I’m sharing a crochet striped hat pattern in 5 sizes today. My version uses complementary colors (those that are opposite each other on the color wheel), but you can also use team colors, shades of the same color, or analogous colors (those that are next to each other on the color wheel).
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Yarn for this project was generously provided by Lion Brand.
A lot of crocheters struggle with color. These days, I often see folks buy a color changing yarn rather than making stripes themselves for just that reason. The assumption is that if the yarn company decided to put these colors together in the same skein, they must look good! While that’s certainly true, there is something awesome about choosing your own colors and making your own unique crochet striped hat. The very basics of color theory aren’t as scary as you think! As I mentioned before, colors that are opposite each other (complementary) and those right next to each other (analogous) on the color wheel tend to work well together.
For my version of the Complementary Colors Beanie, I wanted to use seasonal colors in Lion Brand Heartland, one of my favorite yarns. You can find Heartland online at Lion Brand | WeCrochet | Herrschners | Amazon. (And, you can also make the Classic Stocking Cap using these colors plus a few more!)
This post is part of the third annual Countdown to Christmas I’m sharing with folks signed up for the Crochet Along updates and the Underground Crafter newsletter.
Each day through December 24, 2025, I’m sharing a 2-day free coupon code straight to your inbox for one of my crochet patterns that is perfect for winter or holiday crafting. The Complementary Colors Beanie is the December 13 featured pattern. Sign up now to get access to the free PDF! (When you sign up for this list, you get regular updates from Underground Crafter, and an update email about every pattern for the CALs I host as those patterns are released. When you sign up, you’ll also get access to my subscriber vault which includes exclusive free PDF patterns, a coupon code for your choice of any crochet or knitting pattern or ebook from my Ravelry shop, and coupon codes from other indie designers and crafts businesses.)
If you make your own Complementary Colors Beanie, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Bluesky as @UndergroundCrafter, Facebook as @UndergroundCrafter, or on Instagram as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and private access to my vault of subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!
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Complementary Colors Beanie
Crochet Striped Hat Pattern by Underground Crafter
This crochet striped hat pattern is available in 5 sizes. My version uses complementary colors (those that are opposite each other on a color wheel), but you can use so many other color combinations.
Finished Sizes
- Preemie (Infant, Toddler, Child, Adult). Photographed sample is Child size.
- Preemie: 10.25” (26 cm) hat circumference x 5” (13 cm) length.
- Infant: 13.25” (33.5 cm) hat circumference x 6” (15 cm) length.
- Toddler: 16.5” (42 cm) hat circumference x 6.5” (16.5 cm) length.
- Child: 19.5” (49.5 cm) hat circumference x 7” (18 cm) length.
- Adult: 22.75” (58 cm) hat circumference x 9.5” (24 cm) length.
Materials
- Lion Brand Heartland yarn (100% acrylic, 5 oz/142 g, 251 yd/230 m) – 1 skein each in 113R Redwood (CA) and 180G Kings Canyon (CB), or approximately 25 yd (35 yd, 50 yd, 60 yd, 95 yd)/23 m (32 m, 45.5 m, 55 m, 87 m) in CA and 45 yd (70 yd, 95 yd, 120 yd, 185 yd)/41 m (64 m, 87 m, 109.5 m, 169 m) in CB in any medium weight yarn.
- Heartland is available online at Lion Brand | WeCrochet | Herrschners | Amazon
- US Size H-8/5 mm crochet hook, or any size needed to obtain correct gauge.
- Yarn needle.
Gauge
- Through Rnd 4 in pattern = 4.25″ (11 cm) diameter. For best fit, always check your gauge.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
- 3L – third (back) loop – A helpful video demonstrating how to identify the third loop in crochet is available below.
- If you can’t see the 3L video above, watch it on YouTube.
- BL – back loop – Rich Textures Crochet has a helpful video demonstrating how to identify the back loop in crochet here.
- CA – Color A
- CB – Color B
- ch – chain
- dc – double crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- rep – repeat
- Rnd(s) – Round(s)
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- yo – yarn over
- *Repeat instructions after asterisk as indicated.
- [] Repeat instructions between brackets as indicated.
Pattern Notes
- Hat is crocheted in the round from the top down. Do not fasten off colors unless indicated. Carry unworked yarn inside the hat (on the wrong side) when changing colors.
- Ch 1 at start and sl st at end of Rounds do not count as stitches.
