, CH1, HbHDC in first st, 2 HbHDC in next st, *HbHDC in next st, 2 HbHDC in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. SS to top of first HbHDC to join. (24)
Round 4: Turn, CH1, HbHDC in first 2 sts, 2 HbHDC in next st, *HbHDC in next 2 sts, 2 HbHDC in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. SS to top of first HbHDC to join. (32)
Round 5: Turn, CH1, HbHDC in first 3 sts, 2 HbHDC in next st, *HbHDC in next 3 sts, 2 HbHDC in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. SS to top of first HbHDC to join. (40)
Your crown should now measure 4”.
For size newborn move to round 13.
Round 6 : Turn, CH1, HbHDC in first 2 sts, 2 HbHDC in next st, *HbHDC in next 4 sts, 2 HbHDC in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. HbHDC in last 2 sts. SS to top of first HbHDC to join. (48)
Your crown should now measure 4.5”.
For size 0-6mths move to round 13.
Round 7: Turn, CH1, HbHDC in first 5 sts, 2 HbHDC in next st, *HBhdc in next 5 sts, 2 HbHDC in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. SS to top of first HbHDC to join. (56)
Your crown should now measure 5”.
For size 6-12 mths move to round 13.
Round 8: Turn, CH1, HbHDC in first 3 sts, 2 HbHDC in next st, *HbHDC in next 6 sts, 2 HbHDC in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. HbHDC in last 3 sts. SS to top of first HbHDC to join. (64)
Your crown should now measure 5.5”.
For size 1-3 yrs move to round 13.
Round 9: Turn, CH1, HbHDC in first 7 sts, 2 HbHDC in next st, *HbHDC in next 7 sts, 2 HbHDC in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. SS to top of first HbHDC to join. (72)
Your crown should now measure 6”.
For size 4-10 yrs move to round 13.
Round 10: Turn, CH1, HbHDC in first 4 sts, 2 HbHDC in next st, *HbHDC in next 8 sts, 2 HbHDC in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. HbHDC in last 4 sts. SS to top of first HbHDC to join. (80)
Your crown should now measure 6.5”.
For size teen / adult small move to round 13.
Round 11: Turn, CH1, HbHDC in first 9 sts, 2 HbHDC in next st, *HbHDC in next 9 sts, 2 HbHDC in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. SS to top of first HbHDC to join. (88)
Your crown should now measure 7”.
For size adult medium move to round 13.
Round 12: Turn, CH1, HbHDC in first 5 sts, 2 HbHDC in next st, *HbHDC in next 10 sts, 2 HbHDC in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. HbHDC in last 5 sts. SS to top of first HbHDC to join. (96)
Your crown should now measure 7.5”.
Working the main body of this hat pattern:
Round 13: Turn, CH2, *sk1, DC in next st, working behind this stitch DC in skipped st (X st complete).
Rep from * around. SS to top of first DC to join. (20/24/28/32/36/40/44/48 X sts)
Round 14: Do not turn, Ch1, HbHDC in each st around. SS to top of first HbHDC to join. (40,48,56,64,72,80, 88, 96 sts)
Round 15: Turn, CH1, HbHDC in each st around. SS to top of first HbHDC to join. (40,48,56,64,72,80, 88, 96 sts)
Rounds 16 on: Rep rounds 13-15 until your hat measures 4.5/5/6/6/6.5/6.75/7.25/7.75”
To work the brim:
Note: For some sizes you may end on the RS and other sizes on the WS before you start the brim. You can work the brim with either side facing you.
Round 17: CH1, HDC in each st around. SS to top of first HDC to join. (40,48,56,64,72,80, 88, 96 sts)
Round 18: CH1, FPHDC in first st, BPHDC in next st, *FPHDC in next st, BPHDC in next st. Rep from * around. SS to top of first FPHDC to join. (40,48,56,64,72,80, 88, 96 sts)
For sizes Newborn – 4-10 yrs, FO and weave in ends.
For sizes Teen – adult large, continue with round 19
Round 19: Rep round 18.
For sizes teen-adult medium, FO and weave in ends.
For adult large continue to round 20.
Round 20: Rep round 18.
FO and weave in ends.
Don’t forget to tag me!
I love seeing your makes and how you give my patterns your own twist. So please if you do make this one, share it with me and don’t forget to tag me on social media!
