Wide featured image showing a buffalo plaid crochet beanie with a white pom pom beside bold black, pink, and aqua pattern text and playful yarn-themed accents.

Buffalo plaid crochet hat pattern

ByMelissa Hassler

The classic buffalo plaid design gives this crochet hat a cozy, rustic look that’s perfect for cold-weather wear. The ribbed brim and pom pom add a classic finish, making it a fun winter hat for everyday outfits, handmade gifts, or matching family hats.

Quick answer

This beginner-friendly buffalo plaid crochet hat starts with a ribbed brim worked flat in rows and then seamed into a ring. The hat body is worked from the bottom up in joined rounds using worsted weight (#4) yarn, an H-8 (5 mm) hook for the brim, and an I-9 (5.5 mm) hook for the hat. The pattern includes toddler, child, and adult sizes.

Buffalo plaid crochet hat pattern details

Here’s a quick overview of the materials, sizing, gauge, and pattern notes before you begin.

Skill level

Beginner — This pattern uses single crochet ribbing, half double crochet, simple color changes, basic decreases, and seaming.

Materials needed

  • I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook for the hat
  • H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook for the brim
  • Worsted weight yarn (#4) in white, gray, and black
  • Yarn needle
  • Scissors
  • Extra large pom pom maker

Size guide

This pattern includes toddler, child, and adult sizes. Choose your size based on the wearer’s head circumference.

  • Toddler — Fits an 18–19 inch (46–48 cm) head; finished hat height: 6.75 inches (17 cm)
  • Child — Fits a 19–20 inch (48–51 cm) head; finished hat height: 7 inches (18 cm)
  • Adult — Fits a 20–23 inch (51–58 cm) head; finished hat height: 7.75 inches (20 cm)

See my crochet hat sizing guide for full details and size charts.

Square graphic featuring a black, gray, and white buffalo plaid crochet hat beside large black and pink text reading Buffalo Plaid Crochet Hat Pattern.

Gauge

8 hdc and 6 rounds = 2 inches (5 cm)

Learn how to check crochet gauge before you begin so you can adjust your hook size if needed.

Crochet abbreviations

Pattern notes

  • The ribbed brim is worked flat in rows and then seamed to form a ring.
  • The hat body is worked from the brim up in joined rounds.
  • The beginning chain does not count as a stitch.
  • Join each round with a slip stitch to the first stitch.
  • Repeat instructions between the asterisks (*) as directed.
  • The pattern is written in US crochet terms.
Buffalo plaid crochet hat with a white ribbed brim and pom pom centered on a bright pin with pastel banners and text reading Crochet Hat Pattern.

Buffalo plaid crochet hat pattern instructions

This buffalo plaid crochet hat pattern is made from the bottom up, starting with the ribbed brim. First, you’ll crochet the brim in rows, then join it in the round to form the base of the hat. 

From there, you’ll work the beanie upward in rounds, then finish by decreasing at the top to shape the crown.

Brim instructions

Use an H-8 5 mm crochet hook.

Row 1: Ch 9, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each rem ch, turn (8 stitches)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc blo in each st, turn (8 stitches)

Toddler size: Repeat Row 2 until you have 72 rows total.
Child size: Repeat Row 2 until you have 80 rows total.
Adult size: Repeat Row 2 until you have 88 rows total.

  1. Fold the brim so the first and last rows meet.
  2. Slip stitch through both layers across all 8 stitches to join the short ends and form a ring.
  3. Switch to the I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook.
  4. For Round 1, work one hdc into the end of each brim row. You should have 72 stitches for Toddler, 80 stitches for Child, or 88 stitches for Adult.

When changing colors, carry the unused yarn along the inside of the round and crochet over it until it is needed again. Change colors on the final yarn-over of the stitch before the new color begins. When a color is not used for several rounds, carry it up the inside of the hat at the join until it is needed again.

