Faith Over Fear Beanie

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Hi there, friends!

It’s that time of the year again when Christine of Sweet Potato 3 Patterns hosts her annual Crochet Cancer Challenge! There have been so many amazing hat designs, I want to make them all!

If you’ve been around a while, you’ll know that I’m a Stage III breast cancer survivor (read about my story here). When I was going through chemo, I was always on the lookout for fun hat patterns to make for myself and my new friends in the ward. I hated wearing my wig because it was so itchy, so hats were a must, because being bald in the winter is no fun!

When Christine of Sweet Potato 3 opened up spots for this year’s Crochet Cancer Challenge, I was so excited to be a part of it again! Last year was my first time participating and I released the Pathways to Hope Beanie pattern (see below picture), a quick, bulky weight pattern that was a big hit!

This year, I wanted to change it up a bit with a lighter weight yarn and more detail, but still loads of texture. Enter the Faith Over Fear Beanie!

Replete with star stitches, the beauty of these dainty stitches reminds us that there is someone bigger than cancer out there, and along with hope, we have to believe that He will light up our darkest moments, allowing us to choose faith over fear.

11/18/22 Update: The final counts are in! The Crochet Cancer Challenge saw a total of 37,750 pledges!

2022 Cancer Challenge

What is the Crochet Cancer Challenge, you ask? Christine of Sweet Potato 3 started this wonderful challenge a few years ago as a way of supporting those battling this awful disease. Each day, Monday through Saturday for the whole month of October, you’ll have the opportunity to download a new PDF hat pattern with the promise that you’ll make at least one hat to give to a cancer patient or donate to your local cancer center. It’s such an amazing thing to help raise awareness and support those battling it out! Last year alone we had almost 55,000 pledges!

Each day, you’ll check in at Christine’s post to get the coupon code and link to the featured designer’s pattern page. From there, you’ll click the download button located within the designer’s post to take you to the download page. Just add the pattern to your cart, check out with the coupon code, and get to stitching!

I recommend signing up for Christine’s reminder emails on the round-up page, just to make sure you don’t miss anything! Find everything you need to know in the link below!

The Stitches

When I started thinking about what I wanted this hat to look like, I wanted something that would make the wearer feel pretty and seen and of course it had to have lots of texture! I also wanted something that was lightweight but would provide the wearer with plenty of warmth as well as feature some more intricate detail.

This hat uses mostly basic stitches in addition to the star stitch, with some rounds that are worked normally and others that are turned rounds. It is a little fiddly getting used to working the star stitch in the round, but once you’ve got it down, you’ll fly right along.

Yarn + Materials

A quick note on materials. If you intend to make this hat for donation to a cancer patient, I have a few things for you to consider when choosing which yarn to use. First, choose something soft. Some yarns, particularly animal blends, can be itchy, and that is not fun when you have no hair as a protective barrier. Second, make sure it is washable. Regular washing of my hats during chemo was a must because of a compromised immune system. I recommend good acrylics, cotton, rayon, bamboo, etc. Generally, they are super washer-friendly and soft, but you’ll want to double-check the care instructions on the yarn label. If you’re adding a faux fur pompom, I absolutely LOVE these pompom buttons by Savlabot. When you order them, each button comes with an instruction tag too, showing the wearer how to remove and reattach the pompom! Great not only if the wearer needs to wash the hat, but also if they just aren’t feeling very pompom-y that day. I use them on my hats as well!

Here are some yarn recommendations for this pattern.

• Big Twist Shine (shown in Coral)
• Lion Brand Basic Stitch
• Caron Simply Soft

Okay then, on to the pattern!

Faith Over Fear Beanie Crochet Pattern

by Hooks, Books, & Wanderlust

Please note that this free version is written for an Adult Medium, which fits a head circumference of 23″ / 58 cm. The pattern notes contain information helpful in adapting this to other sizes and lengths, OR you may purchase the PDF version of this pattern, which comes with adult sizes: small, medium, and large, as well as other PDF-exclusive aids.

