Sometimes during this time of year, my cat will finally be a little bit snuggly, sort of. Although I’m not sure what he thinks about my new Polka Dot Winter Crochet Beanie.
He is a beautiful cat I pulled from a bush as a baby. His mommy was very wild, and most of the time her litters did not survive long. We had just moved into a new home at the time and had an unfortunate visitor in our attic….a rat.
The exterminator informed me that the best line of defense was a cat. And since there was a new litter across town in my old neighborhood, I guess it was time to finally keep a kitten for myself.
Little did I know that he would purr his way into the hearts of everyone. He has grown into an amazing companion for my littlest child; they have a unique bond of love.
Sometimes, however, my cat will hide around the corner and attack my leg. We don’t know why he does this to me and no one else in the house. He did it to my sister once, but that’s because she looks like me.
His name, Ninja Kitty, is so fitting because he sneaks around like a warrior ninja. He is also really good at catching rats and, to my dismay, leaves them outside the house. I try not to feel irritated about disposing of them, since a dead rat is better than an infestation. Our fruit trees tend to attract various animals.
While he may not always enjoy the lap snuggles, I for sure always enjoy snuggling with him. And I also love this cozy winter polka-dot hat, and I hope you do as well! Scroll down for the free pattern!
If you want a full PDF, you can find it in my Ravelry shop!
And if you love crochet hat patterns with texture, you may also love to Create A Cozy Beanie With This Easy Crochet Pattern!
Polka Dot Winter Crochet Beanie Supplies
Crochet Hook
6mm (J), or size to obtain gauge
Yarn Needle
Scissors
Faux Fur Fabric for Pompom, or pre-made link below.
Sheep Yarn Bobbins– Check out my post to the FREE printable!
Yarn–
Red Heart Hygge (affiliate link)
2 skeins in color of choice
Yardage:
• 145 yards (133 m) – one skein of each color
If gauge is met, other yarns of the same weight can be substituted:
• Red Heart Comfort Chunky
• Stylecraft for Babies Chunky
• Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky
• King Cole Big Value Baby Soft Chunky
Measurements–
• Adult size, brim stretches to
fit 19-23″ heads
Gauge–
• 16 sts and 9 rows = 4” (10 cm)
in background fabric pattern
Abbreviations–
• blo – back loop only
• CC – contrasting color
• ch – chain
• Cluster Stitch*
• hdc – half double crochet
• MR – Magic Ring (Magic Circle)
• rep – repeat
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• yo – yarn over
Notes for the Polka Dot Winter Crochet Beanie
-The cluster hat is worked in the round, from top down. The clusters are worked in a second color, but the hat can also be worked in one solid color.
-For more information on colorwork, as well as a free printable sheep bobbin, visit:
-The Chain 2 at the beginning of the round does not count as a stitch.
-Using the hook over, versus yarn over, the method will lessen a traveling seam. Change tension if the cluster stitches are not offsetting each other.
Special Stitches
BLO – work stitch in the back loop only
Half Double Crochet– Yo, insert hook into stitch, yo and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through all three loops on hook.
Cluster Stitch– Yo, insert hook into stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo, draw yarn through two loops on the hook; repeat * three times (5 loops on hook), yo and draw yarn through 5 loops on hook.
Magic Ring (Magic Circle) Video:
Polka Dot Winter Crochet Beanie Instructions
| Round | Description | Stitch Count |
| 1 | With main color yarn, hdc 8 inside MR, join. | 8 |
| 2 | Ch 2, 2hdc in each stitch around, join. | 16 |
| 3 | Ch 2, *2hdc in first, with CC cluster st 1; repeat * around, join. | 24 |
| 4 | Ch 2, *2hdc in first, hdc 2; repeat * around, join. | 32 |
| 5 | Ch 2, *2hdc in first, hdc 1, with CC cluster st 1, hdc 1; repeat * around, join. | 40 |
| 6 | Ch 2, *2hdc in first, hdc 4; repeat * around, join. | 48 |
| 7 | Ch 2, *2hdc in first, hdc 1, with CC cluster st 1, hdc 3; repeat * around, join. | 56 |
| 8 | Ch 2, *2hdc in first, hdc 6; repeat * around, join. | 64 |
| 9 | Ch 2, *2hdc in first, with CC cluster st 1, hdc 6; repeat * around, join. | 72 |
| 10 | Ch 2, hdc in each stitch around, join. | 72 |
| 11 | Ch 2, *hdc 8, with CC cluster 1; repeat * around, join. | 72 |
| 12 | Ch 2, hdc in each stitch around, join. | 72 |
| 13 | Ch 2, *hdc 4, with CC cluster 1, hdc 4; repeat * around, join. | 72 |
| 14 | Ch 2, hdc in each stitch around, join. | 72 |
| 15 | Ch 2, *with CC cluster 1, hdc 8; repeat * around, join. | 72 |
| 16 | Ch 2, hdc in each stitch around, join. | 72 |
Polka Dot Hat Brim:
| Round | Description | Stitch Count |
| 1 | The images of these steps are below. With CC, chain 6, slip stitch in 2nd chain from hook and across, slip stitch in 2 stitches on the brim, turn. | 5 |
| 2 | Skip the two slip stitches on brim, in blo, slip stitch 5, turn. | 5 |
| 3 | Ch 1, in blo, slip stitch 5, slip stitch in 2 stitches on brim, turn. | 5 |
| 4-72 | Repeat rows 2-3 along the edge of brim. | |
| Join brim by slip stitching through the front loops of the last brim row to the back loop of beginning brim row. |
Finishing:
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Leave the beanie plain or create a yarn or fur pompom for top.
Well, That Was Fun! What’s Next?
