Galway Crochet Beanie – Free Pattern
The Galway Crochet Beanie combines delicate shell stitches with a chunky, fold over ribbed brim for a beautifully textured winter hat. Finished with a fluffy pom pom, this handmade beanie has a timeless look that’s perfect for chilly days.
This free crochet beanie pattern begins with a stretchy ribbed brim before moving into rounds of shell inspired stitches that give the hat its distinctive appearance. The design uses basic crochet techniques, with simple decreases to shape the crown, making it an enjoyable project for anyone ready to try something beyond a basic crochet hat.
Galway Crochet Beanie at a Glance
- Skill level: Adventurous beginner
- Construction: Worked from the bottom up, beginning with a ribbed brim, followed by the body in continuous rounds and decreases at the crown.
- Yarn weight: Weight 4/worsted/aran
- Crochet hook: 5 mm
- Main features: Fold over ribbed brim, shell inspired texture and optional faux fur pom pom
How the Galway Crochet Beanie is Constructed
The Galway Crochet Beanie is worked from the bottom up, beginning with a fold over ribbed brim. The brim is crocheted in rows of single crochet stitches worked through the back loops only, creating a stretchy, ribbed finish.
Once the brim is long enough to fit around your head, the two short ends are joined to form a circle. The body of the hat is then worked in continuous rounds using a combination of single crochet and double crochet stitches to create its lovely shell inspired texture.
A small number of decreases shape the crown before the top is closed. To finish, you can attach a faux fur pom pom for a playful touch or leave it off for a simpler look.
The original design uses weight 4 yarn, although you can experiment with other yarn weights. If you’re adjusting the brim circumference, work the number of brim rows in multiples of three to maintain the stitch pattern. Remember that changing yarn weight may also affect the finished size and drape of your beanie.
Yarn & Materials
- Yarn: Approximately 230m of weight 4/aran yarn
- Crochet hook: 5 mm, or a suitable size for your chosen yarn
- Yarn needle: For joining and weaving in ends
- Scissors
- Measuring tape: To check the brim circumference
- Faux fur pom pom: Optional, for finishing the hat
STITCHES & ABBREVIATIONS
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- scblo – single crochet back loop only
- dc – double crochet
- slst – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rep – repeat
CROCHET GALWAY BEANIE HAT PATTERN
Brim
Ch 22
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across, turn. [21 sc]
Row 2: ch 1, scblo in each st across, turn.
Rep row 2 until brim is long enough to go around the head but make sure your row count is in multiples of 3.
Slst the two ends to form a circle. Do not fasten off
Main body
The main body is worked in continuous rounds, meaning we will not be making a slip stitch at the end of every round. Mark the first st so you know when each round begins.
Round 1: ch 1 and sc into the ends of the rows all the way around the top edge of brim. The number of sts you crochet is determined by the number of rows you did for the brim, so if you did 60 rows for the band you will single crochet 60 around.
Round 2: ch 1, *(sc + 2DC) into same st, skip 2 sts, rep from * around.
Rep round 2 until the hat measures 9 inches (with the brim folded over). Feel free to add more rounds here for a slouchier look.
Next round: ch 1, *sc in same st, skip 2 sts, rep from * around. Slst to beginning sc to close the round.
Fasten off leaving a long tail.
Using the long tail and yarn needle, weave your tail in and out of the single crochets all the way around. When you reach the end pull your tail slightly to close in the crown of the beanie. Be careful not to pull too much or the yarn will snap.
Once the crown is pulled closed secure with a few stitches. Attach your pom pom and weave in any ends that you might have
