How to Crochet a Hat
By Rachel Choi – 42 Comments| Hats are easy and simple to crochet, once you have the basic idea. That is to start with a small circle and crochet around it, while slowly increasing the number of stitches in each round around the hat. Once the hat is as wide as you want it, it is time to simply make your hat longer by continuing to crochet around the hat but without adding additional stitches in each round. Here is a basic crochet hat pattern for you to follow that uses double crochet stitches. |  |
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Finished Size: 4 1/2’’(12 cm) tall, 7’’ (18 cm) diameter (not including pom pom and ear covers)
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Materials: Medium Weight Yarn Crochet Hook F (3.75 mm) Yarn Needle |
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Gauge:
17 dc = 3’’
4 rows = 2’’
Gauge Swatch: 3’’w x 2’’h (7.5cm x 5cm) ch 20.
Row 1: dc in forth ch from hook and in each ch across
Row 2 – 4: ch 3, turn, dc in each dc across
Finish off.
Need help understanding the abbreviations? Check out the crochet abbreviation chart.
Crochet Pattern: Hat
Round 1: ch 5, sl st in 5th ch from hook forming a loop, 10 dc in loop, place marker
Round 2: 3 dc in each dc around
Round 3: (2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc) around
Round 4: (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 2 dc) around
Round 5: (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 3 dc) around
Round 6: (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 4 dc) around
Round 7 – 15: dc in each dc around
Finish off.
Note: If you want to make your hat longer, just continue crocheting until it is the length that you want.
Ear Covers (Make 2) (Optional)
Row 1: ch 15, dc in third ch from hook, dc across
Row 2 – 3: ch 2, turn, dc across
Row 4: ch 1, hdc in next dc, 11 dc across, hdc in next dc
Row 5: turn, ch 1, skip 1, sc, hdc, 7 dc, hdc, sc, sl st
Row 6: turn, 3 sl st, sc, hdc, 2 dc, hdc, sc, 3 sl st
Row 7: turn, 3 sl st, sc, 2 hdc, sc, 3 sl st, finish off
Tie Strap (Make 2) (Optional)
Row 1: ch 82, dc in third ch from hook, dc across
With yarn needle, sew tie straps to ear covers using photo as a guide.
Pom Pom (Optional)
Step 1: Continuously wrap yarn around 4 fingers 100 times around
Step 2: gently slide bundle off of hand
Step 3: with same colored yarn, tie bundle tightly together in the middle
Step 4: cut both the loops on the yarn open and shape
Confused? Check out the how to make pom poms tutorial!
With yarn needle, sew pom pom to hat using photo as a guide.
Note: for smaller pom poms use less fingers and for fuller pom poms revolve yarn more times
| You may also like to check out the Crochet Pattern: Family Beanie Set – 6 sizes. This pattern set has various beanies for you to crochet! Plus, you don’t have to worry much about how to increase or decrease the size of your beanie.
Be sure to check out the Crochet Spot Store for more beanie and hat patterns! |
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If you need help on how to crochet a hat, just leave a comment and I would love to help!
[…] poms go great with hats and beanies. To add a pom pom to your hat or beanie, simple use a yarn needle and sew your pom pom […]
Is this an adult-sized hat? If not, do you have a pattern for an adult earflap hat?
Could you tell me how to modify this pattern to make it adult-sized?
Hi Cathy!
This is an adult sized hat! The finished size is 4 1/2’’(12 cm) tall, 7’’ (18 cm) diameter (not including pom pom and ear covers). If for some reason you do need to modify it here is how:
For a wider hat: follow the original pattern:
Round 3: (2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc) around
Round 4: (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 2 dc) around
Round 5: (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 3 dc) around
Round 6: (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 4 dc) around
Add more rounds after round 6 by following the pattern above. Thus, the next round would read: (2 dc in next dc, dc in next (previous number + 1) dc) around
For a longer hat: continue to repeat the last line (dc in each dc around) until it is the length that you want it.
Hope that helps, if not, let me know!
For the ear covers, do we start the dc in the second or third ch? You have both!
Great catch Liz!
It should just say, third chain from hook. Thanks for letting me know 🙂
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Doll
Are the earflaps made seperate from the hat and if so what stich do yor begin with to add the flaps to the hat.
Hey Karen, the ear flaps are crocheted separately and are sewn on when you are done with a yarn needle. The ear flaps are added to the opposite sides of the hat, there isn’t a particular stitch you use.
how would you make this for a child?
Hi Cheryl, you can use the same pattern for the ear flaps and pom pom, but to make the hat smaller you will make less rounds than this adult sized hat. Start out with the increases at the beginning and continue to increase until it is the circumference of the child’s head. Then continue to crochet around without increasing the circumference of the hat. If you don’t want to worry about the increases you can use the child sized beanie pattern in the Crochet Pattern: Family Beanie Set – 6 Sizes
Hi Rachel! I just found your website today and I’m so happy! You have the best website for crocheting! It’s so easy to understand!
I have a question: I saw a beret in a store at the mall. It was double crocheted and looked kind of like a granny square beret. Do you have a pattern for something like that? I sure would appreciate it! I wanted to make it for my daughter for Christmas..
