Crochet zebra hat pattern – baby to adult (4 sizes)

Unlock your wild side with my Crochet Zebra Hat Pattern, designed to fit all sizes from baby to adult. This cute crochet beanie pattern will lead you on a creative journey to craft a cozy zebra-themed hat, perfect for adding a touch of charm to your winter wardrobe. The free crochet pattern is below.

Pinterest pin for a crochet zebra hat pattern by Lovable Loops. The pin shows a black and white striped crochet zebra hat with ears and a gray snout on a light background. Text on the pin reads “Crochet zebra hat pattern,” “Baby to adult sizes!,” “beginner-friendly,” and “FREE.”

Crochet zebra hat pattern details

Here’s everything you need to know before you start—skill level, materials, sizing, and gauge—so your zebra beanie fits well and the face details land in the right spot.

Skill level

Beginner — This crochet zebra hat pattern uses basic stitches worked in simple repeats in the round.

Materials needed

Crochet hook size I-9 (5.5 mm) — for the hat
Crochet hook size H-8 (5 mm) — for the snout, nose, eyes, and ears
Worsted weight yarn (#4) — in black, white, gray, and pink
Yarn needle — for weaving in ends neatly
Scissors — to cut your yarn
Stitch markers (optional) — helpful for keeping track of rounds and stitch counts

Finished size

This zebra hat pattern includes four sizes.

Baby — 14–15 inches (36–38 cm) head circumference, 6 inches tall (15 cm)
Toddler — 18–19 inches (46–48 cm) head circumference, 7 inches (18 cm) tall
Child — 19–20 inches (48–51 cm) head circumference, 7.75 inches (20 cm) tall
Adult — 20–23 inches (51–58 cm) head circumference, 8 inches tall (20 cm)

Need help sizing your crochet animal hat?

Getting the right fit is one of the most important parts of making a crochet hat, especially for animal hats with ears and face details.

If you’re unsure about head circumference, hat height, negative ease, or which size to make, check out my full crochet hat sizing guide. It walks you through the sizing basics step by step and makes it easier to choose the best fit from baby to adult.

You’ll learn:

How to measure head circumference correctly — so you pick the right size
How to choose the right crochet hat size (baby to adult) — using your measurements
How hat height affects fit and comfort — so it doesn’t feel too short or too tall
How much negative ease to use — for a snug, comfy fit
How to adjust a crochet hat pattern — if your hat feels too tight, loose, or short

If your hat feels too tight, too loose, or too short, the sizing guide will help you make simple adjustments with confidence.

Gauge

15 stitches and 9 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)

If your swatch has too many stitches, try a larger hook.
If your swatch has too few stitches, try a smaller hook.

Crochet abbreviations

dc = double crochet stitches
hdc = half double crochet stitches
hdc2tog = half double crochet decrease
sc = single crochet stitches
ch/chs = chain/chains
st/sts = stitch/stitches
sl st = slip stitch

Pattern notes

Use an I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook for the hat
Use an H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook for the snout, nose, eyes, and ears
Rounds 1-5 of the hat are the same for all sizes
The pattern is worked in the round from the top of the hat down
Repeat the instructions between the asterisks (*) for the rest of the round
Unless otherwise stated, the face pieces are the same for all sizes
The pattern is written in US crochet terms

Printable PDF pattern

If you prefer an easy, print-friendly version of this crochet zebra hat pattern, a printable PDF is available in my Etsy shop. The PDF includes the full pattern instructions in a clean, ad-free format, making it perfect for printing or saving on your device.

Striped crochet zebra beanie in black and white with ears, gray muzzle, and a sweet sleepy face.

Crochet zebra hat pattern instructions

Rounds 1-5 are the same for all sizes.

Rounds 1-5

Round 1: Magic circle, ch 2, 11 dc, join with sl st to the top of the first dc (11 stitches)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st, join (22 stitches)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next st*, join (33 stitches)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 2 sts*, join (44 stitches)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 10 sts*, join (48 stitches)

Baby size

Rounds 6-14: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (48 stitches)

Fasten off and weave in your ends.

