Classic Crochet Elf Hat Pattern for all Sizes
Get ready to make the cutest holiday accessory with this free crochet elf hat pattern! Available in 6 sizes for the whole family, from the littlest elves to adults, this long stocking hat is perfect for spreading holiday cheer.
The playful striped design gives it that classic Christmas elf vibe, making it a fun and festive addition to your Christmas season. Whether for a newborn baby, kids, or adult, this cute elf hat is sure to be a hit all around! The free crochet pattern is below.
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This is an Easy Elf Hat Pattern
If you’re new to crochet, this is a great beginners crochet project! The pattern is simple and easy to follow, making it an ideal choice for those just starting out. It works up quick, so you’ll have your festive project finished in no time.
This pattern is perfect for creating adorable hats for infant/newborn and kids sizes, as well as adult sizes. Even if you’re an experienced crocheter, you’ll enjoy the ease of this pattern and how fast it comes together.
Crochet Elf Hat Pattern Information
This Christmas elf hat is perfect for the entire family to wear in a fun Christmas photo! Its playful design brings holiday cheer, making it ideal for the holiday season. These hats also make wonderful gifts for friends and family, especially since they come in sizes for the whole family.
Whether you’re creating them for your festive project or as gifts, these hats are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. This hat is a quick and thoughtful gift that will spread holiday cheer to all your loved ones!
Skill Level
Beginner. This free pattern uses basic stitches and very simple increases in rounds.
Crochet Project Materials Needed
- Crochet Hook Size: H-8 5 mm crochet hook or hook needed to get the correct gauge.
- Yarn: Worsted weight yarn #4. I used Red Heart Super Saver in white, paddy green, and cherry red yarn.
- Yarn needle/tapestry needle: Use this to weave in your ends.
- Scissors: Use scissors to fasten off your yarn.
- Stitch markers: Use these to help keep track of your stitches.
- Tape measure: Use a measuring tape to find your head circumference.
- Pom pom maker: Use this to make a yarn pom pom for the hat.
Printable PDF Version
View this cute crochet elf hat pattern in my Etsy shop: Elf Hat Crochet Pattern
Different Sizes
This elf beanie pattern is made for the whole family, with sizes ranging from newborn size (0-3 months) to adult.
| Size | Crown | Head Circumference |
| 0-3 Months | 4.25″ | 13-14″ |
| 3-6 Months | 5″ | 14-15″ |
| 6-12 Months | 5.5″ | 15-17″ |
| Toddler | 6″ | 18-19″ |
| Child | 6.5″ | 19-20″ |
| Adult | 7″ | 20-23″ |
Gauge
16 stitches and 10 rows = 4 inches
Please make a gauge swatch before you begin. If you have more than 16 stitches in 4 inches, try using a larger crochet hook. If you have less stitches, try using a smaller size.
Crochet Terms
- dc = double crochet stitch
- flo = front loop only
- sc = single crochet
- sc2tog = single crochet decrease
- ch/chs = chain/chains
- st/sts = stitch/stitches
- sl st = slip stitch
- rnd/rnds = round/rounds
Pattern Notes
- The pattern is written in US terms.
- Rounds 1-27 are the same for all sizes.
- Join each round with a slip stitch to the first stitch made in that round.
- Repeat instructions between the asterisks (*) for the rest of the round.
- The chain at the beginning of each round does not count as a stitch.
- The stitch count is listed at the end of each round.
- The rounds of FPdc and BPdc stitches create the ribbed brim.
- The hat is worked in dc rounds from the top of the hat down.
Special Stitches
Post stitches are made by working around the post (vertical part) of the stitch instead of into the top loops.
Front Post Double Crochet (FPdc): Make a double crochet by inserting your hook from front to back around the post of the stitch.
Back Post Double Crochet (BPdc): Make a double crochet by inserting your hook from back to front around the post of the stitch.
Magic Circle Alternative
If you’re not comfortable with using a magic circle (magic ring), you can use an alternative method to make round 1 of the hat. This method is just as effective and might be easier for beginners.
Round 1: Chain 4, make 6 dc in the 4th ch from the hook, join (6 stitches)
Festive Crochet Elf Hat Pattern Instructions
Rounds 1-27 are the same for all sizes.
Start with white yarn. Change colors (white and red) every three rounds.
Rnd 1: Magic circle, ch 2, 6 dc, join (6 stitches)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next stitch*, join (9 stitches)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (9 stitches)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 2 sts*, join (12 stitches)
Rnd 5: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (12 stitches)
Rnd 6: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 3 sts*, join (15 stitches)
Rnd 7: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (15 stitches)
Rnd 8: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 4 sts*, join (18 stitches)
Rnd 9: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (18 stitches)
Rnd 10: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 5 sts*, join (21 stitches)
Rnd 11: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (21 stitches)
Rnd 12: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 6 sts*, join (24 stitches)
Rnd 13: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (24 stitches)
Rnd 14: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 7 sts*, join (27 stitches)
Rnd 15: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (27 stitches)
Rnd 16: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 8 sts*, join (30 stitches)
Rnd 17: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (30 stitches)
Rnd 18: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 9 sts*, join (33 stitches)
Rnd 19: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (33 stitches)
Rnd 20: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 10 sts*, join (36 stitches)
Rnd 21: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (36 stitches)
Rnd 22: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 11 sts*, join (39 stitches)
Rnd 23: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (39 stitches)
Rnd 24: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 12 sts*, join (42 stitches)
Rnd 25: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (42 stitches)
Rnd 26: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 13 sts*, join (45 stitches)
Rnd 27: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (45 stitches)
0-3 Months/Newborn Baby Crochet Elf Hat Pattern
Rnd 28: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 14 sts*, join (48 stitches)
Rnds 29-33: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (48 stitches)
Switch to green yarn for the brim of the hat.
