The Queen Beenie
PIN it here!!
I decided to dub this hat “Queen Bee-nie” due to the way the beautiful stitch pattern reminds me of a honeycomb.
It is very simple in concept, but a little challenging when working in the posts. I have labeled it intermediate, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be “buzzing” through it in no time!
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I am excited to let you in on a little secret…
I have decided to release a free pattern every week on my blog of all my best selling Fall vendor market items! I try to design with selling in mind, because I sell my finished products and I know many of you do as well. There are some factors I consider every time I am planning for vendor markets, and the number one thing to consider is how long an item takes to make. The second most important thing to consider is the cost of supplies. The answer to both of those questions must be favorable. I don’t care HOW cute the item is, if it takes too long to make or the supplies are too costly, it doesn’t make the cut. TIME IS MONEY when it comes to market prepping.
Last year I did a vendor market in October that was the very best one-day market I’ve ever had. I was a bit upset that all of my other markets had been cancelled due to Covid, but this particular vendor spot was doing an all-outdoor market and everyone was required to wear masks. I decided to give it a whirl, and I am SO GLAD I did! I made a whopping $1500 in just 6 hours and had orders for more when I left.
I am going to be sharing with you the best selling makes I had at that particular market, plus items I fully intend to sell this year at my markets in October. The Barley Beanie that I shared with you in last week’s blog post is definitely going to be my #1 market hat this year. I didn’t have it last year, but I did sell out in a store front at the tail end of last season.
This week I am sharing with you my chunky version of my Queen Bee-nie, which was my best-selling hat at my vendor market last October. It sold out within the first hour of my market. I have 3 versions of this hat, actually. I have a worsted weight version, this chunky version, and a super bulky version as well. This version seems to be the Goldilocks of all Queen Bee-nies, so I decided to share the pattern with you so you could make some for your upcoming vendor markets if you wanted to.
I will mention that my best-selling colors are always neutrals. People are more likely to spend a little more money on something handmade when it can be worn with multiple outfits or coats. I’m not saying wild colors won’t sell at all….but if you are wanting to sell MORE, I would make more neutrals. Just throwing that out there!
This hat contains a bit of fancy post work, so it’s definitely a bit more difficult than my average patterns. I have included a YouTube video tutorial to help you with the most difficult portions of the pattern, and I will be linking it throughout the pattern for help with certain portions.
Let’s make it already!
Supplies Needed:
-130 -160 yds of any chunky weight yarn (size 5)
-Size L 8.0 mm crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)
-Tape measure, scissors, yarn needle
-Embellishments (optional. I love to use these faux fur pom poms)
Terminology and Abbreviations Used:
Pattern is written in US terminology.
Back Loop Only – BLO
Begin(ning) - beg
Chain(s) – ch(s)
Double Crochet – dc
Fasten Off - FO
Front Post Double Crochet - fpdc
Front Post Treble Crochet(s) - fptr(s)
Half Double Crochet - hdc
Repeat - rep
Reverse single crochet - rvsc
Single Crochet - sc
Skip - sk
Slip Stitch - sl st
Stitch(es) - st(s)
Yarn Over - YO
Special Stitches:
Front Post Treble 2 Together (fptr2tog):
Step 1: YO twice, place hook in LAST post stitch made 2 rounds below, YO pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), YO pull through 2 loops on your hook TWICE, leaving the last 2 loops on your hook.
Step 2: YO twice, place hook in NEXT post stitch made 2 rounds below, YO pull up a loop (5 loops on hook), YO pull through 2 loops on your hook TWICE, YO pull through last 3 loops on your hook.
Gauge:
I did not use a gauge swatch for this hat since we will be checking the diameter after only Round 4. It is VERY important to adjust your hook size and begin your hat again if your measurements do not equal mine. I crochet very loosely, and have found most people crochet more tightly than I do.
Finished Measurements:
Hat should fit an adult head size, ranging approximately 20-24” (51-61 cm) in circumference and approximately 9” (23 cm) in length.
Instructions:
Hat is worked from top to band in the round.
Round 1: Ch 3, 12 dc in 3rd ch from hook. Join with a sl st in first dc. [12 dc]
Round 2: Ch 2 (beg chs do not count as a st from here on out), 2 dc in each st around. Join with a sl st in first dc. [24 dc]
Round 3: Ch 1, * 2 hdc in first st, fpdc in next; rep from * around. Join with a sl st in first hdc. [24 hdc, 12 fpdc] For help with this round, see my video.
Round 4: Ch 2, 2 dc in first st, dc in next 2 sts, * 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; rep from * around. Join with a sl st in first dc. [48 dc]
Gauge check:
At this point, you should measure the diameter of your hat to see if it measures at least 6.5" (16.5 cm) across. Adjust your hook size accordingly and begin your hat again, if necessary.
In the next round, we will be joining 2 fpdc together using a fptr2tog st to make the points you see in the hat pattern. I have also created a video tutorial for rounds 5 and 7 to help you.
Round 5: Ch 1, hdc in first 2 sts, fptr2tog over last and first fpdc from 2 rounds below, sk next st (will be the st behind your hook), * hdc in next 3 sts, fptr2tog over last and next fpdc from 2 rounds below, sk next st; rep from * to last st of round, hdc in last st of round. Join with a sl st in first hdc. [48 sts] For help with this round, see my video.
Round 6: Ch 1, hdc in each st around. Join with a sl st in first hdc. [48 hdc]
Round 7: Ch 1, hdc in first 2 sts, fptr2tog over last and first points of fptr2tog from 2 rounds below, sk next st (will be the st behind your hook), * hdc in next 3 sts, fptr2tog over last fptr2tog and next fptr2tog points from 2 rounds below, sk next st; rep from * to last st, hdc in last st of round. Join with a sl st in first hdc. [48 sts] For help with this round, see my video.
Rep rounds 6-7 until hat body measures approximately 8.5" (21.5 cm). Be sure to end with a Round 7 rep. NOTE: I did a total of 15 rounds prior to adding my band.
Band
I chose a simple band for this hat, but you could certainly mix it up very easily. Just keep in mind that you may need more yarn.
Round 1: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each stitch around. Join with a sl st in first sc. [48 sc BLO]
Round 2: Ch 1, going through both loops sc in each st around. Join with a sl st in first sc. [48 sc]
Switch to a hook 1-2 mm smaller than the hook you used for your hat body. I went down to a K 6.5 mm hook.
Round 3: Ch 1, rvsc in each st around. Join with a sl st in first rvsc. [48 rvsc]
FO and weave in ends. Add any embellishments you desire.
NOTE: To see my quick tips for adding a removable faux fur pom pom to your hat the easy way, see my video.
Your Queen Bee-nie is complete! I would love to see your finished work! If you want to tag me on IG, I’m @dayscrochetnc or you can use #queenbeenie. I can’t wait to see your projects! If you would like to see other versions that I will be making after this publication, be sure to check me out on IG!
Pictured is Loops and Threads Charisma in the color Mist.
Please note that you do not have my permission to sell, share, copy, translate, or duplicate this pattern or my photos in any way. Please do not use this pattern for a video, blog, or class tutorial. Thank you so much for following these simple rules! Please message me on Facebook or send me an email at dayscrochetnc@gmail.com with any questions.
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What did you think of this project? Did you have fun making it? Let me know in the comments!
Happy hooking!
~Dana