Crocheted Yarmulkes
These beautiful Crocheted Yarmulkes may make their debut at this year’s Passover seder, but they are bound to become a significant part of your year-round family traditions!
Yarmulkes are surely something worth imbuing with love and care, and as every crafter knows, making them by hand does just that!
For these Crocheted Yarmulkes we used our lovely Cotton Pure yarn. It comes in dozens of colors and is never itchy or uncomfortable. And to make color coordinated sets, we used six different Cotton Pure colors to make a whole pile of yarmulkes in a variety of stripes and blocks of color. Simple, pretty, and very special!
If you love the yarn used in this project, you’ll love all of our other yarn, too! Explore our 35+ lovingly created yarn collections, in nearly every natural fiber and spectacular color you can imagine… Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn shop!
Materials
- Purl Soho’s Cotton Pure, 100% organically grown cotton. Each skein is 279 yards/ 100 grams; you can make 18 yarmulkes with 3 skeins, and one skein of Cotton Pure is enough to make 6 solid-colored yarmulkes.
- A size D crochet hook
- A removable stitch marker
Gauge
24 single crochets = 4 inches
Size
One size fits most
Finished dimension: 6 1/4 inches in diameter
SAMPLES: We crocheted our yarmulkes in the colors Teacake Pink, Pale Almond, and Yellow Curry (shown above on left) and Egret White, Birch Bark, and Bucket Gray (shown above on right).
Notes
Changing Colors
For our two-color yarmulkes, we changed colors at the beginning of Round 19. And for our three-color yarmulkes, we changed colors at the beginning of Rounds 12 and 19. Here’s how to change colors…
Begin the first single crochet by pulling just one loop through with the old color.
Finish the single crochet with the new color.
Move the removable marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Pattern
Chain 4 and slip stitch into the first chain to make a ring.
Round 1: Chain 1, 8 single crochet (sc) into the ring.
Note: Mark the first stitch of the next round with a removable marker. Make sure to reposition the marker at the beginning of each round to mark the new first stitch.
Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch. [16 stitches]
Round 3: *1 sc in next stitch, 2 sc in next stitch, repeat from * to end of round. [24 stitches]
Round 4: *2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in next 2 stitches, repeat from * to end of round. [32 stitches]
Round 5: 1 sc in each stitch.
Round 6: *1 sc in next 3 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch, repeat from * to end of round. [40 stitches]
Round 7: *2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in next 4 stitches, repeat from * to end of round. [48 stitches]
Round 8: 1 sc in each stitch.
Round 9: *1 sc in next 5 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch, repeat from * to end of round. [56 stitches]
Round 10: 1 sc in each stitch.
Round 11: *2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in next 6 stitches, repeat from * to end of round. [64 stitches]
Round 12: 1 sc in each stitch.
Round 13: *1 sc in next 7 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch, repeat from * to end of round. [72 stitches]
Round 14: 1 sc in each stitch.
Round 15: *2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in next 8 stitches, repeat from * to end of round. [80 stitches]
Round 16: 1 sc in each stitch.
Round 17: *1 sc in next 9 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch, repeat from * to end of round. [88 stitches]
Round 18: 1 sc in each stitch.
Round 19: *2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in next 10 stitches, repeat from * to end of round. [96 stitches]
Round 20: 1 sc in each stitch.
Round 21: 1 sc in each stitch.
Cut the yarn and pull the tail through the last stitch.
Block the yarmulke by wetting it, squeezing out the excess water and laying it over the bottom of a small bowl to dry.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our crochet patterns and crochet tutorials, buy one of our many kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next crochet or knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
I would love to be able to knit a yarmulhes.
Did you ever find a knit pattern? It would be better for me too.
Yes, try Ravelry. I just knitted some.
This is a wonderful little present for the a friend of mine whom I know since childhood’s husband. But….I have a PhD in knitting and in crochet I’m in grade school; this is also a challenge!
Hi Blanca,
Thank you for writing in! Crochet is easy-peasy, especially if you’re already quite knowledgeable in knitting. If you have any questions while making this yarmulke please let us know, we are happy to help!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
As a crochet who just learned to knit – you’ll be able to learn quickly. These are great starter projects too!
