Two children wearing matching green crochet leprechaun hats, one with long orange braids and one with an orange yarn beard, beside text reading “Lass and Lad crochet hat patterns.”

Crochet leprechaun beard hat pattern

ByMelissa Hassler

Ready to turn heads at your next parade? This crochet leprechaun beard hat pattern is a fun and festive way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Quick answer

This crochet leprechaun beard hat pattern is worked in the round from the top down using worsted weight yarn and an I-9 (5.5 mm) hook. Available in toddler, child, and adult sizes, the hat features a separately crocheted beard panel that is sewn on after the hat is completed. It’s a fun, advanced beginner project for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and parades.

Choose your style

The base hat is the same for both versions and is worked in the round from the top down. After completing the hat in your chosen size, you’ll customize it with either the beard or the braids.

• Lad version — a separately crocheted beard is sewn onto the finished hat.
• Lass version — yarn braids are attached to create a playful look.

Crochet leprechaun beard hat pattern details

Skill level

Advanced beginner — This pattern is ideal for crocheters comfortable working in the round and sewing pieces together.

Materials needed

  • I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook for the hat
  • H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook for the beard and buckle
  • Worsted weight yarn (#4) in black, green, orange, and yellow
  • Yarn needle
  • Scissors

Finished size

  • Toddler — 18–19 inches (46–48 cm) head circumference, 6.75 inches (17 cm) tall
  • Child — 19–20 inches (48–51 cm) head circumference, 7 inches (18 cm) tall
  • Adult — 20–23 inches (51–58 cm) head circumference, 7.75 inches (20 cm) tall

See my crochet hat sizing guide for full details and size charts.

Gauge

14 stitches and 9 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm)

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

Crochet abbreviations

  • dc = double crochet
  • hdc = half double crochet stitch
  • hdc2tog = half double crochet decrease
  • ch/chs = chain/chains
  • st/sts = stitch/stitches
  • sl st = slip stitch
  • rnd/rnds = round/rounds
  • rem = remaining

Pattern notes

  • Use an I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook for the hat (or the size needed to match gauge).
  • Use an H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook for the beard and buckles.
  • The base hat pattern is the same for both the Lass and Lad versions. After completing the hat, add either the beard or the braids.
  • The chain at the beginning of each round does not count as a stitch.
  • Join each round with a slip stitch to the first stitch made in that round.
  • Repeat instructions between the asterisks (*) around the round.
  • The hat is worked in the round from the top down.
  • This pattern is written in US crochet terms.
Two children wearing green crochet leprechaun hats, one with orange braids and one with an orange yarn beard, beneath text reading “Lass and Lad St. Patrick’s Day hats crochet pattern.”

Free crochet leprechaun beard hat pattern instructions

Toddler size

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)
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– 12: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (56 stitches)
Switch to black yarn for rounds 13–15, then switch back to green for round 16.
Rounds 13–16: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (56 stitches)

Child size

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)
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)
Switch to black yarn for rounds 14–16, then switch back to green for round 17.
Rounds 9–17: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (60 stitches)

Adult size

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)
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)
Switch to black yarn for rounds 16–18, then switch back to green for round 19.
Rounds 10–19: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (64 stitches)

Adding the buckle

Chain 20 and join in the round. The ch 2 spaces will create the corners of your buckle.

Round 1: ch 2, hdc in 6 chs, ch 2, hdc in 4 chs, ch 2, hdc in 6 chs, ch 2, hdc in 4 chs, ch 2, join and fasten off.

Lass style — adding the braids

Cut strips of orange yarn, each measuring 36 inches long.

• Toddler — cut 24 strips
• Child — cut 28 strips
• Adult — cut 28 strips

Attach the yarn strands evenly along both sides of the hat to create the “hair,” leaving the front and back sections open.

• Toddler — attach to 12 stitches on each side. Leave 18 stitches at the front and 14 at the back.
• Child — attach to 14 stitches on each side. Leave 18 stitches at the front and 14 at the back.
• Adult — attach to 14 stitches on each side. Leave 20 stitches at the front and 16 at the back.

Braid each section of yarn securely, then sew the buckle to the front of the hat to complete the look.

Child wearing crochet leprechaun beard hat pattern styled as lass version with long orange yarn braids and green top-down hat with buckle

Lad style — adding the beard

Crochet the beard separately following the size instructions below, then sew it onto the finished hat.

Rows 1–4 (all sizes)

Row 1: Hdc in the 3rd ch from hook and in each remaining ch. Turn.
• Toddler — 36 stitches
• Child — 40 stitches
• Adult — 50 stitches

Row 2: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc across to the last 2 stitches, hdc2tog. Turn.
• Toddler — 34 stitches
• Child — 38 stitches
• Adult — 48 stitches

Row 3: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc across to the last 2 stitches, hdc2tog. Turn.
• Toddler — 32 stitches
• Child — 36 stitches
• Adult — 46 stitches

Row 4: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc across to the last 2 stitches, hdc2tog. Turn.
• Toddler — 30 stitches
• Child — 34 stitches
• Adult — 44 stitches

Toddler beard continued

Row 5: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc 9, ch 8 and skip 8 stitches, hdc 9, hdc2tog. Turn. (20 stitches, 8 chains)
Row 6: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc 8, hdc in each ch, hdc 8, hdc2tog. Turn. (26 stitches)

Child beard continued

Row 5: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc 30, hdc2tog. Turn. (32 stitches)
Row 6: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc 10, ch 8 and skip 8 stitches, hdc 10, hdc2tog. Turn. (22 stitches, 8 chains)
Row 7: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc 9, hdc in each ch, hdc 9, hdc2tog. Turn. (28 stitches)

Adult beard continued

Row 5: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc 40, hdc2tog. Turn. (42 stitches)
Row 6: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc 38, hdc2tog. Turn. (40 stitches)
Row 7: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc 12, ch 12 and skip 12 stitches, hdc 12, hdc2tog. Turn. (26 stitches, 12 chains)
Row 8: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc 11, hdc in each ch, hdc 11, hdc2tog. Turn. (36 stitches)

Finishing the beard

• Use a yarn needle to sew the beard to each side of the hat where the ears would be.
• Cut 5-inch pieces of orange yarn and tie one strand around each stitch in each row to create the beard “hair.”
• Trim the mustache hairs as needed.
• Sew the buckle to the front of the hat, centered over the beard.

Close-up of child wearing a crochet leprechaun beard hat pattern with green top-down beanie, black band, gold buckle, and bright orange yarn beard

Finishing the hat

After attaching the beard or braids and sewing the buckle in place, weave in all remaining ends with a yarn needle.

Gently shape the hat and smooth the stitches as needed. Your crochet leprechaun beard hat is ready for St. Patrick’s Day parades, parties, and festive celebrations.

Two kids modeling crochet leprechaun beard hat pattern, one with orange yarn beard and one with braided lass style for St. Patrick’s Day

More free crochet hat patterns

Love making cozy hats? Explore even more free crochet hat and beanie patterns that are perfect for every season and style.

Let’s connect!

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📌 Don’t forget to pin this pattern for later!
Happy crocheting! 🧶
— Melissa

Two children modeling green crochet leprechaun hats with yellow buckles, orange braids, and an orange beard beneath text reading “St. Patrick’s Day crochet hats.”