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Home » Free Crochet Patterns » Free Crochet Patterns » Meow! Kitty Beanie | Free Crochet Pattern for the Cat Lover in you! Sizes Adult S, M, L, & Toddler!

Meow! Kitty Beanie | Free Crochet Pattern for the Cat Lover in you! Sizes Adult S, M, L, & Toddler!

Happy “Almost” Halloween! Just in time, I’m releasing this as a free pattern! The inspiration for this one was…of course – you guessed it!  Kitty Cats! 😽 Similar to the Keep Shining beanie is a free pattern too and has so many color possibilities!

I would love to see all your beautiful colors, so please tag #MeowKittyBeanie or #MeowBeanie and show me your MEOW! The Meow Crochet Cat Beanie is a fun crochet project and you’ll love making it!

This pattern is created by using the waistcoat stitch. Here are a few tips on working the knit stitch, and there is a full video tutorial at the bottom of the post along with video tutorials on how to change colors.

Autumn Harvest Blog Hoppers!

Hi friends! If you made it here for the hop, scroll down to the bottom and find the Autumn Harvest Blog Hop Button to get the pattern – Thanks for being here and I hope you enjoy the FREE PDF today!

Autumn Harvest 2024 Blog Hop Graphic and details

Learning the Waistcoat Stitch

All of the stitches have tutorial links in the stitch guide below. I hope you enjoy this pattern and please share, because sharing helps me keep my blog alive. 💗

Back of crochet cat beanie with paw prints
Meow Crochet Cat Beanie
close up of crochet cat beanie that says meow on it with pumpkins and a crochet hook

How to get that knit look with crochet

I’ve fallen in love with the knit stitch.  I used it my recent Fair Isle Beanie, it’s a great stitch that creates a nice thick fabric without holes.  Which is great for warmth in the Fall & Winter.  I’m working on a series of beanies that will be a lot of fun – I hope you enjoy them all, so keep an eye out over the next few weeks :).

Check out the video at Below to help you work the Knit (Waistcoat) stitch!


Knit / Waistcoat Stitch Tutorial

A whole new world opens up for you when you dive into learning this simple stitch.  You will be amazed at how easy it is.  Here are a few tips on keeping your stitches looking good and even.

Tips Working The Knit Stitch

Tension – this stitch requires you to loosen up a bit.  If you are a tight crocheter, you’ll have to consciously loosen or “pull-up” on each stitch to make sure it doesn’t get too tight.

Consistency – when you make color changes using this stitch, you have to be consistent on how you work the color changes.  It will make a big difference in the back of your work.  This pattern requires a consistent band otherwise, when you flip up the brim, it will look messy!  No one wants that :).

Patience – learning this stitch takes time and practice.  The first time I created a pattern with it, I got calluses on my fingers because my stitches were too tight!  I even wore down one of my fingernails.  So just be patient and take your time.  This stitch is one that takes patience and as you practice more, your speed will increase. 

How to Crochet the Waistcoat Stitch aka Crochet Knit Stitch

Printable PDF is also available on Ravelry & Etsy.

Share away, and tag #MEOWBeanie

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Ready to make it!? Let’s Go! 😁

Meow Crochet Cat Beanie

PATTERN

Gauge:

12 ks x 19 rows = 4 x 4” or (10 x 10 cm)

Work in the round – fsc 20, join, *ch 1.

knit stitch in each fsc, beginning in same st as join, and in each st around.  Repeat from * until you reach 19 rows.

Measure 12 sts by 19 rows to obtain gauge.

Materials

Suggested Yarn:

I used Lion Brand Heartland yarn in Acadia, Denali & Yosemite, click here to see.