Toddler size

Round 6: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 11 sts*, join (52 stitches)
Round 7: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 12 sts*, join (56 stitches)
Rounds 8-17: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (56 stitches)

Fasten off and weave in your ends.

Child size

Round 6: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 11 sts*, join (52 stitches)
Round 7: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 12 sts*, join (56 stitches)
Round 8: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 13 sts*, join (60 stitches)
Rounds 9-18: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (60 stitches)

Fasten off and weave in your ends.

Adult size

Round 6: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 11 sts*, join (52 stitches)
Round 7: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 12 sts*, join (56 stitches)
Round 8: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 13 sts*, join (60 stitches)
Round 9: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 14 sts*, join (64 stitches)
Rounds 10-19: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (64 stitches)

Fasten off and weave in your ends.

Zebra snout

Use gray yarn.

Round 1: Ch 8, hdc in 3rd ch from hook, hdc in next 4 chs, 4 hdc in last ch, you will finish the round by working in the backside of the chs, hdc in 5 chs, join (14 stitches)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in first 2 sts, hdc 3, 2 hdc in next 4 sts, hdc 3, 2 hdc in last 2 sts, join (22 stitches)
Round 3: Ch 2, 2 hdc in first 3 sts, hdc 5, 2 hdc in next 6 sts, hdc 5, 2 hdc in last 3 sts, join (34 stitches)

Stop here for the baby size. Continue to round 4 for the toddler, child, and adult sizes.
Round 4: Ch 2, 2 hdc in first 4 sts, hdc 9, 2 hdc in next 8 sts, hdc 9, 2 hdc in last 4 sts, join (50 stitches)

Sew the snout to the front of the hat. Make sure it is centered.

Zebra eyes

Make 2 using black yarn.

Round 1: Magic ring, ch 2, 9 hdc, join with sl st to the top of the first hdc (9 stitches)

Use scrap pieces of white yarn to add the eye sparkle.

Sew the eyes to the hat.

Zebra ears

Make 2 each of the inner and the outer ears.

Outer ear:
Use white yarn.

Row 1: Ch 5, hdc in 3rd ch from the hook and in each rem ch, turn (3 stitches)
Row 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc, hdc, 2 hdc, turn (5 stitches)
Row 3: Ch 2, 2 hdc, hdc, 2 hdc, hdc, 2 hdc, turn (8 stitches)
Rows 4-7: Ch 2, hdc in each st, turn (8 stitches)
Row 8: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc, hdc2tog, hdc, hdc2tog, turn (5 stitches)
Row 9: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc, hdc2tog, turn (3 stitches)
Row 10: Ch 2, hdc3tog (1 stitch)

Single crochet around the entire shape and fasten off. Leave a long tail for sewing.

Inner ear:
Use black yarn.

Row 1: Ch 4, hdc in 3rd ch from the hook and in the next ch, turn (2 stitches)
Row 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc, 2 hdc, turn (4 stitches)
Row 3: Ch 2, 2 hdc, hdc in 2 sts, 2 hdc, turn (6 stitches)
Rows 4-6: Ch 2, hdc in each st, turn (6 stitches)
Row 7: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc in 2 sts, hdc2tog, turn (4 stitches)
Row 8: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc2tog, turn (2 stitches)
Row 9: Ch 2, hdc2tog (1 stitch)

Single crochet around the entire shape and fasten off. Sew the inner and outer ears together.

Use black yarn and sew through the sc border of the inner ear and the front loops only of the sc border of the outer ear. This will help hide the yarn color.

Sew the ears to the hat. Make sure they are an equal distance from the top of the hat.

Stitching the nostrils and smile

Use pink and black yarn and a yarn needle to stitch nostrils and a smile onto the snout.

Finishing

Weave in the ends.

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Love cute animal hats? You’re in the right place! This collection of free crochet animal hat patterns includes fun designs for every season and personality, from sweet farm animals to wild zoo favorites.

Each pattern is beginner-friendly and written in baby to adult sizes, so you can make matching hats for the whole family. They’re great for gifts, dress-up, photo props, school spirit days, and everyday cold-weather fun.

Pick your favorite animal and start crocheting a hat that makes everyone smile.