Easy Crochet Elf Hat Pattern

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Get into the holiday spirit with my easy, free crochet Elf Hat pattern! It’s a festive and fun craft perfect for all skill levels.

This cute hat comes in sizes for toddlers, kids, and adults, ensuring everyone gets a cozy fit.

You’ll enjoy simple, clear instructions to quickly crochet a charming hat, ideal for beginners or experienced crafters looking for a joyful and uncomplicated project.

Stitch by stitch, you can whip up hats for the whole family, spreading cheer without the fuss of tricky patterns.

Dive into this merry-making pattern and start crafting memorable holiday gifts or the perfect addition to your festive outfits.

Pick up your hook, choose some cheerful yarn, and let’s craft some magic with this beginner-friendly elf hat project!

Crochet Elf Hat Pattern Information

Crochet Elf Hat

Skill Level

Beginner. This free crochet pattern for elf hat uses basic stitches in basic form and simple repeats in rows or rounds.

Project Materials

Crochet Elf Hat Size Chart

SizeCircumference
Toddler18-19 inches
Child19-20 inches
Adult20-23 inches
Crochet Elf Hat Size Chart
image of a crochet elf hat

Crochet Gauge

Gauge is important for this free crochet pattern elf hat.

15 dc= 4″ and 10 rows= 4″

Important Notes

  • This pattern starts with a magic circle.
  • Work this crochet elf hat pattern 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. 
  • After each round, join your yarn to the first double crochet stitch with a slip stitch.
  • Repeat instructions between asterisks (*) for the remainder of the round.
Crochet Elf Hat

Etsy Shop

This pattern is also available as an ad-free PDF pattern in my Etsy Shop.

Related Patterns

Looking for more holiday hats? Check out my Santa Hat, Christmas Tree Hat, and Candy Cane Hat patterns!

image of a boy wearing a crochet elf hat

Terms & Abbreviations

  • 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

Front Loop Only (flo)

Work the indicated stitch in the front loop only of the next stitch. 

diagram of front and back crochet loops

Pin this image to your Pinterest Boards to save the pattern.

pinterest pin with image of a crochet elf hat

Crochet Elf Hat Pattern Instructions

Rounds 1-51 are the same for all sizes.

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]

Continue for Toddler Size

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. 

image of a girl wearing a crochet elf hat

Continue for Child Size

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. 

image of children wearing crochet elf hats

Continue for Adult Size

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. 

image of a crochet elf hat being made

Crochet 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

image of a crochet elf hat being made

Toddler Size- 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.

image of a crochet elf hat being made

Child Size- 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.

image of a crochet elf hat being made

Adult Size- 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. If you prefer, you can sew a pom pom to the tip of the stocking instead. 

image of a crochet elf hat being made
image of a crochet elf hat