The Spiral Beanie ~ Youth to Adult Sizes ~ Free Crochet Pattern

Materials:
Crochet Hook Size J
Yarn - two colors of worsted weight yarn - Sample made with Patons Classic Wool, color Paprika [4] and Sensations Angel Hair, color 4729 [5]
Scissors, large eye needle, stitch marker (optional)

Note 1: yarn (A) will be the color with which you begin your beanie.  In this case it is the Paprika (orange).  The brim can be worked in either color.
Note 2: This pattern is worked in the round.

Stitches: You will be using the following stitches - chain stitch (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc) and changing colors. (∆) will symbolize changing colors throughout. I will use this symbol when you come to the last stitch of a color. You will start the stitch in the same color, but on the last yarn over, you will replace your yarn with the other color and pull up your loop. *Repeat instructions between asterisks* the number of times indicated.  Crochet 'N' More has a useful stitch guide.

Beginning at the Crown:

Begin with color (A). The center of the crown should not have a hole in the middle so we'll begin with a magic ring also known as a magic circle.  Wrap the tail end of your yarn, clockwise, from back to front around the index and middle fingers of the hand with which you hold your yarn. There should be 2 loops of yarn around your fingers. Insert your hook under the front loop and hook the back loop. Draw it under the front loop. Yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook. Pull the tail of your yarn to tighten the circle, but not all the way.

Sizing - Work the following rows until the diameter is the correct width for your desired hat size.  Remember, circumference = 3.14 x diameter.  For a 21 inch hat, the diameter should be approximately 6.5 inches.  If you want a 22 inch hat, then stop when your crown has a diameter (width) of 7 inches.  For a 23 inch hat, the diameter should be approximately 7.5 inches.  I'm rounding these numbers, so if you want to do the math, just divide the desired size of your finished hat by 3.14 (π).  For my sample hat, which is made to fit a 22" head, I worked Rows 1-12.  When your diameter has reached the desired width, move on to the Body or Length of the Beanie.

Row 1: (A) work 4 sc in the circle, sc in the circle (∆ B), sc in the circle (equals 6 sts) Pull the tail end of the yarn to close the beginning circle the rest of the way.
Row 2: 2 sc in next 3 sts, sc in next st, sc in same st (∆ A), 2 sc in next 2 sts. (equals 12 sts)
Row 3: *1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st* 3 times, sc in next st (∆ B), 2 sc in next st, *1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st* 2 times (equals 18 sts)
Row 4: *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st* 2 times, sc in next 2 sts, sc in next st (∆ A), sc in same st, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st* 3 times. (equals 24 sts)
Row 5: *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st* 2 times, sc in next st, sc in next st (∆ B), sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st* 3 times (equals 30 sts)
Row 6: *sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st* 2 times, sc in next st (∆ A), sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, *sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st* 3 times. (equals 36 sts)
Row 7: *sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st* 1 time, sc in next 5 sts, sc in next st (∆ B), sc in same st, *sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st* 4 times. (equals 42 sts)
Row 8: *sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st* 1 time, sc in next 4 sts, sc in next st (∆ A), sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, *sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st* 4 times. (equals 48 sts)
Row 9: *sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st* 1 time, sc in next 3 sts, sc in next st (∆ B), sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, *sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st* 4 times. (equals 54 sts)
Row 10: sc in next 11 sts, sc in next st (∆ A), sc in next 42 sts. (equals 54 sts)
Row 11: *sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st* 1 time, sc in next st, sc in next st (∆ B), sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st, *sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st* 4 times. (equals 60 sts)
Row 12: *sc in next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st* 1 time, sc in next st, sc in next st (∆ A), sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st, *sc in next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st* 4 times. (equals 66 sts)
Row 13: sc in next 10 sts, sc in next st, sc in same st (∆ B), * 1 time, sc in next st, sc in next st (∆ A), *sc in next 10 sts, 2 sc in next st* 5 times. (equals 72 sts)
 
 Body or Length of Beanie

sc in each st around. ∆ colors in second to last st of each opposing color row. For instance, if you begin crocheting in color (B). The sts you are working into are color (A). When there are only two color (A) sts left, sc in next st (∆ A) and then continue working around in (A). Follow the pattern in this way until you reach your desired length minus 1 inch for the brim.  (I recommend 7.75 to 8 inches from the top of the crown.) Sample has a total of 29 rows before the brim.


Decide which color you would like to use for the brim.  On the  last row of the body, you should change to this color. The remainder of the hat will be worked in the brim color, so the other yarn can be finished off leaving enough length to weave in the loose end.
 
Brim

(use stitch marker if desired)
Rows 1-4: sc in each st around.
Row 5: sc to last st, sl st in last st, ch 1 turn.
Row 6: Skip first st (the sl st from previous row), sc around, sc in ch 1 space.
Rows 7-13: sc in each st around.

Finishing
Sl st into next st, finish off. Fold up last 7 rows to form brim. Weave in all loose ends.

To add a scalloped trim and a flower to the brim, please visit this related post:  Baby Girl Beanie