Learn how to crochet a cute beanie featuring a crochet lace pattern created by alternating a round of simple double crochet and a round of a crochet cluster stitch with this crochet pattern.

This beanie hat pattern is available in 8 sizes from newborn to adult large and worked in your favorite lightweight yarn.

This beanie was designed for the 2026 Crochet Cancer Challenge hosted by Sweet Potato 3.

You’ll love these other cluster stitch crochet patterns:

• Lucille Top with Fingering Weight Yarn
• Lucille Cardigan with DK Yarn
• View the entire Lucille crochet series.

Materials:

• DK/Lightweight #3 Yarn
• 4.5mm Crochet Hook (4.25mm can also work, check gauge)
• Tapestry Needle
• Tape Measure (Gauge is Essential)

Grams/Yardage by Size:

• Newborn: 87 Yards (29 Grams)
• 0-3 Months: 96 Yards (33 Grams)
• 3-6 Months: 128 Yards (43 Grams)
• 6-12 Months: 147 Yards (50 Grams)
• Toddler: 182 Yards (61 Grams)      
• Child: 199 Yards (66 Grams)
• Adult Small: 215 Yards (72 Grams)
• Adult Large: 279 Yards (94 Grams)

Yarn Talk:
I used Lion Brand Cottino in the Poppy and Dove colorways. This is a lovely blend of 50% superwash merino wool and 50% cotton, and the blend is precisely why I picked it for this beanie as it was designed for a crochet cancer challenge. The yarn does have a neat twist and sheen to it leading to a textured look visually keeping it’s soft and smooth physical feel, but it is extremely splitty from one end. If you experience splitting with it, go to the other tail end to work from. For me, working from the center pull was incredibly splitty, but working from the outside pull was perfectly fine.

Another note about this yarn, unlike almost all other yarns, it does scrunch up 1/4” when it relaxes, after being worked up. I left my samples for several days before checking so I’m not sure if it’s just overnight that it needs to fully relax or more, but if you are going to work with the Cottino yarn for your beanie, use an H8/5mm crochet hook and follow the same written instructions. Initially, your crown and finished beanie will come out 1/4” larger than written, but when it relaxes, it will be the perfect size - if you don’t, the finished beanie will be too small, both in circumference and length. For all other yarns, including 100% wool or acrylic, an acrylic blend or a cotton blend, use the 4.5mm hook.

If you’ll be creating and donating your beanie for cancer patients, I’ve learned from my friend Krissy’s Over the Mountain Crochet that the best yarn for a sensitive head is going to be a bamboo blend, like Lion Brand Coboo or Mirasol’s Amaru (which are also perfect for warmer weather beanies). Some can tolerate 100% acrylic or wool, but not all can. With this said, I recommend looking up the requirements from the organization. Some say not to use wool yarn, not to use Red Heart Super Saver, request the hat/s to be washed prior to donating, etc. Each has it’s own guidelines so you’ll want to check with the organization first.

As a cold weather beanie, animal fibers are better for keeping warm against the wind, and while alpaca works great, my go-to is always a 100% superwash merino wool, like WeCrochet Swish DK Yarn or Jody Long Ciao, or a wool and acrylic blend, like Lion Brand Wool Ease DK or Ella Rae Cozy Soft. All of these that I’ve mentioned hold up well to wear and tear and machine washing and drying. Acrylic yarns do okay in cool weather as long as it’s not that windy, otherwise, the wind goes right through them. Then again… we also have a lacey stitch pattern so you may consider also wearing an ear warmer to keep your ears warm. If you’re looking for an acrylic yarn option, Jody Long Bubbakins is a great option with lots of colors available.

Time Spent:
I was able to work up the Adult Small in just about an hour.

Sizes Included:
Newborn, 0-3 Months, 3-6 Months, 6-12 Months, Toddler, Child, Teen/Adult Small and Adult Large

Gauge (Essential):
Gauge can be taken after working 4 rounds as outlined below and/or once the diameter for the size you’re making is reached:

If you start with:

• 10 DC, then 40 stitches = 3 5/8”
• 11 DC, then 44 stitches = 3 3/4”
• 12 DC, then 48 stitches = 3 7/8”
• 13 DC, then 52 stitches = 4”
• 14 DC, then 56 stitches = 4 1/8”

Gauge it very important for beanies. If you do not meet gauge, and continue making your beanie, the finished size will either be too small or too big so make sure to check it at the end of Round 4.

If you’re measuring smaller than the given measurements, go up a crochet hook size and rework the sample. If you’re measuring larger than the given measurements, go down a crochet hook size and rework the sample. Take gauge again, and see where you are.

Abbreviations (US Terms):

• SC - Single Crochet (Photo Tutorial)
• DC - Double Crochet (Photo Tutorial)

Special Stitch:
Cluster stitches are worked from the wrong side, or back side, of the project, but will pop out on the right side, or front side. With a chain space following the cluster, it will remain more relaxed in comparison to a bobble stitch.

How to Crochet a Cluster: work the following all into one stitch: Yarn over, insert hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull through (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch, yarn over, pull throughoops on hook), repeat …oops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 6 loops on the hook.

Do you offer free patterns and PDFs?
Yes! Head over to my Yarn Crafts & Coffee blog where you’ll find hundreds of free crochet patterns INCLUDING this one. You can view the free crochet only from my blog at any time, or subscribe to my blog to download the free PDF of this pattern via the Free File Library – you’ll find the tab on the top menu. The library is password protected so sign up for my newsletter and you’ll receive a Welcome email containing this month’s password. From the library, you’ll be able to access the PDFs via Google Drive – you do not need to have a Google Drive account to view and download the PDF. I earn my income from the views my blog sees, but if you’d rather not subscribe, I completely understand and appreciate your support here on Ravelry! I also share free crochet patterns at Cre8tion Crochet and EyeLoveKnots.

About Your Instant Digital Purchase:
This is a 13 page PDF containing written instructions, and two photos - the main photo on page 1 and a photo on the last page that goes hand and hand with the Pattern Notes section. (When the video tutorial is ready - I will add a page of QR codes for the clickable links that are within the patterns (in case you print the patterns, and still want to check out the links).)

This digital purchase is instant. As soon as your payment processes, you have instant access to the pattern. You are only receiving access to a PDF. You will not receive a physical pattern via snail mail, and you will not receive an email with the PDF. You will need to go to your Library, and download the PDF yourself.

Digital Purchases are FINAL sale - Due to their digital nature they cannot be returned or refunded.

Copyright 2026 - All Yarn Crafts & Coffee Patterns, Photos and PDF’s are protected under copyright. They are not to be copied, distributed or sold - doing so is copyright infringement and stealing! DO NOT link to the PDF Download link, rather linking should be done from blog post or shop link. Feel free to use this information to make and sell your own items. Designer credit - Alexandra of YarnCraftsandCoffee.com - is very much appreciated, but not required. DO NOT use my photos in selling your own products!