The PDF features the written pattern, all notes and helpful tips and tricks, full-color supplemental photos, step by step photo tutorials and linked video tutorials for all special stitches and techniques, a consolidated pattern stripped down to just the row instructions for more experienced crocheters, and a handy stitch chart and row tracker.

4/7/23 Update: This pattern has been adapted for infant and child sizes, available in my Etsy and Ravelry stores!

Psst! A portion of the proceeds earned from sales of this PDF pattern will be donated to The American Cancer Society to help aid the fight, so thanks for helping put cancer in the past!

MATERIALS

• 215 yds of a CYC 3 DK / Light Worsted weight yarn, shown here in Big Twist Shine (See yarn suggestions in notes)
• 4mm/G Hook (Brim)
• 5mm/H Hook (Body)
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Stitch marker (optional)
• Faux Fur Pompom (optional)

STITCHES & ABBREVIATIONS (US TERMS)

• Chain (ch)
• Slip Stitch (sl st)
• Single Crochet (sc)
• Half Double Crochet (hdc)
• Back Loop Only (BLO)
• Third Loop Only (TLO)
• Single Crochet Decrease (sc2tog) – Tutorial available here
• Star Stitch (star) – Tutorial available here

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

• Adult Medium for head circumference of 23″ (58.5 cm).
• This hat has a lot of stretch to it, so negative ease is included
• Hat Height: 8.75″ High (22 cm High) prior to cinching and closing

GAUGE

4″ (10.2 cm) square = 16 sts x 14 rounds of pattern R2-14
Pattern Repeat = 1.75” / 4.5 cm High

NOTES

• This pattern is written in US Standard terms and is classified as Intermediate.
• Yarn Suggestions:
  • Big Twist Shine (shown in Coral)
  • Lion Brand Basic Stitch (shown in video)
  • Caron Simply Soft
• Turning Chains: Chain stitches at beginning of Rows/Rounds do not count as a stitch.
• Size/Tension Adjustments: This pattern can be altered for size or tension by working any even number of stitches in R1 of the Body section.
• Hat Height: Increase/decrease the number of pattern repeats in the Body section or add/subtract chain stitches in the brim.
• Tutorials for the star stitch in the round and the single crochet decrease with supplemental video tutorials are linked above in the Stitches & Abbreviations section.
• Video Pattern: A supplemental video for this pattern that shows how to make this pattern from start to finish is available below.
• If you’d prefer a convenient, printable PDF version of this pattern, written for adult sizes Small, Medium, and Large, which includes in-document photo tutorials for all special stitches mentioned above (with links to video tutorials for each), as well as a helpful row tracker and a stitch chart for visual reference – available in the paid pattern only, visit my Etsy and Ravelry shops!

VIDEO PATTERN

PATTERN

This pattern is divided into three parts: Brim, Body, and Close.  Pay close attention to the instructions as you will be working in flat, turned rows for the brim, joined rounds (some turned, some not) for the body, and working with two hook sizes.

PART 1: BRIM

The brim will be worked in turned rows with the length of the rows equal to the height of your brim. Continue working rows until your work measures 20″ (51cm) long, or as desired. Keep in mind that the brim will stretch 2-3” (5-7.5 cm), so make it shorter than the actual head circumference.

With 4mm/G crochet hook, ch 8.

NOTE: If you prefer your brim shorter or taller, subtract or add chain stitches, respectively.

R1: Sc in the 2^nd ch from hook and each across, ch 1, turn.  (7)

R2: Sc BLO in each stitch across, ch 1, turn.  (7)

PRO TIP: For a cleaner edge without as many gaps, you may choose to single crochet under both loops of the two end stitches of your rows, instead of just the back loop. But ONLY for the first and last (end) stitches.

R3 – 90: Repeat R2.  (7)

Fold the brim in half then sl st the short sides together to form a circle.  Flip the brim so that the seam is on the inside.  You will now be working in joined rounds.  Switch to your 5mm/H hook and proceed to Body.

