Easy crochet heart baby hat pattern (free + beginner friendly)
Add a little love to your baby makes with this crochet heart baby hat pattern! This sweet crochet baby beanie features a round of hearts—cute for everyday wear, photo shoots, and Valentine’s Day. The stitches are simple, the color changes are easy, and the hat works up fast.
This crochet baby hat pattern is written for beginners who know the basics and want a fun colorwork project. Use soft worsted yarn and two or three colors to make the hearts pop. The result is a cozy, stretchy hat that looks adorable on little heads and makes a thoughtful handmade gift.
Whether you’re stocking your craft fair table, making a shower present, or adding to your winter handmade collection, this Valentine baby hat is a quick win you’ll come back to again and again. Keep reading for the full free pattern.
Quick answer
This crochet heart baby hat pattern is worked from the top down using double crochet stitches with easy color changes. Four rounds of heart colorwork create a sweet design around the hat, and a final round of single crochet adds a clean, snug edge. Sized for 6–12 months and made with worsted weight yarn, it’s an advanced-beginner-friendly project that’s perfect for gifts, photo shoots, and Valentine’s Day.
Why you’ll love this crochet baby hat pattern
- Beginner friendly: Uses simple stitches and easy color changes, with clear step-by-step rounds.
- Fast make: Works up quickly—great for last-minute gifts or craft fair inventory.
- Adorable hearts: A full round of hearts adds a sweet detail without complicated techniques.
- Comfy + stretchy: Soft yarn and a classic beanie shape for a cozy, snug fit.
- Customizable colors: Go classic pinks and reds, team colors, or soft neutrals for everyday wear.
- Giftable: Perfect for baby showers, first photos, and holiday outfits.
- Print-friendly: Simple repeats make it easy to follow and memorize.
Who this pattern is best for
This crochet heart baby hat pattern is best for advanced beginners who are comfortable with basic stitches and ready to practice simple color changes. It’s a great choice for crocheters making baby shower gifts, Valentine’s Day outfits, first photo props, or small-batch craft fair items. Because the size is written specifically for babies 6–12 months, it’s ideal if you want a reliable, giftable project without resizing guesswork.
How this crochet hat is made
This crochet baby hat is worked in the round from the top down, starting with a magic circle. The crown is shaped using simple increase rounds in double crochet, followed by straight rounds to build height.
Four rounds of heart colorwork are worked using double crochet stitches with easy color changes, then the hat is finished with a round of single crochet for a clean, snug edge.
Crochet heart baby hat pattern details
Get everything you need to make this cozy heart baby hat. Below you’ll find the skill level, materials, size chart, gauge, and pattern notes to guide you step by step.
Skill level
Advanced beginner — This crochet baby beanie is perfect for crocheters who are comfortable with basic stitches and ready to try simple color changes.
Materials needed
- Crochet hook size I-9 (5.5 mm) — Or size needed to match gauge.
- Worsted weight yarn (#4) — White for the hearts and a color for the hat.
- Yarn needle — For weaving in ends neatly.
- Scissors — To cut your yarn.
- Pom pom maker — Optional, if you want to make a yarn pom pom.
- Stitch markers (optional) — Helpful for keeping track of rounds and stitch counts.
Finished size
Baby (6–12 months) — designed to fit a head circumference of about 16–17 in (41–43 cm).
Unsure about baby hat sizing?
Baby head sizes change quickly, and even a small difference can affect the fit.
Before you start, check out my complete Crochet Hat Sizing Guide where I break down:
• Newborn and baby head circumference ranges
• How much negative ease to use for babies
• Standard baby hat height measurements
• How to adjust rows or rounds for a better fit
It’s especially helpful if you’re making a baby shower gift or sizing without measuring.
Gauge
Gauge: 16 stitches and 10 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm)
✅ Too many stitches? Try a larger hook
✅ Too few stitches? Try a smaller hook
Crochet abbreviations
- dc = double crochet
- sc = single crochet
- ch / chs = chain / chains
- st / sts = stitch / stitches
- sl st = slip stitch
Pattern notes
- Begin with a magic circle
- The starting chain does not count as a stitch
- Join each round with a slip stitch to the first stitch
- Hat is worked in the round from the top down
- The pattern is written in US terms
Changing colors in double crochet
To change colors in double crochet, begin your last dc of the current color as usual—yarn over, insert your hook, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops. Before completing the last yarn over, drop the old color and yarn over with the new color instead. Pull the new color through the final two loops to finish the stitch.