Rnd 34: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (48 stitches)
Rnd 35: Ch 2, *FPdc, BPdc*, join (48 stitches)
Rnd 36: Ch 2, *FPdc, BPdc*, join (48 stitches)
3-6 Months Crochet Elf Hat Pattern
Rnd 28: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 14 sts*, join (48 stitches)
Rnd 29: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (48 stitches)
Rnd 30: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 15 sts*, join (51 stitches)
Rnds 31-36: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (51 stitches)
Switch to green yarn for the brim of the hat.
Rnd 37: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (51 stitches)
Rnd 38: Ch 2, *FPdc, BPdc*, join (51 stitches)
Rnd 39: Ch 2, *FPdc, BPdc*, join (51 stitches)
6-12 Months Crochet Elf Hat Pattern
Rnd 28: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 14 sts*, join (48 stitches)
Rnd 29: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (48 stitches)
Rnd 30: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 15 sts*, join (51 stitches)
Rnd 31: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (51 stitches)
Rnd 32: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 16 sts*, join (54 stitches)
Rnd 33: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (54 stitches)
Rnd 34: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 17 sts*, join (57 stitches)
Rnds 35-40: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (57 stitches)
Switch to green yarn for the brim of the hat.
Rnd 41: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (57 stitches)
Rnd 42: Ch 2, *FPdc, BPdc*, join (57 stitches)
Rnd 43: Ch 2, *FPdc, BPdc*, join (57 stitches)
Toddler Crochet Elf Hat Pattern
Rnd 28: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 14 sts*, join (48 stitches)
Rnd 29: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (48 stitches)
Rnd 30: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 15 sts*, join (51 stitches)
Rnd 31: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (51 stitches)
Rnd 32: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 16 sts*, join (54 stitches)
Rnd 33: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (54 stitches)
Rnd 34: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 17 sts*, join (57 stitches)
Rnd 35: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (57 stitches)
Rnd 36: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 18 sts*, join (60 stitches)
Rnd 37: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (60 stitches)
Rnd 38: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 19 sts*, join (63 stitches)
Rnds 39-44: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (63 stitches)
Switch to green yarn for the brim of the hat.
Rnd 45: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (63 stitches)
Rnd 46: Ch 2, *FPdc, BPdc*, join (63 stitches)
Rnd 47: Ch 2, *FPdc, BPdc*, join (63 stitches)
Rnd 48: Ch 2, *FPdc, BPdc*, join (63 stitches)
Child Crochet Elf Hat Pattern
Rnd 28: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 14 sts*, join (48 stitches)
Rnd 29: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (48 stitches)
Rnd 30: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 15 sts*, join (51 stitches)
Rnd 31: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (51 stitches)
Rnd 32: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 16 sts*, join (54 stitches)
Rnd 33: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (54 stitches)
Rnd 34: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 17 sts*, join (57 stitches)
Rnd 35: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (57 stitches)
Rnd 36: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 18 sts*, join (60 stitches)
Rnd 37: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (60 stitches)
Rnd 38: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 19 sts*, join (63 stitches)
Rnd 39: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (63 stitches)
Rnd 40: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 20 sts*, join (66 stitches)
Rnds 41-47: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (66 stitches)
Switch to green yarn for the brim of the hat.
Rnd 48: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (66 stitches)
Rnd 49: Ch 2, *FPdc, BPdc*, join (66 stitches)
Rnd 50: Ch 2, *FPdc, BPdc*, join (66 stitches)
Rnd 51: Ch 2, *FPdc, BPdc*, join (66 stitches)
Adult Crochet Elf Hat Pattern
Rnd 28: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 14 sts*, join (48 stitches)
Rnd 29: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (48 stitches)
Rnd 30: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 15 sts*, join (51 stitches)
Rnd 31: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (51 stitches)
Rnd 32: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 16 sts*, join (54 stitches)
Rnd 33: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (54 stitches)
Rnd 34: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 17 sts*, join (57 stitches)
Rnd 35: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (57 stitches)
Rnd 36: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 18 sts*, join (60 stitches)
Rnd 37: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (60 stitches)
Rnd 38: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 19 sts*, join (63 stitches)
Rnd 39: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (63 stitches)
Rnd 40: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 20 sts*, join (66 stitches)
Rnd 41: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (66 stitches)
Rnd 42: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 21 sts*, join (69 stitches)
Rnds 43-50: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (69 stitches)
Switch to green yarn for the hat brim.
Rnd 51: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (69 stitches)
Rnd 52: Ch 2, *FPdc, BPdc*, join (69 stitches)
Rnd 53: Ch 2, *FPdc, BPdc*, join (69 stitches)
Rnd 54: Ch 2, *FPdc, BPdc*, join (69 stitches)
Add a Pom Pom to the Festive Hat
Follow these instructions for making a pom pom for your hat.
- Wind the yarn around both arches.
- Cut the yarn along the middle gap.
- Tie with a piece of scrap yarn.
- Open the arches and remove the pom pom.
- Trim any loose ends.
Tie the pom pom to the tip of the classic elf hat.
Finishing the Crochet Elf Hat Pattern
Fasten off and then weave in your ends.
Looking for More Free Christmas Crochet Patterns?
If you like this festive elf hat, you will love my other designs: Santa Hat, Christmas Tree Hat, and Candy Cane Hat free crochet hat patterns.
Let’s Connect!
I’d love to hear from you. You can find me on social media- Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and my YouTube channel. Until then, happy crocheting!