PART 1: BODY

We are now working in joined rounds, so our instructions will start back over at R1 for this section.  Pay close attention to instructions as you will work in turned rounds for some rounds of the body.

Make sure you’ve switched to your 5mm hook

R1: Ch 1 and sc evenly around the brim, working one sc per row of brim.  (90)

NOTE: I recommend placing a stitch marker in the first stitch of this round when completed. It will help you locate where to work into at the end of the next round.

PRO TIP: This pattern requires a stitch multiple of 2, so be sure to count your stitches each round so you don’t accidentally miss any!

Begin pattern repeat.

PRO TIP: The words “pattern repeat” refer to the block of rounds that are repeated a specified number of times to complete a specific section of a pattern.  It’s the pattern within the pattern, so to speak.  In this instance, R2-6 make up the first pattern repeat.  It’s still referred to as a pattern repeat even though we haven’t actually repeated anything yet.

R2: Ch 3, star stitch around, join with a single crochet into the top of the ch-3.  (45)

NOTE: To jump to the star stitch in the round tutorial for R2 and 3, click here.

PRO TIP: Don’t pull too tightly on your star stitches! Keep a loose hand.

R3: Ch 1, TURN as if working flat so that the inside seam is facing you, work 2 sc in the eye of each star stitch around, sl st to the first sc of the round to join.  (90)

NOTE: This is the only round of the pattern repeat that is worked with the seam facing you.

R4: Ch 1, TURN so that the inside seam is inside again, hdc in each stitch around, sl st to the first hdc of the round to join.  (90)

R5: Ch 1, hdc TLO in each stitch around, sl st to the first hdc of the round to join. (90)

NOTE: See R5 picture below for help finding the third loop, or see my trick in the video here.  (90)

R6: Ch 1, sc TLO in each stitch around, sl st to the first sc of the round to join.  (90)

NOTE: That’s the first repeat done! Keep in mind that each pattern repeat (R2-6) should measure approximately 1.75″ (4.45cm) high.

PRO TIP: You need a TOTAL of 4 pattern repeats, of which you’ve already worked 1, so you have 3 more to go!

R7-21: Repeat R2-6.

NOTE: Your hat should measure approximately 8.25” (21 cm) after R21. You can add additional repeats if needed or if you want more of a slouch look.

PRO TIP: Keep a measuring tape or ruler handy to check the height of each of your pattern repeats as you finish them to make sure they are 1.75” (4.45cm) high.

R22: Ch 1, sc2tog over every two stitches around. (45)

NOTE: To jump to the single crochet decrease tutorial, click here.

Tie off leaving a 12” (30 cm) long tail for closing.

PART 3: CLOSE

You’re almost there! It’s time to cinch and close the top of your hat! To watch this part of the hat worked, click here for the relevant part of the pattern video.

Thread your tapestry needle with the long tail you left after tying off, then weave it in and out of the decrease stitches from the final round of the body.  Weave a quarter of the stitches, then pull on your yarn tail to cinch them together.  Repeat this around until you have come back to where you started.

Pull up tightly to cinch closed, then continue to secure by weaving through the stitches in a circular fashion two or three more times, closing any remaining gaps.  

Feed your needle down through the center of your cinch to the inside of the hat, weave around in a circular fashion again, then knot it off, and weave in your tail to really secure it.  Don’t forget to weave in your beginning tail too, if you didn’t work over it in Round 1!

Add a pompom or leave it as is!  If you’re looking to add a removable pompom, check out these buttons from Savlabot on Etsy!  They are what I use on mine and are super easy and secure!

Woohoo, you did it!! Congratulations!! I hope love your new hat and maybe make a few more to donate to your local cancer center.

I would LOVE to see your hat! Should you choose to share, use the tags #FaithOverFearBeanie and / or #LaBelleVieForMe to share your makes with me @HooksBooksWanderlust on Instagram and / or Facebook!

I hope you enjoyed this pattern and found it easy to follow! If not, or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask! Email me at kristen.caldwell@hooksbookswanderlust.com.

Happy crocheting!

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