This pattern is part of the Fall 2017 Malia CAL (Crochet-Along). To view the other patterns in this collection (including an adult beanie, slouchy hat, infinity scarf, and buttoned cowl), please visit the Malia CAL Homepage.

Is there anything cuter than a little newborn beanie? Every time I make one, I think to myself, were my boys’ heads really this small once? (Actually, probably not. My kids all had big heads!)

Unlike the rest of the Malia Crochet-Along Patterns, which used Yarn Bee’s Rustic Romantic yarn, for this pattern I used Cascade Longwood which is one of my all-time favorite yarns. The Rustic Romantic is gorgeous but it has hemp in it, and that makes it not quite soft enough for a newborn head. Longwood on the other hand is smooth and soft and has beautiful stitch definition, and it washes up great. I made my son’s baby blanket from it and it is holding up beautifully!

There is endless debate about whether or not pom poms (or buttons, or ribbons) should be used on a baby’s hat. My thought is, a newborn should never be left unattended ever, unless she is in the safety of her crib, and she wouldn’t be wearing a winter beanie during nap time, anyway! I don’t even leave hats on my babies in their car seats, because hell hath no fury like that of a baby who has just pulled his hat over his eyes and is out of reach of his driving mama. Of course, it’s up to you whether you are comfortable attaching a pom pom to this hat, and I think it’s pretty adorable either way.

This hat uses my special faux-cinched, top-down, vertical method – meaning you begin the hat in rounds, then switch to vertical rows, and you end up with a beautiful vertical design without having to sew it shut at the end. This method produces a nice even cinch at the top. At first the method might seem confusing, but many who have tried it have ended up falling in love with it! There is a video tutorial for the adult version of this beanie that may help you as you start the hat. Your numbers will be different, but the construction is the same.

Free Printable Tags

I made some cute printable tags for this pattern that you are welcome to use! If you’re selling or gifting this hat, a tag or wrap just ups the professionalism, in my opinion. I included a wraparound label as well as a smaller tag (shown in photo below) that can be attached to a piece of decorative string wrapped around your finished product, by punching a hole through the corner and threading the string through before tying a bow to secure. Print on cardstock for best results!

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This pattern is also available as an ad-free, printable PDF! And if you love PDFs, you might want to check out my All Access Pass. It’s an awesome deal! (Or, scroll down for the free version!)

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MALIA NEWBORN BEANIE

Difficulty: Easyish

Finished Size: 5″ tall x 12″ circumference (will fit a 0-3 month old baby with an average 13-15″ head)

Yarn: 80 yards of #4 aran weight. Yarn used in sample photos is Cascade Longwood.

Hook: I (5.50 mm) or whichever hook is needed to obtain correct gauge

Gauge: The importance of checking your gauge for this project cannot be understated. Because of the construction of the hat, it is difficult to adjust mid-pattern if you discover it is turning out too large. Even if you typically do not complete gauge checks, I strongly encourage you to do so this time. To ensure the best results, the gauge check is a swatch taken straight from the pattern. Upon completion, you should have a 4” square. If yours is larger, consider using a smaller hook or a thinner #4 yarn. If yours is smaller, consider using a larger hook.

Pattern for Gauge:
CH17.
Row 1: SC in 2nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH. (16)
Row 2: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. (SK next ST, LBS in next ST) 7 times. SC in final ST. (16)
Row 3: CH1, turn. HDC in each ST across. (16)
Row 4: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 14 STS. SC in final ST. (16)
Row 5: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (16)
Row 6: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. (LBS in next ST, SK next ST) 7 times. SC in final ST. (16)
Row 7: CH1, turn. HDC in each ST across. (16)
Row 8: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 14 STS. SC in final ST. (16)
Row 9: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (16)
Rows 10-16: Repeat Rows 2-8. (16)

