Stitch Sampler Beanie | Free Crochet Pattern
A stitch sampler beanie is a quick and easy way to learn multiple new crochet stitches all in one project. It’s not a huge project like a blanket, so you get that instant gratification with the quick finish. A minimal row of work for each new stitch is just enough to introduce you to a new skill to see how you like it.
In addition to a quick way to learn new stitches, it is also a great scrap buster project! Since each stitch section is only a few rows, you don’t need that much yarn for each section. If you use a different color for each new stitch, you can bust through some of those extra skein scraps in no time!
Stitches you will learn with the Stitch Sampler Beanie
The Stitch Sampler Beanie includes instructions for 5 different special stitches. The band is made using the Half Double Slip Stitch. Then there are four separate sections that include instructions for the Bead Stitch, Lemon Peel Stitch, Star Stitch and Waistcoat Stitch. You’ll finish off again with the Half Double Slip Stitch.
Each special stitch includes written instructions, as well as photos for more complicated steps.
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The Original Stitch Sampler Beanie
This is not my first stitch sampler beanie. I also have one more that I created a few years ago. But I called that one the Scrap Buster Beanie (since it functions as both!). It is almost the same design as this stitch sampler beanie, except with different stitches of course.
If you finish this project and love it and still want to learn more stitches, you can go try the original Scrap Buster Beanie as well!
The original version includes the same half double slip stitch for the band, but subsequent sections are the Bean Stitch, Quadruple Treble Stitch, Moss Stitch and Brick Stitch.
Choosing Colors for Your Stitch Sampler Beanie
Picking colors for a beanie like this can be one of the funnest parts! With so many sections you can really get creative!
If you decide to go the scrap buster route, you can really use whatever you have on hand that you want to make use of. However, if you’re not out to use a specific yarn, or you just have a ton of scraps to pick from, you have so many options!
You can pick a color theme… like pastels, brights, earth or jewel tones. You can pick one color and then use different hues or coordinating variations of it. You can go seasonal (Christmas, Halloween) or even rainbow!
Here are some great examples from my pattern testers on this project! (from left/top to right/bottom: Deborah, Robbin, Tiffany)
Pattern
If you would like to purchase an inexpensive, ad-free pdf version of this stitch sampler beanie pattern, you can find it here at my Etsy shop. (scroll down for the full free pattern)
Add this stitch sampler beanie pattern to your Ravelry favorites HERE.
Materials:
- Size 4 Yarn In 5 different colors (see pattern notes for the brand, yardage and colors I used)
- US J/ 6.0 mm Crochet Hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)
- Yarn Needle
- Scissors
Gauge:
After completing 16 rows of the band, your work should be 4” x 2”
Sizing:
This pattern makes a small adult size hat. Approximately 19” circumference at the band and 9” tall.
Abbreviations Key:
(sk) skip
(yo) yarn over
(st) stitch
(fo) finish off
(ch) chain
(sl st) slip stitch
(sc) single crochet
(hdc) half double crochet
(dc) double crochet
Special stitches*: Half Double Slip Stitch, Bead Stitch, Lemon Peel Stitch, Star Stitch, Waistcoat Stitch
Special Skill: Working in the third loop
*Special Stitch instructions are given within the pattern.
Pattern Notes:
Beginning chain of each round does not count as a stitch unless otherwise noted.
I tend to crochet tightly. So be sure to check your gauge and if you are crocheting more loosely you can move to a smaller hook (or larger if you crochet even more tightly). Some people find they even need to go down two hook sizes to meet my gauge.
If you choose instead to adjust the size of the pattern, just be sure that the number of rows for the band that you choose is a multiple of 4.
Colors that I used in my pattern will be marked as follows:
Color A: Red Heart Soft in Off White (2 oz)
Color B: Red Heart Soft in Teal (.5 oz)
Color C: Red Heart Soft in Red (.6 oz)
Color D: Red Heart Soft in Grape (.8 oz)
Color E: Red Heart Soft in Dark Leaf (.4 oz)
PATTERN
Band:
With Color A, ch 7.
How to crochet the Half Double Slip Stitch (hdss):
Yo. Insert hook into desired chain or stitch. Yo. Pull yarn through the chain/stitch and then also through the 2 loops on your hook.
Row 1: Hdss in second chain from the hook and in each ch across. (6)
Row 2: Ch 1. Turn. Hdss in same st and in each st across. (6)
Rows 3 – 76: Repeat Row 2.
Note: my band was roughly 19 inches long and 2 inches wide at this point. If your gauge is very different, you may want to adjust hook sizes. If you choose instead to adjust the pattern, just be sure that the number of rows that you choose is a multiple of 4.
Sl st the two short ends of the band together. Turn inside out to hide the seam.
Body of the Hat:
Round 1 (Color A): Ch 1. Place 1 hdc in end of each row around. Join with sl st to first hdc of round. (76) Join Color B and drop Color A.
Note: You may choose to finish off (cut the yarn) Color A each time it is repeated. However, I chose to just drop it and pick it up again each time it was needed throughout the pattern.
