Animal-eared-anythings are pretty darn adorable. I feel that added ears give added cuteness, and this goes for headbands, hats, purses, phone cases, and more!
My newest beanie pattern features a set of dual-layered teddy bear ears, which I think definitely turns this simple beanie into a kawaii one!
In a nutshell, this project is...
- Quick to work up
- Beginner-friendly
- Cute, trendy, and fashionable
- Requires minimal sewing
- Available in sizes from baby to adult
- Great as gifts or craft fair items
Oh, and get this... the beanie is available in a wide array of head sizes, including: newborn baby, toddler, child, and adult.
The ears themselves are designed in a way that allows two different colors, so you can use one color for the inner ear (such as pink or light brown) and another color for the outer ear (such as a darker brown). The two ear pieces are then crocheted together into one, so there's absolutely no sewing involved with making these ears! Better yet, I have a full Bear Ears Video Tutorial for those of you who prefer video instructions!
This beanie is great for selling at craft fairs as it’s pretty quick to work up and would be very popular during the chilly Fall and cold Winter seasons. It also makes a perfect birthday, baby shower, holiday, and/or Christmas gift!
You can make it without the ears as well, and I think it looks rather nice as a minimalist, unisex hat. I really do like its gender neutral appeal with the heathered brown.
If you like this design of mine, you can check out my other Free Crochet Patterns!
You can also PIN it for later on your Crochet board!
Want the PDF pattern?
If you would like to download the beautifully-formatted, ad-free, and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references, you can get a copy from my Ravelry or Etsy shop. Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies!
BEAR BEANIE
Free Crochet Pattern
Copyright Notice -- © 2021 Sweet Softies (www.sweetsofties.com). You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but you must credit Sweet Softies as the owner/creator of this pattern by linking to my website (www.sweetsofties.com). No wholesale. You may not translate, copy, alter, or sell my patterns in part or in whole in any way. My patterns may not be used in video tutorials or teaching online classes. My patterns may be used in teaching in-person classes ONLY with written consent from me. You may link to this pattern but you may not copy any part of the pattern instructions on other websites.
Introduction:
The Bear Beanie is a cute hat that features two-colored teddy bear ears. This beginner-friendly pattern is quick to work up with basic stitches, yet offers some nice texture and edging. It can be crocheted for any age, and instructions are available for all sizes along with tips on how to adjust the pattern to fit any head size (newborn baby, toddler, child, teen, adult, etc). A hat sizing and measurements reference chart is included. This animal headwear is perfect as a birthday gift, baby shower present, holiday and Christmas gift, or craft fair product.
Size:
All sizes (e.g., newborn baby, toddler, child, teen, adult)
Level of Difficulty:
★★☆☆☆ Easy / Familiar Beginner
Requires familiarity with stitches used (below).
Stitches/Terms Used:
- FO: fasten off
- MR: magic ring
- Ch: chain
- Sl st: slip stitch
- Sc: single crochet
- Dc: double crochet
- Dc-inc: double crochet increase (2 dc in same st)
- Tr: triple (treble) crochet
- BLO: back loops only
Materials:
- Medium weight 4 yarn (I used Lion Brand Heartland yarn in the dark brown color ‘Great Smoky Mountains’ and light brown ‘Grand Canyon’ for the inner ears)
- 6 mm crochet hook
- Scissors
Pattern Notes (Read Before Beginning):
- The beanie pattern is broken into three parts. It is constructed in one piece from the crown (top of the head) to the height of the hat.
- The starting chains do not count as a stitch.
- I used medium weight “4” yarn and a 6mm hook for the entire pattern. If you wish to use a different type of yarn, use a suitable hook for that yarn (e.g., a 4.5mm hook with light weight “3” DK yarn) and follow my “notes on custom sizing” as a guide to adjusting size.
- For custom hat sizing/measurements chart, use my free printable hat sizing/measurements chart.
