Made with Love Beanie: FREE Crochet Pattern

The Made with Love Beanie pattern was designed for this year’s Crochet Cancer Challenge. It is a top-down hat pattern with enough texture to make it interesting, perfect for making and donating to your favorite cancer survivor or organization. Made using just half double crochet and herringbone half double crochet stitches, the pattern is fairly beginner friendly and easy to make again and again (bonus: it is gender neutral and written for 5 sizes because, let’s face it, cancer can affect anyone). With a cozy fit that feels like a hug, the wearer of the hat will be sure to know their beanie was made with love.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and make a purchase from that website, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. For more information, see my Disclosures page.

You may be wondering why I am talking about cancer on a crochet blog. Honestly? Because nearly everyone has had or knows someone who has had cancer, and handmade donations can go a long way to letting a person know someone supports them.

I also have a background working with cancer survivors in a research and programming setting. When I was getting my PhD in Health Behavior Science and Promotion, my dissertation project involved developing a group health coaching program for cancer survivors (if you want to really nerd out, you can read about my project in Supportive Care in Cancer). So, a big part of my doctoral program involved working with cancer patients and understanding the health and social challenges they face (during the COVID pandemic, no less).

Because of that, when the opportunity arose to participate in this year’s Crochet Cancer Challenge hosted by Sweet Potato 3, I jumped. Combining my love of crochet with a population near and dear to my heart? Sign me up!

So, you might be asking: What 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. Keep reading to find out how you can get the Made with Love beanie pattern PDF for free in exchange for a pledge!

Made with Love Beanie Pattern

When I was designing my beanie for the Crochet Cancer Challenge, there were a few features I wanted to make sure the hat had:

1. I wanted it to be gender neutral since cancer doesn’t discriminate.
2. I wanted it to be seamless to reduce the chance for irritation for those who are experiencing sensitive skin or hair loss.
3. I wanted a fairly easy stitch pattern so most crocheters would be able to make it.
4. I wanted it to be top down so it can easily be made fitted or slouchy.
5. And lastly, I wanted something that would look cute as a winter beanie with a pom pom, but also something that would look good for casual daily wear. That way, those who may be experiencing hair loss or who get cold while getting treatment have a cute beanie they can add as an accessory to their outfit for the day.

It took a few tries, but the Made with Love Beanie checks all of those boxes and has a great texture to boot! While I typically prefer to work with natural fibers, many cancer donation sites ask for beanies to be made in acrylic as it is easy to care for and can still be given out to those who may have wool allergies or skin sensitivities. So, I switched it up and made mine using Heartland from Lion Brand and Brava Tweed from WeCrochet (Follower exclusive: Shopping WeCrochet? Use code “AWCFROMNICOLE” for 15% off your order!).

I originally chose the Lion Brand Heartland yarn because of the colors since I wanted to make the hats I am donating in the colors of the thyroid cancer ribbon (blue, pink, and teal). Over 53,000 Americans are diagnosed with thyroid cancer each year and women are 3x more likely to develop this cancer than men. I have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, an autoimmune disorder which can create nodules on your thyroid, and more than once I have had to have those nodules biopsied to ensure they hadn’t turned cancerous. Thankfully, all biopsies have been negative, but it is something that weighs on my mind every time I have them checked. So, I wanted to make my beanies this year in honor of those who have had a different outcome than I have.

2025 Crochet Cancer Challenge

October 30th, 2025 is my featured day for the Crochet Cancer Challenge, and on October 30th AND 31st, you can get the Made with Love Beanie PDF for FREE! How do you get this deal? 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.

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) 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?

While the pattern can be viewed for free here on the blog, 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, going forward, $1 from each Made with Love pattern sale 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 knew they would be the perfect recipient of the pattern sale donations.

Free Made with Love Beanie Crochet Pattern

Pattern Difficulty

Advanced Beginner
Skills used: working in a continuous spiral, increases, half double crochet, herringbone half double crochet, working in the back loop

Materials

Crochet Hook: I/5.5 mm hook (primary hook) + H/5.0mm hook (for last round only)
Yarn: 65-120 yards total of #4/worsted weight yarn

• Samples made using Lion Brand Heartland and WeCrochet Brava Tweed

Yarn needle for sewing seams and weaving in ends
Scissors
Measuring tape
Stitch markers
Pom pom (optional)

Abbreviations

st(s): stitch(es)
sm: stitch marker
ch: chain
slst: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
sc blo: single crochet in the back loop only
hdc: half double crochet
hdc blo: half double crochet in the back loop only
blo: back loop only
h-hdc: herringbone half double crochet

• Yarn over, insert your hook into the designated stitch and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Without yarning over, pull the first loop through the second. Then, yarn over and pull through remaining loops. Need additional help? Click here for a post from my blog with more on this stitch, including step by step pictures and video.