Thanks so much!
Chris
Hey Chris, I don’t have a granny square style beret, but I do have a slouchy beanie. Here is the pattern: Free Crochet Pattern: Slouchy Beanie
Such a cute idea! I saw a hat like that in a store, nad it was like 40 bucks! This is great, fantastic job Rachel. =)
I am making the hat with ear flaps, and am on row 9. But it looks like a Beret.
Will it take shape as I continue?
Kathy, rounds 7 – 15 will make you hat longer, so yes it will look more like a hat as you keep going.
thanks, sorry just emailed you too.
Hello Rachael, I actually modified this hat a little bit. I love the pattern but i wanted it to be a little bit puffy-er so i used a hook size 4.0 then did a couple rows of decrease so that it would fit my head. then for the straps instead of crocheting them i tried braiding them. It turned out really cute but i could have never done it without this pattern to start with. thanx a lot!
I apologize for spelling your name “Rachael” im so used to spelling it my way that sometimes i forget. i get upset about people spelling my name wrong, so i’m sorry Rachel. =]
Ok, so I am fairly new to crocheting. I am confused with the part in the first round when it says 10 dc in loop. I want to put them in the 5th chain from the hook. Is that correct? I just don’t want to start it off wrong and then have to back track. Thanks a bunch!! 🙂
Hi Brook, after you ch 5, then sl st in the fifth chain from hook, it should look like a small circle. This circle is refereed to as the “loop”. You will make your 10 dc into that loop.
I made the beanie but I don’t know how to finish off.
Thanks
Hi Sally, check out this post to learn how: Finish Off and Weave in Ends in Crochet
Hi – is this hat crocheted in the round as a continual spiral, or should I be slip-stiching at the end of a row, making a chain, and then starting a new row?
Hi Paul, yes the hat is crocheting in the round like a spiral. No joining or slip stitching is needed unless specified in a pattern.
Hi! I just found your site and I love it! Very simple instructions, and I love that if I have a question about the pattern I can ask you for help!
I saw this hat (( http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/handbagsaccessories/hats/PRD~690496/Mudd+Striped+Deconstructed+Earflap+Hat.jsp )) at Kohls last night, and was trying to find a similar pattern. My problem is is that I don’t know enough about the yarn weight and the different sizes of hooks to make the hat work… If you could help, or have any suggestions I’d really appreciate it, especially if you have a pattern that is more similar to the hat in the link! I figured I could play around with the pattern and make it work, though…
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you again for creating such an amazing page!!! -Chelsee
Chelsee, I think the hat in your link is knitted not crocheted. You can make a crocheted earflap hat using the pattern in the above post and change colors to make strips as you desire. But if you want the knitted look but don’t want to knit, here is a link to a tutorial on how to crochet the knitted look How to Crochet: Tunisian Knit Stitch (tks). You can play around with that stitch if you’d like.
Thank you Rachel, I figured that it was knitting. Thank you for the suggestion though!!!
[…] on some earflaps! Super popular and super easy to add on to your beanie. See How to Crochet a Hat for help with adding ear covers to your […]
Rachel, what age is it intended for?
Christina, it’s intended for adults, but may also fit teens. Since head sizes may vary regardless of age, I would suggest measuring the size of the wearer’s head and compare it to the finished size of the hat to make sure it fits correctly.
I just made this hat for my husband! It is really cute and he is excited about it. I am very new to crocheting, and this was a good project for me. Thanks for the pattern!
in round 4 after u chain 1 do u turn
Hi Macy, no turns are needed for this pattern. You only need a turn if it says “turn” in the pattern. This pattern is crocheted in the round like a spiral.
I have a question. I’m not sure if I did something wrong. I’m on round 6 and the piece is coming out like one big ruffle. Will it eventually straighten out? I’m pretty new to crocheting and I’m not sure what I did wrong. Thanks for your help.
Hi Christine, it’s okay if it ruffles a bit. Just be sure you’ve check your gauge. The ruffling might be due to the stitches being too loose.
Thanks Rachel. It seems to ruffle a lot. I’m pulling it tight too. I’m not sure how to check the gauge. That confuses me a little. Thanks for your help.
To check the gauge, you can follow the instructions under the gauge section. You’ll basically be making a small rectangle. Once you’re done you can measure the rectangle and compare it to the dimensions in the gauge. If it is not the correct size, you’ll have to use a different hook size to get the correct gauge.
hi Rachel,
My hat is coming way to wide. I used correct hook and yarn. What am I doing wrong?
Thanking you in advance,
Robera
Hi Roberta, try to double check your gauge. Often times, that’s the number one reason a project isn’t the correct size.
this looks like the perfect present for my cousin’s little daughter. 🙂 I knew if I came on here I’d find something, I just knew it 😀 I’ll just make it smaller, and add crown points or something to it (disney princess lover)
I want to make an ear flap hat for a 3 year old. Can you point me to a pattern? I’m a beginner.
Thank you!
Hi Myrna! The toddler or child size in this pattern will most likely fit https://www.crochetspot.com/store/index.php?pattern=191