04 Jan How to Make a Crocheted Hat Without a Pattern

It’s time to make a crocheted hat to match our scarf that we recently made. Isn’t it exciting to have a matching set that is so unique to you that no one else in the entire world has?! Now there are an innumerable number of crocheted hat patterns out there, ranging from small to large, ugly to adorable, and simple to difficult. We’re going to skip all of that and learn how to customize a hat to whatever size you want. I really mean it – from infant to adult. And the best part? You will not need a pattern!

I learned to crochet this hat (or beanie) many, many years ago when I was a young nurse. I occasionally worked in the nursery along with an older nurse, who was so kind and loving and sweet – she was like my mother. When all the babies were fed and sleeping, and we had a little downtime, she would teach me how to crochet hats for the babies. Of course, babies come in all sizes, so she showed me how to make hats in all sizes, depending on the weight of the yarn and the size of the needles.

I’ve continued to make baby hats even to this day, and now I’m going to pass on this little bit of knowledge to you.

Materials Needed:

• Crochet Hook Set
• A ball of yarn that you love. I used Bernat Blanket Tweed Yarn (I’m giving a link here, but I would not suggest buying this yarn on Amazon. It is half the price at your local craft store. I found mine at Joann’s.)
• Scissors
• A large bore needle
• A pompom (optional)

Happy Handicrafts Video: How to Make a Crocheted Hat Without a Pattern

When crocheting a hat without a pattern, it’s important to understand how a crocheted hat is shaped. Hats look like domes, but they are not actually made that way. A more accurate picture would be a bowl with a flat bottom. Crocheted hats are made in two phases. The first phase is creating a flat, circular piece for the crown of the head, and the second phase is building the sides.

Phase 1: The Crown

When creating the flat, circular piece for the crown of the head, you begin with a magic circle with 8 half double crochets in it. Pull it nice and tight so that there is no hole. Then you are going to follow this sequence until the piece is about the size of the recipient’s crown:

• Row 1: Magic Circle with 8 half double crochets in the circle = 8 stitches.
• Row 2: Ch 1, work 2 half double crochet stitches in each of the 8 stitches = 16 stitches.
• Row 3: Ch 1, work 2 half double crochet stitches in every second stitch, with a single HDC stitch in the stitch between = 24 stitches.
• Row 4: Ch 1, work 2 half double crochet stitches in every third stitch, with a single HDC stitch in each of the stitches in between = 32 stitches.
• Row 5: Ch 1, work 2 half double crochet stitches in every fourth stitch, with a single HDC stitch in each of the stitches in between = 40 stitches.
• Row 6: Ch 1, work 2 half double crochet stitches in every fifth stitch, with a single HDC stitch in each of the stitches in between = 48 stitches.
• Etc…

See how that works? It’s just basic math. The number of rows that you do will 100% depend on the weight of your wool, the size of your hook, and the size of the recipient’s crown. I am using a heavy weight yarn with a large hook (kind of on purpose, because I love how quick it comes together with this combination).

Phase 2: The Side

Once you’ve finished the crown, there is very little thinking left to do. Make note of the number of stitches you have and simply work one half double crochet in each of them, going around in a circle until the hat is as long as you like.

If at any point, you start thinking your hat is looking too big, stop and try it on. It takes some experience to know how big to make the crown in phase 1. If it is too large, the worst thing that can happen is that you’ll need to undo a little bit of your work. Always remember, there is no harm in this! Unravel until you’ve undone a row or two of the crown portion of your project. Then continue on with phase 2.

If you want to fold up the bottom, just make it a little longer by adding a few more rows.

Finishing Touches

To finish off your hat professionally, you’re going to need to weave in the ends (there should only be two), and (optionally) put on a pompom. I bought ours online, but you can certainly make your own as well.

And that completes your crocheted hat! If you got all the way through it, you should be very proud of yourself! Making anything without a pattern is a great accomplishment!