How to Crochet a Skull Cap

Last Updated: February 20, 2022 Approved

There are many names—skull cap, skater cap and beanie—but whatever you call it, we're talking about a hat that's popular, easy to wear and stylish. If you have a knowledge of some basic crochet stitches, you can use this article to move step-by-step through the process of making a crochet skull cap for a man or a woman. Let's start stitching!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Crocheting a Men's Skull Cap

1
Make a chain. With your main color (MC) chain (ch) 3 and join with a slip stitch (sl st) to first chain to form a ring. A chain stitch is a basic foundation element in crochet. Follow this link for a review of how to crochet a chain.This hat is made by crocheting in rounds. Each round begins with a number of chains that will count as the first stitch and ends by joining the last stitch with the top of the beginning chain. This creates concentric circles.
2
Round 1. Ch 3, 9 double crochet (dc) into ring, join with sl st to top of ch 3. You should have 10 sts. A double crochet stitch is twice as high as a single crochet and creates a firm, substantial stitch. Follow this link for a review of how to do a double crochet.

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3
Round 2. Ch 2, dc into same st, 2 dc in each st around, join with sl st to top of ch 2. Now you should have 20 sts. A slip stitch is a small, flat utility stitch used, in this case, to join a ring. Follow this link to see how to make a slip stitch when crocheting.
4
Round 3. Ch 2, dc into same st, dc in next st, *(2 dc in next st, dc in next st). Repeat from * eight (8) more times. Join with sl st to top of ch 2. Your stitch count is now 30 sts.
5
Round 4. Sl st into back loop of same stitch, ch 2, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, *(dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st). Repeat from * 8 more times. Join with sl st to top of ch 2. You should have 40 sts.
6
Check your gauge. After completing Round 4, your swatch should measure 5" in diameter. If it doesn't, adjust your hook size to obtain the correct gauge.
7
Round 5. Ch 2, dc into same st, dc in next 3 sts, *(2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts). Repeat from * 8 more times. Join with sl st to top of ch 2. Your stitch count: 50 sts.
8
Round 6. Sl st into back loop of same stitch, ch 2, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, *(dc in next 9 sts, 2 dc in next st). Repeat from * 3 more times and dc in last 7 sts. Join with sl st to top of ch 2. Now you have 55 sts.
9
Rounds 7, 8 and 9. Sl st into back loop of same stitch, ch 2, dc in each st around, join with sl st to top of ch 2. At the end of Round 9, hold MC to back of work. Repeat Round 9 for a longer hat or skip it to create a shorter hat.
10
Round 10. Join contrasting color (CC). Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to beg ch.
11
Round 11. With MC, ch 2, dc in each st around, join with sl st to top of ch 2.
12
Round 12. With CC, ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to beg ch.
13
Round 13. With MC, ch 2, dc in the back loop in each st around, join with sl st to top of ch 2.
14
Round 14. With CC, ch 1, sc in the back loop in each st around, join with sl st to beg ch. Tie off CC.
15
Round 15. With MC ch 1, sc in the back loop in each st around, join with sl st to beg ch.
16
Round 16. Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to top of ch.
17
Finish. Tie off MC and weave in yarn ends with a tapestry needle. The finished measurements of your hat should be 8" long with a circumference of approximately 20" (unstretched). This one size should fit most ages teen to adult.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Crocheting a Woman's Skull Cap

1
Create a circle. Chain (ch) 3 and join with a slip stitch (sl st).
2
Round 1. Ch 3. This chain will count as the first half double crochet (hdc), ch 1 now and through the remainder of the pattern. Work 9 hdc, ch 1. Single crochet (sc) in the beginning chain to join. Follow this link to see single crochet. The single crochet will count as the chain now and throughout the remainder of the pattern. Your stitch count should be 10 hdc, ch 1 total.
3
Round 2. Ch 3, Work hdc, ch 1 in the same space. *hdc, ch 1, hdc, ch 1 in each space around. Repeat from *. Join with a single crochet for a total of 20 hdc, ch 1.
4
Rounds 3 and 4. Ch 3, hdc, ch 1, in each space around. Join with a single crochet. Your total: 20 Hdc, ch 1.
5
Round 5. Ch 3, hdc, ch 1 in the same space. hdc, ch 1 in the next space. *hdc, ch 1, hdc, ch 1 in the same space to create the increase. hdc, ch 1 in the next space. Repeat around from *. Join with a single crochet. You should now have 30 hdc, ch 1 total.
6
Rounds 6-15. Ch 3, *hdc, ch 1, in each space. Join each round with a single crochet. Complete around from *. You should maintain your stitch count at 30 hdc, ch 1 total.
7
Create the band. Ch 1, 2 sc in each space around. Join with beginning single crochet. 60 single crochet in all. Ch 1, sc in each single crochet around and join.
8
Finish. Tie off yarn end and weave in with a tapestry needle.
9
Finished.