Waffle Brim Beanie Crochet Pattern (CAL for a Cause)
Welcome to Week 3 of the Crochet Along for a Cause! This week’s featured pattern is the Waffle Brim Beanie Crochet Pattern—a stylish and cozy hat that combines basic crochet techniques with beautiful texture. Whether you’re stitching for men, women, or charity, this beanie is quick to make and full of personality!
🧶 About the Pattern
The Waffle Brim Beanie begins with a classic top-down construction, starting in the round with simple increases to shape the crown. Once the basic shape is established, the real fun begins—the waffle stitch brim adds a rich, textured look that feels plush and warm.
It’s a great unisex pattern that you can personalize with different yarn colors or by adjusting the length for a slouchy or fitted fit.
🧣 Matching Set: Waffle Stitch Cowl
Pair your beanie with the matching Waffle Stitch Cowl for the ultimate cozy combo! The cowl uses the same textured stitch pattern, making it a great coordinating accessory for your cold-weather donation or gift sets.
📌 Click here to grab the matching Waffle Stitch Cowl pattern ➝
🧵 About the Crochet Along for a Cause
The Crochet Along for a Cause is a summertime event where we come together as a community to crochet hats, scarves, cowls, and blankets for donation. Each week, a new free crochet pattern is released—perfect for charitable giving or stitching for loved ones.
You can also connect with others, share progress photos, and get inspiration in our Facebook group:
Join the Crochet Along for a Cause Facebook Group ➝
❤️ Why This Pattern Is Great for Donations
The Waffle Brim Beanie is warm, gender-neutral, and visually appealing—making it perfect for donating to shelters, cancer centers, or other community causes. The thick brim keeps ears toasty, while the fitted shape ensures a secure and comfortable wear.
🎯 Crochet Along for a Cause Tip: Stitch a few of these in neutral tones like gray, navy, and cream for men’s shelters or darker yarns that don’t show wear for long-term donation use.
More Homemade Happiness
click here to pin this pattern for later >>>
Waffle Brim Beanie Crochet Pattern
Get the full pattern below or download the ad-free, printable PDF for free HERE
PIN for later HERE
Add to your Ravelry Queue HERE
Materials
worsted weight yarn
H/5.0 mm hook
yarn needle
scissors
Level
easy+
Pattern notes & stitches to know
magic loop
ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
dc – double crochet
fpdc – front post double crochet
rs – right side
ws – wrong side
· written in US terms
· ch 2 does not count as dc
· This beanie is worked from top down in joined rounds starting with a magic loop. The waffle stitch section is made in turned rounds.
· The pattern is written in 2 adult sizes (Sm & Lg). The pattern is written in these sizes consecutively. Example, when the pattern gives the end of row count ((60, 72) dc) the 60 is for Sm and the 72 is Lg. To make a beanie size in between, make the small with a J hook.
· Waffle Stitch Video Tutorial
Approx Finished Size:
Circumference: (20”, 22”)
Length: (8”, 8.5”)
WAFFLE BRIM BEANIE CROCHET PATTERN
Make a magic loop
Round 1: ch 2, dc 12 into loop, pull loop closed tight, join to first dc with sl st (12 dc)
Round 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each stitch around, join to first dc with sl st (24 dc)
Round 3: ch 2, *dc in 1 stitch, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (36 dc)
Round 4: ch 2, *dc in 2 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (48 dc)
Round 5: ch 2, *dc in 3 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (60 dc)
Round 6: ch 2, *dc in 4 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (72 dc)
Small Adult size stop increasing here: crown diameter is approx 6.5”
Skip to arrow.
Round 7: ch 2, *dc in 5 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (84 dc)
Large Adult size stop increasing here: crown diameter is approx 7.5”
Skip to arrow.
—-> Next round for all sizes: ch 2, dc in each stitch around, join to first dc with sl st ((72, 84) dc)
Round (8, 9) (rs): ch 2, *fpdc in 1 stitch, dc in next 2* repeat from * to * around, join to first fpdc with sl st ((72, 84) dc)
Round (9, 10) (ws): ch 2, turn, *fpdc in 2 stitches, dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first fpdc with sl st ((72, 84) dc)
Round (10, 11) (rs): ch 2, turn, *fpdc in 1 stitch, dc in next 2* repeat from * to * around, join to first fpdc with sl st ((72, 84) dc)
Repeat previous 2 rounds to Round (21, 23) ((72, 84) dc)
Fasten off. Weave in the ends.
Get the matching Waffle Stitch Cowl Crochet Pattern Here
Looking for more patterns? Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest! Please share a pic of your finished product with me. I’d love to see it!
Thank you for posting these patterns. I have not made alot but have learned alot. How many more before you stop?
Thank you so much!! We have 1 more pattern 🙂
To be clear, row 10 is FPDC, bpdc, bpdc..
Row 11 is FPDC, dc, dc.
Yes 🙂
I’ve been saving all the CAL hats to Pinterest but don’t find a link to do so with this one. Do you have one?
Just added it 🙂
I’m very new in the world of crochet.
But I love your page & patterns.
I’ts realy amaizing what yo u are doing with the CAL for a cause.
Greetings forma Spain
Thank you!
