Crochet leprechaun top hat pattern
Looking for a fun and festive hat to crochet for St. Patrick’s Day? This crochet leprechaun top hat pattern creates a tall green hat with a bold black band and yellow buckle for a classic Irish-inspired look.
Worked in the round from the top down, this beginner-friendly pattern includes toddler, child, and adult sizes so the whole family can celebrate in style. It’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day outfits, school parties, parades, or festive spring photo days.
Quick answer
This crochet leprechaun top hat pattern is worked in the round from the top down using worsted weight yarn and an I-9 (5.5 mm) hook. The design features a tall crown, a contrasting black band, and a yellow buckle, and includes toddler, child, and adult sizes.
Why you’ll love this pattern
- Includes three sizes — toddler, child, and adult
- Worked top down — easy to adjust height if needed
- Beginner-friendly stitches — uses hdc, dc, and simple decreases
- Bold festive design — classic green hat with buckle detail
- Great for spring events — perfect for St. Patrick’s Day photos and school celebrations
How to style your crochet leprechaun top hat
This crochet leprechaun top hat pattern is perfect for:
- St. Patrick’s Day school parties
- Spring parades and community events
- Themed family photos
- Irish dance or celebration outfits
- Classroom dress-up days
Because it’s worked in the round from the top down, the hat keeps its tall shape while still fitting comfortably. The structured crown and bold brim make it stand out in photos without being heavy or bulky.
You can style it with:
- A green sweater and jeans for a simple festive look
- A shamrock shirt for an easy holiday outfit
- Orange yarn accents for a playful leprechaun twist
- Matching family hats in different sizes
How this crochet top hat is constructed
Understanding the construction helps you crochet with confidence.
This pattern is:
- Worked in the round from the top down
- Built with gradual increases to shape the crown
- Decreased slightly to create the tall top hat structure
- Finished with a front-loop-only brim for structure
- Completed with a sewn-on buckle detail
The top-down construction makes it easy to check fit as you go and adjust the height before starting the brim.
Crochet leprechaun top hat pattern details
Before you begin, here’s everything you need to know about this crochet leprechaun top hat pattern — including sizing, yarn, hook information, and construction details. This section will help you gather your materials, understand the fit, and feel confident before starting your St. Patrick’s Day hat.
Skill level
Advanced beginner — This crochet leprechaun top hat pattern uses basic stitches with simple shaping. You should be comfortable working in the round, using half double crochet decreases, and following stitch counts and repeat instructions.
Materials needed
- Crochet hook size — I-9 (5.5 mm) or size needed to match gauge
- Yarn — Worsted weight yarn (#4) in green, black, and yellow
- Yarn needle — to weave in the yarn ends
- Scissors — to fasten off
- Stitch marker(s) — optional, helpful for keeping track of rounds
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
Need help with crochet hat sizing?
Getting the right fit is one of the most important parts of making a crochet hat.
If you’re unsure about head circumference, negative ease, crown diameter, or hat height, I’ve created a complete Crochet Hat Sizing Guide that walks you through everything step by step.
You’ll learn:
• How to measure head circumference correctly
• How much negative ease to use
• How to calculate crown diameter
• Standard baby, child, and adult size charts
• How to adjust any crochet hat pattern for a better fit
Gauge
8 stitches and 12 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm)
Crochet abbreviations
- dc = double crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- hdc2tog = half double crochet decrease
- sc = single crochet
- ch/chs = chain/chains
- st/sts = stitch/stitches
- rem = remaining
Pattern notes
- Rounds 1–8 are the same for all sizes.
- The chain at the beginning of each round does not count as your first stitch.
- Join each round with a slip stitch to the first stitch made in that round.
- Repeat instructions between the asterisks (*) for the rest of the round.
- You are crocheting in the round from the top down.
- The pattern is written in US crochet terms.
Quick links
Rounds 1–8
Toddler size
Child size
Adult size
Adding the buckle
Finishing
FAQs
Free crochet leprechaun top hat pattern instructions
Rounds 1–8 are the same for all sizes.