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	7 in	6 in	65 yards
Toddler	17-19 in	7.75 in	6.75 in	80 yards
Child	19-20 in	8.5 in	7.25 in	90 yards
Adult Small	20-22 in	9.5 in	8 in	105 yards
Adult Large	22-24 in	10.25 in	8.5 in	120 yards

Gauge

13.5 sts x 10 rows of hdc = 4 in x 4 in (10 cm x 10 cm)

• NOTE: If you are having trouble matching gauge for both stitches and rows, match the number of stitches as this determines the beanie’s circumference. Because this pattern is a one round repeat, you can easily add or remove rounds as needed to get to your desired height.

Notes

* This pattern is written using US terminology.

* Numbers in ( ) at the beginning of the instruction refer to row number. Numbers in ( ) at the end of the instruction refer to stitch count for that row.

* Stitches in ( ) within the row instruction indicate stitches you will place in the same stitch. For example, (hdc, h-hdc) means you will place both a hdc and a h-hdc in the same stitch. This is an increase.

* Instructions in [ ] indicate a group of stitches you will repeat a number of times per pattern instructions.

* Information pertaining to sizing will always be in the following order: (Baby, Toddler, Child, Adult Small, Adult Large).

* Stitch counts are only listed when they change. If no stitch count is listed, assume it is the same as the last listed stitch count.

* In the crown of the beanie, sometimes the increase is (hdc, h-hdc) and sometimes it is the opposite order (h-hdc, hdc). Pay close attention to which increase is written for each round.

Pattern

Instructions are written individually for each size for the crown of the beanie. Once the crown is complete, all sizes jump to the BODY (All Sizes) section below to finish the beanie.

BABY CROWN:
To start: ch 4 and slst to the first stitch to create a ring

• NOTE: A magic circle can also be used here instead.

Round 1: working into the center of the ring, sc (place a sm in this stitch), 11 hdc (12)

• NOTE: Do not join to the first stitch when you complete the round. This pattern is worked in continuous rounds. Move your sm up to the first st of each round throughout the pattern to help keep track of where the round starts/ends.

Round 2: (hdc, h-hdc) in each st around (24)

Round 3: *hdc blo, (h-hdc, hdc)** repeat from * to ** around (36)

• NOTE: The increases change each round. Make sure to pay attention to which stitch you are starting with.

Round 4: *hdc blo, h-hdc, (hdc, h-hdc)** repeat from * to ** around (48)

From here, jump to the “BODY (All Sizes)” section to finish the beanie.

TODDLER CROWN:
To start: ch 4 and slst to the first stitch to create a ring

• NOTE: A magic circle can also be used here instead.

Round 1: working into the center of the ring, sc (place a sm in this stitch), 11 hdc (12)

• NOTE: Do not join to the first stitch when you complete the round. This pattern is worked in continuous rounds. Move your sm up to the first st of each round throughout the pattern to help keep track of where the round starts/ends.

Round 2: (hdc, h-hdc) in each st around (24)

Round 3: *hdc blo, (h-hdc, hdc)** repeat from * to ** around (36)

• NOTE: The increases change each round. Make sure to pay attention to which stitch you are starting with.

Round 4: *hdc blo, h-hdc, (hdc, h-hdc)** repeat from * to ** around (48)

Round 5: [alternate hdc blo and h-hdc for a total of 22 stitches, (hdc, h-hdc) in the blo, (hdc, h-hdc)] x 2 (52)

• NOTE: Excluding the increases, your hdc blo will stack on top of hdc blo and your h-hdc will stack on top of h-hdc from the prior round.

From here, jump to the “BODY (All Sizes)” section to finish the beanie.

CHILD CROWN:
To start: ch 4 and slst to the first stitch to create a ring

• NOTE: A magic circle can also be used here instead.

Round 1: working into the center of the ring, sc (place a sm in this stitch), 11 hdc (12)

• NOTE: Do not join to the first stitch when you complete the round. This pattern is worked in continuous rounds. Move your sm up to the first st of each round throughout the pattern to help keep track of where the round ends.

Round 2: (hdc, h-hdc) in each st around (24)

Round 3: *hdc blo, (h-hdc, hdc)** repeat from * to ** around (36)

• NOTE: The increases change each round. Make sure to pay attention to which stitch you are starting with.

Round 4: *hdc blo, h-hdc, (hdc, h-hdc)** repeat from * to ** around (48)

Round 5: [alternate hdc blo and h-hdc for a total of 6 stitches, (hdc, h-hdc) in the blo, (hdc, h-hdc)] x 5, alternate hdc blo and h-hdc for the final 8 sts (58)

• NOTE: Excluding the increases, your hdc blo will stack on top of hdc blo and your h-hdc will stack on top of h-hdc from the prior round.

