The Ever Hopeful Beanie pattern was designed for the 2026 Crochet Cancer Challenge. Made with a simple side to side construction in turned rows using beginner friendly stitches, this slightly slouchy beanie is easy to make again and again. It’s perfect for making and donating to your favorite cancer survivor or organization, and with a meditative 4-row repeat, it allows you to add your strength, love, and support into every stitch.
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Breast Cancer
Did you know that 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer sometime during their life? But, there is good news. Breast cancer is much more survivable than it was 50 years ago. According to the American Cancer Society, in 1975, only 75% of those with breast cancer were still alive 5 years after diagnosis. As of 2021, now 92% are. That’s HUGE! And it’s all due to science. Between new treatment options that attack the cancer cells more aggressively, or better screening tools that help detect cancer earlier, science has enabled people to live longer with or after cancer. Consider this your reminder to schedule your mammogram *nudge, nudge* because the earlier the cancer is caught, typically the more treatable it is. In fact, when caught in the earliest stages, the 5-year survival rate for breast cancer goes up to 99%! So if you are due for a screening, make sure to get that taken care of. Ten minutes of being uncomfortable is worth it in the long run.
So while I want to spread awareness of breast cancer with this year’s pattern, I also want to highlight the medical advancements that have been made in cancer diagnosing and treatment over the years (my research for my PhD was with cancer survivors, so I could nerd out about the science all day, lol). Looking back, we’ve come a long way thanks to science, and this pattern is a reminder to remain ever hopeful that someday, we will live in a world without cancer.
Ever Hopeful Beanie Pattern
This is my second year participating as a designer for the Crochet Cancer Challenge (check out last year’s beanie, the Made with Love Beanie, here!). When I design for the challenge, I put a lot of thought into each step of the design process from yarn choice through the stitches used, and how it will feel when worn.
Yarn Choice
While I tend to prefer working with natural fibers, I always make my challenge beanies using acrylic yarn, such as Lion Brand Pound of Love. Acrylic is not my favorite, but many organizations who collect beanies for cancer patients prefer acrylic because it is easy to care for and they don’t have to worry about sorting them out for those who have skin sensitivities, which can be common when someone is going through chemo or radiation. I want to make sure the pattern looks good in that fiber, so I start with acrylic in a color representative of the cancer I choose to highlight that year (this year, it’s pink for breast cancer).
Stitches & Beanie Construction
Then, I consider what stitches and beanie construction method to use. In general, my patterns are known for having easy to memorize stitch repeats, but I like to make sure my patterns for the challenge are fairly beginner friendly and work up quickly. Since the intention for this challenge is to crochet hats to donate, I want to make sure my pattern can be easily made by those with different skill levels.
This year’s beanie uses alternating single crochet and treble crochet stitches (this combination is known as the “cobble stitch”) with rows of single crochet in between in a 4-row repeat. So, simple stitches, but they work up into a gorgeous, squishable texture. It’s also made side-to-side in a panel rather than from the top-down or the bottom-up. This means there aren’t any increases or decreases to worry about, making it super easy to get into a rhythm to make. However, unlike regular panel style beanies where you make a large rectangle, this beanie has a unique modified short-row at the top, adding some shaping. It is much easier to cinch the top of the beanie this way, so you don’t feel like you have to add a pom pom on top to cover a bunchy cinch.
Lastly, I consider how the beanie will be worn. While, yes, this can absolutely be worn as a winter beanie, I like to design things that can also be worn casually with jeans and a tee. Chemo and radiation can cause symptoms such as difficulty regulating your temperature or can cause hair loss, so I like the beanie to be able to serve in a variety of situations as needed. That’s why this one is made to be slightly slouchy, doesn’t have a traditional ribbed brim, and looks good either with a pom pom on top, or not!
2026 Crochet Cancer Challenge
So, you might be asking: What exactly is the Crochet Cancer Challenge? It is an event each October where crochet designers come together to give away crochet beanie patterns to help spread awareness about different cancer types. But here’s the catch: For each pattern you download, you are pledging to make and donate at least one beanie to a cancer patient, survivor, or organization. You get a free pattern PDF, and a cancer patient or survivor gets a cozy, handmade hat – win, win!
October 26th, 2025 is my featured day for the Crochet Cancer Challenge, and from October 26th through 31st, you can get the Ever Hopeful Beanie PDF for FREE! After October 31st the PDF becomes a premium paid pattern, and a free version will be added here on the blog, supported by ads.
So how do you get your free PDF? First, head over to the Sweet Potato 3 roundup page to get the code (or click on the “Return to Blog Hop” graphic below). Then, hop back over here and click on the button below that says “Download Pattern Here” to go to the Ravelry listing. Add the pattern to your cart, enter the code, and voila, FREE pattern PDF! But remember, a download = a pledge to make and donate a beanie.
Looking for more beanies to make and donate? Check out the Made with Love Beanie from last year’s challenge, or the Driftwood Spirit Beanie, both free here on the blog. Looking for more? All beanies in my Ravelry shop will be 30% off through October 31st, 2026, no code needed!
