What size should a newborn crochet hat be?

Most newborn crochet hats measure about 12–14 inches in head circumference and 4–5 inches tall.

How many stitches do I need for a newborn hat?

Start with 11 dc in round 1. By round 5, the stitch count reaches 48 for the 0–3 month size.

What yarn is best for a newborn crochet hat?

Soft, washable, and baby-safe yarns work best. Cotton, acrylic baby yarn, bamboo blends, and superwash merino wool are all great options.

Is this newborn crochet hat pattern beginner friendly?

Yes! This pattern uses only basic stitches and is great for beginners.

Can I sell hats made from this pattern?

Yes, you’re welcome to sell finished hats made using this pattern. Please credit Lovable Loops as the designer.

Free newborn crochet hat pattern

Make a soft, classic baby hat for newborn photos, hospital donations, baby shower gifts, or everyday wear. The simple beanie style works with any color, making this a useful little project to make 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

Here’s a quick overview of the materials, sizing, gauge, and pattern notes before you begin.

Skill level

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

Avoid frustration by learning the most common crochet mistakes beginners make and how to fix them.

Materials needed

H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook, or size needed to match the crown measurements
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 delicate baby skin. Check the yarn label for washing instructions before starting.

Good options include:

Soft acrylic or baby yarn labeled worsted weight (#4)
Worsted weight cotton
Worsted weight bamboo blends
Worsted weight superwash merino wool

You can often use leftover yarn for the preemie and newborn sizes. Wash the finished hat according to the yarn manufacturer’s instructions before gifting it.

If you’re making hats for hospital donation, check the hospital’s yarn and sizing requirements before you begin.

Finished sizes

For the best fit, choose the size based on the baby’s actual head circumference whenever possible. The newborn 0–3 month size is designed for a head circumference of approximately 13–14 inches.

Size	Crown diameter	Hat circumference	Hat height
Preemie	3.5 inches	12–13 inches	4 inches
0–3 months	4.25 inches	13–14 inches	5 inches
3–6 months	5 inches	14–15 inches	6 inches
6–12 months	5.5 inches	15–17 inches	6.25 inches

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

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

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

ch/chs = chain/chains
dc = double crochet stitch
sl st = slip stitch
st/sts = stitch/stitches

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.

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 tall with a 13–14 inch finished circumference.

Preemie size

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 6–12: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (48 sts)
Round 13: Repeat Round 6. 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 7–14: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (52 sts)
Round 15: Repeat Round 7. 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 8–15: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (56 sts)
Round 16: Repeat Round 8. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Get the printable PDF

The complete free newborn crochet hat pattern is available on this page. Prefer to work offline or want a clean, ad-free copy? A printable PDF containing all four baby sizes is available in my Etsy shop.

More free crochet baby hat patterns

Browse my 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 main baby and child crochet patterns page for baby blankets, hats, accessories, and handmade gift ideas.