Hat Instructions

Rnds 1–3: Ch 2, *with white, hdc in next 4 sts; with gray, hdc in next 4 sts*; repeat from * around, join. (T: 72, C: 80, A: 88)
Rnds 4–6: Ch 2, *with gray, hdc in next 4 sts; with black, hdc in next 4 sts*; repeat from * around, join. (T: 72, C: 80, A: 88)
Rnds 7–9: Ch 2, *with white, hdc in next 4 sts; with gray, hdc in next 4 sts*; repeat from * around, join. (T: 72, C: 80, A: 88)
Rnds 10–12: Ch 2, *with gray, hdc in next 4 sts; with black, hdc in next 4 sts*; repeat from * around, join. (T: 72, C: 80, A: 88)
Rnds 13–15: Ch 2, *with white, hdc in next 4 sts; with gray, hdc in next 4 sts*; repeat from * around, join. (T: 72, C: 80, A: 88)

Toddler size

Fasten off the gray and black yarn. Continue with white yarn for the remaining rounds.

Rnd 16: Ch 1, sc in each st, join (72 stitches)
Rnd 17: Ch 1, *sc2tog*, join (36 stitches)
Rnd 18: Ch 1, sc in each st, join (36 stitches)
Rnd 19: Ch 1, *sc2tog*, join (18 stitches)
Rnd 20: Ch 1, sc in each st, join (18 stitches)
Rnd 21: Ch 1, *sc2tog*, join (9 stitches)

Fasten off leaving a long yarn tail and sew the top of your hat closed.

Child size

Rnd 16: Ch 2, *with gray, hdc in next 4 sts; with black, hdc in next 4 sts*; repeat from * around, join. (80 stitches)

Fasten off the gray and black yarn. Continue with white yarn for the remaining rounds.

Rnd 17: Ch 1, sc in each st, join (80 stitches)
Rnd 18: Ch 1, *sc2tog*, join (40 stitches)
Rnd 19: Ch 1, sc in each st, join (40 stitches)
Rnd 20: Ch 1, *sc2tog*, join (20 stitches)
Rnd 21: Ch 1, sc in each st, join (20 stitches)
Rnd 22: Ch 1, *sc2tog*, join (10 stitches)

Fasten off leaving a long yarn tail and sew the top of your hat closed.

Adult size

Rnds 16–18: Ch 2, *with gray, hdc in next 4 sts; with black, hdc in next 4 sts*; repeat from * around, join. (88 stitches)

Use white for the rest of the rounds.

Rnd 19: Ch 1, sc in each st, join (88 stitches)
Rnd 20: Ch 1, *sc2tog*, join (44 stitches)
Rnd 21: Ch 1, sc in each st, join (44 stitches)
Rnd 22: Ch 1, *sc2tog*, join (22 stitches)
Rnd 23: Ch 1, sc in each st, join (22 stitches)
Rnd 24: Ch 1, *sc2tog*, join (11 stitches)

Fasten off leaving a long yarn tail and sew the top of your hat closed.

Adding a pom pom

Use white yarn to make the pom pom.

  1. Wind the yarn around both arches of the pom pom maker.
  2. Cut the yarn along the middle groove.
  3. Tie a piece of yarn tightly around the center.
  4. Open the arches and remove the pom pom.
  5. Fluff the pom pom and trim any uneven ends.
  6. Attach the pom pom securely to the top of the hat.

Finishing

Weave in any remaining ends.

Lovable loops free Buffalo Plaid Crochet Hat Pattern

More crochet hat patterns

Looking for another colorful winter hat? Try my crochet houndstooth beanie pattern or my Color Pop crochet beanie pattern for more cozy hats with bold color changes, ribbed details, and pom poms.

You can also browse my full collection of free crochet hat patterns for more beanies, winter hats, animal hats, and seasonal designs.

Let’s connect!

I’d love to see what you’re making! Share your finished project and follow along for more free crochet patterns and tutorials.

📌 Don’t forget to pin this pattern for later!
Happy crocheting! 🧶
— Melissa

Pinterest pin featuring a black, gray, and white buffalo plaid crochet hat with a fluffy white pom pom, bold pattern text, and pink, aqua, and lavender accents.