About This Pattern
This beanie is a plaid square, folded into a circle. It grows from a magic ring to seventy-two stitches using the tapestry crochet technique, with three complementary colors — dark green, light green, and black — to achieve a bold and modern pattern. Each round adds a color swap, so the plaid builds as you work. It suits a quiet evening, one hand holding yarn, the other counting.
The beanie is constructed from the crown down, beginning with increase rounds before continuing into straight rounds for the body. The double crochet stitches provide both flexibility and warmth, while the carried yarn adds a neat, professional finish inside. You need three colors ready, a hook that matches your yarn, and a little patience for the carries underneath.
In the basket
Yarn
Hook
Notions
Abbreviations
- dc
- double crochet
- inc
- increase (2 DC in one stitch)
- ssc
- Stacked Single Crochet (counts as first DC)
- ss
- Slip Stitch to close round
A plaid beanie pattern for quiet winter evenings
Round 1 (Color: DG)
- Round 1Make a Magic Ring Work 1 SSC (counts as 1 DC) into ring Work 11 DC into ring Pull tight to close and SS to first SSC to join Total: 12 stitches(12)
Round 2 (Colors: DG, LG)
- Round 2Inc in each stitch around, switching colors every 2 stitches Carry unused yarn under stitches End round switching to Black (B) SS to close with B Total: 24 stitches(24)
Rounds 3 & 4 (Colors: B and DG)
- Round 3[Inc, DC] in B, then [Inc, DC] in DG, repeat around SS to close with B Total: 36 stitches(36)
- Round 4[Inc, 2 DC] in B, then [Inc, 2 DC] in DG, repeat around Switch to DG at end Total: 48 stitches(48)
Rounds 5 & 6 (Colors: DG and LG)
- Round 5[Inc, 3 DC] in DG, then [Inc, 3 DC] in LG, repeat Total: 60 stitches(60)
- Round 6[Inc, 4 DC] in DG, then [Inc, 4 DC] in LG, repeat Switch to Black (B) at end Total: 72 stitches(72)
Rounds 7 & 8 (Use B, DG)
No increases from Round 7 onward. Maintain 6 DC per color block before switching.
- Rounds 7–8Use B and DG 6 DC in B, switch, 6 DC in DG, switch, repeat around Carry DG yarn(72)
Rounds 9 & 10 (Use DG, LG)
- Rounds 9–10Use DG and LG 6 DC in DG, switch, 6 DC in LG, repeat Drop B, carry LG(72)
Rounds 11 & 12 (Use B, DG)
- Rounds 11–12Use B and DG 6 DC in B, switch, 6 DC in DG, repeat Drop LG, carry DG(72)
Rounds 13 & 14 (Use DG, LG)
- Rounds 13–14Use DG and LG 6 DC in DG, switch, 6 DC in LG, repeat Drop B, carry LG(72)
Rounds 15-18 (Alternating)
Alternate color blocks: Rounds 15–16 use B and DG; Rounds 17–18 use DG and LG. Crochet over all unused strands for a neat brim.
- Rounds 15–18R15–16: B and DG R17–18: DG and LG(72)
More pictures
Before the first stitch
- Check you have enough Dark Green, Light Green, and Black for all eighteen rounds, crown through body.
- Practice carrying yarn under stitches on a swatch, so tension stays even.
Minutes per piece
- Round 1 (DG) about 5 minutes, for the magic ring and the first 12 stitches
- Rounds 5 & 6 (DG and LG) about 30 minutes, because stitch count grows to 72 and shaping gets fiddly
- Rounds 7-18 (Body) about 90 minutes, for twelve straight rounds of repeating 6-stitch color blocks
Other yarns that work
- Acrylic worsted weight Keeps the beanie light and the stitch definition crisp, with a smaller hook for tighter fabric
- Wool-blend worsted weight Adds warmth and drape, but may need a half-size larger hook to match gauge
Where it ends up
- A warm hat for daily walks, paired with a plain scarf.
- A handmade gift for someone who likes plaid patterns.
- A quick project bag companion, worked over a few evenings.
Joining up
- Step 1 Cut yarn, leaving a long tail
- Step 2 Pull tail through final loop to fasten off
- Step 3 Thread needle, skip first stitch, insert under second stitch’s top loops
- Step 4 Pull through, reinsert into last stitch center to form seamless join
- Step 5 Weave in all yarn ends securely on the inside of the beanie
Small notes
- Pick a hook sized to your yarn weight, not a fixed number. The crown stays flat only if tension matches throughout.
- Use tapestry crochet to carry the unused color under your stitches the whole way. Loose carries will show through the plaid pattern.
Little questions
Why does the stitch count double by Round 2?
The first round increases in every stitch, from twelve to twenty-four. That jump sets up the plaid's foundation before shaping slows down.
Can I use just two colors instead of three?
The plaid relies on Black, Dark Green, and Light Green trading places by round. Dropping a color would flatten the plaid look, so I would keep all three.
What if my carried yarn shows through?
Loose carries under stitches often peek through on the right side. Try snugging the carry every stitch or two, especially through Rounds 3 and 4.
How do I keep the final round's seam neat?
Thread your needle and skip the first stitch, then work into the second stitch's top loops. Pulling through and reinserting at the last stitch hides the join well.
Original pattern: https://crocheteverything.com/easy-to-crochet-plaid-beanie-hat-pattern-for-winter/
About the Author
Tamsin Okoro Who writes the patterns at Yarn Gallery, how a pattern gets from the hook to the page, and what this site will never do.
