Try This Textured Crochet Beanie Pattern Free – The Serpent’s Path Design

The Serpent’s Path Beanie – Free Crochet Beanie Pattern in Adult sizes

If you love a little texture, a teeny bit of a challenge, and a stylish accessory with a story behind it, you’re going to love the Serpent’s Path Beanie. This design is part of the From Us to You Donation Challenge 2025 – a community effort to spread warmth through handmade hats and scarves.

This beanie is worked from the bottom up in one continuous piece, so there’s no seaming and barely any ends to sew in (yay!). It’s a satisfying project that comes together in a rhythmic, relaxing stitch pattern.

The Serpent’s Path Beanie features a gorgeous slat stitch texture, created using a combo of crossed front post double crochets and double crochet 2 together stitches. Because of these special stitches and the shaping involved, I’d class this one as intermediate. Not scary, just mildly spicy! Confident beginners can take this one on.

Why “The Serpent’s Path”?

I designed this beanie in honor of International Snake Day (July 16 2025). I wanted a stitch pattern that reflected the winding, slithering nature of a snake, and the slat stitch nailed it. It creates a flowing texture that looks like trails through tall grass or a snake weaving its way across a path.

And handy hint: this crochet beanie pattern loves a solid color yarn or one with long, slow color changes. Busy variegated yarns can muddy the texture, so let the stitch work shine!

Whether you’re making this for a loved one or donating it to someone in need, you’re going to love how this pattern works up — and how it wears. It’s a stylish, cozy hug for the head.

🧶 More Free Crochet Beanie Patterns You Might Like:

If you’re loving the look and feel of this pattern, here are a few more that might inspire your next make:

• Hive Beanie – the gorgeous almost stitch make this a stand out design that is perfect! Worked side to side.
• Diamond in the Rough Beanie – a top down pattern that has 8 sizes from preemie to adult large!
• Hannah Beanie – a practical unisex design using an unusual stitch and a great project to practice a double brim with!
• Gentle Kisses Beanie – free pattern in 8 sizes that works up quickly and has been a popular one in my shops!!

Materials Needed:

• #4 weight yarn (I used a solid aran-weight acrylic – Paintbox Simply Aran for the sage version and Caron Simply Soft for the lime version.
• 4mm and 5mm crochet hook
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle
• Measuring tape
• (Optional) Stitch markers to mark the first and last stitch of the round

Get the Printable PDF Pattern

Love having a clean, ad-free version of your patterns? Grab the printable PDF of The Serpent’s Path Beanie.

**If you are here for the From Us to You Event these buttons will NOT get you the free pdf. Scroll to the next section for that.

Thank you for supporting my small crochet biz! Every pattern purchase helps keep the free patterns flowing. 💛

From Us to You Event

As part of the From Us to You Event, between 23rd July 2025 and midnight EST on 25th July 2025 you can get this pattern as free pdf download.

All you need to do is click the button ‘download the free pdf pattern’ below to get your pdf’s!

Special Stitches Used

This crochet beanie pattern uses a few fun stitches that give it that lovely textured look:

• Front Post Double Crochet (FPdc)
• Double Crochet Two Together (dc2tog)

If you need a refresher or want a little visual help, my friend Sandra from SandraStitches has a wonderful video tutorial on these stitches that walks you through it beautifully.

Sizing Info

This pattern includes three adult sizes:

• Small Adult/Teen – to fit head 21-21.5″
• Adult Medium (most heads) – to fit head 21.5-22.5″
• Adult Large – to fit head 23″

I am currently working on the math for a child-size version, but due to the stitch pattern’s repeat, it’ll need a bit of tweaking before it’s ready. Stay tuned!

Pattern Notes & Abbreviations

US Terminology

•  Written in US terms.
• Where instructions differ for sizing these will be noted as: adult small (adult medium, adult large) 
• Your stitch counts for each row will be noted in ( ) at the end of each round’s instructions.
• This pattern is worked from the bottom to top and in one piece.
• Chain stitches at the beginning of any rows do not count as a st unless specifically stated.
• When working the FPdc into the skipped stitch you can choose whether to work in front OR behind the stitch you have just made. However, ensure that you work it the same way each time. I worked mine in front of the previous FPdc as I find that easier.

Abbreviations used:

Gauge: My gauge was 14 dc and 8 rows in 3”

Special stitches:

There are several special stitches used in this crochet beanie pattern.

Back loop: The photo below shows you which loop is the back loop. 