Pattern Instructions
Hat – All Sizes
- Starting at crown, with CA, ch 4, skip 3 ch, join with sl st to first ch to form ring.
- Rnd 1: Ch 1, 12 dc in ring, join CB with sl st to first dc. (12 sts)
- Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in first st and each st around, join CA with sl st to first dc. (24 sts)
- Rnd 3: Ch 1, starting in first st, [2 dc in next st, dc in next st] around, join CB with sl st to first dc. (36 sts) PREEMIE SIZE ONLY: CONTINUE ON TO WORK EVEN INSTRUCTIONS.
- Rnd 4: Ch 1, starting in first st, [2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts] around, join CA with sl st to first dc. (48 sts) INFANT SIZE ONLY: CONTINUE ON TO WORK EVEN INSTRUCTIONS.
- Rnd 5: Ch 1, starting in first st, [2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts ] around, join CB with sl st to first dc. (60 sts) TODDLER SIZE ONLY: CONTINUE ON TO WORK EVEN INSTRUCTIONS.
- Rnd 6: Ch 1, starting in first st, [2 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts] around, join CA with sl st to first dc. (72 sts) CHILD SIZE ONLY: CONTINUE ON TO WORK EVEN INSTRUCTIONS.
- Rnd 7: Ch 1, starting in first st, [2 dc in next st, dc in next 5 sts] around, join CB with sl st to first dc. (84 sts) ADULT SIZE ONLY: CONTINUE ON TO WORK EVEN INSTRUCTIONS.
Work Even – Preemie (Toddler, Adult) Sizes
- Continue with 36 (60, 84) sts in CB.
- Work Even Rnd 1: Ch 1, starting in first st, [hdc in next st, sl st in next st] around, join CA with sl st to first hdc. – 36 (60, 84) sts
- Work Even Rnd 2: Ch 1, starting in first st, [slst3L in next hdc, hdcBL in next sl st] around, join CB with sl st to first sl st.
- Work Even Rnd 3: Ch 1, starting in first st, [hdcBL in next sl st, slst3L in next hdc] around, join CA with sl st to first hdc.
- Work Even Rnds 4-5: Rep Work Even Rnds 2-3 once.
- Work Even Rnd 6: Rep Work Even Rnd 2 once.
- Work Even Rnd 7: Ch 1, starting in first st, [dcBL in next sl st, dc3L in next hdc] around, join CA with sl st to first dc.
- Work Even Rnd 8: Ch 1, dc in first st and each st around, join CB with sl st to first dc.
- Work Even Rnd 9: Ch 1, dc in first st and each st around, join CA with sl st to first dc.
- Rep Work Even Rnds 8-9 until hat measures approximately 4.5″ (6″, 9″)/11.5 cm (15.5 cm, 23 cm), ending after either Rnd and fastening off last color after joining new color with sl st.
- Rep Work Even Rnds 1-3 in the current color and without changing color at the end of each Rnd.
- Fasten off current yarn color.
- With yarn needle, weave in all ends on inside of hat.
Work Even – Infant (Child) Sizes
- Continue with 48 (72) sts in CA.
- Work Even Rnd 1: Ch 1, starting in first st, [hdc in next st, sl st in next st] around, join CB with sl st to first hdc. – 48 (72) sts
- Work Even Rnd 2: Ch 1, starting in first st, [slst3L in next hdc, hdcBL in next sl st] around, join CA with sl st to first sl st.
- Work Even Rnd 3: Ch 1, starting in first st, [hdcBL in next sl st, slst3L in next hdc] around, join CB with sl st to first hdc.
- Work Even Rnds 4-5: Rep Work Even Rnds 2-3 once.
- Work Even Rnd 6: Rep Work Even Rnd 2 once.
- Work Even Rnd 7: Ch 1, starting in first st, [dcBL in next sl st, dc3L in next hdc] around, join CB with sl st to first dc.
- Work Even Rnd 8: Ch 1, dc in first st and each st around, join CA with sl st to first dc.
- Work Even Rnd 9: Ch 1, dc in first st and each st around, join CB with sl st to first dc.
- Rep Work Even Rnds 8-9 until hat measures approximately 5.5″ (6.5″)/14 cm (16.5 cm), ending after either Rnd and fastening off last color after joining new color with sl st.
- Rep Work Even Rnds 1-3 in the current color and without changing color at the end of each Rnd.
- Fasten off current yarn color.
- With yarn needle, weave in all ends on inside of hat.