Inside – Learn how to crochet a simple, beginner friendly beanie with the Tumble Creek Crochet Beanie free pattern.
Do you need an easy crochet beanie pattern for beginners? The Tumble Creek Crochet Beanie checks all the boxes! This crochet pattern uses the Half Double Crochet to build a beanie from the bottom up. Keep reading to learn more about this crochet design.
Inspiration for the Tumble Creek Beanie
Over the past year, I’ve been crocheting baby beanies to donate to local hospitals. This endeavor sparked so many baby beanie ideas! I love experimenting with different crochet stitches while I make these little hats. The Tumble Creek Beanie came from this challenge. I wanted an easy beanie, with a unique stitch, and that worked up fast.
What makes the Tumble Creek Beanie great?
✅ Uses beginner friendly stitches
✅ Comes in sizes from Preemie through Adult Large
✅ Quick to make – perfect for donating baby hats to hospitals
✅ Easy to adjust size for a custom fit
Yarn Choice for this Beanie
Maybe I’m a bit behind the times, but I have never crocheted with Lion Brand Ice Cream! Seeing the bright colors at the yarn store finally pulled me in, and I wanted to try it.
What makes this yarn good for a crocheted beanie?
🧡 DK (category 3) weight makes a closer stitched fabric for a cozier beanie.
🧡 Self striping yarn makes a unique beanie every time
🧡 100% Acrylic for easy washing and kind to skin
If you need to substitute the Lion Brand Ice Cream for another yarn, please consider using another DK (category 3) yarn in a 100% acrylic yarn.
One thing I’ve learned in my crochet group, DK weight yarn is ideal for baby hats. At first I was resistive to using a DK weight yarn because I didn’t have it in my stash. But after I started using a DK weight yarn, I realized that it creates a more delicate fabric, and I understood why that would be best for babies.
NOTE ABOUT THIS FREE CROCHET PATTERN :
Thank you for choosing this free pattern as part of your crochet journey! It’s an honor for you to be here, browsing the High Desert Yarn Blog. This pattern is 100% free for you to crochet from, but please, do not screenshot, or copy+paste this pattern. However, work directly from this webpage. The ad revenue from this website allows me to offer free crochet patterns. If you do not like the scrolling, or ads, then you may purchase the ad-free PDF in my Etsy Shop or Ravelry Store. Thank you for your cooperation. Happy creating! -Joanna (Owner + Creative)
Cozy, stylish, and beginner-friendly! The Tumble Creek Beanie is an easy crochet pattern that’s free to follow. Perfect for new crocheters or anyone who loves quick, handmade hats. Save this free crochet beanie pattern for your next weekend project!
Notes
- Experience Level – Advanced Beginner
- You will need to know how to crochet front/back post stitches, half double crochet, cross stitches, and decrease in the round prior to starting this pattern.
- This pattern is crocheted in turning rounds.
- Each round is joined with the No Cut Join Method.
- See this tutorial for an explanation.
- CH 1 or 2 DOES NOT count as a stitch.
- Stitch counts for the sizes are written as follows : Preemie (Newborn, 6mo, Toddler, Child, Adult S, Adult M, Adult L)
Materials
- Yarn – DK (category 3) weight yarn, Ice Cream by Lion Brand Yarn, 100% Acrylic, 394yds/100g
- You need approximately 75-200yds of yarn depending on size.
- Crochet Hook – G/6 (4.25mm)
- Notions – Tapestry Needle, and Scissors
Stitch Abbreviations
US crochet terms used throughout.
- CH(s) – chain(s)
- HDC – half double crochet
- FP – front post
- BP – back post
- XHDC – crossed half double crochet
- 2tog – two stitches together (decrease)
- DC – double crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- Rep – repeat
- YO – yarn over
Special Stitches
FP HDC – Front Post Half Double Crochet (right handed)
Working from the right side of the next stitch, YO, insert hook from front-to-back-to-front around next st, YO, pull up loop, YO, pull through all 3 loops on hook.
FP HDC – Front Post Half Double Crochet (left handed)
Working from the left side of the next st, YO, insert hook from front-to-back-to-front around next st, YO, pull up loop, YO, pull through all 3 loops on hook.
BP HDC – Back Post Half Double Crochet (right handed)
Working from the right side of the next stitch, YO, insert hook from back-to-front-to-back around next st, YO, pull up loop, YO, pull through all 3 loops on hook.
BP HDC – Back Post Half Double Crochet (left handed)
Working from the left side of the next st, YO, insert hook from back-to-front-to-back around next st, YO, pull up loop, YO, pull through all 3 loops on hook.
