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Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with this easy and free Crochet Elf Hat pattern! This pattern is perfect for crocheters of all skill levels and comes in three sizes: toddler, child, and adult.
With its playful triangle peak brim and jingling bells, this hat is sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering. Plus, it’s a great way to practice your basic crochet stitches and create a fun accessory for yourself or a loved one. So, grab your hooks and let’s get started on this festive project!
Also, if you’re looking for another fun holiday hat, check out my Crochet Santa Hat Pattern!
Skill Level
Beginner. Basic stitches in basic form, simple repeats in rows or rounds.
Materials
- I/5.5 mm crochet hook or hook needed to obtain gauge
- worsted weight yarn in Red & Green or Yellow & Light Green
- tapestry needle
- craft bells
What is the best yarn for a crochet elf hat?
Worsted weight yarn is the best for a crochet elf hat because it is easy to find, affordable, and has the right weight and thickness to create a hat with a good drape and warmth. It also has a wide range of colors, which is great for creating different elf hat designs.
Gauge
Gauge is important for this pattern.
15 dc= 4″ and 10 rows= 4″
Crochet Elf Hat Size Chart
| Size | Circumference |
| Toddler | 18-19 inches |
| Child | 19-20 inches |
| Adult | 20-23 inches |
Pattern Notes
- This pattern starts with a magic circle (also known as a magic circle or adjustable ring). If you are a beginner crocheter, check out my magic circle tutorial.
- Leave a long tail for weaving in when you make your magic ring.
- Pattern is worked from the top of the hat down.
- The beginning of each round starts with a chain. This chain does not count as your first stitch.
- At the end of each round, you’ll join your yarn with a slip stitch (sl st) to the top of the first stitch made in that round.
- Repeat instructions between asterisks (*) for the remainder of the round.
- Need help? Watch my Elf Hat Video Tutorial.
- You can also purchase a printable PDF of this pattern in my Etsy Shop.
Abbreviations
US Terms
- dc = double crochet
- inc = increase
- sc = single crochet
- sc2tog = single crochet decrease
- st = stitch
- sts = stitches
- sl st = slip stitch
- ch = chain
- chs = chains
- rnd = round
- rnds = rounds
- flo = front loop only
Crochet Stitches & Techniques
Chain (ch)
- Start by making a slip knot on your crochet hook.
- Hold the hook in your right hand (or left hand, if you’re left-handed) and the yarn in your left hand. With the hook, catch the yarn and pull it through the loop on the hook. This creates one chain stitch.
- Continue making chain stitches by repeating step 2.
Slip Stitch (sl st)
- Insert hook into next stitch.
- Yarn over and pull through the stitch and through the loop on your hook.
Double Crochet (dc)
- Yarn over & insert hook in next stitch.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop. You will have 3 loops on your hook.
- Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. You will have 2 loops on your hook.
- Yarn over and pull through remaining 2 loops on your hook.
Single Crochet (sc)
- Insert hook in next stitch.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop. You will have 2 loops on your hook.
- Yarn over and pull through both loops.
Single Crochet Decrease (sc2tog)
- Insert hook in next stitch.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop. You will have 2 loops on your hook.
- Insert hook in next stitch.
- Yarn over and pull up another loop. You will have 3 loops on your hook.
- Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on your hook.
Front Loop Only (flo)
Work the indicated stitch in the front loop only of the next stitch.
Toddler Size Crochet Elf Hat Pattern
Rnd 1: Magic circle, make 4 dc, join in the round [4]
Rnd 2: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next st*, join [6]
Rnd 3: ch 2, dc in each st, join [6]
Rnd 4: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 2 sts*, join [8]
Rnd 5: ch 2, dc in each st, join [8]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 6: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 3 sts*, join [10]
Rnd 7: ch 2, dc in each st, join [10]
Rnd 8: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 4 sts*, join [12]
Rnd 9: ch 2, dc in each st, join [12]
Rnd 10: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 5 sts*, join [14]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 11: ch 2, dc in each st, join [14]
Rnd 12: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 6 sts*, join [16]
Rnd 13: ch 2, dc in each st, join [16]
Rnd 14: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 7 sts*, join [18]
Rnd 15: ch 2, dc in each st, join [18]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 16: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 8 sts*, join [20]
Rnd 17: ch 2, dc in each st, join [20]
Rnd 18: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 9 sts*, join [22]
Rnd 19: ch 2, dc in each st, join [22]
Rnd 20: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 10 sts*, join [24]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 21: ch 2, dc in each st, join [24]
Rnd 22: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 11 sts*, join [26]
Rnd 23: ch 2, dc in each st, join [26]
Rnd 24: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 12 sts*, join [28]
Rnd 25: ch 2, dc in each st, join [28]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 26: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 13 sts*, join [30]
Rnd 27: ch 2, dc in each st, join [30]
Rnd 28: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 14 sts*, join [32]
Rnd 29: ch 2, dc in each st, join [32]
Rnd 30: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 15 sts*, join [34]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 31: ch 2, dc in each st, join [34]
Rnd 32: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 16 sts*, join [36]
Rnd 33: ch 2, dc in each st, join [36]
Rnd 34: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 17 sts*, join [38]
Rnd 35: ch 2, dc in each st, join [38]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 36: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 18 sts*, join [40]
Rnd 37: ch 2, dc in each st, join [40]
Rnd 38: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 19 sts*, join [42]
Rnd 39: ch 2, dc in each st, join [42]
Rnd 40: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 13 sts*, join [45]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 41: ch 2, dc in each st, join [45]
Rnd 42: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 14 sts*, join [48]
Rnd 43: ch 2, dc in each st, join [48]
Rnd 44: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 15 sts*, join [51]
Rnd 45: ch 2, dc in each st, join [51]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 46: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 16 sts*, join [54]
Rnd 47: ch 2, dc in each st, join [54]
Rnd 48: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 17 sts*, join [57]
Rnd 49: ch 2, dc in each st, join [57]
Rnd 50: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 18 sts*, join [60]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 51: ch 2, dc in each st, join [60]
Rnd 52: ch 2, dc in each st, join [60]
Rnd 53: ch 2, dc in each st, join [60]
Rnd 54: ch 2, dc in each st in the front loop only, join [60]
This is the round that will be folded up.