- Video tutorial of the ears is available on the Sweet Softies Youtube Channel.
Part 1: CROWN OF HAT ("increase rounds")
Note on Custom Sizing: Work these increase rounds for the crown of the hat until the crown’s diameter is about ¾ inch (2 cm) shorter the desired crown size (refer to the Hat Sizing Chart). For example, if your desired crown size is 14 cm, stop at 12 cm.
R1: Ch 4. Insert a dc into 4th ch from hook. Insert 11 more dc into same st. *Join with a sl st to the first dc. (12 dc)
R2: Ch 3, dc-inc around. *Join. (24 dc)
R2: Ch 3, dc-inc around. *Join. (24 dc)
R3: Ch 3, (dc, dc-inc) x 10. *Join. (36 dc) For the newborn size, stop increasing after this round and go to Part 2 of the hat instructions.
R4: Ch 3, (dc 2, dc-inc) x 10. *Join. (48 dc) For the toddler size, stop increasing after this round and go to Part 2 of the hat instructions.
R5: Ch 3, (dc 3, dc-inc) x 10. *Join. (60 dc) For the child size, stop increasing after this round and go to Part 2 of the hat instructions.
R6: Ch 3, (dc 4, dc-inc) x 10. *Join. (72 dc) For the adult size, stop increasing after this round and go to Part 2 of the hat instructions.
Part 2: HEIGHT OF HAT ("straight rounds")
Note on Custom Sizing: Repeat these straight rounds until the height of the hat is approximately 1.5 inches short of the desired height (refer to the Hat Sizing Chart). The final rounds to make the brim of the hat will be crocheted using the directions below.
Newborn size: R4-R8: Ch 3, dc around. *Join.
Toddler size: R5-R10: Ch 3, dc around. *Join.
Child size: R6-R12: Ch 3, dc around. *Join.
Adult size: R7-R14: Ch 3, dc around. *Join.
Part 3: LAST ROUND ("brim of the hat")
Newborn size: R9-R11: Ch 1, sc around in BLO. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Toddler size: R11-R13: Ch 1, sc around in BLO. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Child size: R13-R15: Ch 1, sc around in BLO. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Adult size: R15-R17: Ch 1, sc around in BLO. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Finally, fasten off and weave in the ends.
Part 4: EARS
Note: You will make two separate pieces (inner ear & outer ear) and then crochet them together to create one complete ear. A full Bear Ears Video Tutorial is available.
*Ear piece: In a magic ring, ch 2, dc 2, tr 2, dc 2, ch 2, sl st. Pull ring tight.
- Use light-colored yarn for the inner ear. Make an ear piece*, then FO.
- Use dark-colored yarn for the outer ear. Make an ear piece*, but do not FO.
- Place the wrong sides of the light and dark ear pieces together (so that the right sides are facing out).
- With yarn still attached to the outer ear, ch 2. Insert a sc into the first dc of the two ear pieces. Insert a sc into the next dc. Increase over each of the two tr. Sc over reach of the two dc. Ch 2, then sl st to the base of the ear.
- FO with a long tail for sewing to the hat.
- Make a second ear by repeating steps 1-4.
After crocheting the hat and the two ears, position the ears over the hat. When you are satisfied with their placement, use the long yarn tails to sew them to the hat. Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Want to crochet with me? Check out my video tutorial below for the complete, step-by-step instructions of the EARS portion of this pattern.
Congratulations on finishing your Bear Beanie!
If you enjoyed this project, you might like my other designs! Simply click on the image below for the pattern, check out my Clothing & Accessories pattern page, or browse my entire free pattern collection.
If you made this project and would like to share photos, I'd absolutely love to see! Here are links for sharing your finished creation:
- Sweet Softies Facebook Page
- Sweet Softies Amigurumi & Crochet Community Facebook Group
- Instagram, @SweetSofties
- Email: sweetsofties [at] gmail.com
Best wishes,
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