Free crochet baby hat pattern
Are you looking for a last minute crochet baby gift? Or maybe you crochet for charity and are looking for a simple crochet baby hat pattern. This free crochet baby hat pattern is written for DK weight yarn, using approximately 15g, or 45m. It’s a perfect way to use up leftover yarn from making a blanket or cardigan.
You will need:
- Approximately 15g/45m of DK yarn
- 4mm/G-6 crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Tape measure
Abbreviations (UK terms, US terms are given in brackets)
| ch | chain |
| tr (dc) | treble (double) crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| FPtr (FPdc) | front post treble (double) crochet |
| BPtr (BPdc) | back post treble (double) crochet |
Pattern notes
- Instructions are given throughout for checking the size of your crochet baby hat – you may need to change hook size if your hat is too large or small.
- This crochet baby hat is worked in rounds, from the top down.
- I used a chain loop to start, rather than a magic ring. This is because it makes it much more secure and ensures it can withstand frequent washing. It can be replaced with a magic ring if you prefer.
- To begin each round, I worked a ch 2 (as I chain quite loosely). If you tend to chain tightly, ch 3 to begin each round. If you don’t like the appearance of ch 3 to begin rounds, this blog post gives you some alternatives.
Finished size
This crochet baby hat pattern is written in newborn baby size, to fit head circumference approximately 30cm and measures approximately 12cm long.
Instructions
To begin, ch 4 and sl st to the first ch to join. Place a stitch marker in the loop to help you identify where to insert your hook. I suggest crocheting over the tail as you work Round 1, then you can gently pull the tail to close the hole in the top of the hat when you come to weave in the ends.
Round 1
Ch 2 (counts as first tr (dc)), 11 tr (dc) into the chain loop, sl st to top of ch 2 to join. 12 sts
Round 2
Ch 2 (counts as first tr (dc)), 1 tr (dc) in same st, 2 tr (dc) in each st around, sl st to top of ch 2 to join. 24 sts
Round 3
Ch 2 (counts as first tr (dc)), 2 tr (dc) in next st, [1 tr (dc), 2 tr (dc) in next st] eleven times, sl st to top of ch 2 to join. 36 sts
Round 4
Ch 2 (counts as first tr (dc)), 1 tr, 2 tr (dc) in next st, [2 tr (dc), 2 tr (dc) in next st] eleven times, sl st to top of ch 2 to join. 48 sts
Stop at this point and measure the diameter of your circle. It should be 9-10cm across. If it is much larger, go down a hook size. If it is much smaller, go up a hook size.
Rounds 5-10
Ch 2 (counts as first tr (dc)), 1 tr (dc) in each st around, sl st to top of ch 2 to join.
Check your hat measures 10cm or more from the crown to the bottom edge. If it doesn’t, work more rounds until it reaches approximately 10cm.
You are now going to create the ribbing around the bottom edge. If you don’t like how the ribbing looks, you could just continue working in regular tr (dc) stitches until your crochet baby hat is approximately 12cm long. This video shows how to work FPtr (FPdc) and BPtr (BPdc).
Rounds 11-12
Ch 2 (counts as first BPtr (BPdc)), 1 FPtr (FPdc), *1 BPtr (BPdc), 1 FPtr (FPdc); repeat from * to end, sl st to top of ch 2 to join (omit the sl st on Round 12 and fasten off using invisible join*).
*This video shows how to work an invisible join – you can use a sl st if you prefer.
Weave in the ends.
Your crochet baby hat is all done!
Customising your crochet baby hat
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to make your crochet baby hat more interesting, or want to use up smaller amounts of yarn, here are a few ideas.
- Make a striped hat by alternating between two colours of yarn. I did this to use up the smallest leftovers from a crochet blanket!
- Add some different stitch patterns. Because you have 48 stitches, you can work stitch patterns that use a lot of different multiples, e.g. cluster stitches worked in multiples of 2, shell stitches that use a multiple of 6. These different stitch rounds will work well over rounds 5-10. I added a round of cluster stitches, with a skipped stitch between each cluster, to make the purple hat below.
- Try out different edging. Shell stitches would look very pretty!
I hope you enjoy this free crochet baby hat pattern. I’d love to see your makes – why not share them with me on Facebook or Instagram?
