Hats are great accessories that can keep your child’s head warm during the cold season and safe from the sun during hot, sunny days.
There are so many beautiful crochet hat patterns for kids, but just how do you go about choosing a pattern? What measurements do you need? Look no further, because we have a collection of beginner-friendly crochet hat patterns for children as well as patterns for stitchers with more experience.
Children’s Hat Sizes
Hats are sized based on head circumference, but if you don’t have the child handy to measure, the standard sizes based on age are listed below.
| Age | Head Circumference (inches) | Hat Circumference (inches) | Crown Diameter (inches) | Hat Height (inches) |
| Preemie | 9”-12” | 8.5”-11” | 2”-3” | 3”-4” |
| Newborn Baby | 13”-14” | 12”-13” | 3.5”-4.5” | 4”-5” |
| 3-6 Months | 15” | 14” | 5” | 5.5” |
| 6-12 Months | 16”-17” | 15”-16” | 5” | 6” |
| 12-24 Months | 17”-18” | 16”-17” | 5.5” | 6.5” |
| Toddler | 18”-19” | 17-18” | 6” | 7” |
| Child | 19”-20” | 18”-19” | 6.5” | 8” |
| Teen | 21” | 20” | 7” | 8.5” |
How Do You Measure a Child’s Head Size?
Children can have more variety in their head sizes than adults tend to, particularly when it comes to babies. If you want to make sure your crochet hat is going to fit and you have the child handy, you can measure their head to help you pick what size to stitch.
To measure a child's head, use a flexible measuring tape (made of cloth or plastic) to trace where the brim of the hat will rest on the child’s head. If the hat is meant to cover the ears, measure there, and follow the line across the forehead and around the back of the head.
What is Negative Ease?
When you make your hat you want the circumference of the hat to be slightly smaller than the head circumference measurement in order for the hat to fit properly. This is known as negative ease, because the finished object is smaller than the body it should cover.
We use negative ease in projects like hats and socks because they stretch and this will allow them to fit snugly without slipping or being too tight.
Negative ease is built into projects like these by the designer. If you are stitching a hat without a pattern, make your hat about an inch smaller than the actual head measurement. An exception to this would be if you are using yarn that’s not stretchy, like cotton, in which case you might want to crochet to the actual size of the head instead.
What Yarn Should You Use to Crochet a Children’s Hat?
Any kind of yarn can be used for children’s hat crochet patterns, but the most popular options are wool and acrylic for cold-weather hats, and cotton for sun hats.
Acrylic Yarn
Acrylic yarn is a great choice for crocheted hats as it is affordable, readily available, and easy to wash. Some acrylic yarns can be scratchy, and they aren’t as breathable as natural fibers, which could make your head extra warm when you wear it.
If you’re prone to overheating, you can find an acrylic yarn blend that contains a natural fiber to help make the hat more breathable.
Here are a few good options:
Cotton Yarn
Cotton yarn makes a great option for summer hats and sun hats since it makes them airy and lightweight. It’s also durable and easy to clean. As mentioned above, cotton yarn tends not to have much stretch so you may want to stitch with less negative ease than you might with different fibers.
Some nice choices for cotton yarn for hats include:
Wool Yarn
Wool yarn gives more warmth to finished hats and can also be soft to the touch. This makes a good option when making winter hats or hats for cool and chilly evenings. If you don’t want to handwash your hat, choose a super wash merino or other wool yarn, such as:
Stitches Used in Crochet Children’s Hat
Any stitch pattern or patterns that you prefer can be used to crochet a children's hat or any other type of hat, but some of the most popular basic crochet stitches for hats are listed below.
Also, check out our Ultimate Crochet Stitch Library, which has 45 crochet stitches with video instructions if you're looking for even more crochet stitches to experiment and have much fun with!
Single Crochet (sc)
Single crochet is usually the first stitch you learn when you start to crochet. This stitch creates dense fabric without large holes, which is perfect for hats and for keeping your kid’s head warm.
Half Double Crochet (hdc)
The half double crochet stitch is another basic stitch that’s easy to learn. It is taller than a single crochet stitch, but shorter than a double crochet stitch. It also creates dense fabric but is airier compared to fabric made with sc.
