Learn how to crochet the Chunky Haylee Beanie, which is an easy half double crochet beanie worked in cozy chunky yarn that works up quickly!

This cozy crocheted beanie first made it’s appearance back in February of 2015 over on my EyeLoveKnots blog in what was called Deborah Norville’s Serenity Chunky but is now called Premier Yarns Serenity Chunky. To this day, it is still my favorite chunky weight #5 yarn, but I have not used it in years with it not being carried in craft stores, which is where I shopped for all of my yarns prior to opening my own yarn shop, Yarn Crafts & Coffee.

Fast forward to May of 2024, I planned to use some Lion Brand Hue + Me to update the pattern, but no matter what hook size I used and how I adjusted the crochet pattern, I just was not happy with the beanie and the Hue + Me paired together so the update went on the back burner.

The 30 Days of Crochet Hats in November Event motivated me to revisit it again, and this time, I decided to go with a tried and true favorite - holding two strands of a worsted weight yarn together to create a chunky weight strand, and I love this because worsted weight is so easy to find so there are lots of options whereas a good chunky weight yarn can be hard to find. The other fun thing is if you hold two different colored strands together, you get a really cool marled effect!

In this update, I am renaming these “Valentine Inspired Chunky Newborn Beanies” to Chunky Haylee Beanies to better fit into the Haylee series, and have added 6 more sizes to range from Newborn through Adult Large. I will leave up the instructions for working the cute shell edging for the Newborn size, but not for the other sizes until I can come back to it to work out and update the length sizing.

Materials:

• Chunky #5 Yarn - I used Deborah Norville’s Serenity Chunky Yarn in the Berry Burst and Pristine colorways
• L11/8mm Crochet Hook
• Tapestry Needle
• Soft Tape Measure (Gauge is essential)

Material Notes:
As a cold weather beanie, animal fibers are better for keeping warm against the wind, and while alpaca works great, my go-to is always a 100% superwash merino wool or a wool and acrylic blend, like Lion Brand Hue + Me. Acrylic yarns, like Lion Brand’s Mandala Impressions, do also work. Normally, I would stress that they’re good for cool, but not windy, weather as the wind tends to go right through, but a chunky weight yarn does provide better coverage, even in a 100% acrylic. If you don’t have a chunky weight yarn, or like me, you are having trouble finding one you like, you can hold 2 strands together of a Worsted Weight #4 Yarn, like Berroco Vintage and Lion Brand Wool Ease.

Time Spent:
I was able to work up a Newborn sized beanie in less than 30 minutes.

Sizes:
Newborn, 3-6 Months, 6-12 Months, Toddler, Child, Adult Small and Adult Large

Gauge - Essential; Measured in Pattern in Crown:

• 8 to 24 HDC = 3 5/8”
• 9 to 27 HDC = 4”
• 10 to 30 HDC = 4 1/4”

Gauge it very important for beanies. If you do not meet gauge, and continue making your beanie, the finished size will either be too small or too big so make sure to check it at the end of increasing - that’s just 2 - 3 rounds in. If you’re measuring smaller than the given measurements, go up a crochet hook size and rework the sample. If you’re measuring larger than the given measurements, go down a crochet hook size and rework the sample. Take gauge again, and see where you are.

Abbreviations (US Terms):

• HDC - Half Double Crochet
• SC - Single Crochet

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This is a 10 page PDF containing written instructions, and two photos - the main photo on page 1 and a photo on the last page that goes hand and hand with the Pattern Notes section.

(When the video tutorial is ready - I will add a page of QR codes for the clickable links that are within the patterns (in case you print the patterns, and still want to check out the links).)

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