Round 1: 12 dc in magic circle, join with sl st to first dc. (12)
Round 2: ch 1, dc in first st, FPdc around same st, *dc in next st, FPdc around same st; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. Note: Each stitch should have a regular dc worked in the top, and a FPdc worked around it. (24)
Round 3: ch 1, 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next st *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first hdc. (36)
Round 4: ch 1, working all sts for this round in 3rd loop of hdc, 2 dc in first st, dc in next 2 sts *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (48)
Round 5: ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 3 sts *2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first sc. (60)
Round 6: ch 1, 2 dc in first st, dc in next 4 sts *2 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (72)
Round 7: ch 1, hdc in each st around, join with sl st to first hdc. (72)
Round 8: ch 1, working all sts for this round in the 3rd loop of hdc, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (72)
Round 9: ch 1, FPdc around first st, BPdc around next st *FPdc around next st, BPdc around the next st; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first FPdc. (72)
You will be alternating here and working FP stitches around the BP stitches from the previous round, and vice-versa. This is intentional.
Round 10: ch 1, BPdc around first FPdc, FPdc around next BPdc *BPdc around next FPdc, FPdc around next BPdc; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first BPdc. (72)
Round 11: ch 1, hdc in each st around, join with sl st to first hdc. (72)
Round 12: ch 1, working all sts for this round in the 3rd loop of hdc, dc in each st around, join with sl st to first dc. (72)
Round 13: ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (72)
Round 14: ch 1, dc in each st around, join with sl st to first dc. (72)
Repeat rounds 7-11 one time, then continue with the final 3 rounds
If you want to crochet a slouchy version of this hat, repeat rounds 7-14, then repeat rounds 7-11, and continue as written.
Rounds 20: ch 1, working all sts for this round in the 3rd loop of hdc, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (72)
Rounds 21-22: ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (72)
Note: If you want a slightly longer beanie, do another repeat of rounds 21-22.
Fasten off, and weave in ends.
Stitches Used:
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
FPdc = front post double crochet
BPdc = back post double crochet