This is my 2nd year for the CAL for a cause & will be sad to see it end. I will make more of some of the patterns through the month of October. Since I live in Tucson, there is not a great need for the hats (although I will donate some here), so I will send most to family in Ohio. They will donate through their church to various causes.
Thank you for sharing your patterns for our personal causes.
Voni
Thank you!
It just
Breann, I am having trouble with the waffle stitch, is there e video that could help. Every time I get to row 10, I am not sure where to double crochet after the fpdc. When I do it, I do not have 60 stitches. I really want to figure this one out and not quit
Hi! No I don’t have a video. Double crochet in the back post double crochet of the previous row
Me too. Same thing! I am so frustrated.
Thanks for the free pattern. I did mines in beige and green looks very, very nice, cannot send a picture because I’m not on Facebook. Again thanks.
Yay! Thank you so much!
Thanks, Breann, I finally got it. I didn’t read the instructions right. I posted a picture on the Facebook page
Please, where is that photo now? I am stuck same place as you were:
Round 10: ch 2, *fpdc, dc in next 2 stitches* repeat from * to * around, join to first fpdc with sl st (60)
Dc in next two stitches? An increase occurs. Argh!
Hi! There shouldn’t be any increases. In the previous round you will have *fpdc, bpdc in next 2 stitches* around. So the dc in next 2 stitches are in the 2 bpdc from the previous row. Hope this helps!
I got it! Made a beautiful hat I posted on the Facebook feed. I had a really fun time making this hat once I got with the program. Thank you to all commenters!
I am having the same issue , an increase of stitches in row 10. I’m obviously sticking my hook in the wrong place. I justcsaw your help and i will re check. I see where I went wrong in row 9 . I should take remedial reading again.
Wanted to make a lighter hat (during my chemo my head was super hot). Used a sports weight and size 4 hook. Added 3 rounds (total of 90 stitches – stitches need to be divisible by 3). Diameter when measured was just over 7 inches before doing the sides. Due to thin thread had to add a couple more rows to get the length. Great pattern! Have a nice thin peach hat for someone special. A big change from making tiny octos for premature babies but just as rewarding. Thanks for doing this project – have enjoyed it greatly.
Thank you!
Hi. I am having trouble with the waffle stch o. Row 10. If I do 2 dc then the fpdc, I am ending with a mess. The fpdc is not lining up. Any suggestions? This is the only one im having problems with.
Thanks
I’m having the same trouble as Jill any help?
Hi! The 2 dc should be in the same stitches as the 2 bpdc from the previous round.
Thanku it would be nice to have a video since I’m new at crocheting . I did make 1 hat already but I only did 1 dc then fpdc on round 10 I’ll post my hat picture!
Thank you so much for your patterns!! I’m disabled & limited income. I’ve crocheted things for other people for years! Pattern books can be expensive!! People have donated me yarn or I catch it on sale! We have different places in town that have food pantries. & Shelters. To be able to find hat patterns that are so cute is awesome!!! I also hand out lapghans. I have sold a couple. Whatever I sell them for goes for more yarn!!! May God richly bless you!!
Hi, first time trying the waffle stitch. Row 10 should read fpdc then 2 dcs in bpdc. There are not to dcs to work only a bpdc. Am I right or wrong I’m so confused?
You do one fpdc (in the fpdc) then dc in next 2 stitches (which are both bpdc)
I finally figured out that it calls for a 2 bpdc in Row 9. May that line needs to be rewritten clearer.
Thank you so much for your patterns!! I’m disabled & limited income. I’ve crocheted things for other people for years! Pattern books can be expensive!! People have donated me yarn or I catch it on sale! We have different places in town that have food pantries. & Shelters. To be able to find hat patterns that are so cute is awesome!!! I also hand out lapghans. I have sold a couple. Whatever I sell them for goes for more yarn!!! May God richly bless you!!
Hi Breann – Love the CAL idea!! My Bible study group is knitting hats but I just can’t “get” the knack for knitting and none of them crochet so I am thrilled to find your patterns!! We do hats for the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes – several of the girls knit 1 hat a day! I am traveling to Baltimore (from PA) tomorrow to work in one of the many distribution centers to prepare the thousands of boxes to ship overseas. (We inspect each box to remove items not allowed and add items to fill them up.) Our Bible study meets every other week so some of them bring in 10 hats and then we (5-7 of us) stay after class to chat and work… so much fun! Thanks again for the patterns!!
I love this hat. How could I make it more slouchy?
You can continue to add rows until it’s the length & slouchiness you want 🙂
Same problem with the beginning of row 10.
I have a wave, which is cute, but not this pattern…..
I am using Caron cake, everything good up to now.
So, row 10, chain 2, then back and forth on the fpdc, bpdc? It does not look like your finished hat.. help, please…..
Hi! Round 10 is front post double crochet in 1, then dc in next 2
I am also having trouble with row 10.It adds to many and the waffle does not look right.I am confused to.
Hi! front post double crochet in 1, dc in the next, dc in the next 🙂
Thank you! This hat turned out beautifully for me. It will make a lovely donation!!!
Yay! Thanks!!
Great hat pattern easy to do and works up quick. Made many many of these for the homeless shelters in Portland Oregon
Yay! Thank you so much!