Double Crochet (dc)
Double crochet is one of the most commonly used crochet stitches in any project since it works up pretty quickly and also creates a fairly dense fabric that drapes really nicely. This stitch is taller and more open than the previously mentioned stitches, so it’s a nice choice for bulkier yarn or people who don’t like hats that are too warm.
Moss Stitch
Moss stitch (also known as linen stitch, or by other names) is another great stitch to use in making crochet hats as it gives a lightweight and airy fabric. It is made by using a combination of single crochets and chain stitches (ch).
V Stitch
The V stitch is also a nice stitch that is used to create lighter and flowy fabric, which is best used for summer hats or sun hats.
Puff Stitch
The puff stitch is great for adding texture to the finished hats that is fun for kids to touch. It also adds more warmth to the hat.
Materials and Supplies Needed to Crochet a Hat
Some of the basic materials you'll need to crochet a children's hat are yarn and the recommended crochet hook size indicated in the pattern, or whatever hook size you need to obtain the correct gauge for the project. A small pair of scissors and a yarn needle are also useful to trim yarn and weave in loose ends when finished or when sewing a long tail of yarn to close the hat.
To measure a child's head, it's also good to have a flexible tape measure on hand and also so that you can check the size of your crochet hat as you go along. This will help in making sure your hat is not too loose or too tight when worn.
If you are working your hat in the round starting from a magic ring, using a stitch marker is helpful so you know where the end of the round is.
30 Children's Crochet Hat Patterns
Simple Crochet Hat Patterns for Beginners
To start off our list, here are some easy crochet children’s hat patterns that are perfect for beginners and intermediate crocheters to try out.
Easy Children’s Crochet Hat Free Pattern
Designer: Rich Texture Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Chic Sheep
This easy hat worked in back loop single crochet can be completed in a day. It comes in a range of children’s sizes from preemie up, and is worked from the top down. There’s also a video tutorial if you need extra help.
Kid’s Vintage Hat Crochet Pattern
Designer: Hooked on Homemade Happiness
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Stylecraft Special Aran
This crochet kid's vintage hat is ideal for your little girls if you want to bring some classic beauty vibes in her winter wardrobe. The simple round crochet hat looks amazing and has a cute crochet flower attached at the side.
Kids Messy Bun Hat Crochet Pattern
Designer: Daisy Cottage Designs
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Premier Yarns Premier Anti-Pilling Everyday Worsted
Messy buns aren’t just for adults! If your kiddo has a lot of hair and likes to wear a bun or ponytail, this open-topped hat is the perfect accessory. The bow on the side adds to the cuteness but is optional.
1-Hour Easy Child’s Crochet Hat Pattern
Designer: Make and Do Crew
Yarn weight: (5) Bulky
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Color Made Easy
If you’ve never crocheted a hat before, this simple pattern is a great place to start! Because it's created from a rectangle, this rather slouchy, easy child's crochet hat pattern is excellent for a beginner crocheter and you can stitch it up in about an hour.
Gracelynn Ribbed Hat Free Crochet Pattern
Designer: The Stitchin Mommy
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Furls DK Whims Merino
Keep your little one's head all warm and toasty with this elegant ribbed hat that also has a cute pompom on top. The length of brim is extra long so it can be folded over. The body of the hat is worked in half double crochet with skipped stitches to give it an open look.
Perfect Basic Beanie
Designer: April’s Archives
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
As the name suggests, this crochet children's cap is the perfect beanie for beginner crocheters. It is worked in double crochet so it’s also a pretty fast project. This one would be great to make for charity giving since it works up fast and comes in six sizes for kids and adults.
Sweet Baby Hat
Designer: Raffamusa Designs
Yarn weight: (2) Sport
Suggested yarn: DROPS Baby Merino
Here's another great children's hat that is super soft and comes in different sizes from preemie to 1-year-old. With its warm and squishy texture, your kid's head will surely stay warm during chilly days. Make this hat for personal use or for donations for preemie babies in the NICU.
Wide Brim Hat Crochet Pattern
Designer: Hooked on Homemade Happiness
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Stylecraft Special Aran
The wide brim on this baby hat is almost like a headband that helps keep the hat in place and will keep baby warm and cozy. It’s worked in double crochet so it’s quick and easy to stitch.
