Uploaded January 2024 | Updated September 2026, 22 hours ago
The Octavia Beanie is an easy crochet beanie pattern worked in simple half double crochet stitches combined with post stitches, and available in 7 sizes from Newborn through Adult Large.
I love the texture of half double crochet when the fabric is turned at the end of each row/round, though I designed this beanie with turned rounds to help keep the seam straight. There is a lovely edging that helps give it a finished look created by working into the back loop only, but you can also work the final round in regular single crochet stitches, or omit if the length works for you.
I am honored to be returning to participate in the 2023 Crochet Cancer Challenge hosted by Christine from Sweet Potato 3. It’s a beautiful charity event where each day in the month of October, you can download a different free crochet pattern, and each download = 1 pledge for making and donating a hat using that pattern. This year, I’ve chosen the color dark purple for Leiomyosarcoma in honor of my late high school principal, Dr. Paul Van Mitchell.
Please visit Sweet Potato 3 to get all the details for this annual Crochet Cancer Challenge, and to download free printable tags for your beanies: sweetpotato3.com/2023-crochet-cancer-challenge
Other Octavia Pieces:
- Octavia Adult Scarf (Child size linked in Description box): youtube.com/watch?v=PNmkz4u-Kw4
- Volume One Afghan Square: youtube.com/watch?v=ziNBjnxBkAk
Looking for another easy crochet beanie tutorial? Check out the:
- Haylee Beanie (also HDC): youtube.com/watch?v=cGoqEC6TEQE
- Grace Tinley Beanie (granny stitch): youtu.be/npd6CEJFJ_0
- Selene Beanie (shells): youtu.be/Gu1Er4mrEgo
- Dylan Claire Beanie (DC): youtu.be/T7zhgVLUGTI
- Suzette Beanie (SC & DC): youtu.be/MrZoHZQceOE
You'll need 70 (80, 100, 115, 140, 160, 200) Yards of Worsted Weight Yarn, an H8/5mm Crochet Hook, and Tapestry Needle, plus a soft tape measure as gauge is important.
What is the best yarn to use to crochet a beanie?
I love WeCrochet Swish Yarn (affiliate link): shrsl.com/38yuc. It’s 100% superwash merino wool, but it’s so soft, not itchy, and it’s so cozy, it feels like it’s giving you a big hug. Lion Brand Wool Ease (wool and acrylic blend; (affiliate link): shrsl.com/2bnl2), and Berroco Vintage (wool and acrylic blend; (affiliate link): lovecrafts.com/en-us/p/berroco-vintage?utm_medium=affiliate&a_aid=27cd0231) are similar, and also make lovely, soft, squishy and cozy beanies. All of them hold up well to wear and tear and machine washing and drying.
Wools and wool blends are better for keeping warm against the wind, but if you’re donating this beanie, I recommend looking up the requirements from the organization as each has it’s own set of guidelines so you’ll want to check with the organization first.
If you’re looking for an acrylic yarn, and can’t use Red Heart Super Saver, or want to try something different, I have heard some great things about WeCrochet Brava yarn (affiliate link): shrsl.com/38yuo, though I haven’t tried it yet myself.
If you want to treat yourself to an ergonomic crochet hook, I highly recommend SiennasBowtique on Etsy. Here is the Koi Fish one I'm using in the video (affiliate link): tidd.ly/3AKVOMr
If you happen to be a tight crocheter, you may want to work the final round of single crochet only in an I9/5.5mm crochet hook to help keep a looser round so there is no restriction in the final beanie.
Time Spent: I was able to work up the adult small size in two hours.
Sizes Include: Newborn, 3-6 Months, 6-12 Months, Toddler, Child, Adult Small and Adult Large
You can find the free written pattern on my blog: cre8tioncrochet.com/2023/10/octavia-beanie-free-crochet-pattern.html
Buy the ad-free, printer friendly PDF on Etsy: etsy.com/listing/1583604618/half-double-crochet-beanie-crochet
Or Ravelry: ravelry.com/patterns/library/octavia-beanie
Time Stamp:
00:00 Intro
07:22 How to Make a Slip Knot
07:56 Round 1 Overview & How to Crochet a Chain
08:36 Round 1: Toddler, Child & Adult Small
11:27 Round 1: Baby & Adult Large
16:05 Why do we start the first round of our beanies differently depending on the size?
16:46 What is Increasing for a crocheted beanie?
17:32 How do you crochet Post Stitches?
20:35 Round 2
26:50 Round 3
33:18 Round 4 - Stop Increasing for Newborn Size
36:55 Round 5 - Stop Increasing for 3-6 Month Size
41:19 Round 6 - Stop Increasing for 6-12 Month Size
44:38 Round 7 - Stop Increasing for Toddler Size
48:00 Round 8 - Stop Increasing for Child & Adult sizes
50:56 Next Round Overview All Sizes
51:53 Next Round from Wrong Side (or Back)
56:29 Next Round from Right Side (or Front)
59:46 Body Overview, How to Measure Length & Chart of Total Rounds
01:01:22 Final Round of Single Crochet in Back Loop Only (SC in BLO)
01:04:45 Fasten Off & How to Weave in Crochet Ends
01:10:36 Outro
The Octavia Beanie is an easy crochet beanie pattern worked in simple half double crochet stitches combined with post stitches, and available in 7 sizes from Newborn through Adult Large.