XHDC – Crossed Half Double Crochet
Sk 1 st, HDC in the next st, cross over the HDC to place a HDC in the skipped st.
Finished Size
This beanie is designed to be a snug fit with 2″ of negative ease.
- Preemie / Head Circumference – 12″
- Hat Circumference (Height) – 10″ (4″)
- Newborn / Head Circumference – 13″
- Hat Circumference (Height) – 11″ (5.5″)
- 6 months / Head Circumference – 15″
- Hat Circumference (Height) – 13″ (6″)
- Toddler / Head Circumference – 17″
- Hat Circumference (Height) – 15″ (6.5″)
- Child / Head Circumference – 19″
- Hat Circumference (Height) – 17″ (7″)
- Adult Small / Head Circumference – 21″
- Hat Circumference (Height) – 19″ (7.5″)
- Adult Medium / Head Circumference – 22″
- Hat Circumference (Height) – 20″ (8″)
- Adult Large / Head Circumference – 23″
- Hat Circumference (Height) – 21″ (8.5″)
Adjusting the Size
The stitch multiple is 2+1.
Adjust Circumference : Begin your starting chain with an EVEN number and add 1 extra chain.
Adjust Height: Add or subtract rounds.
Gauge
- 18 STS x 12 Rows = 4×4”
- Gauge is measured before blocking.
- Gauge pattern as follows:
- CH 21
- Row 1: HDC in the 2nd CH from hook, HDC in each CH, CH 1, turn. (20 sts)
- Row 2: HDC in 1st st, XHDC until 1 st remains, HDC in last st, CH 1, turn. (20 sts)
- Rows 3 – 13: Rep Rows 1-2
Written Instructions
- Sizes are written as follows:
- Preemie (Newborn, 6mo, Toddler, Child, Adult S, Adult M, Adult L)
- Join each round with the Not Cut Join Method.
CH 47 (51, 59, 69, 77, 87, 91, 95)
Round 1: HDC in 2nd Ch from hook, HDC in each CH across, join to 1st st, CH 1, turn. 46 (50, 58, 68, 76, 86, 90, 94) sts
Round 2: *FP HDC in next st, BP HDC in next st, rep from * until end of rnd, join to 1st st, CH 1, turn. 46 (50, 58, 68, 76, 86, 90, 94) sts
Round 3: Rep Round 2
Round 4: HDC in each st across, join to 1st st, CH 1, turn. 46 (50, 58, 68, 76, 86, 90, 94) sts
Round 5: HDC in the 1st ST, XHDC until 1 st remains, HDC in last st, join to 1st st, CH 1, turn. 46 (50, 58, 68, 76, 86, 90, 94) sts
Repeat Rounds 4-5 until Round 9 (13, 15, 17, 17, 19, 21, 23)
Round 9 (13, 15, 17, 17, 19, 21, 23): *HDC2tog, XHDC, rep from * until end of round, (If you have 1 st remaining, place a HDC in it), join to 1st st, CH 1, turn. 36 (39, 45, 51, 57, 66, 69, 72) sts
Round 10 (14, 16, 18, 18, 20, 22, 24): *HDC2tog, HDC in next st, rep from * until end of round, (If you have 1 st remaining, place a HDC in it), join to 1st st, CH 1, turn. 24 (26, 30, 34, 38, 44, 46, 49) sts
Round 11 (15, 17, 19, 19, 21, 23, 25): *HDC2tog, XHDC, rep from * until end of round, (If you have 1 st remaining, place a HDC in it), join to 1st st, CH 1, turn. 18 (21, 24, 31, 30, 33, 36, 38) sts
Round 12 (16, 18, 20, 20, 22, 24, 26): DC2tog around, (If you have 1 st remaining, place a DC in it), join to 1st st, fasten off, and leave a long tail for closing the top. 9 (11, 12, 16, 15, 17, 18, 19) sts
Turn the beanie inside out, weave the long tail through the stitches of the last round. Close tight, and fasten off. Weave in any remaining ends.
Preemie Crochet Challenge 2025
As part of the Preemie Crochet Challenge 2025, the Junie Baby Beanie will be available as a free PDF download on September 10, 2025 through September 30, 2025. Click the image below to direct download the pattern. Then, click the second image to head back to the main event page on the Sunflower Cottage Crochet Blog.
High Desert Yarn is made possible by YOUR support. Thank you for reading this blog post, and helping build High Desert Yarn. Happy Creating, Joanna
