Forest Green Bead Stitch Crochet Beanie – Free Adult Pattern

About this pattern

The Forest Green Bead Stitch Crochet Beanie is worked from the top down in joined rounds. A smooth crown leads into two raised bead rows separated by horizontal HDC ridges, then finishes with a narrow integrated post-stitch edge and one ivory faux-fur pom-pom. The featured photo shows the matching finished-project style; the tall numbered image is a supporting milestone overview, not a substitute for these complete directions.

These are original HookElla instructions, not a reconstruction of another designer’s pattern. Round counts and repeat arithmetic have been reviewed. Gauge, yardage, finished dimensions, and adult fit remain untested estimates.

Materials

• About 180–220 yd (165–201 m) of #4 worsted/aran-weight yarn in forest or sage green. Estimated; not measured. The original designer’s blog lists one skein of All Things You Essential Acrylic in Forest, while the HookElla pattern does not require that brand.
• 5.5 mm (I/9) crochet hook, or a size that gives the target gauge.
• One large ivory-white faux-fur pom-pom with a secure sew-on loop or button base.
• Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch marker, and measuring tape.

Size and fit estimates

One adult size is written for an estimated 21–23 in (53–58.5 cm) head circumference. At the target stitch gauge, the 64-stitch body calculates to about 21⅓ in (54.2 cm) around before stretch. That provides approximately ⅔–1⅔ in of negative ease for the intended range, but the actual stretch and fit depend on yarn, hook, and hand tension.

The hat is intended to sit close at the lower edge with a little extra crown ease. Its estimated total height is about 9½–10½ in (24–26.5 cm) including the crown. This is a planning range derived from separate target round gauges, not a measured finished size.

Gauge and swatching

No gauge was specified in the source blog pattern. These are HookElla design targets, not measurements from a physical sample:

• Smooth double-crochet fabric: 12 dc and 9 rounds = 4 in (10 cm).
• HDC texture fabric: about 12 stitches and 10 rounds = 4 in (10 cm).
• Post-stitch edge: about 12 rounds = 4 in (10 cm) in height.

Make a joined-round swatch in the same yarn and hook: work 32 dc around a ring, then continue for at least 12 rounds, including ordinary HDC, HDC third-loop rounds, one bead-texture round, and post-stitch pairs. Measure a relaxed 4-inch area without stretching. The beanie uses 64 stitches, so 64 × 4 ÷ 12 projects to 21⅓ in around. For a fit check, compare a 64-stitch sample tube with the intended head circumference and confirm it stretches comfortably without strain.

At that target stitch gauge, the flat crown diameter is approximately 21⅓ ÷ π = 6.79 in (17.2 cm). Its radius is about 3.40 in. Eight crown rounds at the separate target of 9 rounds per 4 in would measure about 3.56 in deep, a plausible match to that radius on paper. Allowing roughly 5.2 in for the 13 body/transition rounds and about 1 in for the three post-stitch rounds gives an overall planning estimate near 9.8 in. Beads and stitch-type changes can alter row height, so these calculations do not establish actual dimensions or fit.

For more accurate projections from a measured swatch, use Yarnivo’s Gauge Calculator. It helps translate your own swatch; it cannot verify fit or adjust this crown automatically.

Abbreviations (US terms)

• BPdc — back-post double crochet
• ch — chain
• dc — double crochet
• FPdc — front-post double crochet
• hdc — half-double crochet
• hdc 3L — half-double crochet worked in the third loop
• MR — adjustable magic ring
• rep — repeat
• sc — single crochet
• sl st — slip stitch
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• yo — yarn over

Special stitches and round notes

HDC third loop (hdc 3L): The HDC has a front loop and back loop at its top, plus a horizontal third loop behind them. Insert the hook under that third loop only. It is available on the HDC stitches of the previous round; do not use it after the bead round or a round of a different stitch.