How to crochet the Bead Stitch:
Dc in the next stitch. Yo. Insert hook around the post of the dc just completed (from front right to back). Yo. Pull up a loop. You will have 3 loops on your hook. Yo and insert hook around the post again. Yo. Pull up a loop. You will have 5 loops on your hook. Yo and insert hook around the post again. Yo. Pull up a loop. You will have 7 loops on your hook. Yo and pull through 6 of the loops. You will have 2 loops on your hook. Yo and pull through the last 2 loops. Skip the next stitch. Note: When instructed to complete a bead stitch, the dc for the bead stitch is in addition to any dc already completed prior to the bead st.
Round 2 (Color B): (work this round in third loop only) Ch 2. Bead stitch (includes sk one stitch). Dc in each of next 2 sts. *Bead stitch across next 2 sts. Dc in each of next 2 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to first bead stitch. (76)
Round 3: Ch 2. Dc in same st. Dc in next st. Bead stitch across next 2 sts. *Dc in each of next 2 sts. Bead stitch across next 2 sts.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to first dc of round. (76)
Change to color A
Round 4 (Color A): Ch 1. Hdc in same st and in each st around (when crocheting into the bead stitch, there are 2 stitches crocheted into each bead stitch). Join with a sl st to first hdc of the round. (76)
Change to Color C
How to crochet the Lemon Peel Stitch:
Round 1: *Dc in the next stitch. Sc in the next stitch.* Alternate from * to * around. Round 2: *Sc in the next stitch. Dc in the next stitch.* Alternate from * to * around. On all subsequent rounds, alternate rounds 1 and 2.
Round 5 (color C): Ch 2. (this round will be in the 3rd loop only). Dc in same st. Sc in next st. *Dc in next st. Sc in next st.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to first dc of round. (76)
Round 6: Ch 1. (do not crochet in the 3rd loop). Sc in same st. Dc in next st. *Sc in next st. Dc in next st.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to first sc of round. (76)
Rounds 7 – 8: Repeat rounds 5 & 6 (but do not crochet in the 3rd loop on the repeat of round 5)
Change to Color A
Round 9 (color A): Ch 1. Hdc in same st and in each st around. Join with a sl st to first hdc of round. (76)
Change to Color D
Round 10 (color D): (Crochet into the third loop only for this round.) Follow photo instructions below to complete a round of star stitches.
First star stitch of Round 10:
Second star stitch of round 10 (and following):
Note: The last insert of the last star stitch in the round will need to be in the join stitch from the previous round.
To join the end of the round, before completing the eye of the last star, insert hook into the ch 3 space at the beginning of the round. Yo and pull through both loops on the hook. This will complete the eye and the join at the same time.
If you find yourself struggling to complete the star stitch with written instructions only, you may find this video tutorial for the star stitch bottle holder helpful. It is not the same pattern, but the star stitches are completed in the same way.
Round 11: Follow photo instructions below to complete a round of star stitches.
First Star stitch of Round 11:
Second star stitch of round 11 (and following):
Round 12: Repeat round 11.
Change to Color A
Round 13 (color A): Ch 1. Hdc in same st and in each st around (1 st in the top loop of the star stitch and one in the eye of the star stitch). Join with a sl st to first hdc of round. (76)
Change to Color E
Round 14 (color E): Ch 1. Sc very loosely in 3rd loop of each st around. Join with sl st to first sc of round. (76)
How to crochet the Waistcoat Stitch:
The waistcoat stitch is completed the same way as a single crochet, except that instead of inserting your hook in the “gap” between stitches, you insert the hook into the center of the “v” of your stitches. Insert hook into the center V of the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through. You should have two loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through both loops. Tip: keep your stitches loose, as this makes it easier to stitch into them on the next round.
Round 15: Ch 1. Place a waistcoat stitch in each stitch around. Join with sl st to first st of round.(76)
Rounds 16 – 17: Repeat Round 15.
Change to Color A
Round 18 (Color A): Ch 1. Hdc in same st and in each st around. Join with a sl st to first hdc of round. (76)
Round 19: Ch 1. (Crochet in the 3rd loop for this entire row) Hdss in same st and each st around. Join with a sl st to first hdss of round. (76)
Round 20: Ch 1. Hdss in same st and in each st around. Join with a sl st to first hdss of round. (76)
Round 21: Repeat round 20.
Round 22: Ch 1. Hdss in same st. In next two sts, complete a hdss decrease. *Hdss in next st. In the next two sts, complete a hdss decrease.* Repeat from * to * around. Place one more hdss in last st. Join with a sl st to first hdss of round. (51)
How to crochet a hdss decrease:
Yo. Insert hook into the next stitch. Yo and pull through the stitch. Yo. Insert hook into the next stitch. Yo and pull through the stitch. You should have 5 loops on your hook. (without yarning over) Pull yarn through all 5 loops on your hook.
Round 23: Ch 1. Hdss in same st and in each st around. Join with a sl st to first hdss of round. (51)
Finish off and leave a long tail. Use a yarn needle to weave tail in and out along the top stitches of the hat. Pull tail to cinch and tie off. Add a pom pom if desired.
Note: Feel free to sell finished products made with this pattern. If finished products are posted online, please include a reference/credit to this pattern. Do not distribute or claim the pattern as your own, or alter and use my photos to market your finished products. Do not use this pattern to create video tutorials.