Ochre Checkerboard Baby Beanie Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This little beanie is the perfect first colorwork project for anyone who loves a bold, modern look. Worked in the round from the crown down in smooth single crochet, it uses just two colors — warm ochre and deep olive — to create a striking striped band that reads like a checkerboard. The simple rounded dome shape means no shaping tricks, no ribbing, and no fuss, just easy stitches and a few color changes. It's soft, stretchy, and sized for a 0–3 month baby, making it a sweet, quick gift that looks far more complicated than it is.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (4) acrylic yarn — approx 80 yds ochre (Color A) and 40 yds olive (Color B)
- Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors
- Finished size: Fits 0–3 months; circumference approx 14 inches, height 5.5 inches
Abbreviations
- MR — magic ring: an adjustable loop you crochet into to start a closed circle
- sc — single crochet
- inc — increase: work 2 single crochet into the same stitch
- ch — chain
- rnd — round: one complete circle of stitches
- sts — stitches
- [ ] — repeat the instructions inside the brackets the number of times stated
Gauge
16 sts and 16 rnds = 4 inches in single crochet. To check, crochet a small swatch in the round and measure a 4-inch section; if you have more stitches than 16, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round so you never lose your place — single crochet in the round spirals, so rounds don't close with a join.
- Change colors on the last stitch of the round before the new color begins: pull the new color through the final two loops of that stitch so the color change sits cleanly at the round edge.
- Keep your tension even, especially at the color changes, so the stripes stay flat and the hat keeps its smooth dome shape.
- Don't crochet too tightly — baby hats need stretch to slip over a little head, so aim for a relaxed, consistent gauge.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Hat
Work in a continuous spiral with Color A unless told otherwise. Do not join rounds.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts)
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts)
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts)
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36 sts)
Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42 sts)
Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] x6 (48 sts)
Rnds 9–12: sc in each st around (48 sts)
Change to Color B.
Rnds 13–16: sc in each st around (48 sts)
Change to Color A.
Rnds 17–20: sc in each st around (48 sts)
Change to Color B.
Rnds 21–24: sc in each st around (48 sts)
Change to Color A.
Rnds 25–28: sc in each st around (48 sts)
Fasten off.
Edging
With Color A, join yarn at the bottom edge of the hat.
Rnd 1: ch 1, sc evenly around the bottom edge (48 sc)
Fasten off.
Assembly and Finishing
Weave in all ends on the inside of the hat, using the tapestry needle to run each tail through a few stitches so it stays secure. Gently smooth the color-change points so no gaps show at the round edges. Block lightly by misting with water and shaping the hat over a small bowl or form to the finished measurements (approx 14 inches circumference, 5.5 inches tall); let it dry completely. No seaming is needed — the hat is worked in one piece.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the palette: Try cream and dusty blue, or mustard and rust, for a different modern look while keeping the same 4-round stripe rhythm.
- Add a pom-pom: A small olive pom-pom on top makes the hat extra playful for photos.
- Size it up: For a larger baby, add one more increase round (Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] x6 = 54 sts) and work the body rounds at 54 sts, keeping the same color sequence.