Bead stitch: This pattern’s bead is a raised puff worked around the post of the next HDC from the preceding round. Make 4 partial DCs around that same post: for each partial DC, yo, place the hook around the post, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through the first 2 loops, leaving the final 2 loops on the hook. After four partial DCs, yo and draw through all 5 loops. Skip the top of the HDC whose post carries the bead; the bead replaces that one position and counts as one stitch.

FPdc / BPdc: For FPdc, yo and pass the hook from front to back and back to front around the post. For BPdc, pass the hook from back to front and front to back around it. Complete each as an ordinary DC. These two post stitches make the narrow vertical ribs.

At the beginning of every round, ch 2 for height; it does not count as a stitch. Join with a sl st to the first actual stitch, not the chain or joining slip stitch. Do not turn. Mark the first stitch if useful. Count the stitches before joining.

Pattern instructions

Crown

With the 5.5 mm hook and green yarn, make an adjustable MR. The beginning ch 2 is not counted. Each round is joined to its first actual DC.

• Round 1: Ch 2, work 8 dc into the ring. Pull the ring closed and join. 8 sts. (dc)
• Round 2: Ch 2, work 2 dc in each stitch around; join. 16 sts. (dc)
• Round 3: Repeat [dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next stitch] 8 times; join. 24 sts. (dc)
• Round 4: Repeat [dc in next 2 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch] 8 times; join. 32 sts. (dc)
• Round 5: Repeat [dc in next 3 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch] 8 times; join. 40 sts. (dc)
• Round 6: Repeat [dc in next 4 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch] 8 times; join. 48 sts. (dc)
• Round 7: Repeat [dc in next 5 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch] 8 times; join. 56 sts. (dc)
• Round 8: Repeat [dc in next 6 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch] 8 times; join. 64 sts. (dc)

Each increase round consumes every stitch from the preceding round and adds 8. The count sequence is 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64. Keep the increases evenly distributed; the crown should lie as a gently cupped circle rather than ruffle.

Ridge rounds and first bead band

• Round 9: Ch 2, hdc in both top loops of each stitch around; join. 64 sts. (hdc)
• Round 10: Ch 2, hdc 3L in each stitch around; join. 64 sts. (hdc)
• Round 11: Repeat Round 10. 64 sts. (hdc)
• Round 12 — bead band: Ch 2. Repeat [make one bead around the post of the next HDC from the previous round and skip its top, hdc in the next stitch] 32 times; join to the first bead. 64 sts. (32 beads, 32 hdc).

Each Round 12 repeat uses two previous stitch positions: the HDC top replaced by the bead and the next HDC top worked normally. It produces two stitch tops, so 32 repeats maintain 64 positions. The bead round uses the visible posts from Round 11; it does not need an extra anchor stitch in the new round.

Center texture and second bead band

• Round 13: Ch 2, hdc in both top loops of each stitch around; join. 64 sts. (hdc)
• Round 14: Ch 2, hdc 3L in each stitch around; join. 64 sts. (hdc)
• Round 15: Repeat Round 14. 64 sts. (hdc)
• Round 16: Ch 2, hdc in both top loops of each stitch around; join. 64 sts. (hdc)
• Round 17 — bead band: Repeat Round 12. 64 sts. (32 beads, 32 hdc).
• Round 18: Ch 2, hdc in both top loops of each stitch around; join. 64 sts. (hdc)
• Round 19: Ch 2, hdc 3L in each stitch around; join. 64 sts. (hdc)
• Round 20: Repeat Round 19. 64 sts. (hdc)

The third-loop rounds above follow HDC rounds, so every instructed third loop exists. Work Round 13 and Round 16 in both top loops to reset the fabric cleanly after the bead texture.