Rounds 1–8
Round 1: magic circle, ch 2, 9 hdc, join with sl st in top of first hdc (9 stitches)
Round 2: ch 2, 2 hdc in each st, join (18 stitches)
Round 3: ch 2, *2 hdc, hdc in next st*, join (27 stitches)
Round 4: ch 2, *2 hdc, hdc in next 2 sts*, join (36 stitches)
Round 5: ch 2, *2 hdc, hdc in next 3 sts*, join (45 stitches)
Round 6: ch 2, *2 hdc, hdc in next 4 sts*, join (54 stitches)
Round 7: ch 2, *2 hdc, hdc in next 5 sts*, join (63 stitches)
Round 8: ch 2, *2 hdc, hdc in next 6 sts*, join (72 stitches)
Toddler size
Round 9:
Ch 2, hdc2tog blo, hdc blo in each rem st, join (71 stitches)
Rounds 10–23:
Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc in each rem st, join — 1 stitch decreased each round (70–57 stitches)
Switch to black yarn.
Rounds 24–25:
Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc in each rem st, join (56, 55 stitches)
Rounds 26–27:
Ch 2, hdc in each st, join (55 stitches)
Switch to green yarn.
Round 28:
Ch 2, hdc in each st, join (55 stitches)
Brim
Round 29:
Ch 2, *2 hdc flo in next st, hdc flo in next 2 sts*; hdc flo in last st, join (73 stitches)
Rounds 30–32:
Ch 2, hdc in each st, join (73 stitches)
Child size
Round 9:
Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 7 sts*, repeat around, join (81 stitches)
Round 10:
Ch 2, hdc2tog blo, hdc blo in each rem st, join (80 stitches)
Rounds 11–26:
Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc in each rem st, join — 1 stitch decreased each round (79–64 stitches)
Switch to black yarn.
Rounds 27–30:
Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc in each rem st, join — 1 stitch decreased each round (63–60 stitches)
Switch to green yarn.
Round 31:
Ch 2, hdc in each st, join (60 stitches)
Brim
Round 32:
Ch 2, *2 hdc flo in next st, hdc flo in next 2 sts*, repeat around, join (80 stitches)
Rounds 33–35:
Ch 2, hdc in each st, join (80 stitches)
Adult size
Round 9:
Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 7 sts*, repeat around, join (81 stitches)
Round 10:
Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 8 sts*, repeat around, join (90 stitches)
Round 11:
Ch 2, hdc2tog blo, hdc blo in each rem st, join (89 stitches)
Rounds 12–29:
Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc in each rem st, join — 1 stitch decreased each round (88–71 stitches)
Switch to black yarn.
Rounds 30–33:
Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc in each rem st, join — 1 stitch decreased each round (70–67 stitches)
Switch to green yarn.
Round 34:
Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc in each rem st, join (66 stitches)
Brim
Round 35:
Ch 2, *2 hdc flo in next st, hdc flo in next 2 sts*, repeat around, join (88 stitches)
Rounds 36–38:
Ch 2, hdc in each st, join (88 stitches)
Adding the buckle
Use yellow yarn.
Foundation:
Ch 20 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring. The ch-2 spaces will create the corners of the buckle.
Round 1:
Ch 2, hdc in next 6 chs, ch 2, hdc in next 4 chs, ch 2, hdc in next 6 chs, ch 2, hdc in next 4 chs, ch 2, join and fasten off.
Position the buckle over the black band and sew it securely to the hat using a yarn needle.
Finishing
Weave in all ends and shape the hat as needed.
Frequently asked questions
Is this crochet leprechaun top hat pattern worked flat or in the round?
It is worked in the round from the top down.
What yarn should I use?
Use worsted weight yarn #4 in green, black, and yellow for the classic look.
What hook size is recommended?
An I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook, or the hook needed to match gauge.
Can I make the hat taller?
Yes. Add extra rounds before starting the brim to increase the height.
Is this pattern beginner-friendly?
It is best suited for advanced beginners who are comfortable working in the round and following shaping instructions.
More St. Patrick’s Day crochet patterns
If you love decorating with rainbows and lucky greens, you’ll also enjoy these festive St. Patrick’s Day crochet patterns. From shamrocks to seasonal home décor, these projects are perfect for adding a handmade touch to your spring decorating.
Scroll through the gallery below to find your next lucky crochet project.
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📌 Don’t forget to pin this pattern for later!
Happy crocheting! 🧶
— Melissa