Free crochet baby hat pattern (heart beanie, 6–12 months)
Use your main hat color for all stitches unless the instructions say to use white.
- Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join. (11 sts)
- Round 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
- Round 3: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
- Round 4: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat around. Join. (44 sts)
- Round 5: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts; repeat around. Join. (48 sts)
- Round 6: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 11 sts; repeat around. Join. (52 sts)
- Round 7: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (52 sts)
For Rounds 8–11, when the pattern lists the number of stitches in each color, all stitches are double crochet (dc). Simply change yarn colors as directed while continuing to work dc stitches throughout the colorwork section.
- Round 8: Ch 2, (hat color) x 3, (white) x 3, (hat color) x 1, (white) x 3, (hat color) x 3, (white) x 3, (hat color) x 1, (white) x 3, (hat color) x 3, (white) x 3, (hat color) x 1, (white) x 3, (hat color) x 3, (white) x 3, (hat color) x 1, (white) x 3, (hat color) x 3, (white) x 3, (hat color) x 1, (white) x 3, (hat color) x 2. Join. (52 sts)
- Round 9: Ch 2, (hat color) x 3, (white) x 7, (hat color) x 3, (white) x 7, (hat color) x 3, (white) x 7, (hat color) x 3, (white) x 7, (hat color) x 3, (white) x 7, (hat color) x 2. Join. (52 sts)
- Round 10: Ch 2, (hat color) x 4, (white) x 5, (hat color) x 5, (white) x 5, (hat color) x 5, (white) x 5, (hat color) x 5, (white) x 5, (hat color) x 5, (white) x 5, (hat color) x 3. Join. (52 sts)
- Round 11: Ch 2, (hat color) x 5, (white) x 3, (hat color) x 7, (white) x 3, (hat color) x 7, (white) x 3, (hat color) x 7, (white) x 3, (hat color) x 7, (white) x 3, (hat color) x 4. Join. (52 sts)
- Round 12: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (52 sts)
Finishing
Once your Valentine baby hat is complete, weave in all yarn ends neatly using your yarn needle. Trim any loose threads and lightly shape your hat by hand.
Your cozy heart hat is now ready to wear—or share as a heartfelt handmade Valentine’s Day gift!
Frequently asked questions
What skill level is this crochet heart hat pattern?
Advanced beginner—if you can double crochet, change colors, and make a magic circle, you can follow this crochet baby hat pattern.
What size does this baby hat crochet pattern fit?
Baby 6–12 months; designed for a 16–17 in (41–43 cm) head.
What yarn and hook do I need?
Worsted weight (#4) yarn and an I-9 (5.5 mm) hook (adjust to meet gauge).
What is the gauge for this crochet heart hat pattern?
16 sts and 10 rounds = 4 in (10 cm) in dc; change hook size if needed.
How do I change colors for the hearts?
Finish the last yarn-over of the dc with the new color and keep floats relaxed inside.
Can I add a pom pom to this crochet baby hat pattern?
Yes—secure a yarn pom pom firmly or skip it for baby safety.
How can I size the hat up or down?
Size up with a larger hook or one extra increase round; size down with a smaller hook or one fewer increase round.
How do I wash the finished hat?
Follow the yarn label: most acrylics machine-wash cold, lay flat to dry; wool blends hand-wash cool, lay flat.
More free crochet hat patterns
Love making cozy hats? Explore even more free crochet hat patterns that are perfect for every season and style. From classic beanies and warm winter hats to playful designs for kids and trendy accessories for adults, you’ll find inspiration for your next project here.
More free crochet heart patterns
Looking for free crochet heart patterns? These sweet and simple designs are perfect for Valentine’s Day gifts, heartfelt décor, and quick handmade projects. Start your crochet heart creations today and spread a little love with every stitch!
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📌 Don’t forget to pin this pattern for later!
Happy crocheting! 🧶
— Melissa