Suggested Yarn Details:

100% Acrylic, 251yds/230m per skein (3.5 oz/100g)

Yardage Needed: (1 skein of each color)

Adult:  150-200 yds (136.16 – 182.88) (approximately)

Toddler 100-125 yds (91.44 – 114.3) (approximately) 

Hook Size: 6.00 mm (J)

Scissors

Darning Needle

Poly-fill or yarn scraps

Abbreviations:

fsc foundation single crochet
ks knit stitch
sl st slip stitch
ch chain
MC main color
CC contrasting color
rnd round
ch chain
st(s) stitches
beg beginning

Stitch Guide:

Stitches include tutorial links

ks – knit stitch

the knit stitch is a single crochet stitch that works into the center V of the st from the previous round, instead of the top two loops.

fsc – foundation single crochet

changing colors tutorial

Size(s):

Toddler, Small, Medium, Large

Measurements:

Lying Flat: (approximate)

Toddler:

Height = 7.5” (19.05 cm), Width = 8” (20.32 cm)

Circumference of brim = 15.5” (39.37 cm)

Adult Small, Medium, Large: (Measurements below are with negative ease and meant to stretch slightly)

Small:

Height = 9.25” (23.5 cm), Width = 10.25” (26 cm)

Circumference of brim = 20.5 (52.07 cm)

Medium:

Height = 9.25” (23.5 cm), Width = 10.75” (27.30 cm)

Circumference of brim = 21.5” (54.61 cm)

Large:

Height = 9.25” (23.5 cm), Width = 11.25” (28.57 cm)

Circumference of brim = 22.5” (57.15 cm)

Pattern Notes – Please Read

  • Sizing:  Adult Small, Medium, & Large, and Toddler
  • Joining:  Joins are made with sl st into the ch 1 at end of rnd, unless otherwise indicated.
  • Stitch count:  Foundation round count is stitch count throughout.
  • Remember to count your stitches 😉.
  • Knit Stitch:  Work very loose – they tend to get very tight.
  • Each square of graph represents 1 knit stitch.

Pattern:

Using J hook and MC (I used Black Canyon as main color (MC) and Acadia (white) as contrasting color (CC))

Reminder: Joins are made by sl st into the ch 1 at end of rnd, unless otherwise indicated

Pattern Adult M (S, L):

Work graph from right to left and from the bottom to the top.

(please refer to graphs for where to begin graph for S, M, L) – you can customize width by adding or removing 1 row from both the left and right side of the chart (so the text stays centered).

Rnd 1:  fsc 70 (68, 72).  Join in 1st fsc of rnd, making sure the chain is not twisted.

Rnd 2:  ch 1, then begin working graph using the knit stitch (ks) – the 1st st of the round is made into the same as join – 70 (68, 72)

Rnd 3 – 45:  Follow graph using the ks, leave an 8-12-inch tail for sewing – sew up top according to photos in the following columns/pages. 70 (68, 72)

Pattern Toddler:

Work graph from right to left and from the bottom to the top

Rnd 1:  fsc 57.  Join in 1st fsc of rnd, making sure the chain is not twisted – 57.

Rnd 2:  Ch 1, begin working graph using the knit stitch (ks) – the 1st st of the round is made into the same stitch as join – 57 sts.

Rnd 3 – 35:  Follow graph using ks, leave an 8-12-inch tail for sewing – sew up top according to photos in the following columns/pages – 57 sts.

Graphs

Assembly:

Lay flat, with seam in the center.  WS out and foundation row closest to you.  Working on the top of the hat – Sew together both pieces as pictured below, working through top loops of the stitches.

Fair Isle Crochet Top of Hat Assembly

Draw in the other two corners – to create an X with four corners.

Fair Isle Crochet Top of Hat Assembly

Sew together the two corner you just pulled in.  Then do the same with the four corners of the X, drawing them in and sewing to the center.  This creates 8 corners.

Fair Isle Crochet Top of Hat Assembly

Keep pulling in and sewing corners to the center, until all the corners are sewed in.  Leave a long tail for attaching pom.  It kind of looks like a mish mash, but just keep sewing up all the little holes.

Fair Isle Crochet Top of Hat Assembly

Weave in all tails, Turn RS out.