From here, jump to the “BODY (All Sizes)” section to finish the beanie.

ADULT SMALL CROWN:
To start: ch 4 and slst to the first stitch to create a ring

• NOTE: A magic circle can also be used here instead.

Round 1: working into the center of the ring, sc (place a sm in this stitch), 9 hdc (10)

• NOTE: Do not join to the first stitch when you complete the round. This pattern is worked in continuous rounds. Move your sm up to the first st of each round throughout the pattern to help keep track of where the round ends.

Round 2: (hdc, h-hdc) in each st around (20)

Round 3: *hdc blo, (h-hdc, hdc)** repeat from * to ** around (30)

• NOTE: The increases change each round. Make sure to pay attention to which stitch you are starting with.

Round 4: *hdc blo, h-hdc, (hdc, h-hdc)** repeat from * to ** around (40)

Round 5: *hdc blo, h-hdc, hdc blo, (h-hdc, hdc)** repeat from * to ** around (50)

Round 6: *[hdc blo, h-hdc] x 2, (hdc, h-hdc)** repeat from * to ** around (60)

Round 7: [alternate hdc blo and h-hdc for a total of 28 stitches, (hdc, h-hdc) in the blo, (hdc, h-hdc)] x 2 (64)

• NOTE: Excluding the increases, your hdc blo will stack on top of hdc blo and your h-hdc will stack on top of h-hdc from the prior round.

From here, jump to the “BODY (All Sizes)” section to finish the beanie.

ADULT LARGE CROWN:
To start: ch 4 and slst to the first stitch to create a ring

• NOTE: A magic circle can also be used here instead.

Round 1: working into the center of the ring, sc (place a sm in this stitch), 9 hdc (10)

• NOTE: Do not join to the first stitch when you complete the round. This pattern is worked in continuous rounds. Move your sm up to the first st of each round throughout the pattern to help keep track of where the round ends.

Round 2: (hdc, h-hdc) in each st around (20)

Round 3: *hdc blo, (h-hdc, hdc)** repeat from * to ** around (30)

• NOTE: The increases change each round. Make sure to pay attention to which stitch you are starting with.

Round 4: *hdc blo, h-hdc, (hdc, h-hdc)** repeat from * to ** around (40)

Round 5: *hdc blo, h-hdc, hdc blo, (h-hdc, hdc)** repeat from * to ** around (50)

Round 6: *[hdc blo, h-hdc] x 2, (hdc, h-hdc)** repeat from * to ** around (60)

Round 7: [alternate hdc blo and h-hdc for a total of 10 stitches, (hdc, h-hdc) in the blo, (hdc, h-hdc)] x 5 (70)

• NOTE: Excluding the increases, your hdc blo will stack on top of hdc blo and your h-hdc will stack on top of h-hdc from the prior round.

From here, jump to the “BODY (All Sizes)” section below to finish the beanie.

BODY (ALL SIZES)
Round (5, 6, 6, 8, 8): *hdc blo, h-hdc** repeat from * to ** around

• NOTE: The hdc blo will always stack on top of the hdc blo and the h-hdc will always stack on top of the h-hdc from the prior round.

Rounds (6-15, 7-17, 7-18, 9-20, 9-22): Repeat Round (5, 6, 6, 8, 8) until you have reached the number of rounds written OR until you have reached your desired beanie length.

Last Round (All Sizes): Go down one hook size, *sc blo, sc** repeat from * to ** around until 1 st remains, slst into final stitch

• NOTE: The sc blo will stack on top of the hdc blo and the regular sc will stack on top of the h-hdc from the prior round.

Fasten off. Use your yarn needle to sew around and close the small opening at the top of your beanie or close your magic circle, and weave in your ends. Add a pom pom if desired.

Want an ad-free, print optimized version of this pattern with color coded rows and stitch counts? Purchase the PDF in one of my shops: Etsy, Ravelry

A big THANK YOU to my testers:

Debbie: FleeceTrain	Katie: bliss_fulstitches
Valerie: valstitchniche	Emily: ewcutecrafts
Laurie: Laurieleeca	Jean: nanajeancrochet
Nahin: Ayaanumscrochet	Kami: kamijones10
Carrie: crazy.cat.lady.creations	Ruman: Talkinghook
Tara: snuggledupinyarn	Leeah: one_in_custody
Eliette: eliettemakesstuff	Jenna: Jkemerick

When you make one, I want to see it! When posting on social media, be sure to tag @fromnicolescreations and use hashtags #madewithlovebeanie and #fromnicolescreations.

Happy stitching!