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Easy crochet baby hat pattern

Making a handmade gift? This easy crochet baby hat pattern is quick, beginner-friendly, and practical for everyday baby wear.

Quick answer

This easy crochet baby hat pattern is worked from the top down in the round using half double crochet stitches. It has a stretchy ribbed brim made with post stitches and includes sizes from 0–3 months through 6–12 months.

Easy crochet baby hat pattern details

Skill level

Beginner — This hat uses basic half double crochet stitches worked in the round, plus simple post stitches for the ribbed brim.

Materials needed

  • I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook
  • Worsted weight yarn (#4)
  • Yarn needle
  • Scissors
  • Pom pom maker

Finished size

This easy crochet baby hat pattern includes three sizes:

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

Always check gauge for the best fit. Need more sizing help? See my crochet hat sizing guide.

How to adjust the fit

To make the hat taller, add a round or two before the ribbed brim. To make it shorter, remove a round or two. For a looser or snugger fit, try changing your hook size and always recheck your gauge.

Close-up of three stacked crochet baby hats in ivory, blush pink, and baby blue. These soft handmade hats have a ribbed brim and are made using a simple and easy crochet pattern for babies.

Gauge

Gauge: 16 stitches and 12 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)

My guide to crochet gauge explains how to measure your stitches and adjust your hook size.

Crochet abbreviations

  • hdc = half double crochet stitch
  • FPhdc = front post half double crochet
  • BPhdc = back post half double crochet
  • ch / chs = chain / chains
  • st / sts = stitch / stitches
  • sl st = slip stitch

Pattern notes

  • The starting chain does not count as a stitch.
  • Join each round with a slip stitch to the first stitch.
  • Hat is worked from the top down in the round.
  • Adjust length by adding or removing rounds before the brim.
  • Pattern is written in US crochet terms.
  • New to written patterns? You can also read my guide on how to read a crochet pattern for beginners.

How to make post stitches

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

  • FPhdc (front post half double crochet): Yarn over, insert your hook from front to back around the post of the stitch below, yarn over and complete a half double crochet
  • BPhdc (back post half double crochet): Yarn over, insert your hook from back to front around the post of the stitch below, yarn over and complete a half double crochet

Easy crochet baby hat pattern instructions

0-3 months size

Round 1: Make a magic circle, ch 2, work 11 hdc into the ring. Join with a sl st. (11 stitches)
Round 2: Ch 2, work 2 hdc in each stitch around. Join. (22 stitches)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st. Repeat from * around. Join. (33 stitches)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts. Repeat around. Join. (44 stitches)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 10 sts. Repeat around. Join. (48 stitches)
Rounds 6-11: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join. (48 stitches)
Rounds 12-15: Ch 2, FPhdc in next st, BPhdc in next st; repeat around. Join. (48 stitches)

3-6 months size

Round 1: Make a magic circle, ch 2, work 11 hdc into the ring. Join with a sl st. (11 stitches)
Round 2: Ch 2, work 2 hdc in each stitch around. Join. (22 stitches)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st. Repeat from * around. Join. (33 stitches)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts. Repeat around. Join. (44 stitches)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 10 sts. Repeat around. Join. (48 stitches)
Round 6: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 11 sts. Repeat around. Join. (52 stitches)
Rounds 7-14: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join. (52 stitches)
Rounds 15-18: Ch 2, FPhdc in next st, BPhdc in next st; repeat around. Join. (52 stitches)

6-12 months size

Round 1: Make a magic circle, ch 2, work 11 hdc into the ring. Join with a sl st. (11 stitches)
Round 2: Ch 2, work 2 hdc in each stitch around. Join. (22 stitches)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st. Repeat from * around. Join. (33 stitches)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts. Repeat around. Join. (44 stitches)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 10 sts. Repeat around. Join. (48 stitches)
Round 6: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 11 sts. Repeat around. Join. (52 stitches)
Round 7: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 12 sts. Repeat around. Join. (56 stitches)
Rounds 8-15: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join. (56 stitches)
Rounds 16-19: Ch 2, FPhdc in next st, BPhdc in next st; repeat around. Join. (56 stitches)

Finishing

Fasten off and then weave in the ends. Your baby hat is ready to wear, gift, or sell!

Close-up of three stacked crochet baby hats in ivory, blush pink, and baby blue. These soft handmade hats have a ribbed brim and are made using a simple and easy crochet pattern for babies.

Prefer a printable version?

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

More free 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