The Imani Beanie: Free Crochet Pattern

Recently I had the opportunity to do something really fun…I designed a beanie for a fundraiser! Ever since I started crocheting, I have looked for opportunities to donate my time or effort for a good cause. When I saw the Yarn for Menstrual Health campaign spearheaded by Haseeta and Morine, I was so excited to join in. So today I’m sharing a brand new beanie pattern just for the Yarn for Menstrual Health campaign…the Imani Beanie!

Update: This pattern is now free for use on my blog! We were able to donate 10 hygiene kits from pattern sales. Read more about the organization below!

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About the Campaign

The Yarn for Menstrual Health campaign was started by Haseeta of the Amazing Knitting & Crochet Group, Nairobi. Her goal was to raise awareness of the unhygienic circumstances that most school girls in Kenya deal with. Many girls do not have access to menstrual hygeine products and therefore end up missing school during their period.

Morine of Morinesshop teamed up with Haseeta to help spread the word and contribute to the campaign. If you’d like to read more about it and find out ways you can participate, check out Morine’s blog post!

Haseeta and Morine made it their goal to raise funds for 1000 sanitary kits through the African Girl Foundation, which include 4 reusable pads and washing soap to last a year! They also have made 1000 red or maroon hats to distribute with these kits in Kenya. This campaign has been going since October of 2020 and will conclude on Menstrual Health Day on May 28, 2021.

How I’m Joining In

The Imani Beanie is my contribution towards the campaign! All pattern sale profits from now until the end of the Yarn for Menstrual Health campaign on May 28, 2021 will go to the African Girl Foundation. At the end of the campaign, this pattern will be free on my blog. Whether you choose to purchase the pattern during the campaign or end up making it from the free pattern later, I hope you will continue to spread awareness about “period poverty”.

UPDATE: We were able to donate 10 kits to the campaign! Thanks so much for purchasing this pattern. If you would like to contribute directly to the African Girl Foundation, head to their website!

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About the Imani Beanie

The Imani Beanie is a crochet slouchy-style hat. This beanie uses basic stitches is an openwork style to give a lightly, airy hat. It’s perfect for transitioning from Summer to Fall and Winter to Spring. This pattern is available in five sizes: Baby, Toddler, Child, Teen and Adult. 

This beanie also has a matching scarf! The scarf can be modified to wear in 4 uniques ways. My personal favorite is a long scarf with a little bit of fringe. Find the free Imani Scarf pattern here on my blog.

You can shop the pattern in my Etsy or Ravelry shops. Click the button below to head there now!

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Materials Needed

1 Skein of Lion Brand Heatland (or 90-175 yds of Worsted Weight yarn)

Size H (5.0mm) crochet hook

Size I (5.5mm) crochet hook

Tapestry needle 

Scissors 

Stitches/Abbreviations Used

Ch – Chain 

Sc – Single Crochet

Sc BLO – Single Crochet in Back Loops Only

Dc – Double Crochet

V-Stitch – (Dc, ch 1, Dc) in same stitch

Skill Level

Experienced Beginner

Gauge

Brim (5.0mm hook): SC in BLO 10 rows = 2”

Hat (5.5mm hook): 3 v-stitch/dc group repeats + 6 rows = 4” square

Pattern for Gauge: 

1. Ch 22. V-Stitch in 5th ch from hook. *Sk 2, 3 dc, sk 2, V-Sttich.* Repeat from * to * until 5 ch remain. Sk 2, 3 dc, sk 1, dc in last ch. 
2. Ch 3 and turn. *Sk 2, V-stitch, sk 2, 3 dc*. Repeat from * to * until last V-stitch. 3 dc in ch sp, sk 1, dc in last st. 
3. Ch 3 and turn. *Sk 2, 3dc in ch sp, sk 2, V-stitch. Repeat from * to * until last dc group. V-stitch in center dc, sk 1, dc in last st. 

Repeat Rows 2-3 until Swatch is appropriate height. 

Finished Measurements

Baby (6-12mo): 7”w, 7”h

Toddler: 7.5”w, 7.5”h

Child: 8”w, 8”h

Teen/Adult Small: 8.5”w, 8.5”h

Adult Large: 9”w, 9”h

Notes

• This pattern is worked from the bottom up and cinched at the end to close. 
• The sizes of the beanie are written (Baby,Toddler,Child,Teen/Adult Small,Adult Large).
• The pattern is written in multiples of 6. 
• When working one stitch in one space, it will be written with the number following the stitch (ex: Dc 1= Double crochet one in the space). When working multiple stitches in one space it will be written with the number before the stitch (ex: 3 Dc=Double crochet three times in the same space)
• Throughout this pattern, V-stitches should stack in the center stitch of DC groups. DC groups should be worked in the chain space of the V-stitch.

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PATTERN

BRIM

Using 5.0mm (H) hook. Ch (7,7,9,9,11). 

Row 1: Sc in 2 ch from hook and each ch across. (6,6,8,8,10)

Row 2: Ch 1 and turn. Sc BLO in each stitch across. (6,6,8,8,10)

Repeat Row 2 for a total of (54,60,66,72,78) rows. 

Fold Brim in half lengthwise. Holding the short ends together, slip stitch across seaming the brim together. Leave yarn attached.

HAT

Switch to 5.5mm (I) hook.

Round 1: Ch 1. Sc in the top edge of each row of the brim. Sl st in top of first sc. (54,60,66,72,78)

Round 2: Ch 2. Sk 1 st (same stitch as join). *V-stitch. Sk 2. 3 Dc. Sk 2.* Repeat from * to * around until you have 5 stitches remaining. V-stitch, sk 2, 3 Dc, sk last st. Slip stitch in top of Ch 2 to join. (9,10,11,12,13 stitch repeats)

Round 3: Ch 2. Sk 1 st. *3 Dc in the ch sp of V-stitch. Sk 2. V-stitch in next dc (center dc of dc group). Sk 2* Repeat from * to * around until you reach last Dc group. V-stitch in center dc, sk last st. Slip stitch to top of ch 2 to join. (9,10,11,12,13 stitch repeats)

Round 4: Ch 2. Sk 1 st. *V-stitch in the next dc. Sk 2. Sk 2. 3 Dc in the ch sp of V-stitch. Sk 2* Repeat from * to * around until you reach last V-stitch. 3 Dc in ch sp, sk last st. Sl st in top of Ch 2 to join. (9,10,11,12,13 stitch repeats)

Repeat Rounds 3 and 4 for a total of (13,14,14,15,16) rounds or until hat measures (7.5”,8”,8.5”,9”,9.5”) including brim. (Note: The round count does not include initial round of single crochet.) Tie off leaving long tail.

FINISHING

Using a tapestry needle and long tail, weave in and out of the last row of stitches, approx every 3-5 stitches. Cinch the tail to close the top of hat. Tie off and weave in ends.

Optional: Add a pom to top of hat to finish. Need help making a faux fur pom? Check out this tutorial!

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Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed this beanie pattern. Be on the lookout for some matching pieces to this set this fall! You can also follow me on Instagram or sign up for my newsletter for updates.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!