Free crochet patterns: hats, scarves and granny squares

Free patterns are easy to find and uneven in quality. Some skip stitch totals or use UK terms unannounced, and a beginner cannot tell whether a wrong count is their mistake or the pattern's. A scarf, a granny square and a beanie make a sensible first set because each one reuses what the previous project taught and adds a single new idea. The scarf is flat rows and straight edges. The granny square moves to rounds and corners. The beanie adds increases and fit. Made in that order, each new project starts from something your hands already know.

A double crochet scarf, a classic granny square and a top-down beanie can all be made from worsted weight (#4 medium) yarn with one I-9 (5.5 mm) hook. These three free crochet patterns take about 420 to 570 yards (384 to 521 m) of yarn together, and roughly $20 in supplies.

The three patterns at a glance

The Craft Yarn Council's yarn weight chart lists I-9 to K-10 1/2 hooks for #4 yarn, so the I-9 sits at the firm end of the range. You also need a yarn needle, scissors, a tape measure and a stitch marker.

Round up the yarn amounts when you shop. Pick a smooth, light-colored yarn: dark or fuzzy yarns hide the stitch tops your hook goes into. Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Walmart and Amazon all stock acrylic worsted.

Stitches and terms used in all three

The patterns use only four stitches: chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc) and double crochet (dc). They are written in US terms. UK patterns give some of the same stitches different names, a common source of confusion online.

• Chain (ch): yarn over, pull through the loop on the hook.
• Slip stitch (sl st): insert the hook, yarn over, pull through the stitch and the loop on the hook.
• Single crochet, sc (UK: double crochet): insert the hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• Double crochet, dc (UK: treble crochet): yarn over, insert the hook, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), then yarn over and pull through 2 loops twice.

"Ch 3 counts as dc" means the starting chain replaces the first stitch, so you skip the stitch at its base. "Ch 2 does not count" means the chain only adds height. "*3 dc, ch 2; rep from * 2 more times" means you work that sequence three times in total.

Pattern 1: an easy double crochet scarf

This scarf is a plain rectangle of double crochet rows, 24 stitches wide. It builds the two habits behind any flat crochet project: a steady stitch count and a correctly placed last stitch. With worsted yarn and an I-9 (5.5 mm) hook, it measures about 8 inches (20 cm) wide.

1. Foundation: Leave a 6-inch (15 cm) tail and ch 26.
2. Row 1: Dc in the 4th ch from the hook (the 3 skipped chains count as the first dc) and in each ch across. 24 stitches.
3. Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as the first dc) and turn. Skip the first stitch, dc in each stitch across, and work the last dc into the top of the turning chain. 24 stitches.
4. Repeat: Work Row 2, counting stitches on the first 10 rows, until the scarf measures 60 inches (152 cm).
5. Finish: Cut the yarn and pull the tail through the loop. Weave each tail through 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) of stitches with the yarn needle, then trim.

A scarf that narrows or widens has lost or gained stitches at an edge. If the bottom edge puckers, make the foundation chain with a J-10 (6 mm) hook, then switch back to the I-9. For a different width, chain your stitch count plus 2.

Pattern 2: the classic granny square

A classic granny square is built from groups of three double crochets, called clusters, worked in rounds from the center out. Each round adds four clusters and keeps a chain-2 space at every corner. Five rounds in worsted yarn make a square about 5 to 6 inches (13 to 15 cm) across.

1. Start: Ch 4 and sl st into the first ch to form a ring.
2. Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in the ring, ch 2. *3 dc in the ring, ch 2; rep from * 2 more times. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. You have 4 clusters and 4 corner spaces.
3. Round 2: Sl st in the next 2 dc and into the ch-2 corner space. Ch 3, then (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same space, ch 1. *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next corner space, ch 1; rep from * 2 more times. Join. You have 8 clusters.
4. Round 3: Sl st in the next 2 dc and into the corner space. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same space, ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-1 space, ch 1. *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next corner space, ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-1 space, ch 1; rep from * 2 more times. Join. You have 12 clusters.
5. Rounds 4 and 5: Work as Round 3, but along each side place (3 dc, ch 1) in every ch-1 space. Round 4 has 16 clusters and Round 5 has 20.
6. Finish: Fasten off and weave in both tails.

A lopsided square usually has a corner worked as a side cluster: every corner gets (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in one space. Before joining, block squares to one size: wet-block wool and pin it to dry; steam acrylic with the iron held just above the pinned square, never touching it, fingers clear of the steam. Then whipstitch them through the back loops, corner to corner.

