This is the fifth pattern in a series of patterns which utilizes the very back loop of half double crochet, which is one of my favorite crochet techniques that creates a knit-look. I’m naming this one after my oldest friend, Eli. We met in our dorm our first year of college and have been besties ever since! We love doing nerdy stuff together, and Eli is a super smart, thoughtful, and stylish person. I thought this beanie would be perfect to name after them! This is an intermediate-level pattern which also utilizes the star stitch. Details of how to work that stitch are included in the pattern.

What You’ll Need:

Tools: 9.00 and 10.00 mm crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge), scissors, a tapestry needle, and an optional pom.

Yarn: Roughly 90 yards/80 meters of a super bulky weight 6 yarn. One skein of my holy grail yarn, Wool Ease Thick and Quick from Lion Brand, will work perfectly!

Construction Notes:

To obtain gauge, complete the first four rows of the beanie band section of the pattern and measure. Your swatch should be 3 inches by 3 inches. If the rows don’t measure 3 inches at this point, size up or down your hook size accordingly.

This beanie fits well on heads that are 20 - 23 inches in circumference; I would say that one size fits most, but I totally understand that head sizes can vary outside of this range. If you’re creating a beanie for a head that is on the smaller side, your swatch should be closer to 2.5 inches wide. If you’re creating a beanie for a head that is on the larger side, your swatch should be closer to 3.5 inches wide.

The band of the beanie is worked first using rows in a long strip which is then seamed together. The body of the beanie is worked in the round, and the first round is placed along the edge of the band. The pattern itself will include guidance for seaming and first round placement that will achieve the cleanest look.