WATCH THIS STEP BY STEP VIDEO & PHOTO TUTORIAL
HOW TO CLOSE YOUR BEANIE

If you've ever finished a brim-up crochet beanie and been stuck with a lumpy, uneven top — you're not alone. Most patterns rely on a drawstring closure, which can leave you with a bulky peak that pulls and throws off the weight balance of the whole hat.

I created the Star Method to fix that. It creates a beautiful five-point star shape at the crown, it's fast (you don't need a ton of decrease rounds), and it works on almost any brim-up crochet beanie pattern — not just mine. Once you try it, it'll become your go-to closure.

In this tutorial you'll learn:

Why the star method beats a standard drawstring closure
Exactly how many decrease rounds you need (and how to add them if your pattern doesn't call for them)
Step-by-step photo + video instructions for the star closure
Common mistakes to avoid so your peak lies flat and even

I created this star method because it creates a beautiful shape at the hat peak and is super fast so I don’t even need many decreasing rounds! Sometimes I will even just do this decrease method rather than the one in a pattern because I know this method never fails. This will quickly become your favorite quick closure for your brim up beanies!

This method is perfect for any brim to peak crochet beanie pattern. try it with some of my most popular patterns:
Helix Puff Stitch Hat.
Nepal Beanie
Twin Rivers Striped Beanie
Townsend Beanie

Step 1: Add Your Decrease Rounds

Before you close anything, your hat needs at least one or two decrease rounds at the crown. This shapes the rounded curve of the hat before the star closure pulls it together — skip this step and even the best closure technique won't save the shape.

Some patterns already include this. If yours doesn't, here's the easiest fix: work a single crochet round, then work (sc, sc2tog) around for a fast, even decrease.

Then that single crochet round becomes your final hat round.

Step 2: Fasten Off With a Long Tail

Once your decrease round is complete, that becomes your final round. Fasten off and leave a 10-inch tail — don't trim it short. You'll need that length to weave through the stitches and gather them into the star shape.

Step 3: Weave the Tail Through the Last Round

Turn your beanie inside out. This matters — working inside out keeps your gather stitches hidden on the outside of the finished hat.

Using your yarn needle, weave the tail in and out of every stitch in the last round, following the diagram below.

Step 4: Pull Tight to Form the Star

With the beanie still inside out, pull the tail firmly once you've woven through the entire round. This cinches the top closed and forms the signature five-point star shape — which also gives this method its perfect weight balance at the peak (no bulky pull like a standard drawstring close).

Step 5: Tack Down the Points

Once you have your "star" shape, take your needle and thread, pick up each of the 5 star points, and pull them back toward the center. Secure them down with a few stitches. This is the finishing move and it flattens the points and creates that clean, gathered look at the very top of the hat.

And Voila! The star shaped closure for your brim up beanie.

Try this method on these free beanie patterns:

EVEREST SLOUCH BEANIE

HELIX PUFF STITCH BEANIE

TWIN RIVERS BEANIE PATTERN

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Trimming the tail too short before weaving. You need the full 10 inches to comfortably weave and cinch — always leave extra rather than less.
Skipping the decrease rounds. The star method finishes the closure, but the decrease rounds are what shape the curve leading into it.
Weaving right-side out. Doing this step with the hat inside out is what hides your gather stitches on the outside of the finished piece.
Pulling too gently. A loose pull leaves a floppy, uneven peak. Pull firm and even for a crisp star shape.

FAQ

Does the star method work with any crochet beanie pattern? Yes — it works with any brim-up (bottom-up) beanie construction, regardless of stitch pattern. It's built into all of my brim-up beanie patterns, including the Helix Puff Stitch Hat, Nepal Beanie, Twin Rivers Striped Beanie, and Townsend Beanie.

How is this different from a drawstring closure? A drawstring closure pulls all the stitches to one center point, which can create a bulky, uneven top. The star method distributes the tension across five points before gathering them, giving you a flatter, better-balanced finish.

How many decrease rounds do I need before closing? At minimum one, though two gives you a smoother curve. If your pattern doesn't specify, work a single crochet round followed by an (sc, sc2tog) round around.