Update 6/12/12 - After looking at a few more pictures, I think this looks even closer to the original if you just skip rows 11 and 12 of the pattern completely. I’m adding a note to the pattern to show those rows a “optional”

I love the beanie Elphaba (The Wicked Witch of the West) wears in Wicked the Musical, but I couldn’t find a pattern that I thought really matched the photos I found online. So this is my version of Elphaba’s beanie.

This pattern has not been tested, so please let me know if something seems incorrect or confusing! Remember too, that crochet stretches out but does not spring back like knitting will. That means that this pattern should crochet up a bit tight. That is correct! Never fear - it will stretch the first time you wear it, and should fit perfectly after that. Sizing is for Ladies Medium (22”) AFTER it has been stretched out.

NOTE: There are actually two versions of this pattern on my blog. Personally, I think the second is slightly closer to the original than the first - although once you put the beanie on, the differences are not really noticeable.