Hi there- any chance you might write a knit instead of crochet pattern? Please!?
thanks Karen
Hey Karen,
Thank you so much for writing in! I am sure that you’re not alone in wanting a knit yarmulke pattern, I will certainly pass along your request!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
I would also like a knit pattern. Although I know how to crochet, knitting is much faster for me and more mindless.
Hi Carol,
Thanks for writing us! Unfortunately we don’t have a knit version of this pattern but we will keep your request in mind. Thanks!
-Adam
These are so beautiful and now I am inspired to try your gorgeous cotton yarn. could this pattern be used to make a hat? would I need to continue with a few more increase rounds before doing rounds of just single crochet? thanks for another inspiring beautifully simple design.
Hi Liz,
Thanks for writing in and for your kind words! In order to get a more traditional shape hat, I do think that the whole pattern would need to be rewritten to figure our where to increase. At this time, we are unable to create a full hat pattern based off of this one but we will certainly keep it in mind for the future! You can certainly continue on as you suggested above but I do think that this will result in a rather flat topped hat rather than a more traditional shape.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I would love a knit pattern, as well! I’ve tried crochet and it just doesn’t do it for me.
Thank you!
Hi Hilary,
Thanks for writing in and for the suggestion! We will keep it in mind for the future!
-Adam
How could I adjust for a child size?
Hi Julie,
Thanks for writing us. Usually yarmulkes are one size, but if you would like to make it smaller you can simply increase less and follow the instructions at the end of the increases. Best of luck!
-Adam
Do you have any patterns with a star of david in the center?
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for writing us. We unfortunately don’t have a pattern with a star of David but I suggest searching on Ravelry — there might be something there.
Best,
Adam
Help!!
I followed the pattern, and my yarmulke was a little too small and too “pointy”. Honestly it looks more like a boob than a yarmulke.
My guess is that I crocheted too tightly, so my plan is to go up to a size E crochet hook.
Does that sound about right?
Hi Inge,
Thanks for writing in! That does sound about right. Watch your tension throughout the entire project and make sure you are increasing correctly. Thanks!
-Adam
I saw your pattern on Ravelry. I am new to crocheting. and wonder if there is a way to make this kippah larger. I am interested in your pattern to make a kippah for my 4-year-old grandson who does not using kippah clips. I measured his head and it seems that a circumference of 8 inches could stay on his head. Do you have any suggestions about how to modify your pattern so that it is is larger in circumference and maybe fits snugly at bottom of the piece?
Hi Tamara,
Thanks for the question! I suggest you increase more to make the yarmulke larger. It’s as easy as that! You’ll just add a few more increase rounds before finishing up the yarmulke and this will give you a larger circumference. Hope this helps!
-Adam
Hi! I found this pattern through Ravelry and am excited to make it. I am interested in using a sport or DK weight yarn. What yarn do you have that might work for that, and how would I alter the pattern to do this? Thank you! ~Shira
Hello Shira,
Thanks for writing us! I have good news, this pattern is made with our Cotton Pure which is a sport weight yarn so no alterations necessary.
Let us know if you have any further questions!
Warmly,
Marilla
thank you so muchp for giving us a free pattern .Shalom
I just finished making my first yarmulke using this pattern and I am impressed. Very well written pattern that was easy to follow and it only took me two hours to finish it. Thank you very much.
Is there a way to use red heart yarn (acrylic) instead of cotton?? Would I do it the same way just not as many rounds as the pattern calls for?? Thanks for your assistance
Hi Joanne,
Thanks for your question! You can certainly use an alternate yarn here! You will want to look for a yarn that works up at the same gauge and can use the same hook size. Cotton Pure is a sport weight yarn, so you will want to look for a sport weight to substitute! If you would like to use a larger yarn, you will need to alter the pattern to work with your yarn. You could stop sooner, once you get to the size that you like but you may also need to reconsider the increase rate.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hi! If I wanted to make this with thinner yarn (DMC) and a 1mm hook so the stitches are smaller, how do I adjust the pattern so it comes out the same size?
Hi Sarit,
Thanks for writing in! At present, we only have this pattern available in the gauge noted here. If you would like to make a yarmulke using smaller yarn and a smaller hook, you may be able to use this pattern and continue to increase until you get to the size that you would like. This will certainly take a bit of trial and error but if you are up for a challenge, I would go for it!
