Crochet a cozy hat for the littlest adventurers of your family with this free crochet beanie pattern! The design uses easy stitches to create the basic texture of this kids hat. Find the free crochet pattern instructions below, or purchase a print-optimized, ad-free PDF by clicking here.
The Wanderlust Beanie has been one of my most popular patterns for the last year and a half, and I’ve had many requests to make a matching hat in toddler and kids sizes. So finally, here it is!
I wanted this hat to retain the softness and comfort of its adult counterpart (you can click here to find the Wanderlust Beanie pattern for adults). Adventures should be a time to focus on the beauty around you–not fretting about a hat that is too tight, or too hot/cold. With that in mind I chose to go with the Lion Brand Jeans Yarn. This was my first time working with Lion Brand Jeans yarn, and I was so impressed by how stretchy and soft it was as I crocheted this hat! This yarn is finer than the Lion Brand Heartland yarn I used to design the adult version of this hat pattern, so it stays soft and comfortable for even the littlest members of your family. In fact, it should be so comfortable that it will hardly feel like they are wearing a hat!
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It is very important to note: this crochet pattern requires you to use Lion Brand Jeans or Lion Brand Jeans Colors yarn, OR if you absolutely must substitute, a heavier #3 Light weight (DK) yarn. Yes, Lion Brand Jeans yarn is labeled as a #4 worsted. Trust me when I say it is far from it. If you try to use any old worsted weight, you will end up with a hat that is much larger than it should be. This is because in order to keep the same look and feel of the hat I have crocheted it using the same stitches as the adult size with only a couple of small modifications. I have included gauge and measurement information to help you. Please read through all the notes before you begin this pattern–I want you to be happy with the finished result!
I’m going to discuss sizing here for a few minutes, because head sizes vary so much in little ones:
Sometimes even with gauge and the best of intentions a hat can come out too small. If you are having that problem, try going up a hook size. I have listed how tall your dc stitches should be in the gauge section, so if your stitches are shorter, going up a hook size, or two may help. If you have the opposite “problem” (very relaxed tension): I also have extremely relaxed tension, and personally used a 3.25mm to crochet the toddler size, and a 4mm to crochet the child’s size. If you also have extremely relaxed tension going down a hook size may be helpful to achieving the correct fit. This hat has an inch or so of negative ease, so if the finished sizes seem a little small this is why. If your kiddo is in between sizes, and you meet gauge for the hat you wished to make, try going up a hook size and see if that fits a little better. This yarn is very versatile and should allow for adjustment up to about a 5mm hook.
Let’s get started on this hat now!
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Difficulty:
Easy
Materials Needed:
Toddler (1-3 years): 3.75 mm (E) hook, or hook needed to obtain gauge
Child (Up to 10 yrs): 4.5mm hook, or hook needed to obtain gauge
120-175 yards of Lion Brand “Jeans” yarn,<–Click here to purchase some
scissors
yarn needle
Optional: leather or fabric tag of your choosing. All This Wood has some excellent options, and can do custom orders.
Stitches Used:
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
FPdc = front post double crochet
BPdc = back post double crochet
Additional Terms:
Working in the 3rd loop of hdc. Look at the top of the stitch, and locate the sideways “V”, bend the stitch to look at the back, and you should see another “V”. You’ll be working into the back loop of that “V”, this is called the 3rd loop.
Gauge:
Toddler size: Using 3.75mm hook, hat should measure 4 3/4” across after round 6. 17 dc sts in 4”. Each dc should measure 1/2” tall.
Child: using 4.5mm hook, hat should measure 5 1/2” across after round 6. 17 stitches in 4”. Each dc should measure just under 3/4” tall.
Measurements:
Toddler: 8” wide by 6” tall, unstretched
Child: 9” wide by 7” tall, unstretched
Additional Notes:
-Lion Brand Jeans yarn is classified as a #4 Worsted yarn but is much closer to a #3 Light weight or DK yarn. Trying to crochet this pattern with a typical worsted weight yarn will result in a much larger hat. I strongly recommend you use only the Lion Brand Jeans, or Lion Brand Jeans Colors yarn as that is what this pattern was tested with, ie. If you message me saying you’re frustrated that your hat didn’t turn out the right size, my first question will be “Did you meet gauge?”, followed by “Did you use the recommended yarn?” 😉
For the free, adult size Wanderlust Beanie crochet pattern, click here.
Wanderlust Beanie for Toddlers and Kids (US terms):
Click here to purchase an ad-free, print-optimized PDF of this pattern on LoveCrafts
For Toddlers please use a 3.75mm hook,
For Kids please use a 4.5mm hook,
Round 1: 12 dc in magic circle, join with sl st to first dc. (12)
Round 2: ch 1, FPdc around first dc, dc in next st, *FPdc around same dc, dc in the next st; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first FPdc. Note: Each stitch should have a FPdc worked around it, and a regular dc stitch worked in the top. (24)
Round 3: ch 1, 2 hdc in the first st, hdc in the next st *2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next st; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first hdc. (36)
Round 4: ch 1, working all sts for this round in 3rd loop of hdc, 2 dc in first st, dc in next 2 sts *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (48)
Round 5: ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 3 sts *2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first sc. (60)
Round 6: ch 1, 2 dc in first st, dc in next 4 sts *2 dc in first st, dc in next 4 stitches; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (72)
Round 7: ch 1, hdc in each stitch around, join with sl st to first hdc. (72)
Round 8: ch 1, working all stitches for this round in the 3rd loop of hdc, sc in each stitch around, join with sl st to first sc. (72)
Round 9: ch 1, FPdc around first stitch, BPdc around next *FPdc around next stitch, BPdc around the next; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first FPdc. (72)
(You will be alternating here and working FP stitches around the BP stitches from the previous round, and vice-versa. This is intentional.)
Round 10: ch 1, BPdc around first FPdc, FPdc around next BPdc *BPdc around next FPdc, FPdc around next BPdc; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first BPdc. (72)
Round 11: ch 1, hdc in each stitch around, join with sl st to first hdc. (72)
Round 12: ch 1, working all stitches for this round in the 3rd loop of hdc, dc in each stitch around, join with sl st to first dc. (72)
Round 13: ch 1, sc in each stitch around, join with sl st to first sc. (72)
Round 14: ch 1, dc in each stitch around, join with sl st to first dc. (72)
Repeat rounds 7-11 one time, then continue with the final 2 rounds
Round 20: ch 1, working all stitches for this round in the 3rd loop of hdc, sc in each stitch around, join with sl st to first sc. (72)
Round 21: ch 1, sc in each stitch around, join with sl st to first sc. (72)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Note: If you want a slightly longer, or slouchier beanie, try this band starting after round 20:
Rounds 1-2: ch 1, FPhdc around first st, BPhdc around next st *FPhdc around next st, BPhdc around next st; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first FPhdc. (72)
Round 3: ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (72)
Fasten off, and weave in ends.
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PATTERN TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
You are welcome to share the link to this pattern, using one image of your choice, on your site, but please do not share the written patterns themselves, this includes my Ravelry downloads or translations of these patterns, or use additional images. You do not have permission to use my images by themselves to create pinnable graphics for Pinterest, however they may be included in a roundup pin if there are 4 or more other patterns. If you sell finished items online, please do not use my pictures for your listings. I’m positive that your work is of high enough quality for you to sell the finished piece. Have confidence in your abilities! <3 Thank you!
This pattern was made to be used by individuals, and small business crocheters alike. Selling your finished pieces in boutiques, at farmer’s markets, craft shows, and other local events is encouraged! The only thing I require is that this pattern not be used commercially to produce hundreds of thousands of copies.
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