You asked and I created ….

If you enjoyed the simple, relaxing two-row repeat of the Highland Scarf, you’re going to feel right at home with the Highland Beanie. This hat uses the very same stitch combination that gives the scarf its gorgeous texture—clean, modern, and wonderfully wearable for absolutely anyone. Written in nine sizes from newborn to adult extra large, this is one of those patterns you’ll come back to whenever you need a quick, satisfying project. Not only that, but I have written in for 2 different yarn weights – #4 (aran) and #5 (chunky).

The version that uses 4 weight yarn is included as a free pattern below.

The stitch repeat is rhythmic and easy to remember, making it perfect for crocheting on the sofa, during a Netflix marathon, or while you’re waiting in the school pickup line. And because it builds steadily without any tricky shaping until the crown, it’s a great pattern for confident beginners who want something that looks far more impressive than the effort required.

Crochet Hats Need More Unisex Options — So Here’s One!

I’ve always felt that the crochet world needs more patterns with a truly unisex look—especially when it comes to hats. We have endless pretty stitches and delicate textures for women and children, but it can be surprisingly hard to find designs that feel stylish, understated, and timeless for men.

That’s exactly why the Highland stitch combo shines here. It has just the right amount of texture to keep things interesting, but without leaning too “frilly” or too plain. It’s the kind of hat that anyone can wear, whether you’re making it for your dad, your partner, your teenager who’s suddenly too cool for everything, or yourself.

This beanie genuinely suits everyone—pop a pom on top for a more playful look, or leave it clean and classic for a sleek everyday style.

Yarn Used

For the beanie, you’ll want to reach for your favourite #4 weight aran yarn or #5 weight chunky yarn, or something similar that gives good stitch definition without feeling heavy on the head. The stitch texture really pops with heathered or tweed yarns, but solids work beautifully too.

And speaking of hooks…

Hook & Pattern Essentials

• Hook size: 5mm if using 4 weight yarn or 6mm for 5 weight yarn.
• Skill level: Confident beginner
• Construction: Worked in the round bottom up from brim to crown

This beanie comes together quickly, especially in the baby and toddler sizes. If you’re crocheting gifts, market stock, or matching family sets, you might as well make a whole stack—they’re that speedy and that satisfying.

The Highland Stitch Combo

Just like the scarf, this beanie uses the floret stitch sequence, which is made up of alternating rows of:

• double crochet (US)
• a repeat of slip stitch + double crochet (US)

It’s simple, rhythmic, and creates a textured fabric that looks much more complex than it is. If you’ve never tried the floret stitch before, don’t worry—I’ve got a full tutorial on my YouTube channel where I walk you through the stitch in the round.

The Highland Collection

It’s the same technique I use in the Highland Ear Warmer, and my popular Highland Scarf, so you can practice along and then jump into this beanie with complete confidence. Both are free pattern on my blog posts!

There will be more patterns that use this stitch combo coming in 2026 so keep an eye out for those.

Prefer the PDF?

If you love ad-free, printable patterns you can take on the go, you can grab the Highland Scarf PDF Pattern in my shops:

The PDF includes all of the sizes, a clean layout, and easy-to-follow instructions so you can crochet anywhere without scrolling. Thank you for supporting my designs — it truly means the world!

Marly Bird’s 24 Days of Quickies Event

On 10th December 2025 only you can grab this pattern as a free pdf download by clicking the special event button below. Please note that the shop buttons above will not get you the free pdf download.

Pattern Specifics:

Materials needed:

Gauge: If using 4 weight yarn and 5mm hook your gauge will be 8 sts and 6 rows in 2”

Sizing:

Abbreviations used:

FSC – foundation single crochet

Ch(s) – chain(s)
St(s) – Stitch(es)
Rep – Repeat

SS – slip stitch
Sc – single crochet
Dc—double crochet
Hdc – half double crochet
hdc2tog – half double crochet 2 together
FO—fasten off
YO—yarn over
BLO – back loop only

FLO – front loop only

Pattern Notes:

Written in US terms

Ch1 or Ch2 sts at the start of a row do not count as a st unless otherwise stated. 

Turn only when the pattern tells you to.

Where pattern is different per size this will be shown as newborn (6mth, 12mths, 1-3 yrs, 4-10 yrs) (teen/adult small,  adult med, adult large, adult extra large).

Stitch counts are given at the end of each row. 

When working your slip stitches, do not work them too tightly as you will need to work into them on the next round!

When measuring the length of your hat when working the main body, you do so from the bottom of the brim up

It does not matter whether you end your repeat at round 5 with a round 3 or a round 4. However, I ended mine with a repeat of round 3. The only difference is that if you end with a row 4 repeat you see slightly less texture in the finished hat around the crown.

Special stitches:

Foundation Single Crochet: You can find my tutorial on the foundation stitches (you will find the sc at about 23 mins into the videos): For right handed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPHOG4VIi_Q&t=109s Left handed – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqkTFzCja-A

I find this has a more aesthetically pleasing finish than the chain starts to projects and it gives the project more movement.