Best,
Cassy
Ravelry has freebie knit kippah. I don’t know which are spoken about here.
Purl Soho is always so generous with freebies. You’re the best!
Thank you so much for this amazing pattern! I was curious how to go about designing more intricate patterns with different colors and how to keep track of color changes so I built out this tool: https://www.openprocessing.org/sketch/542033. You can color in your own design and use arrow keys to keep track of stitches, including which ones are doubled!
Could the yarmulke be made using regular yarn?
Hi Bonnie,
Thanks for reaching out! You can use any yarn that you like to make this lovely yarmulke so long as it works up to the same gauge. Here we used a sport weight cotton but you can certainly use a sport weight wool or sport weight blend!
Best,
Cassy
Do you by any chance have a Star of David yarmulka?
Hi Mary,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately we do not, but I will be sure to pass your request along to the design team!
Best,
Julianna
Are you using United States or United kingdom annotation for your stitches? I know this would make a big difference in how to make this item. Thanks
Hi Naomi,
Great question! We use standard US abbreviations in our crochet patterns.
Best,
Julianna
Very nice written tutorial. Have you ever thought of doing a video on this?
Hi Tina,
Thank you so much for the kind words! We don’t currently have the resources to create a video for this pattern, but I will certainly pass your request along to the design team!
Best,
Julianna
Since the end of Aug2020, I have learned how to crochet a preemie baby cap in a spiral motif with all half double crochet stitch (hdc) – and realize that I am now capable of doing single crochet (sc) yarmulke (aka kippah). Oy vey!
Those baby caps also taught me to figure out counting stitches and using the stitch markers for each row, which makes it easy to count rows since the spiral rows are not easy to count.
The best teacher is frogging … rippit, rippit, rippit – and by the time ‘you’ frog a few times, the going gets faster after the learning. Guaranteed!
What needs to be done if using the magic loop vs the ch 4 sl st in 1st ch?
Hi Marny,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately this pattern is currently only available for crochet but I will take note of your interest going forward!
Best,
Gianna
Thank you for offering this pattern for free & this pattern has become my ‘standard’ for all my yarmulkes which I have been making for charity. My question is: Is there a way to get the finished edge to curve in rather than out besides wet blocking? I tried crocheting the last 2 rounds through the front loops onlyand also tried through the back loops only but neither of these seemed to make any difference.
Thank you for your suggestions and advice.
Hi Deb,
Thanks for reaching out! I am so glad to hear that you have enjoyed this pattern! My best advice to get the edges to curl under is really only by blocking. If you can pin the Yarmulke onto a rounded surface while drying that should further encourage the curve inwards!
Warmly,
Gianna
I was thinking a row of crocheting backward would give a good lip, but I’ve not yet tried it.
This is very late to comment since we are in 2022 ,but thank you so much! I was trying to find a pattern to knit my dog yarmulke! Yes I know !ridiculous! With modification this will totally work.
Thank you again!!
In knitting one weaves in the tails. Is this done with finished crocheted items
as well?
Completed one kippa so far. Thank you for the step by step.
Roslyn
Hi Roslyn,
Thanks for reaching out. Yes, we recommend weaving in your tails for crocheted items as well! For single crochet stitches, I like to weave in my ends by using a tapestry needle to bring them through the legs of each stitch on the wrong side of the work. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
there is an error in the pattern info above: “We knit our yarmulkes in the colors….”
Hi Laura,
Thanks for alerting us to this typo! We’ll fix it as soon as possible.
All the best,
Lili
Does this yarn come in a hunter green. I need to make 50 yamulkas and this yarn is the closes I have seen for making them.
Hi Robin,
Thanks for reaching out. I’d recommend using the color Hemlock Green! You can find it on the product page for Cotton Pure. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Is the finished yarmulke supposed to be flat?
Would doing a decrease on the last row or 2 create that curve inward?
Hi Mimi,
Your finished yarmulke should be round and slightly curved in to fit on it’s wearers head. Although your piece might look flat right off the hook, we recommend wet-blocking your yarmulke and leaving it to air dry over the top of a bowl to help it dry into the curved shape. I hope this helps!
Happy making,
Gavriella