You’ll also need: Yarn needle, optional small faux fur pom pom

Terms and Abbreviations:
MC (magic circle – view tutorial here)
ST/STS (stitch/stitches)
SL ST (slip stitch)
SK (skip)
CH (chain)
SC (single crochet)
HDC (half double crochet)
LBS (large bean stitch – see “Special Stitches”)
BLO (back loop only)
3rd LOOP (work stitch into 3rd loop only – see “Special Stitches”)

Special Stitches:
Large Bean Stitch (LBS)
Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through (2 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (6 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (8 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 8 loops. Chain 1 to close the stitch. (Because this stitch creates two sets of loops – one when creating the bean, and one when closing the stitch – each completed Large Bean Stitch will count for two stitches in the row or round’s final stitch count.)

3rd Loop Only
Half double crochet stitches have a 3rd loop that we utilize in this pattern. When working in turned rows, as in this pattern, the 3rd loop can be found just below the front loop on the side of the work that is facing you. When instructed to work in “3rd loop only”, insert your hook into this special loop. This creates a delicate braided look on the opposite side of the pattern.

Notes:
(1) This pattern is written in American Standard Terms.
(2) CH1s at the beginning of rounds and rows do not count as a stitch in the final stitch count.
(3) Click here to view a video tutorial for the adult version of this pattern.

INSTRUCTIONS

To Begin: Make a magic circle; CH1.

Round 1: 8SC in MC, join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (8)

Round 2: CH1. 2SC in each ST around, join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (16)

Round 3: CH1. 3SC in each ST around, join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (48)

At this point you should have a very wavy circle. We are now switching to vertical rows, and working them one by one using the stitches from Round 3.

Row 1: CH19, turn. SC in 2^nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH; row is complete. Being sure that the wrong side of the circle is facing you (because we turned), SL ST to the base of the CH19, then SL ST to the next ST along Round 3. (18 + 2 SL STS)

Row 2: CH1, turn. Skipping over the CH1 and the 2 SL STS along Round 3, SC in each of the first 14 STS of the previous row. SC in BLO of each of the next 3 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (18)

Row 3: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 3 STS. (SK next ST, LBS in next ST) 7 times; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 STS along Round 3. (18 + 2 SL STS)

Row 4: CH1, turn. HDC in each of the first 14 STS. SC in BLO of each of the next 3 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (18)

Row 5: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 3 STS. SC in 3^rd loop of each of the next 14 STS; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 STS along Round 3. (18 + 2 SL STS)

Row 6: CH1, turn. Skipping over the CH1 and the 2 SL STS along Round 3, SC in each of the first 14 STS of the previous row. SC in BLO of each of the next 3 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (18)

Row 7: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 3 STS. (LBS in next ST, SK next ST) 7 times; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 STS along Round 3. (18 + 2 SL STS)

Row 8: CH1, turn. HDC in each of the first 14 STS. SC in BLO of each of the next 3 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (18)

Row 9: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 3 STS. SC in 3^rd loop of each of the next 14 STS; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 STS along Round 3. (18 + 2 SL STS)

Rows 10-41: Repeat Rows 2-9, in order, 4 more times.

Rows 42-48: Repeat Rows 2-8.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing the seam.

SEAMING

Turn hat inside out. Close up the magic circle and weave in that end only. Then, thread your yarn needle onto the long finishing tail and sew the first 4 stitches (the ribbed band) together, stitch by stitch. The following photo is a screenshot from the adult version’s video tutorial:

Once you finish with the ribbed section, sew the rest of the seam up, stitch by stitch, putting your needle through the 3rd loop of the final row of HDCs and across to the corresponding stitch on the other side of the seam. This will ensure that the seam creates a row of visible top loops to match the other 3rd loop rows around the hat. The following photo is a screenshot from the adult version’s video tutorial, with the 3rd loops highlighted:

Weave in your tail and cut off the excess. Attach a pom pom (optional.)

Done! If you’re sharing on social media, be sure to hashtag #maliacaland #malianewbornbeanie, and tag me @littlemonkeyscrochet. Hope you enjoyed it!