Easy 30 Minute Child Size Beanie Crochet Pattern
Designer: Heart Hook Home
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
If you're on the search for a quick and easy crochet project, then this pattern is perfect for you! This child-size crochet beanie works up in just 30 minutes. It’s worked with two strands of worsted weight yarn held together, so it’s a great stash-busting project, too.
Crochet Baby T-Hat
Designer: Daisy Farm Crafts
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Caron Simply Soft
When a new family member comes into the family, why not warmly greet them with a handmade item specially made just for them? This simple hat uses single crochet and back loop single crochet. Although the stripes enhance its charm, you may also crochet it with a plain color or self-striping yarn if you want.
Animal-Themed Children’s Crochet Hat Patterns
What better way to add fun to a simple crochet hat than by making it with an animal theme? Your little one might not even fight wearing a hat when it’s one of these fun animal hats!
Crochet Shark Hat Pattern
Designer: Repeat Crafter Me
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
Kids who love sharks would surely love this crochet hat! This hat is great for keeping your kid's ears warm with its earflaps, and it also makes an adorable Halloween hat!
Kitty Cat Face Hat Free Crochet Pattern
Designer: Nana’s Crafty Home
Yarn weight: (5) Bulky
Suggested yarn: Bernat Maker Home Decor
Here's an adorably cute crochet hat that looks like it's been knit, but is really crochet! This hat is made using the waistcoat stitch, which perfectly defines each stitch to come up with the kitty face pattern.
Dinosaur Hat
Designer: Shooting Star Crafts
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
This cute dinosaur pattern works up quickly and is super easy to make. Make the spikes a contrasting color as shown, or make the hat all one color, whatever you prefer for your dino.
Ladybug Hat
Designer: Shooting Star Crafts
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
This ladybug hat is so cute and it’s still quick to make because the hat itself is worked in a solid color with the accessories stitched and added when you’re done. The ladybug face is made with simple crochet shapes to form the different parts.
Crochet Polar Bear Hat Pattern
Designer: Repeat Crafter Me
Yarn weight: (5) Bulky
Suggested yarn: Loops & Threads Charisma
Keep your cutie ready for the coldest weather with this polar bear hat worked in bulky yarn. The ears and snout aren’t hard to stitch but they add so much cuteness. Bonus: this one is sized from babies to adults so you can make them for everyone!
Baby Bear Beanie Free Crochet Pattern
Designer: Adele Uyan Crochet
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Premier Yarns Premier Anti-Pilling Everyday DK
A baby sporting a baby bear cap is just too adorable. It is the perfect project for beginners to try out because it is simple and easy to make. And if you ever want a plain hat you can use this same pattern just without the ears (though we don’t know why you’d want to!).
Crochet Lamb Hat Pattern
Designer: Repeat Crafter Me
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
The bobbles on this hat are so cute, but what makes it especially adorable are the sweet lamb ears. Make your sheep white, gray, brown, black, or any other color you like (there are so many color options in Vanna’s Choice yarn). There are also instructions for adding a face if you want.
Dinosaur Spike Hat Crochet Pattern
Designer: Lovable Loops
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
This quick and simple crochet pattern is perfect for those just learning the craft. The hat is worked from the top down, with the spikes worked separately and stitched on. You can decide whether you want to include the ear flaps and braids, but they sure are cute!
Snowy Owl Crochet Hat
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Whooo’s got the coziest hat out there? Your child, when you stitch them this fun snow owl hat. This is one of the most detailed crochet owl hat patterns we’ve seen, and it’s so cute you might just have to stitch them for everyone in the family (which you can!).
Woodland Fox Crochet Hat
Designer: Traverse Bay Crochet
Yarn weight: (5) Bulky
Suggested yarn: Loops & Threads Charisma
This crochet pattern uses bulky weight yarn for extra warmth and coziness for your little one's ears. It’s full of sweet details like foxy ears, a fold up nose, ear flaps, and braids. I’m not sure it gets any cuter than this.
Novelty Crochet Hats for Kids
Looking to dress up your kid for Halloween or for a fun photoshoot? Check out these fun novelty hats that not only make great costumes but also keep your kid’s head warm and toasty.
