This ombre beanie is the perfect stash buster! It’s worked from the bottom up, starting with a soft ribbed brim. The whole hat is made with two strands of yarn held together, so it works up really fast and keeps you extra warm.
I don’t usually like making the same pattern twice, but this one is an exception. I’ve already made two and I’m working on a third. You can use two strands of the same color, two different colors, or mix them for that pretty ombre fade. Every hat comes out totally unique.
Table of Contents
What You’ll Love About This Hat
- Perfect for scraps: Great way to use up those half skeins you have left.
- Totally customizable: Change the colors, change the size – it’s all up to you.
- Quick and easy: Works up fast, so it’s perfect for last-minute gifts or market prep.
- Beautiful texture: The lemon peel stitch gives you a lovely bumpy texture without being complicated.
About the Lemon Peel Stitch in the Round
The lemon peel stitch is super simple – you just alternate single crochet and double crochet.
When you work it in the round, there is one important trick: you need to turn your work after each round. If you don’t turn, the texture won’t look right.
The slip stitch join can look like a real stitch, so it’s easy to get confused about where to start. My tip: place a stitch marker in the last stitch of every round. When you turn, you’ll know exactly where to put your first stitch.
Materials
- Yarn: About 210 yards of worsted weight / category 4 yarn in 2 colors
You need about 105 yards of each color
You will hold the yarn double the entire time
Example used: Gray/Pink version in Lion Brand Wool-Ease and Purple/Gray version in Lion Brand Heartland - Hook: 6.5mm crochet hook
- Notions: Stitch marker, scissors, yarn needle
Gauge and Sizing
Gauge: 6 stitches x 5 rows in back loop only single crochet = 2 inches
Finished Size: 19 inches around x 8 inches tall. The band should measure about 2 inches tall x 19 inches long before seaming. Want it bigger or smaller? Just add or subtract rows in the band.
Abbreviations – US Terms
- Ch – chain
- St / Sts – stitch / stitches
- Sc – single crochet
- Dc – double crochet
- Hdc – half double crochet
- Hdc2tog – half double crochet two together (decrease)
- BLO – back loop only
- Sl st – slip stitch
Pattern Notes
- The band is worked in rows. The body of the hat is worked in turned rounds.
- This pattern is written for the ombre version. To get the ombre look, you will need to split each color into two smaller balls.
- If you want one solid blended color for the whole hat, just hold one strand of Color A and one strand of Color B together for the entire pattern.
The Pattern
The Ribbed Band
Use 2 strands of Color A held together.
Row 1: Chain 7. Single crochet in the 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across. Turn. [6 sts]
Row 2-48: Chain 1. Working in the back loop only, single crochet in the same stitch as the chain 1 and in each stitch across. Turn.
Your band should now be about 2 x 19 inches.
Fold the band so the short ends meet and slip stitch them together to make a circle. Don’t cut the yarn.
The Body of the Hat
Round 1: Still using 2 strands of Color A. Chain 1. Now you will work into the side edge of the band. Place 1 stitch in the end of each row of the band. Make a double crochet in the same stitch as the chain 1, single crochet in the next stitch. Double crochet in the next stitch, single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat from * around. Place a marker in that final single crochet. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the first double crochet. [48 sts]
Round 2-3: Chain 1, turn. Double crochet in the marked stitch, single crochet in the next. Double crochet in next, single crochet in next. Repeat from * around. Place marker in final single crochet. Join with slip stitch to top of first double crochet. [48 sts]
Round 4-7: Repeat Round 2, but now hold 1 strand of Color A and 1 strand of Color B together. This creates the middle ombre blend.
Round 8-10: Repeat Round 2, but now hold 2 strands of Color B together.
Shaping the Crown
Round 11: Continue with 2 strands of Color B. Chain 1, turn. Hdc2tog starting in the marked stitch, half double crochet in next 4 stitches, hdc2tog. Repeat from * around. Join with slip stitch to top of first stitch. [40 sts]
From here on, DO NOT TURN after each round.
Round 12: Chain 1. Hdc2tog starting in same stitch as chain 1, half double crochet in next 2 stitches, hdc2tog. Repeat from * around. Join. [30 sts]
Round 13: Chain 1. Hdc2tog starting in same stitch as chain 1, half double crochet in next stitch, hdc2tog. Repeat from * around. Join. [20 sts]
Round 14: Chain 1. Hdc2tog starting in same stitch as chain 1, hdc2tog all the way around. Join. [10 sts]
Cut yarn leaving a long tail. With your yarn needle, weave the tail in and out around the top opening of the hat. Pull tight to cinch it closed. Secure and weave in all ends.
And that’s it! Your cozy ombre lemon peel beanie is done.
