DIY Easy Mesh Crochet Skull Cap PatternĀ
Grab a small amount of your favorite cotton yarn, set aside about 30 minutes, and with just a couple of basic stitchesā¦ voilĆ ! Youāll have a gorgeous crochet skull cap thatās sure to become your go-to accessory for spring and summer.
Here is a photo of my mannequin showcasing one of the crochet caps I made:
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On those breezy summer days, when Iām heading out for a casual day or for a walk on the beach, I like to wear something to keep my hair in place. And living in Maine, I like to say the weather here has all four seasons built into it, which makes it perfect for predicting exactly what to wear year-round.
I couldnāt be more excited about this airy skull cap for the upcoming warm season. Just canāt wait to wear it!
Why you’ll love this crochet skull cap
- Simple and beginner-friendly: One of my favorite things about this project is how simple it is to make. The mesh stitch uses only chains and single crochet, making it very easy to learn, even if youāre just starting.
- Light and breathable: the combination of chains and single crochet stitches creates an airy fabric thatās perfect to hold your hair up on those warm-weather days.
- Quick and yarn-efficient: It took me under 30 minutes to make one, and I used less than 65 yards of yarn, which is ideal for stash-busting small projects.
Crochet Skull Cap Pattern
Letās start by talking about the yarnā¦ Iām a big fan of the subtle sheen of 24/7 mercerized cotton, but the softness of Sugar nā Cream non-mercerized cotton is just as lovely for summer wearables. Keep scrolling for more details on the yarn.
The hat is worked in the round, beginning with a magic circle. From there, youāll crochet rounds of single crochet and chain-5 spaces to create an open, airy fabric. The result is a lightweight headpiece thatās both practical and beautiful ā exactly the look and feel I had in mind for this mesh-stitch design.
Want to make it your own? Add craft beads along the edge for a cute decorative touch ā they also give the cap a bit of weight to help it stay in place.
Here is a close-up photo of the edge with plastic beads I added to my hat:
Alright, enough chatting ā letās take a look at what youāll need and jump right into the pattern!
What Youāll Need:
- Worsted Weight (4) yarn ā approximately 56 yards for the smaller size and 65 yards for the larger size.
- 4.00 mm (US G) hook ā or other hook size needed to meet gauge.
- A smaller hook to attach the beads, as small as it can fit through the bead hole to pull the yarn through.
- Plastic or stone beads: 8-10 mm beads with 5 mm holes ā 18 for the Small Adult/Teen size or 19 for the Large Adult size.
- Scissors, a stitch marker, and a tapestry needle to weave in the ends.
Yarn Specifics:
I prefer cotton, but feel free to use any fiber content you like. However, I recommend avoiding any yarn with stretch. Here are my recommendations:
- MainStays cotton yarn by Walmart
- Sugar nā Cream yarn by the Lily Brand
- 24/7 Worsted-Weight Yarn ā Mercerized cotton by Lion Brand
Pattern Abbreviations and Terms:
Do you like free PDFs? You can get a Free Guide to Abbreviations & Terms (PDF download right here on the blog.
- ch(s): chain(s)
- FO: Fasten off
- mc: magic circle
- rep: repeat
- sc: single crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
- sp: space
- st(s): stitch(es)
- ( ): Repeat instructions within parentheses as many times as directed.
Project Size:
The pattern for the crochet skull cap in this blog post is for two sizes: the smaller one fits heads with a circumference of 19-21 inches/48-53 cm, and the larger one fits heads with a circumference of 22-23 inches/56-58 cm.
If your head size falls in the middle, I strongly suggest opting for the larger size. This is because the hat will fit better when itās slightly larger than your head.
Stitch Tension:
Gauge is crucial for this crochet skull cap project, so make sure your first 5 rows of the pattern match the size specified below for the right fit.
- Small Adult/Teen cap: the circle with the first five rows measures approximately 5 Ā¼ inches (13 cm) in diameter.
- Large Adult cap: the circle with the first five rows measures approximately 5 Ā½ inches (14 cm) in diameter.
Pattern Notes:
- This crochet skull cap pattern uses US crochet terminology.
- Skill Level: Easy.
- The sizes in the pattern are written in this order: Small Adult/Teen (Average Adult). For example, ā(sc, ch 6) x12 (x13)ā means x12 is for the Small Adult/Teen size, and x13 is for the Average Adult size.
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Crochet Skull Cap Instructions
Crochet your mesh beanie using this stitch diagram along with the written instructions below.
Note: The chart in the image below illustrates the stitches for the smaller size of this crochet skull cap. Both sizes begin in a very similar way, but the larger size includes one additional stitch to create an extra chain-5 space (refer to the written instructions below if you’re making the larger size).
Row #1:
12 (13) sc in a magic circle, sl st to join. Alternatively, instead of the mc, you can ch 2 and place the sts in the 2nd ch from the hook.
Row #2:
(sc, ch 6) x12 (x13), then sl st to join.
Maggieās Pro Tip: Due to the mesh stitch used in this cap, the piece will appear uneven and unshaped in the initial rows. This is entirely normal. The shape will gradually take form as the project progresses.
Row #3:
Sl st into the next 3 chs, sc in same ch 6 sp, (ch 5, sc in next ch 6 sp) x12 (x13), sl st to join.
Row #4:
Sl st into the next 3 chs, (sc, *ch 5, sc) in same ch 5 sp, (ch 5, sc in next ch 5 sp) x2, rep from the asterisk five more times. If youāre making the larger size, youāll have room to crochet one extra ch-5 sp at the end of this row. Sl st to join.
Row #5-15:
Sl st into the next 3 chs, sc in same ch 5 sp, (ch 5, sc in next ch 5 sp) x18 (x19), sl st to join.
Row #16:
Here is where you add the beads to decorate the edge of your mesh hat.
Sl st into the next 3 chs, sc in same ch-5 sp, *ch 3, ch 1 with a bead (a smaller hook will help here), ch 1again, sl st in 3rdch from hook, ch 2, sc in next ch-5 sp, rep from the asterisk around. Sl st to join. Fasten off using the invisible finish method, then weave in the loose ends.
Crochet Skull Cap Pattern ā FAQs
Is this pattern beginner-friendly?
Yes! This pattern is perfect for beginners. It uses only basic stitches ā chains and single crochet ā making it easy to follow. And itās small enough to keep you from getting bored.
How much yarn do I need?
Youāll need from 56 to 65 yards of yarn, depending on which of the two sizes youāre making. The amount may vary a little depending on stitch tension and yarn brande as well. This is the perfect stash-busting project for leftover cotton yarn.
What type of yarn works best?
Cotton yarn is ideal for this crochet skull cap pattern, especially for warm-weather wear. You can use mercerized cotton for a slight sheen or non-mercerized cotton for a softer, more casual look. I would avoid stretchy yarns, though, as they can affect the fit of your crochet skull cap.
Can I adjust the size of the skull cap?
It depends! I offer instructions for two sizes, but if youāre an experienced crocheter, you may be able to start with fewer or more stitches in the magic circle. From there, youād need to determine the chain-5 space increases to make it work.
Can I add embellishments to the cap?
Absolutely! I worked mine with craft beads along the edge for a decorative touch. You can also attach sequins all over the cap or ready-to-use bead or pearl strings on the edges ā the possibilities are endless.
Your crochet skull cap is now finished! I hope you had fun working on this pattern, but most importantly, that you will love wearing your new head piece.
Happy Crocheting! š§¶
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