Rnd 55: ch 2, dc in each st, join [60]
Rnd 56: ch 2, dc in each st, join [60]
Scroll down for brim instructions.
Child Size Crochet Elf Hat Pattern
Rnd 1: Magic circle, make 4 dc, join in the round [4]
Rnd 2: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next st*, join [6]
Rnd 3: ch 2, dc in each st, join [6]
Rnd 4: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 2 sts*, join [8]
Rnd 5: ch 2, dc in each st, join [8]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 6: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 3 sts*, join [10]
Rnd 7: ch 2, dc in each st, join [10]
Rnd 8: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 4 sts*, join [12]
Rnd 9: ch 2, dc in each st, join [12]
Rnd 10: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 5 sts*, join [14]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 11: ch 2, dc in each st, join [14]
Rnd 12: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 6 sts*, join [16]
Rnd 13: ch 2, dc in each st, join [16]
Rnd 14: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 7 sts*, join [18]
Rnd 15: ch 2, dc in each st, join [18]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 16: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 8 sts*, join [20]
Rnd 17: ch 2, dc in each st, join [20]
Rnd 18: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 9 sts*, join [22]
Rnd 19: ch 2, dc in each st, join [22]
Rnd 20: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 10 sts*, join [24]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 21: ch 2, dc in each st, join [24]
Rnd 22: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 11 sts*, join [26]
Rnd 23: ch 2, dc in each st, join [26]
Rnd 24: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 12 sts*, join [28]
Rnd 25: ch 2, dc in each st, join [28]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 26: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 13 sts*, join [30]
Rnd 27: ch 2, dc in each st, join [30]
Rnd 28: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 14 sts*, join [32]
Rnd 29: ch 2, dc in each st, join [32]
Rnd 30: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 15 sts*, join [34]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 31: ch 2, dc in each st, join [34]
Rnd 32: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 16 sts*, join [36]
Rnd 33: ch 2, dc in each st, join [36]
Rnd 34: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 17 sts*, join [38]
Rnd 35: ch 2, dc in each st, join [38]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 36: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 18 sts*, join [40]
Rnd 37: ch 2, dc in each st, join [40]
Rnd 38: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 19 sts*, join [42]
Rnd 39: ch 2, dc in each st, join [42]
Rnd 40: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 13 sts*, join [45]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 41: ch 2, dc in each st, join [45]
Rnd 42: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 14 sts*, join [48]
Rnd 43: ch 2, dc in each st, join [48]
Rnd 44: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 15 sts*, join [51]
Rnd 45: ch 2, dc in each st, join [51]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 46: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 16 sts*, join [54]
Rnd 47: ch 2, dc in each st, join [54]
Rnd 48: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 17 sts*, join [57]
Rnd 49: ch 2, dc in each st, join [57]
Rnd 50: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 18 sts*, join [60]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 51: ch 2, dc in each st, join [60]
Rnd 52: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 19 sts*, join [63]
Rnd 53: ch 2, dc in each st, join [63]
Rnd 54: ch 2, dc in each st, join [63]
Rnd 55: ch 2, dc in each st, join [63]
Rnd 56: ch 2, dc in each st in the front loop only, join [63]
This is the round that will be folded up.
Rnd 57: ch 2, dc in each st, join [63]
Rnd 58: ch 2, dc in each st, join [63]
Scroll down for brim instructions.