Cat Ears (Make 2):

Front Piece

Using J (6mm) hook in CC (denali – pink); ch 6.

Row 1:  Hdc 1 in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 3 chs, hdc 5 in last ch, continue working around on opposite side of the chain, hdc 1 in each of next 4 chs – 13 sts.

Row 2:  Ch 2, turn, dc in each of next 4 sts beginning in same st at ch 2, sc 1 in each of next 2 sts, sc 3 in next st, sc 1 in each of next 2 sts, dc 1 in each of next 4 sts – 15 sts.

cut, and weave in tails.

pink crochet cat ears on table

Back Piece

Create the same as front piece using MC, but don’t cut yarn, then…using the following rows to join the two pieces together.

Row 3:  Ch 1, turn, place front piece on top of back piece.

blue crochet hook showing stitch placement on crochet cat ear tutorial

Join the two pieces with a sc through front and back pieces and in each of next 7 sts;

crochet hook showing position of where to place stitch on crochet cat ears
blue crochet hook inserted in black border of pink cat ears.

next; Sc 3 through front and back pieces of next st, continue down the other side, working through both front and back pieces, sc 1 in each of next 7 sts – 17 sts.

hand holding a crochet hook showing finished black single crochet row of pink crochet cat ears.

Row 4:  Ch 1, turn, sc 1 in each of next 8 sts, sc 3 in next st, sc 1 in each of next 8 sts – 19 sts.

crochet hook in a stitch showing finished row of pink crochet cat ears with black single crochet border

Weave in all tails on front piece and beginning tail from back piece.  Leave a long tail for sewing to hat – use a small amount of stuffing – or leave it empty – it’s up to you.  I used a small amount of stuffing in my sample.

Attaching ears to beanie:

Add a little bit of stuffing to the ears (Optional).

polyfill stuffing entering the tiny pink cat ears on a table.

Lay beanie flat, foundation row closest to your body.  Starting at the seam, counting 14 sts in from both directions (using the top most white row as a guide) and mark with stitch marker (for Toddler, count 8-9sts in. (you can place the ears anywhere you’d like, of course).

meow crochet beanie black with paws

Place the ears at an angle, where the bottom of the ear is covering the 14th st of the white row.

pink and black crochet cat ears attached to black crochet meow beanie

Sew through the hat, and both pieces of the ear at the same time.

how to assemble the meow crochet beanie with needle
Meow Crochet Beanie Assembly lying on table with darning needle

Repeat on both sides; Weave in tails.

Meow Beanie assembled on table with ears

When you are finished try on your beanie and RAWR!

Kitty Cat Crochet Beanie black and white on table with pink kitty ears by stardust gold crochet

This beanie is designed for you to wear with brim folded up or brim down (as pictured above.)

If you make one! I’d love to see it!

Want to learn new stitches? Check out the Stitch Explorers Series or

better yet…get the latest on new stitches and premium patterns, by signing up for the Stargazers mailing list here.

Autumn Harvest Blog Hop

Hey friends! Get the free pattern PDF by clicking here >>> Meow Beanie PDF or click the graphic below.

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Hope you enjoy the pattern!  Happy crocheting,

Happy Crocheting Copy
Tasha's Signature
The MEOW crochet cat beanie is for all the kitty lovers out there in crochet land. This beanie is easy to make, with full video tutorial.

4 thoughts on “Meow! Kitty Beanie | Free Crochet Pattern for the Cat Lover in you! Sizes Adult S, M, L, & Toddler!”

  1. Please can you help I have added my email address (tried all of them) but keeps saying something has gone wrong trying later.. I hope you can help

    Reply
  2. Tasha,I love the tutorial for the waistcoat stitch!! I followed a different one for a bag I was making, but I like how you say to grab the right leg then go into the stitch. That would have made things a lot easier; I just tried the stabbing process per that other designer. Now I have a great trick in my toolbox for future attempts at the stitch.

    Reply

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