Winter crochet projects to wear are, from the head down: beanies, ear warmers and a balaclava, scarves and cowls, mittens, then hooded capes, a cable cardigan, a shawl and a shrug. The Crochet Loop sells 9 crochet winter patterns as PDF downloads on Etsy, in sizes from baby beanies to 5XL capes.
The patterns are grouped below by where you wear them, because you usually want one piece for one cold spot first, and a maker who already owns a scarf is looking for the hat, the mittens or the cape that goes with it rather than another neck piece. Every pattern is written row by row with the stitch count at the end of each row, with US and UK terms in the same file.
Crochet Hats and Head Warmers for Winter: Beanies, Ear Warmers and a Balaclava
Crochet hats and head warmers for winter come in three shapes in these patterns: beanies, ear warmers and a balaclava. Each one covers a different part of your head. The winter set makes all three.
Crochet Beanies
A crochet beanie keeps your head and ears covered, and two files make it. The Christmas beanie bundle holds 8 hats, among them pom pom, Fair Isle, cable and slouchy styles, in baby to adult sizes. All eight share one gauge. The file gives 5 sizes, with a finished hat circumference from 37.5 to 58.5 cm (14.75 to 23 in). Every hat starts as a flat circle at the crown and is worked down in joined rounds, so once you make one, you know the method for all eight. The Winter Accessories Set adds a fitted moss stitch beanie with a post stitch rib. Beanie styles for every head are set out in Crochet Beanie Patterns: Ribbed, Slouchy, Pom Pom and Fair Isle.
The photo shows the set’s beanie and scarf worn together, the way the pieces are meant to match.
Crochet Ear Warmers
A crochet ear warmer covers your ears and leaves the top of your head open, and the winter set makes one gathered at the front. It shares the set’s moss stitch and puff band. The band is made a little smaller than the head so it hugs. It fits head sizes S/M (51 to 55 cm, 20 to 21.75 in) and L/XL (56 to 60 cm, 22 to 23.5 in). Headband styles are in Crochet Ear Warmer Pattern: Headband Styles for Winter.
Crochet Balaclava
A crochet balaclava covers your head, neck and the sides of your face, and the winter set makes one. The face opening is explained step by step. Post stitch rib edges the neck and the face, so it fits close. It is part of the set. That is the one balaclava in the shop.
Crochet Scarves and Cowls for Winter: Chunky, Hooded and Infinity
Crochet scarves and cowls for winter in our patterns are a chunky moss stitch scarf with an infinity cowl option, a cabled hooded scarf, and the scarf and cowl in the winter set. Three files, five neck pieces.
The Moss Stitch Chunky Scarf is a long, straight rectangle in super bulky yarn, with a full fringe and an infinity cowl option. The fringe hangs 15 cm (6 in). Its title says “Easy Beginner”. It is the easiest start. The Cabled Hooded Scarf runs three raised cables up a solid ground, in adult sizes S/M and L/XL and 3 lengths. A hooded scarf is not a hat with a scarf sewn on. It is two long scarf halves seamed at the crown, so the hood and the tails are one piece. The winter set adds a long scarf and a pull-over cowl, made large enough to go over your head. Nine scarf styles side by side are in Crochet Scarf Patterns: 9 Styles from Moss Stitch to Hooded.
Crochet Mittens for Winter
Crochet mittens for winter in these patterns are the pair in the winter accessories set: worked from the cuff up in joined rounds, with a thumb opening at the side, so each mitten fits either hand. The thumb is worked last. They come in S/M and L/XL by hand circumference. Hand sizing sits in Crochet Mittens Pattern: Adult Mittens and Hand Sizes.
Crochet Capes, Cardigans, Shawls and Shrugs for Cold Days
Crochet capes, cardigans, shawls and shrugs are the winter patterns that cover the shoulders and body; four of the five come in sizes XS to 5XL. The shawl is one size. The rest are graded.
Crochet Hooded Capes and Cloaks
A crochet hooded cape covers your shoulders, back and head in one piece, and two files make one. The Nordic Hooded Cloak is a ribbed cape with a deep hem rib, a hood worked straight up from the other side of the starting chain, one ribbed band that runs up the front, around the face and down again, and a single toggle at the neck. The Victorian Lace Hooded Cloak works tiers of shell lace with a picot finish. Both have hoods. Both come in XS to 5XL, so the yoke is graded for your size. Both sit in Crochet Cape and Hooded Cloak Patterns in Sizes XS to 5XL.
Crochet Cable Cardigan
A crochet cable cardigan keeps your body covered with buttons down the front, and the pattern makes a V neck cardigan with cables. The title says “Made to Measure”, “V Neck Button Sweater” and “Photo Tutorial”, in XS to 5XL. It buttons up the front. The file gives a worksheet for your own measurements, so the fit follows your body, not a size chart. The file adds 12 cm of ease to your bust for the classic fit shown. Its page is Crochet Cable Cardigan Pattern: Made to Measure V Neck Sweater.
The photo shows the cardigan where a cold day ends, by the fire.
Crochet Lace Shawl
A crochet lace shawl wraps your shoulders, and the Luna Phases shawl is a filet triangle with moon phases across it. It comes with a chart and written rows. It calls for DK cotton. It measures about 135 cm (53 in) across the top and 68 cm (27 in) deep. Filet mesh is open, so blocking pins the moons level and the squares square. Its page is Crochet Triangle Shawl Pattern: Filet Lace Moon Phase Shawl.