I love the texture of half double crochet when the fabric is turned at the end of each row/round, though I designed this beanie with turned rounds to help keep the seam straight. There is a lovely edging that helps give it a finished look created by working into the back loop only, but you can also work the final round in regular single crochet stitches, or omit if the length works for you.
I am honored to be returning to participate in the 2023 Crochet Cancer Challenge hosted by Christine from Sweet Potato 3. It’s a beautiful charity event where each day in the month of October, you can download a different free crochet pattern, and each download = 1 pledge for making and donating a hat using that pattern. This year, I’ve chosen the color dark purple for Leiomyosarcoma in honor of my late high school principal, Dr. Paul Van Mitchell.
Please visit Sweet Potato 3 to get all the details for this annual Crochet Cancer Challenge, and to download free printable tags for your beanies: sweetpotato3.com/2023-crochet-cancer-challenge
Other Octavia Pieces:
- Octavia Adult Scarf (Child size linked in Description box): youtube.com/watch?v=PNmkz4u-Kw4
- Volume One Afghan Square: youtube.com/watch?v=ziNBjnxBkAk
Looking for another easy crochet beanie tutorial? Check out the:
- Haylee Beanie (also HDC): youtube.com/watch?v=cGoqEC6TEQE
- Grace Tinley Beanie (granny stitch): youtu.be/npd6CEJFJ_0
- Selene Beanie (shells): youtu.be/Gu1Er4mrEgo
- Dylan Claire Beanie (DC): youtu.be/T7zhgVLUGTI
- Suzette Beanie (SC & DC): youtu.be/MrZoHZQceOE
You'll need 70 (80, 100, 115, 140, 160, 200) Yards of Worsted Weight Yarn, an H8/5mm Crochet Hook, and Tapestry Needle, plus a soft tape measure as gauge is important.
What is the best yarn to use to crochet a beanie?
I love WeCrochet Swish Yarn (affiliate link): shrsl.com/38yuc. It’s 100% superwash merino wool, but it’s so soft, not itchy, and it’s so cozy, it feels like it’s giving you a big hug. Lion Brand Wool Ease (wool and acrylic blend; (affiliate link): shrsl.com/2bnl2), and Berroco Vintage (wool and acrylic blend; (affiliate link): lovecrafts.com/en-us/p/berroco-vintage?utm_medium=affiliate&a_aid=27cd0231) are similar, and also make lovely, soft, squishy and cozy beanies. All of them hold up well to wear and tear and machine washing and drying.
Wools and wool blends are better for keeping warm against the wind, but if you’re donating this beanie, I recommend looking up the requirements from the organization as each has it’s own set of guidelines so you’ll want to check with the organization first.
If you’re looking for an acrylic yarn, and can’t use Red Heart Super Saver, or want to try something different, I have heard some great things about WeCrochet Brava yarn (affiliate link): shrsl.com/38yuo, though I haven’t tried it yet myself.
If you want to treat yourself to an ergonomic crochet hook, I highly recommend SiennasBowtique on Etsy. Here is the Koi Fish one I'm using in the video (affiliate link): tidd.ly/3AKVOMr
If you happen to be a tight crocheter, you may want to work the final round of single crochet only in an I9/5.5mm crochet hook to help keep a looser round so there is no restriction in the final beanie.
Time Spent: I was able to work up the adult small size in two hours.
Sizes Include: Newborn, 3-6 Months, 6-12 Months, Toddler, Child, Adult Small and Adult Large
You can find the free written pattern on my blog: cre8tioncrochet.com/2023/10/octavia-beanie-free-crochet-pattern.html
Buy the ad-free, printer friendly PDF on Etsy: etsy.com/listing/1583604618/half-double-crochet-beanie-crochet
Or Ravelry: ravelry.com/patterns/library/octavia-beanie
Time Stamp:
00:00 Intro
07:22 How to Make a Slip Knot
07:56 Round 1 Overview & How to Crochet a Chain
08:36 Round 1: Toddler, Child & Adult Small
11:27 Round 1: Baby & Adult Large
16:05 Why do we start the first round of our beanies differently depending on the size?
16:46 What is Increasing for a crocheted beanie?
17:32 How do you crochet Post Stitches?
20:35 Round 2
26:50 Round 3
33:18 Round 4 - Stop Increasing for Newborn Size
36:55 Round 5 - Stop Increasing for 3-6 Month Size
41:19 Round 6 - Stop Increasing for 6-12 Month Size
44:38 Round 7 - Stop Increasing for Toddler Size
48:00 Round 8 - Stop Increasing for Child & Adult sizes
50:56 Next Round Overview All Sizes
51:53 Next Round from Wrong Side (or Back)
56:29 Next Round from Right Side (or Front)
59:46 Body Overview, How to Measure Length & Chart of Total Rounds
01:01:22 Final Round of Single Crochet in Back Loop Only (SC in BLO)
01:04:45 Fasten Off & How to Weave in Crochet Ends
01:10:36 Outro
