Pixelated Pom Beanie: Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

The Pixelated Pom Beanie is a fun, beginner-friendly crochet hat that looks like a retro video game screen come to life. It's written for advanced beginners who are comfortable with single crochet and ready to try simple color changes, and it works up quickly in worsted weight yarn. Alternating four-round bands of black and white create a bold, pixelated block pattern, while a bright neon green pom-pom adds a playful streetwear pop on top. The dense single crochet fabric feels cozy and warm, with a rounded dome crown and straight sides that hug the head comfortably.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: (4) Medium weight (worsted) yarn — 150 yds black (A), 100 yds white (B), and a small amount of neon green (C) for the pom-pom.
• Hook: 5 mm (H-8) crochet hook.
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and a pom-pom maker or two cardboard circles (about 4 inches across) for the pom-pom.
• Finished size: Fits an adult head circumference of 20–22 inches; hat height is approximately 8.5 inches, excluding the pom-pom.

Abbreviations

• MR: Magic ring — an adjustable loop used to start the hat.
• sc: Single crochet — insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• inc: Increase — work 2 single crochet stitches into the same stitch.
• sts: Stitches.
• rnd(s): Round(s) — one complete circle of the hat.

Gauge

16 stitches and 16 rounds = 4 inches in single crochet. To check, crochet a small swatch in the round or flat and measure a 4-inch section; adjust your hook size if your stitches are too tight or too loose.

Tips Before You Start

• Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round so you never lose your place — the hat is worked in a continuous spiral with no joining.
• Change colors on the last yarn-over of the final stitch of a round so the new color begins cleanly at the start of the next round.
• Keep your tension even at each color change; give the old yarn a gentle tug to avoid loose loops or gaps.
• Count your stitches after every increase round — you should always have a multiple of 6 until Round 12.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Hat (worked in the round with A, then alternating A and B)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts).

Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts).

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36 sts).

Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42 sts).

Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] x6 (48 sts).

Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] x6 (54 sts).

Rnd 10: [8 sc, inc] x6 (60 sts).

Rnd 11: [9 sc, inc] x6 (66 sts).

Rnd 12: [10 sc, inc] x6 (72 sts).

Rnds 13–16: sc in each st around (72 sts).

Change to B.

Rnds 17–20: sc in each st around (72 sts).

Change to A.

Rnds 21–24: sc in each st around (72 sts).

Change to B.

Rnds 25–28: sc in each st around (72 sts).

Change to A.

Rnds 29–32: sc in each st around (72 sts).

Change to B.

Rnds 33–36: sc in each st around (72 sts).

Change to A.

Rnds 37–40: sc in each st around (72 sts).

Change to B.

Rnds 41–44: sc in each st around (72 sts).

Change to A.

Rnds 45–48: sc in each st around (72 sts).

Change to B.

Rnds 49–52: sc in each st around (72 sts).

Change to A.

Rnds 53–56: sc in each st around (72 sts). Fasten off.

Pom-Pom (C)

Using neon green yarn (C), make a pom-pom approximately 4 inches in diameter with a pom-pom maker or two cardboard circles. Wrap the yarn evenly, tie the center tightly, cut the loops, and trim the ends to a neat, round shape.

Assembly and Finishing

Thread the long tails from the pom-pom onto a tapestry needle and stitch the pom-pom securely to the top center of the hat, passing through the crown several times so it sits flat and doesn't wobble. Weave in all remaining yarn ends on the inside of the hat, working in opposite directions to keep them secure. Block the hat lightly by misting it with water and shaping it over a bowl or hat form, then let it dry completely to even out the stitches and color changes.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the neon green pom-pom for a contrasting color like hot pink or electric blue for a different streetwear vibe.
• Make the color bands wider or narrower by working 6 rounds per band instead of 4 for a chunkier pixel look.
• Add a faux fur pom-pom or a yarn tassel instead of the pom-pom for a softer, more classic finish.