Crochet Lace Shrug
A crochet lace shrug covers your upper back and arms, and the Fairy Wing shrug is a lace bolero with wing sleeves in XS to 5XL. The body is one long rectangle of shell lace, folded and seamed at each end, so the seams become the sleeves. The center stays open. The nine sizes are chosen by bust, with the sleeve at least 8 cm (3 in) bigger than your upper arm. Its page is Crochet Shrug Pattern: Lace Bolero with Wing Sleeves.
Winter Crochet Patterns Compared: Sizes, Yarn Weight and Hook
The 9 winter crochet patterns run from weight 3 (Light) to weight 6 (Super Bulky) yarn and from baby to 5XL sizes. The table matches the grid at the top, card for card, so you can compare before you buy.
| Pattern | What you make | Sizes | Yarn weight (CYC number, name) | Hook (mm, US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Accessories Set | beanie, cowl, mittens, ear warmer, balaclava, scarf | adult S/M and L/XL | 4, Medium (worsted) | 5 mm (H-8) |
| Christmas Beanies | 8 beanies | 5 sizes, baby to adult | 4, Medium (worsted) | 4.5 mm (US 7) |
| Moss Stitch Chunky Scarf | scarf with fringe, infinity cowl | one size, about 24 cm (9.5 in) wide | 6, Super Bulky | 10 mm (N/P-15) |
| Cabled Hooded Scarf | hooded scarf | adult S/M and L/XL, 3 lengths | 5, Bulky (chunky) | 6.5 mm (K-10 1/2) |
| Nordic Hooded Cloak | hooded cape | XS to 5XL | 5, Bulky (chunky) | 6.5 mm (K-10 1/2) |
| Victorian Lace Hooded Cloak | lace hooded cape | XS to 5XL | 4, Medium (worsted) | 5 mm (H-8) |
| Cable Cardigan | V neck cardigan | XS to 5XL, made to measure | 4, Medium (worsted or aran) | 5.5 mm (I-9) |
| Luna Phases Shawl | triangle lace shawl | one size, 135 x 68 cm (53 x 27 in) | 3, Light (DK) | 4 mm (G-6) |
| Fairy Wing Lace Shrug | lace bolero | XS to 5XL | 3, Light (DK) | 5 mm (H-8) |
Sizes and gauge are in each PDF. Swatch before you swap yarn, because the weight system is not an interchangeability chart, as the Craft Yarn Council “FAQs” state. Your size holds only at the stated gauge.
Yarn Weights for Winter Crochet: Light to Super Bulky
Yarn weights for winter crochet in these patterns are CYC categories 3 to 6: Light, Medium, Bulky and Super Bulky. Each step up is a thicker yarn on a bigger hook.
| CYC number and name | Yarn types in the category | Recommended hook | Winter patterns here |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3, Light | DK, Light Worsted | 4.5 to 5.5 mm (US 7 to I-9) | Luna Phases Shawl, Fairy Wing Lace Shrug |
| 4, Medium | Worsted, Afghan, Aran | 5.5 to 6.5 mm (US I-9 to K-10 1/2) | Winter Accessories Set, Christmas Beanies, Victorian Lace Hooded Cloak, Cable Cardigan |
| 5, Bulky | Chunky, Craft, Rug | 6.5 to 9 mm (US K-10 1/2 to M-13) | Cabled Hooded Scarf, Nordic Hooded Cloak |
| 6, Super Bulky | Super Bulky, Roving | 9 to 15 mm (US M-13 to Q) | Moss Stitch Chunky Scarf |
The ranges are guidelines only, as the Craft Yarn Council “Standard Yarn Weight System” states, so a pattern can call for a hook outside them. The Luna Phases Shawl works weight 3 yarn on a 4 mm hook, and the winter set works weight 4 on a 5 mm hook. Yarn weights, hooks and gauge for a first project are in Crochet Yarn for Beginners: Yarn Weights, Hooks and Gauge. Every pattern family, Christmas decor included, is on Crochet Patterns to Make: Christmas Decor and Winter Wear.
Questions makers ask
Which winter crochet pattern is easiest for a beginner?
The Moss Stitch Chunky Scarf. Its title says "Easy Beginner", and the file asks for only three skills: a chain, a single crochet and turning your work. The scarf is a straight rectangle in moss stitch, so there is no shaping to count.
Is there a matching crochet hat and scarf set?
Yes. The Winter Accessories Set puts a beanie, cowl, mittens, ear warmer, balaclava and scarf in one PDF, in adult sizes S/M and L/XL. The title calls it a "Matching Gift Set", and every piece shares the moss stitch body and the puff band, so the six match.
Can I make the cable cardigan to my own measurements?
Yes. The title says "Made to Measure", and the file has a worksheet that turns your own bust, length and sleeve measurements into numbers you follow in place of a size column. The standard sizes run XS to 5XL, with finished bust from 88.4 cm / 34.8 in to 168.4 cm / 66.3 in.
Are the Christmas beanies only for Christmas?
No. The 8 hats share a cranberry, cream and pine palette, and the title calls them a "Family Winter Hat". Three carry charted colorwork bands (Nordic diamond, Fair Isle star and Christmas tree), while the ribbed cuff, cable and evergreen slouch beanies are plain enough for any winter day.
