Landscape featured image showing four stacked crochet newborn hats in bright pink, yellow, green, and aqua beside large text reading “Free Crochet Newborn Hat Pattern” on a clean white background.

Crochet newborn hat pattern

ByMelissa Hassler

Keep little heads warm with a classic crochet baby hat finished with a stretchy ribbed brim. This simple beanie makes a sweet handmade gift for baby showers, newborn photos, donations, or everyday wear and looks cute in any baby-friendly color.

Quick answer

This beginner crochet newborn hat is worked from the top down in joined rounds using worsted weight (#4) yarn and an I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook. Double crochet increases shape the crown, straight rounds form the body, and front and back post double crochet stitches create the stretchy ribbed brim. The pattern includes four sizes from Preemie through 6–12 months.

Crochet newborn hat pattern details

Here’s a quick overview of everything you need before you start, including skill level, materials, sizing, gauge, and pattern notes to help your hat turn out just right.

Skill level

Beginner — This pattern uses double crochet stitches, simple increases, joined rounds, and front and back post double crochet stitches for the ribbed brim.

Materials needed

  • I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook
  • Worsted weight yarn (#4)
  • Yarn needle
  • Tape measure
  • Scissors

Finished size and fit

This crochet newborn hat pattern includes four baby sizes:

  • Preemie — fits approximately 12–13 in (30–33 cm) head circumference
  • 0–3 months — fits approximately 13–14 in (33–36 cm) head circumference
  • 3–6 months — fits approximately 14–15 in (36–38 cm) head circumference
  • 6–12 months — fits approximately 15–17 in (38–43 cm) head circumference

Always check gauge for the best fit. For more baby sizing help, see my Crochet hat sizing guide.

Need a similar hat pattern in more sizes? My crochet beanie pattern in 7 sizes includes preemie, baby, child, and adult options.

Square graphic featuring pink, yellow, green, and aqua crochet newborn hats beside bold text reading “Crochet Newborn Hat Pattern” and a pink “Free Pattern” banner, with Lovable Loops by Melissa Hassler branding.

Gauge

15 dc stitches and 9 dc rounds = 4 inches (10 cm)

Too many stitches? Try a larger hook.
Too few stitches? Try a smaller hook.

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

Crochet abbreviations

  • dc = double crochet stitch
  • FPdc = front post double crochet
  • BPdc = back post double crochet
  • ch / chs = chain / chains
  • st / sts = stitch / stitches
  • sl st = slip stitch

Pattern notes

  • The hat is worked from the top down in joined rounds.
  • The ch 2 at the beginning of a round does not count as a stitch.
  • Join each round with a slip stitch to the first stitch made in the round.
  • Repeat instructions between the asterisks (*) around as indicated.
  • Add or remove straight body rounds before the ribbed brim to adjust the hat height.
  • The pattern is written in US crochet terms.

How to make post stitches

Post stitches create the stretchy, structured ribbed brim of this newborn hat:

  • FPdc (front post double crochet): Yarn over, insert your hook from front to back around the post of the stitch below, yarn over and complete a double crochet
  • BPdc (back post double crochet): Yarn over, insert your hook from back to front around the post of the stitch below, yarn over and complete a double crochet
Pinterest pin showing colorful stacked crochet baby hats beneath large text reading “Easy Newborn Crochet Hat” and “Free Pattern,” with heart, star, and pastel accent graphics on a white background.

Easy crochet newborn hat pattern instructions

Below are the step-by-step instructions for crocheting this newborn hat from the top down in the round. The pattern uses simple stitches and finishes with a stretchy ribbed brim for a comfortable fit. Choose your size and crochet along with confidence.

Preemie size

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the top of the first dc. (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)
Rounds 4–8: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (33 sts)
Round 9: Ch 2, *FPdc in next st, BPdc in next st; repeat from * around, ending with FPdc in the last st. Join. (33 sts)

0–3 months size

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the top of the first dc. (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)
Rounds 5–10: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (44 sts)
Round 11: Ch 2, *FPdc in next st, BPdc in next st; repeat around. Join. (44 sts)

3–6 months size

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the top of the first dc. (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)
Rounds 6-12: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (48 sts)
Round 13: Ch 2, *FPdc in next st, BPdc in next st; repeat around. Join. (48 sts)

6–12 months size

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the top of the first dc. (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)
Rounds 7–13: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (52 sts)
Round 14: Ch 2, *FPdc in next st, BPdc in next st; repeat around. Join. (52 sts)

Finishing

Fasten off and use a yarn needle to weave in the ends.

Four crochet baby hats in turquoise, green, pink, and yellow displayed together, each with a stretchy ribbed brim.

Printable PDF version

You can purchase the ad-free PDF of this Crochet Newborn Hat Pattern in my Etsy shop. The downloadable pattern is easy to save, print, and keep with your crochet projects.

More crochet baby hat patterns

Looking for more sweet hats and baby projects to make? Browse my favorite crochet baby hat patterns, including cute and cozy designs for newborns, babies, and toddlers. 

You can also visit my full collection of crochet hat patterns for more handmade hats in different sizes and styles, or explore my main crochet baby patterns page for baby blankets, hats, accessories, and gifts.

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 four stacked crochet newborn hats in pink, yellow, green, and aqua with bold text reading “Cute Newborn Crochet Hat” and “Free Tutorial,” plus Lovable Loops by Melissa Hassler branding.