How to Crochet a Hat

Ever see a cool crochet beanie and wonder how it was made? Here are some basic instructions to help you make your own crocheted hat.

1. Gather materials. To crochet a hat, you'll need one skein of yarn, a crochet hook, and a plastic tapestry needle, as well as a pair of scissors. All of these items can be purchased at your local craft store.
   • When selecting yarn, keep in mind both how heavy you want the hat to be and what your current crocheting skill level is. The best yarn for beginners is a medium weave that will make your stitches easy to see and count. Read the back label of the yarn and look for a number 4.
   • The size of your crochet hook will determine how large your stitches are. If you use a small hook, your hat will be stiffer and warmer; a larger hook will result in a more floppy product. You'll develop preferences for certain sizes as you learn to crochet, but a size K hook (6.5mm) should be a good fit for a beginner.
2. Start to crochet in the round. Crocheting in the round simply means to join up two ends of a chain and from then on work in a circle. Here's how to get your round started.
   • Tie a slip loop in your yarn to start. Hang the end of the yarn over the hook in a loop, and twist the loop once or twice. Grab the yarn (not the end piece, but the part going back into the skein) with your hook and pull through the loop. You should end up with a movable slipknot below the loop.
   • Chain 4.
   • Make a slip stitch in the first chain to form a ring. After you've chained 4, insert your hook in the first chain. Put another loop of yarn over the hook, then pull that loop through the first two loops.
   • Make 8 single crochet stitches through the center of the ring. Insert your hook into the center of the joined chains (not in the slip stitch you just made, though they'll be about the same size for now). Once your hook is through the ring, yarn over the hook and pull through the first loop (in this case, the ring). You'll now have two loops on your hook. Yarn over again, and pull through both loops. Repeat this process 7 more times.
3. Mark the beginning of the row (optional). Where your hook is now is the "beginning" of your new row and where it will end when you've completed your next circle. If you don't like counting stitches or have a hard time seeing where one row ends and another begins in the round, grab a spare slip of yarn in another color or an embroidery thread, and tie it around the current stitch. Then, when you hit the thread again, you'll know you're ending one row and beginning another.
4. Do 2 single crochets in each stitch around, for a total of 16 stitches.
5. On the next row, do 1 single crochet in the first stitch, then 2 in the next stitch, then 1 in the next stitch, and so on.
6. Repeat Step 5 until you've achieved the width you want. That is, keep increasing your rounds until the circle you've created covers the top of the head of the hat recipient.
7. Do 1 single crochet in each stitch around. Repeat this step for as many rows as you'd like. Do fewer rows if you'd only like the hat to reach the top of the recipient's ears; do more if you want the ears covered.
8. Add a brim (optional). You can leave your beanie brimless if you wish. However, if you do want to make a brim, simply increase your stitches again for a few more rows, by putting 1 single crochet in the first stitch, 2 in the next, and so on for as many rows as you like. Doing this to a only a few rows will make the end of the hat roll up a bit; doing it to several will create a floppier effect.
9. Tie off. When you've done the last stitch, yarn over and pull one more loop through. Trim off the yarn about two or three inches from the stitch and use the crochet hook to pull the tail through.
10. Hide the tail. With the tapestry needle, weave the tail back into the stitches of the hat. If you find that you must leave a small tail remaining, try to place it on the interior of the hat.

• If you get lost, count your stitches until you get back to a place you recognize.
• As your skill increases, try alternating different colors or experimenting with new yarns and hook sizes.
• You may have to alter the width and length of the hat depending on whether you're making it for an adult or child. Try measuring on someone's head if possible, instead of guesstimating.

• One skein of yarn (4-ply or Medium for beginners)
• Crochet hook (Size K for beginners)
• Plastic tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Spare piece of yarn or thread to mark rows (optional)