Crochet elf hat pattern
This crochet elf hat pattern has a whimsical long pointed shape, folded brim, and six triangle peaks for a playful Christmas look. Add jingle bells or pom poms to the peaks for holiday photos, parties, costumes, or handmade gifts.
Quick answer
This advanced beginner crochet elf hat pattern is worked from the pointed tip down in joined rounds using worsted weight (#4) yarn and an I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook. Double crochet increases create the long tapered shape, a front-loop-only round forms the folded brim, and six single crochet triangle peaks finish the edge. The pattern includes toddler, child, and adult sizes, with a video tutorial demonstrating the child size.
Crochet elf hat pattern details
Here’s a quick overview of the materials, sizing, gauge, and pattern notes before you begin.
Skill level
Advanced beginner — Uses joined rounds, double crochet increases, simple color changes, front-loop-only stitches, single crochet decreases, and basic shaping and assembly for the peaked brim.
Materials needed
- I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook
- Worsted weight yarn (#4) in two colors
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Tape measure
- 6 small craft bells or pom poms, optional
Crochet elf hat sizes
| Size | Fits head circumference |
| Toddler | 18–19 inches (45.5–48 cm) |
| Child | 19–20 inches (48–51 cm) |
| Adult | 20–23 inches (51–58.5 cm) |
See my crochet hat sizing guide for full details and size charts.
Gauge
15 dc stitches and 10 dc 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 stitch
- sc = single crochet stitch
- flo = front loop only
- sc2tog = single crochet decrease
- ch/chs = chain/chains
- st/sts = stitch/stitches
- sl st = slip stitch
- rnd/rnds = round/rounds
Pattern notes
- The main hat is worked from the pointed tip down in joined double crochet rounds.
- The ch 2 at the beginning of the double crochet rounds does not count as a stitch.
- The ch 1 at the beginning of the brim peak rows does not count as a stitch.
- Join each double crochet round with a slip stitch to the first dc.
- The front-loop-only round creates the fold line for the brim.
- Switch yarn colors where indicated.
- Repeat instructions between the asterisks (*) as indicated.
- The pattern is written in US crochet terms.
Magic circle alternative
If you’re not comfortable with using a magic circle, you can use an alternative method to make round 1 of the beanie. This method is just as effective and might be easier for beginners.
Round 1: Ch 3, work 4 dc in the 3rd ch from the hook. Join with a sl st to the first dc. (4 sts)
Crochet elf hat pattern video tutorial
Follow along with this step-by-step video tutorial for the child size. You’ll see how to work the striped hat, shape the brim, and finish the festive elf details.
Prefer YouTube? Watch the crochet elf hat tutorial on YouTube.
Crochet elf hat pattern instructions
Rounds 1–51 are the same for all three sizes. After that, follow the toddler, child, or adult section to finish the hat and peaked brim.
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]
Toddler elf hat
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]
Elf hat brim:
You will make six triangle peaks. Each peak is 10 stitches. 6 peaks x 10 stitches = 60 stitches
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
After completing the first peak, join your yarn in the next stitch and repeat the peak pattern 5 more times for a total of 6 peaks.
Fold the brim up, then sc evenly around the entire brim and all six peaks. Sew a bell or pom pom securely to the tip of each peak if desired.
Child elf hat
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]
Elf hat brim:
You will make six triangle peaks. Each peak is 10 stitches. 6 peaks x 10 stitches = 60 stitches
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
After completing the first peak, join your yarn in the next stitch and repeat the peak pattern 5 more times for a total of 6 peaks. Three stitches will remain unworked between the sixth and first peaks.
Fold the brim up, then sc evenly around the entire brim and all six peaks. Sew a bell or pom pom securely to the tip of each peak if desired.
Adult elf hat
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]
Elf hat brim:
You will make six triangle peaks. Each peak is 10 stitches. 6 peaks x 10 stitches = 60 stitches
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
After completing the first peak, skip 1 stitch, join your yarn in the next stitch, and work the next peak. Continue until all 6 peaks are complete, leaving 1 unworked stitch between each peak. The final unworked stitch will fall between the sixth and first peaks.
Fold the brim up, then sc evenly around the entire brim and all six peaks. Sew a bell or pom pom securely to the tip of each peak if desired.
Safety note for bells
For young children, securely attach all embellishments and supervise use. Omit small bells or pom poms if they could become a choking hazard.
Finishing your crochet elf hat
Weave in all remaining yarn ends and make sure the folded brim sits evenly. Check that any bells or pom poms are securely attached before wearing.
Printable PDF version
Prefer an ad-free copy? You can purchase the crochet elf hat pattern PDF in my Etsy shop. It includes all three sizes and is easy to print or save for later.
Prefer a classic elf hat style?
Try my classic crochet elf hat pattern for a red-and-white striped version with a wide ribbed brim and large pom pom.
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. From classic beanies and warm winter hats to playful designs for kids and trendy accessories for adults, you’ll find inspiration for your next project here.
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📌 Don’t forget to pin this pattern for later!
Happy crocheting! 🧶
— Melissa
