Neon Rainbow Folded Brim Crochet Beanie Free Pattern

Introduction

This Neon Rainbow Folded Brim Crochet Beanie is a bold, cheerful hat that brings a little sunshine to cold days. It's written for intermediate crocheters who are comfortable with half double crochet and color changes, but the stitches themselves are simple and repetitive, so it's a relaxing project once you get going. Worked in bulky yarn, it grows quickly and feels thick, squishy, and warm in the hand. The magic happens when you fold the deep brim up: the lower half of the hat turns back on itself, so the visible outside shows one rainbow sequence on top and a contrasting rainbow sequence on the folded brim, giving a striking two-tone effect.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Bulky (5) weight yarn, acrylic or wool blend, in 6 rainbow colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple (approximately 30–40 yards of each color).
• Hook: 6.5 mm (K/10.5) crochet hook.
• Notions: Stitch marker (for the start of each round), tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and scissors.
• Finished size: Fits a head circumference of 20–22 inches; height is 9 inches unfolded, with a 4.5-inch folded brim.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• hdc – half double crochet
• sc – single crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• [ ] – repeat the instructions inside the brackets the number of times stated

Gauge

12 stitches and 14 rounds = 4 inches in half double crochet. To check, crochet a small swatch in hdc and measure a 4-inch section; if you have more stitches than 12, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down a hook size.

Tips Before You Start

• Use a stitch marker. Because the hat is worked in continuous rounds, place a marker in the first stitch of each round so you never lose your place.
• Change colors on the last stitch. Pull the new color through on the final yarn-over of the last hdc in a color band for a clean, seamless stripe.
• Keep your tension even. Bulky yarn shows uneven stitches clearly, so relax your grip and keep the hdc stitches consistent for a smooth fabric.
• Don't cut colors too short. Leave a 6-inch tail at each color change so you have plenty of yarn to weave in securely later.

Step-by-Step Instructions

The hat is worked in continuous rounds from crown to brim. Do not join rounds unless instructed.

Crown (Red)

With red, make a magic ring.

Rnd 1: 8 hdc in ring (8 sts).

Rnd 2: 2 hdc in each st around (16 sts).

Rnd 3: [hdc, 2 hdc in next st] around (24 sts).

Rnd 4: [2 hdc, 2 hdc in next st] around (32 sts).

Rnd 5: [3 hdc, 2 hdc in next st] around (40 sts).

Rnd 6: [4 hdc, 2 hdc in next st] around (48 sts).

Rnd 7: [5 hdc, 2 hdc in next st] around (56 sts).

Rnd 8: [6 hdc, 2 hdc in next st] around (64 sts).

Rnd 9: hdc in each st around (64 sts).

Body (Rainbow Stripes)

Change to orange.

Rnds 10–12: hdc in each st around (64 sts).

Change to yellow.

Rnds 13–15: hdc in each st around (64 sts).

Change to green.

Rnds 16–18: hdc in each st around (64 sts).

Change to blue.

Rnds 19–21: hdc in each st around (64 sts).

Change to purple.

Rnds 22–24: hdc in each st around (64 sts).

Change to red.

Rnds 25–27: hdc in each st around (64 sts).

Change to orange.

Rnds 28–30: hdc in each st around (64 sts).

Change to yellow.

Rnds 31–33: hdc in each st around (64 sts).

Change to green.

Rnds 34–36: hdc in each st around (64 sts).

Change to blue.

Rnds 37–39: hdc in each st around (64 sts).

Change to purple.

Rnds 40–42: hdc in each st around (64 sts).

Edging

Do not fasten off. With purple still on your hook, work the edging.

Edging Rnd: sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all yarn ends on the inside of the hat, using the tapestry needle to run each tail through several stitches in the same color so it stays hidden. Block the beanie by misting it lightly with water and shaping it over a bowl or hat form to the finished measurements; let it dry completely. Once dry, fold the brim up approximately 4.5 inches to reveal the contrasting rainbow colors on the inside of the hat.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Make it a pom-pom hat: Add a bulky yarn pom-pom in any rainbow color to the top for extra fun.
• Change the palette: Swap the rainbow for a two-color gradient or a single solid color with a contrasting brim for a more subtle look.
• Adjust the fit: For a smaller or larger head, stop the crown increases one round earlier (56 sts) or add one more increase round (72 sts), then work the body rounds to the same height.