Crochet Mandrake Hat
Designer: Whistle and Ivy
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Brava
Fellow Potter-heads will definitely love this adorable mandrake pattern. It also makes a cute and easy Halloween costume! Your kid will not only stay warm during chilly days, but they'll also look super adorbs in this hat!
Green Ears Children's Hat
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn weight: (5) Bulky
Suggested yarn: DROPS Andes
May the force be with you and with this super cute hat to dress up your little one! This fun novelty hat is great for dressing up your toddler or to use as your child's first Halloween costume. This pattern also comes with photographs and video tutorials to guide you along the way.
Free Crochet Elf Hat Pattern
Designer: Make and Do Crew
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
This festive crochet elf hat pattern with ears is a must-have for every member of the family, whether you have an approaching Christmas photoshoot or are organizing a trip to Santa’s village. This hat can also be a quick gift you can finish in a few hours.
Winnie the Pooh Crochet Hat
Designer: Tiny Moon
Yarn weight: (5) Bulky
Suggested yarn: Loops & Threads Charisma
Here's another cute novelty hat for lovers of the Winnie the Pooh series! This hat is made with bulky weight yarn so it works up pretty quickly and at the same time, keeps your child's ears warm and cozy. Dress up your little one in this adorable hat for winter or for Halloween.
Crochet Snowman Hat Pattern
Designer: Repeat Crafter Me
Yarn weight: (5) Bulky
Suggested yarn: Loops & Threads Charisma
Check out this cute snowman hat that includes a little carrot nose and top hat! This hat pattern comes in 6 different sizes from 0-3 months to adult. This would definitely make a great matching hat set to wear as a family for photos!
Crochet Cupcake Hat
Designer: Snuggly Fox Designs
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Premier Yarns Premier Anti-Pilling Everyday Worsted
This fun and sweet cupcake hat pattern is perfect for modification. Change the color of the cupcake, the wrapper (the ribbing and earflap part), use whatever odd balls you have to make the sprinkles. Just don’t forget the cherry on top!
Sun Hats for Children Crochet Patterns
On warm summer days, sometimes your kids need a little extra protection from the sun. That’s when these crochet sun hat patterns for kids come in handy.
Daffodil Sun Hat
Designer: Snow Drop Creates
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK
This Daffodil sun hat will make you dream of the sun and beach! The cotton yarn and loose stitches will keep your kid's head from getting too hot, and the brim of the hat also helps keep the sun out of their eyes.
Matilda Sun Hat
Designer: The Lavender Chair
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar’n Cream
This hat uses an interesting technique of skipping a stitch, stitching a few then going back and working the skipped stitch, which is what makes the texture on the hat. It makes the hat airy, while the deep brim keeps the sun out of your kid’s eyes. The designer says the skill level is experienced for this one.
Vintage Sun Hat Crochet Pattern
Designer: The Lavender Chair
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar;n Cream
Check out this vintage and classic looking sun hat that looks great with any outfit! This crochet sun hat uses V stitch and half double crochet stitches. It comes in three sizes, for infants, toddlers, and children.
Little Man Crochet Sun Hat
Designer: Traverse Bay Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar’n Cream
The adorable crochet sun hat is ideal for shielding your little one's head from the sun's rays. This classic bucket hat doesn’t just have to be for boys, of course, but it will certainly make your little man look dapper.
Little Sunshine Hat
Designer: Anna Beckett via Ravelry
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily’s Sugar N’ Cream
This floppy sun hat has a brim that is slightly ruffled. With cotton yarn, it is light, breathable, and simple to make. Although the pattern is written for toddlers/small children, it is easily adaptable to accommodate all head sizes with the instructions provided.
Are You a Beginner Who Needs More Help Learning to Crochet?
Many of these crochet hat patterns for kids are pretty simple for new stitchers, but if you need help with any of the techniques or just want to build your skills, we’ve got the workshop for you.
Our Crochet Fundamentals course has everything you need to build your crochet confidence, presented in quick videos full of easy to absorb information. There are even skill-building patterns included to make it easier for you to learn.
Want More Patterns You Can Finish in a Day?
One of the great things about crocheting hats for kids is that most patterns can be completed in a day or less. If you’re looking for more almost-instant gratification projects, check out our Done in a Day Pattern bundle.
It has 90 patterns for hats, bags, blankets, and more that can be stitched up in (almost) no time.