Where to Donate
If you are wondering where you can donate your finished beanies, I first recommend looking locally. Check with local cancer centers or hospitals to see if they accept donations. Other organizations like Cancer Support Community (check for the locations in your state) or you local library may also be a good place to try, or they may know who in your area collects donations. Lastly, if you can’t find anything locally, there are national organizations (in the USA) like Knots of Love or Crochet for Cancer that accept donations mailed to them.
So, ready to get making? Head to the Sweet Potato 3 blog to get the code so you can download the PDF for free (valid through October 31st, 2026).
While the pattern can be viewed for free here on the blog (after October 31st, 2026), an ad-free PDF can be purchased on Etsy or Ravelry. In addition to being print optimized, the PDF has color coded stitch/row counts so you can easily follow the size you are making.
Additionally, in the spirit of the Crochet Cancer Challenge, $1 from each Ever Hopeful pattern sale and 15% of the ad-revenue generated by this post on the blog will be donated to Cancer Support Community Delaware. They are a local non-profit that provides services to cancer patients, survivors, and family members free of charge throughout the state of Delaware. I worked with them for my research as a grad student and they adopted my group health coaching program after I graduated (a researcher’s dream!). They provide so much good throughout the state, that I know the money they receive through donations will be used to support those who need it.
Ever Hopeful Beanie: Free Crochet Hat Pattern
Pattern Difficulty
Advanced Beginner
Skills used: working in turned rows, slip stitch, single crochet, treble crochet
Materials
Crochet Hook: I/5.5 mm hook, or size required to match gauge
Yarn: 90-180 yards of #4/worsted weight yarn
- Suggested yarns: Swish Worsted from WeCrochet (Superwash Merino Wool) or Pound of Love from Lion Brand Yarn (Acrylic)
Yarn needle for sewing seams and weaving in ends
Scissors
Measuring tape
Stitch markers (highly recommended)
Pom pom + pom pom button (optional)
Abbreviations
st(s): stitch(es)
sm: stitch marker
ch: chain
slst: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
tr: treble crochet
Sizing
The sizes below are guidelines. Every head is different and the person you are making the beanie for may not match their age category. If you are able to measure their head before you start, use your measurements as your guide to choose the correct size.
| IMPERIAL (Inches) | Approximate Head Circumference | Finished Beanie Width | Finished Beanie Height | Approximate Yardage |
| Baby | 15-17 in | 6.75 in | 6.75 in | 90 yards |
| Toddler | 17-19 in | 8 in | 7.25 in | 115 yards |
| Child | 19-20 in | 8.5 in | 8.25 in | 140 yards |
| Adult Small | 20-22 in | 9.25 in | 9 in | 165 yards |
| Adult Large | 22-24 in | 9.75 in | 9.5 in | 180 yards |
Gauge
14 sts x 14 rows of the pattern written below = 4 in x 4 in (10 cm x 10 cm)
- To start: ch 18
- Row 1: starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, sc across
- Rows 2-3: ch 1, turn, sc across
- Row 4: ch 1, turn, *sc, tr** repeat from * to ** across, ending with a sc
- Rows 5: ch 1, turn, sc across
- Row 6-16: repeat rows 2-5
- This will make a swatch larger than 4 in x 4 in (10 cm x 10 cm). Measure your gauge in the middle of your swatch for the most accurate results.
Notes
* This pattern is written using US terminology.
* The starting chain at the beginning of the row does NOT count as a stitch, so the first stitch will go in the same stitch as the starting chain.
* Numbers in ( ) at the beginning of the instruction refer to row number, color coded by size. Numbers in ( ) at the end of the instruction refer to stitch count for that row. Numbers in [ ] within the row instructions indicate the number of times you do something.
* When a number comes after the st abbreviation (slst 3), put the designated st into each of the next however many number of sts listed (slst in each of the next 3 sts).
* Information pertaining to sizing will always be in the following order: (Baby, Toddler, Child, Adult Small, Adult Large). To make adjustments to sizing, see the Construction & Customization section in the paid PDF available on Ravelry or Etsy.
Video Tutorial
Videos tutorials are coming later this week!
Written Pattern
The pattern will be available on the blog starting November 1st, 2026. From October 26th through October 31st, 2026, you can download the PDF for free as part of the Crochet Cancer Challenge hosted by Christine at Sweet Potato 3.
Want an ad-free, print optimized version of this pattern with color coded stitch and row counts? Purchase the PDF in one of my shops: Etsy, Ravelry
A big THANK YOU to my testers:
| Kendra: keporiginals | Debbie: FleeceTrain |
| Carrie: crazy.cat.lady.creations | Michele: chelscrochetcreations |
| Katie: bliss_fulstitches | Melissa: Lyssasu3 |
| Laurie: Laurieleeca | The_Purffect_Stitch |
| whimsywoolcpt | Leeah: one_in_custody |
| Becky: greenhookcreations | Carly: TheFiberSide |
| Jennie: Crochetbypeekaboo | Tara: snuggledupinyarn |
| Kami: kamijones10 |
When you make one, I would love to see it! When posting on social media, be sure to tag @fromnicolescreations and use hashtag #fromnicolescreations.
Happy stitching!