Adult Size Crochet Elf Hat Pattern
Rnd 1: magic ring, make 4 dc, join in the round [4]
Rnd 2: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next st*, join [6]
Rnd 3: ch 2, dc in each st, join [6]
Rnd 4: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 2 sts*, join [8]
Rnd 5: ch 2, dc in each st, join [8]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 6: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 3 sts*, join [10]
Rnd 7: ch 2, dc in each st, join [10]
Rnd 8: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 4 sts*, join [12]
Rnd 9: ch 2, dc in each st, join [12]
Rnd 10: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 5 sts*, join [14]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 11: ch 2, dc in each st, join [14]
Rnd 12: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 6 sts*, join [16]
Rnd 13: ch 2, dc in each st, join [16]
Rnd 14: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 7 sts*, join [18]
Rnd 15: ch 2, dc in each st, join [18]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 16: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 8 sts*, join [20]
Rnd 17: ch 2, dc in each st, join [20]
Rnd 18: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 9 sts*, join [22]
Rnd 19: ch 2, dc in each st, join [22]
Rnd 20: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 10 sts*, join [24]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 21: ch 2, dc in each st, join [24]
Rnd 22: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 11 sts*, join [26]
Rnd 23: ch 2, dc in each st, join [26]
Rnd 24: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 12 sts*, join [28]
Rnd 25: ch 2, dc in each st, join [28]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 26: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 13 sts*, join [30]
Rnd 27: ch 2, dc in each st, join [30]
Rnd 28: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 14 sts*, join [32]
Rnd 29: ch 2, dc in each st, join [32]
Rnd 30: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 15 sts*, join [34]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 31: ch 2, dc in each st, join [34]
Rnd 32: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 16 sts*, join [36]
Rnd 33: ch 2, dc in each st, join [36]
Rnd 34: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 17 sts*, join [38]
Rnd 35: ch 2, dc in each st, join [38]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 36: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 18 sts*, join [40]
Rnd 37: ch 2, dc in each st, join [40]
Rnd 38: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 19 sts*, join [42]
Rnd 39: ch 2, dc in each st, join [42]
Rnd 40: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 13 sts*, join [45]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 41: ch 2, dc in each st, join [45]
Rnd 42: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 14 sts*, join [48]
Rnd 43: ch 2, dc in each st, join [48]
Rnd 44: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 15 sts*, join [51]
Rnd 45: ch 2, dc in each st, join [51]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 46: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 16 sts*, join [54]
Rnd 47: ch 2, dc in each st, join [54]
Rnd 48: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 17 sts*, join [57]
Rnd 49: ch 2, dc in each st, join [57]
Rnd 50: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 18 sts*, join [60]
Switch yarn color.
Rnd 51: ch 2, dc in each st, join [60]
Rnd 52: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 19 sts*, join [63]
Rnd 53: ch 2, dc in each st, join [63]
Rnd 54: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 20 sts*, join [66]
Rnd 55: ch 2, dc in each st, join [66]
Rnd 56: ch 2, dc in each st in the front loop only, join [66]
This is the round that will be folded up.
Rnd 57: ch 2, dc in each st, join [66]
Rnd 58: ch 2, dc in each st, join [66]
Scroll down for brim instructions.
Elf Hat Brim Instructions
You are going to make six triangle peaks for the brim. Each peak is made from 10 stitches. 6 peaks x 10 stitches= 60 stitches
Toddler Triangle Peaks
Begin the first peak where you left off for round 56.
Row 1: ch 1, sc in 10 sts, turn [10]
Row 2: ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 6 sts, sc2tog, turn [8]
Row 3: ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 4 sts, sc2tog, turn [6]
Row 4: ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 2 sts, sc2tog, turn [4]
Row 5: ch 1, sc2tog, sc2tog, turn [2]
Row 6: ch 1, sc2tog and fasten off
Now, join your yarn to the next stitch. Repeat the peak pattern 5 times.
Next, fold the brim up and sc around the entire brim and peaks.
Lastly, use a tapestry needle to attach a bell to each of the peaks and the tip of the stocking.
Child Triangle Peaks
Begin the first peak where you left off for round 58.
Row 1: ch 1, sc in 10 sts, turn [10]
Row 2: ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 6 sts, sc2tog, turn [8]
Row 3: ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 4 sts, sc2tog, turn [6]
Row 4: ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 2 sts, sc2tog, turn [4]
Row 5: ch 1, sc2tog, sc2tog, turn [2]
Row 6: ch 1, sc2tog and fasten off
Now, join your yarn to the next stitch. Repeat the peak pattern 5 times. You will have three unworked stitches when you are done.
Next, fold the brim up and sc around the entire brim and peaks.
Lastly, use a tapestry needle to attach a bell to each of the peaks and the tip of the stocking.
Adult Triangle Peaks
Begin the first peak where you left off for round 58.
Row 1: ch 1, sc in 10 sts, turn [10]
Row 2: ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 6 sts, sc2tog, turn [8]
Row 3: ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 4 sts, sc2tog, turn [6]
Row 4: ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 2 sts, sc2tog, turn [4]
Row 5: ch 1, sc2tog, sc2tog, turn [2]
Row 6: ch 1, sc2tog and fasten off
Now, skip a stitch and join your yarn to the next stitch. Repeat the peak pattern 5 times, leaving one stitch between each peak.
Next, fold the brim up and sc around the entire brim and peaks.
Lastly, use a tapestry needle to attach a bell to each of the peaks and the tip of the stocking.