 Foundation single crochet (Fsc): You can find my tutorial on the foundation stitches (you will find the sc at about 20:46 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

Camel Stitch (CS): This is also known as “third loop” hdc.  To do this: YO, insert hook into the THIRD loop of the HDC from the previous row (this will be a horizontal bar below the two loops you normally work into.  If working in rows, it will be on the side facing you).  Pull up a loop, YO and pull through all 3 loops on your hook.

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

Front Post Double Crochet (FPdc): To work a fpdc you work a dc, but instead of inserting your hook into the next stitch you insert your hook around the post of the stitch below from the front to the back and then out of the front again.  You can see this in my fpdc video at

Right handed – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmWe76Y4v08

Left handed – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biHxNSKo5Vw&t=2s

Double Crochet 2 together (Dc2tog) – *YO and insert hook into next stitch to be worked, YO and pull through, YO and pull through 2 loops on hook. Rep from * once more. YO and pull through all 3 loops on hook. Stitch completed.

The Serpent’s Path – free in 3 adult sizes:

** This is a free crochet beanie pattern on the Sunflower Cottage Crochet blog. 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 6 (7,8)

                        OR

                        CH 7 (8, 9), SC in second CH from hook and each CH across. (6 (7, 8))

Row 2 –           Turn, Ch1, SC BLO in first st and each st across. (6 (7, 8))

Rows 3 on –     Repeat row 2 until your band measures 20 (21, 21.5)” long

Joining your ends –   Ch1, grab the starting end of the band (first row done), and line it up to match the final row of the band.  SS blo both ends together to join.

Note: make sure the band is not twisted when joining.

Do not FO

You are now working in the round. 

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

Ensure that the right side of the beanie brim is facing you.

Round 1 –       Ch1, hdc 77 (84, 91) evenly around. SS to top of first hdc to join. (77, 84, 91)

Round 2 –       Ch1, CS in first st and each st around. SS to top of first CS to join. (77, 84, 91)

Round 3 –      Ch3 (counts), dc in next st and each st around. SS to top of ch3 to join.

Round 4 –       Ch3 (counts), dc in next 2 sts, *sk1, FPdc around next st, FPdc in sk’d st (see pattern notes and special stitches), dc in next 5 sts* Rep from * to * around until 2 sts remain (you will have just worked a FPdc in the sk’d st), dc in last 2 sts. SS to top of ch3 to join

Round 5 –       Ch3 (counts), dc in next st and each st around. SS to top of ch3 to join.

Rounds 6 on – Rep rounds 4 and 5 until your hat measures 5 (5.5, 6)” from the bottom of the brim. End with row 4.

Now let’s start reducing that stitch count for the top of the beanie…

Round 7 –       Ch1, dc2tog over the first 2 sts *dc in next 5 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts* Rep from * to * around ending with dc in the next 5 sts. SS to top of first dc2tog to join. (66, 72, 78 sts)

Round 8 –       Ch3, dc in next st *sk next st, FPdc around next st, FPdc around sk’d st, dc2tog across next 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts* Rep from * to * around until you have 2 sts remaining, dc2tog across last 2 sts. SS to top of ch3 to join.  (55, 60, 65 sts)

Round 9 –      Ch1, dc2tog over first 2 sts, *dc in next 3 sts, dc2tog across next 2 sts* Rep from * to * around. You should end with dc in last 3 sts. SS to top of 1^st dc2tog to join. (44, 48, 52)

Round 10 –    Turn, ss 1 st, turn again. Ch1, *dc2tog, sk next st, FPdc around next st, FPdc around sk’d st, * Rep from * to * around. SS to top of first dc2tog to join. (33, 36, 39)

Round 11 –    Ch3 (counts) *dc2tog over next 2 sts, dc in next st* Rep from * to * around. You will end with dc2tog. SS to top of ch3 to join. (22, 24, 26)

Round 12 –    Ch1, dc2tog across first 2 sts and dc2tog across next 2 sts around. SS to top of first dc2tog to join.  (11, 12, 13)

Round 13 –    Rep round 12. Note: for sizes small and large, dc in last st. (6, 6, 7)

Leaving a tail of approximately 5” FO. 

Weave top of hat closed and sew in ends.

That’s it! Your Serpent’s Path Beanie is ready to slink its way into your winter wardrobe (or donation pile).

Let me know in the comments if you’re making one of these free crochet beanie patterns, and tag me @sunflower.cottage.crochet.too on Instagram so I can share your makes. I LOVE seeing them!

Happy hooking, and stay cozy!