Landscape featured image showing four colorful crochet newborn hats beside bold black, purple, and pink text reading “Newborn Crochet Hat Pattern” and “Free Pattern” on a bright white background.

Newborn crochet hat pattern

ByMelissa Hassler

This newborn crochet hat pattern makes a soft, classic baby beanie that’s perfect for newborn photos, hospital donations, baby shower gifts, or everyday wear. The simple style looks sweet in any color and makes a useful little project to crochet again and again.

Quick answer

This beginner-friendly crochet baby hat is worked from the top down in joined rounds using worsted weight (#4) yarn and an H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook. The pattern uses double crochet stitches and includes preemie, 0–3 month, 3–6 month, and 6–12 month sizes. The 0–3 month size is designed to fit a 13–14 inch head circumference and measures about 5 inches tall.

Newborn crochet hat pattern details

Skill level

Beginner. This pattern uses double crochet stitches, basic increases, joined rounds, and a magic circle.

Materials needed

  • H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook
  • Worsted weight yarn (#4)
  • Yarn needle
  • Scissors
  • Tape measure

Best yarn for a newborn crochet hat

Choose a soft, washable worsted weight (#4) yarn that feels comfortable against a baby’s skin. Acrylic, cotton, bamboo blends, and superwash wool can all work well. If you’re making hats for hospital donation, check the hospital’s yarn and sizing requirements before you begin.

Size guide

Choose a size based on the baby’s actual head circumference whenever possible. The measurements below list the intended wearer fit range, crown diameter, and finished hat height.

SizeFits head circumferenceCrown diameterFinished hat height
Preemie12–13 in (30.5–33 cm)3.5 in (9 cm)4 in (10 cm)
0–3 months13–14 in (33–35.5 cm)4.25 in (10.8 cm)5 in (12.7 cm)
3–6 months14–15 in (35.5–38 cm)5 in (12.7 cm)6 in (15.2 cm)
6–12 months15–17 in (38–43 cm)5.5 in (14 cm)6.25 in (15.9 cm)

Need help choosing a size? Visit my crochet hat sizing guide for head-circumference measurements, crown sizes, and fitting tips.

Square graphic featuring purple, blue, yellow, and pink crochet newborn beanies beneath bold text reading “Newborn Crochet Hat Pattern” and a lavender “Free Pattern” banner, with Lovable Loops by Melissa Hassler branding.

Gauge

Use the crown diameter as your gauge check. After completing the final increase round for your size, measure straight across the center of the circle and compare it with the crown diameter in the size chart above.

For the 0–3 month size, the crown should measure approximately 4.25 inches across after Round 5.

  • If the crown is too large, try a smaller crochet hook.
  • If the crown is too small, try a larger crochet hook.

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

Crochet abbreviations

Pattern notes

  • The pattern begins with a magic circle.
  • The starting chain does not count as a stitch.
  • Repeat instructions between the asterisks for the remainder of the round.
  • Join each round with a slip stitch to the first double crochet.
  • The hat is worked from the top down in joined rounds.
  • Add or remove straight rounds to adjust the finished height.
  • The pattern is written using US crochet terms.
Pinterest graphic showing four bright crochet baby hats with large text reading “Easy Newborn Crochet Hat” and “Free Pattern,” surrounded by playful heart and sparkle accents on a white background.

Watch the newborn crochet hat video tutorial

Prefer to follow along with a video? Watch my step-by-step tutorial to see how to crochet the 0–3 month size of this beginner-friendly newborn hat, including the magic circle, crown increases, hat body, and finishing.

Prefer Youtube? Watch the crochet newborn hat tutorial on YouTube.

Newborn crochet hat pattern – step-by-step instructions

Choose your size below and follow the round-by-round instructions. For a newborn baby, use the 0–3 months instructions, which make a hat approximately 5 inches (12.7 cm) tall and are designed to fit a 13–14 inch (33–35.5 cm) head circumference.

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)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat around. Join. (44 sts)
Rounds 5–11: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (44 sts)
Fasten off and weave in ends.

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)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts; repeat around. Join. (48 sts)
Rounds 6–13: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (48 sts)
Fasten off and weave in ends.

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)
Round 6: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 11 sts; repeat around. Join. (52 sts)
Rounds 7–15: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (52 sts)
Fasten off and weave in ends.

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)
Round 7: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 12 sts; repeat around. Join. (56 sts)
Rounds 8–16: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (56 sts)
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Printable PDF version

The complete free newborn crochet hat pattern is available on this page. Prefer to work offline or want a clean, ad-free copy? You can purchase the printable PDF version of this newborn crochet hat pattern, which includes all four baby sizes, in my Etsy shop.

More free crochet baby hat patterns

Prefer a newborn hat with a stretchy ribbed brim? Try my ribbed crochet newborn hat pattern.

Browse my full collection of crochet baby hat patterns for more designs for newborns, babies, and toddlers.

You can also explore my complete collection of crochet hat patterns or visit my baby and child crochet patterns page for blankets, hats, accessories, and handmade gift ideas.

For a simple hat that includes sizes for the whole family, try my basic crochet beanie pattern with seven sizes from preemie through adult.

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 colorful crochet newborn hats in purple, blue, yellow, and pink beneath bold text reading “Cute Newborn Crochet Hat” and “Free Tutorial,” with Lovable Loops by Melissa Hassler branding.