Back loop only: The photo below shows you which loop is the back loop. You will work your stitch into only this loop and not the usual front and back loops.

Hdc into the Third Loop (Camel Stitch): To work this stitch you will create a normal hdc stitch but you will be working into the third loop and not the front or back loops. The photo below shows you where the third loop will be.

You can find my video for this stitch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUuktGH7tmw

 Half double crochet 2 together: YO, insert hook into indicated st, YO and pull through, YO and insert hook into next st, YO and pull through, YO and pull through all 5 loops on hook. This counts as 1 stitch.

The Free Highland Beanie Pattern:

** This is a free pattern on the Sunflower Cottage Crochet 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 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!**

To make the band: Using a 4mm hook

Row 1:  FSC 3 (3, 4, 5, 5,)(7, 7, 7, 7) OR

Ch 4(4,5,6,6)(8, 8, 8, 8), SC in second CH from hook and each CH across. (3 (3, 4, 5, 5,)(7, 7, 7, 7) sts)

Row 2:  Turn, Ch1, SC BLO in first st and each st across.

NOTE: the ch1 at the start of this row can be optional if you like a straighter edge to your brim.

(3 (3, 4, 5, 5,)(7, 7, 7, 7) sts)

Rows 3 onwards :   Repeat row 2 until your band measures 13 (16, 17, 18, 19)(20, 21.5, 22, 23)” slightly stretched.

Joining your ends – Turn, Ch1, grab the starting end of the band (first row done), and line it up to match the final row of the band.  Sew the ends together with a SS join in each stitch.

You are now working in the round.

To make the main body of the hat: Change to a 5mm hook

Note: you may want to decide which side of your brim is the inside and which side is the outside at this point. Make sure that the outside of the brim is facing you.

Round 1: CH1, work 52 (64, 68, 72, 76)(80, 86, 88, 96) HDC sts evenly around the top of the brim. SS to the top of the first HDC of the round to join. (52 (64, 68, 72, 76)(80, 86, 88, 96) sts)

Round 2: Ch1, hdc into the third loop of the first and each st around. SS to top of first stitch of the round to join. (52 (64, 68, 72, 76)(80, 86, 88, 96) sts)

Round 3: Turn, Ch1(does not count), DC into the first st, ss into the next st, *DC into the next st, ss into the next st* Rep from * to * around. SS to top of first DC of the round to join. (52 (64, 68, 72, 76)(80, 86, 88, 96) sts)

Round 4: Turn, Ch1, DC in first st and each st around. SS to top of first DC to join. (52 (64, 68, 72, 76)(80, 86, 88, 96) sts)

Rounds 5 onwards: Rep rounds 3 and 4 until your hat measures 4.75 (5, 5.75, 6, 6)(6, 6.5, 7, 7.5)” tall.

Now we will be reducing the stitch count for the crown.

Round 6: With the right side facing you, Ch1, hdc2tog around. SS to top of first hdc2tog to join. (26 (32, 34, 36, 38)(40, 43, 44, 48) sts)

Round 7: Ch1, hdc2tog around. Note: for size  adult medium,  you will have 1 st remaining. HDC in last stitch for this size. SS to top of first hdc2tog to join. (13 (16, 17, 18, 19)(20, 22, 22, 24) sts)

Round 8: Ch1, hdc2tog around. Note: for sizes NB, 6-12 months, and 4-10 years you will have 1 st remaining at the end of this round. HDC in last stitch. SS to top of first hdc2tog to join. (7 (8, 9, 9, 10)(10, 11, 11, 12) sts)

For sizes newborn, 0-6 months, 6-12 months and 1-3 years FO leaving a long tail. Use the tail to stitch around the FLO of each stitch at the top of the hat. Pull tight to close. Weave in ends. 

Round 9: Ch1, hdc2tog around. 

Note: for sizes adult medium and adult large, you will have 1 stitch remaining at the end of this round. HDC in last stitch.

For all other sizes you will have no remaining stitches. 

SS to top of first hdc2tog to join. (- (-, -, -, 5)(5, 6, 6, 6) sts)

FO leaving a long tail. Use the tail to stitch around the FLO of each stitch at the top of the hat. Pull tight to close. Weave in ends. 

I hope you loved making the Highland Beanie in a #4 weight yarn just as much as I enjoyed adapting the pattern for this version. It’s amazing how the lighter yarn gives the stitch combination a softer, more flexible feel while still keeping that gorgeous Highland texture we all adore. Whether you made one for yourself, gifted it to someone special, or whipped up a whole family set of sizes, I hope this project brought a little calm, joy, and crochet magic to your day.

If you share your beanie on Instagram or Facebook, please don’t forget to tag me—I absolutely love seeing your colour choices and how you style your finished makes. Your creativity always inspires me (and sometimes sends me running to my yarn stash with new ideas!).

And if you enjoyed this pattern, you might also like the original Highland Scarf or the Highland Ear Warmer for a matching set, or explore some of the other free crochet hat patterns on the blog for more cozy, relaxing projects.

Thanks so much for spending part of your crochet time with me today. Until next time—happy hooking and may your yarn never tangle!