Pattern 3: a top-down beanie hat

This beanie starts as a flat circle of double crochet at the crown, starts at 12 stitches and gains 12 per round to 60, then works straight down to a single crochet brim. At 60 stitches it measures about 20 inches (51 cm) around, sized for an adult woman's head with a little stretch.

The Craft Yarn Council head circumference chart gives 21 to 23 inches (53 to 58.5 cm) for an adult woman and 22 to 24 inches (56 to 61 cm) for an adult man. Hats are usually made 1 to 2 inches smaller than the head so they stay on. The starting ch 2 does not count, so work the first dc into the same stitch as the join, and join each round with a sl st to the first dc.

1. Round 1: Make a magic ring (a loop of yarn you work stitches into, then pull closed with the tail). Ch 2, then work 12 dc into the ring. Close the ring with the tail, join, and mark the first dc. 12 stitches.
2. Round 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each stitch around. 24 stitches.
3. Round 3: Ch 2, *2 dc in the next stitch, dc in the next stitch; rep from * around. 36 stitches.
4. Round 4: Ch 2, *2 dc in the next stitch, dc in the next 2 stitches; rep from * around. 48 stitches.
5. Round 5: Ch 2, *2 dc in the next stitch, dc in the next 3 stitches; rep from * around. 60 stitches. The flat circle should measure 6 to 6.5 inches (15 to 16.5 cm) across.
6. Larger size (optional): For a head over 23 inches, work one more round: ch 2, *2 dc in the next stitch, dc in the next 9 stitches; rep from * around. 66 stitches.
7. Body: Ch 2, dc in each stitch around. Repeat until the hat measures 7 inches (18 cm) from the crown center.
8. Brim: Ch 1, sc in each stitch around, join to the first sc. Work 2 more sc rounds the same way, for a hat about 8 inches tall. Fasten off and weave in ends.

The Round 5 measurement is your gauge check. Under 6 inches, restart with a J-10 (6 mm) hook or add the optional round; over 6.5 inches, go down to an H-8 (5 mm) hook. A crown that ruffles has too many stitches for your gauge, and one that cups early has too few.

Where to find your next pattern

After these three, look for patterns rated Basic or Easy in worsted weight, so the instructions match your supplies and the stitches you know. The Craft Yarn Council grades projects as Basic, Easy, Intermediate or Complex, and all three patterns here are Basic.

Yarn companies publish free beginner patterns too. Share a link to a pattern rather than copying it; the designer keeps the rights to the text and photos.

Frequently asked questions

How do I change colors in a granny square?

Finish a round and fasten off. Join the new color with a sl st in any corner ch-2 space, ch 3 (counts as dc), and work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in that same space, then continue the round as usual.

How many granny squares do I need for a blanket?

For a 48 x 60-inch (122 x 152 cm) throw made from 6-inch squares, you need 8 squares across and 10 down, or 80 squares. At about 20 yards (18 m) per square, plan on roughly 1,600 yards (1,463 m), plus extra for joining.

Why does my crochet hat have a visible seam?

Joined rounds leave a faint line where each round starts and ends, and it tends to drift sideways as the hat grows. That is normal for joined rounds. Keep the starting ch 2 snug so the line stays neat, and wear the seam at the back.

How do I make this beanie slouchy?

Keep working the body rounds until the hat measures 9 to 10 inches (23 to 25 cm) from the crown instead of 7 inches, then add the same 3-round sc brim. Plan on roughly 25 to 40 more yards (23 to 37 m) of yarn for the added rounds.

Can I resize this beanie for a baby or child?

Yes: stop increasing earlier. The Craft Yarn Council lists head sizes of 14 to 16 inches (35.5 to 40.5 cm) for a baby, 16 to 18 inches (40.5 to 46 cm) for a toddler and 18 to 20 inches (45.5 to 51 cm) for a child. At this gauge, 48 stitches after Round 4 give about 16 inches around, a toddler fit. Shorten the body to suit, and leave ties and pom-poms off baby hats.

Once the scarf, square and hat are done, combine them. A granny square scarf is a good next project: make ten 6-inch squares, block them to the same size, and whipstitch them into a strip about 60 inches (152 cm) long. Another option is a second beanie in a new color with a 5- or 6-round sc brim. After that, search for an Easy-rated pattern that adds one new stitch, such as half double crochet, to the skills you already have.