Easy fleece-lined beanie hat tutorial (+free PDF pattern!)

I’m excited to share this easy DIY fleece-lined beanie hat tutorial with a free PDF pattern! Made with cozy jersey fabric and soft fleece, this beanie is perfect for cold winter days, keeping little heads warm and snug.

This week, I’ve been busy sewing for my youngest, who’s already 2 years old (time flies!).

I started with a flannel crib sheet, but with temperatures dropping to around 40°F, a lined beanie quickly became a must-have.

Don’t let the sunny photos fool you – winter is definitely around the corner!

Related: Cool new things you can do with an old sweatshirt. Upcycle ideas

I hand-drafted this pattern, loosely basing it on measurements from another hat, and I’m so pleased with how it turned out!

The beanie is soft, warm, and absolutely adorable. My daughter loves it, and I think you’ll love how easy it is to make.

With all the fun jersey prints available, this DIY beanie hat also makes a thoughtful gift for kids or friends.

Simply print the PDF pattern, and in just 10 minutes, you’ll have a warm, stretchy, and practical hat that’s as cute as it is comfy!

Looking for some other fun things to sew? Here are some ideas for you: Infinity scarf / Free knotted baby hat

DIY beanie hat tutorial – sewing supplies

• Jersey fabric
• Fleece fabric
• sewing machine
• fabric scissors
• matching thread
• sewing pins
• jersey needle
• DIY beanie hat – PDF pattern available below – size 2T. Make sure you print it at 100% or “actual size”. The pattern includes a 3/8″ seam allowance.

Before you start sewing…

Before diving in, take a moment to prep your jersey fabric by hand washing it to pre-shrink – trust me on this one! (I’ve made the mistake of skipping this step before, so I’m definitely speaking from experience here.) Luckily, there’s no need to pre-wash the fleece.

Wondering how to tell the right side of the fleece fabric?

Here’s a quick tip: gently pinch and stretch the selvage edge. Fleece always curls toward the wrong side of the fabric, so if it curls away, you’ve found the right side!

Helpful, right? Let’s get sewing!

DIY beanie hat lined with fleece – tutorial

Step 1 – cut your fabric pieces

To get started, cut one piece each from the jersey and fleece fabric, making sure to cut on the fold so you have two large half-moons.

Check that the fabric stretch goes from side to side – this helps the beanie fit snugly.

You’ll see in the picture below how the fabric pieces look before we start sewing!

Step 2 – sew the outer edges

Now, fold each fabric piece in half with the right sides together. Pin along the open edge and sew with a 3/8” seam allowance, as shown in the photo below.

I used a straight stitch for this part, but a zig-zag stitch works too if you prefer. Since both jersey and fleece don’t fray, you don’t need to worry about finishing the inside seams here.

Take a close look at the straight stitch on my jersey fabric – looks neat, right?

Here’s the simple trick: I used a 90/14 stretch needle. Stretch needles work wonders on very stretchy fabrics like jersey and fleece, better than even a jersey/ballpoint needle.

To be sure, try out both needles on a fabric scrap to see which one gives you the smoothest stitches.

Tried-and-true tip for sewing knits

When sewing knits, finding the right needle can make all the difference. I experimented with a few different needles before I landed on this 90/14 stretch needle. Surprisingly, my 70/10 jersey needles didn’t work well with the lightweight jersey on my heavy-duty Singer machine, even though smaller needles are generally recommended for lightweight fabrics.

So, if sewing with knits has been tricky for you too, give a quality stretch needle a try. It doesn’t have to be a specific brand – just a good stretch needle that suits your machine.

Got any other tips for sewing with knits? I’d love to hear them!

Alright, let’s jump back into finishing up this cozy beanie hat!

Step 3 – close the top of each hat

It’s time to close the top of both the jersey and fleece layers.

Take the jersey layer, fold it in half, and make sure the seams line up neatly. Then, stitch along the top edge to close it up.

To keep things tidy, I like to snip a tiny bit into the corners, just up to the stitching line, and then press the seam open. It helps the beanie lay nice and flat!

Step 4 – join the fleece lining and jersey hat

Now, place the fleece lining inside the jersey hat, with the right sides facing each other. Align the back seams so everything matches up perfectly.

Using the free arm on your sewing machine, sew around the edge with a zig-zag stitch. Avoid a straight stitch here so the fabric keeps its stretch!

Backstitch at the beginning and end for durability, and leave a small 2-inch opening.

Look at that – no skipped stitches!

Step 5 – turn and finish your beanie hat

Through that little opening, turn your beanie right side out.

Then, close the gap by hand with a ladder stitch for a neat, invisible finish.

And that’s it – your cozy fleece-lined beanie hat that’s as cute as it is practical! This DIY beanie is a quick project that’s sure to bring smiles and warmth all winter long. Plus, you now have a pattern that you can tweak for any size, so everyone can enjoy a handmade hat!

If you try this tutorial, I’d love to see how it turns out – share your creations @icansewthis, ask questions, or let me know your own tips for working with knits.

Update: Beanie hat sizing tips

I originally published this post back in November 2019 after making this cute, fleece-lined beanie hat. Over a year later, it still fits my 3.5-year-old daughter, and she wears it all the time!

If you love getting lots of wear out of handmade clothes like I do, here’s a sizing tip: while the beanie pattern is perfect for a 2-year-old, I’ve noticed that my daughter is starting to outgrow hers (since fleece doesn’t stretch as much as jersey).

So, if you’re making this DIY beanie for a child over 3 years old, I’d recommend making the pattern a little wider and longer. And if you want to sew it for a 1-year-old, go just a bit narrower and shorter for the best fit.

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