Integrated post-stitch edge

• Round 21: Ch 2, dc in both top loops of each stitch around; join. 64 sts. (dc) This transition round gives the post stitches a DC row to work around.
• Round 22: Ch 2. Repeat [FPdc around next post, BPdc around next post] 32 times; join. 64 sts. (32 FPdc and 32 BPdc)
• Round 23: Ch 2. Work FPdc around each FPdc post and BPdc around each BPdc post around; join. 64 sts. (post stitches)
• Round 24: Repeat Round 23. 64 sts. (post stitches)

Fasten off with a tail. The source pattern’s described three-stitch rib repeat cannot divide evenly into a 64-stitch round (64 ÷ 3 leaves 1). This independently written pattern instead uses a complete two-stitch FPdc/BPdc repeat, covering all 64 positions without an unmatched rib.

Assembly

Thread the yarn tail through the final loop and secure it on the inside. Attach one large ivory-white faux-fur pom-pom at the center of the closed crown. If it has a sewn loop or button base, pass matching yarn through several crown stitches and secure the fastener firmly inside; do not rely on a single loose surface loop.

Finishing and care

Weave in the starting and ending tails following the direction of nearby stitches. Remove the marker and gently shape the crown and bead bands by hand. Follow the yarn and pom-pom care labels.

Fit notes and troubleshooting

• Crown ripples: Check that each increase round has exactly eight increases. A smaller stitch gauge may also make the disc too wide for its height; compare it with the calculated 6.8-inch target diameter and swatch dimensions.
• Crown cups sharply: Check for missed increases and work evenly. Do not add unplanned increases; that changes the circumference.
• Bead band count drifts: Each repeat replaces one previous HDC with a bead and works the next HDC normally. Repeat 32 times to use and replace all 64 previous positions exactly once.
• Ridges disappear: HDC third-loop rounds must follow an HDC round. Work the listed reset HDC rounds in both top loops after each bead band.
• Ribbing leaves an odd stitch: Count 64 DC at Round 21, then work exactly 32 FPdc/BPdc pairs. Both stitch types must continue around the matching post on later rounds.
• Fit is too loose or tight: Measure your own swatch and compare the relaxed 64-stitch tube with the intended head. Change hook size only after swatching; changing stitch count also requires redesigning the crown and repeats.
• The height differs: DC, HDC, beads, and post stitches have different vertical heights. Measure the hat during work; the listed height remains an estimate until the fabric is made and checked.

Frequently asked questions

Is it worked from the top down?

Yes. The crown starts in a magic ring, expands in joined DC rounds, and continues into the textured body and lower post-stitch edge.

Why use HDC third-loop rounds?

Working into the rear horizontal loop pushes the top loops forward and forms the visible horizontal ridge. This pattern places those rounds only after an HDC round.

Is the gauge tested?

No. The gauge values are targets selected for planning this independent pattern. Make and measure your own swatch before relying on the estimated dimensions or fit.

Can I change the circumference?

The adult instructions use 64 stitches and bead rounds in 2-position repeats. A different size needs a coordinated crown increase schedule, bead repeat count, and edge repeat count; simply adding stitches can disrupt the motif.

If you want continuous post-stitch ribs without bead bands, see HookElla’s Dark Brown Ribbed Crochet Beanie.

Why is the edge a 1×1 rib?

It creates the narrow vertical finish shown in the photo and fits the 64-stitch circumference exactly. A three-stitch repeat would leave one stitch unmatched.

Inspiration credit

The forest-green color, raised bead texture, horizontal ridge rows, narrow ribbed edge, and pom-pom are broad visual inspiration from Bead Stitch Hat by Erica Dietz of 5 Little Monsters. The source blog describes an adult slightly slouchy hat, worsted-weight yarn, an I hook, bead-stitch/HDC texture, post-stitch edging, and a faux-fur pom-pom; its instructions and photographs are not reproduced here. The source blog does not state a gauge. HookElla’s stitch counts, round schedule, fit targets, and written directions above are independently specified and have not been physically tested. See the designer’s Bead Stitch Hat page for her original work.