Crochet candy cane hat pattern
This crochet candy cane hat pattern adds a playful striped look to winter outfits with cozy earflaps, long braids, and optional holiday embellishments. It’s a fun choice for Christmas photos, holiday outings, handmade gifts, or matching family hats.
Quick answer
This advanced beginner crochet candy cane hat pattern is worked from the top down in joined rounds using worsted weight (#4) yarn and an I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook. It includes six sizes from 0–3 months through adult, with alternating candy cane stripes, shaped earflaps, and long braids. An optional bow or pom pom can be added, and the video tutorial demonstrates the toddler size.
Crochet candy cane hat pattern details
Skill level
Advanced beginner — Uses joined rounds, basic increases, simple color changes, single crochet decreases for the earflaps, and basic assembly. The optional bow also uses half double crochet.
Materials needed
- I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook for the hat
- H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook for the optional bow
- Worsted weight yarn (#4) in white and red or green
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Large pom pom maker, optional
Size guide
Choose a size based on the wearer’s head circumference whenever possible.
| Size | Fits head circumference | Finished hat height |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3 months | 13–14 in (33–35.5 cm) | 5 in (13 cm) |
| 3–6 months | 14–15 in (35.5–38 cm) | 5.5 in (14 cm) |
| 6–12 months | 16–17 in (40.5–43 cm) | 6.25 in (16 cm) |
| Toddler | 18–19 in (45.5–48 cm) | 6.75 in (17 cm) |
| Child | 19–20 in (48–51 cm) | 7 in (18 cm) |
| Adult | 20–23 in (51–58.5 cm) | 7.75 in (20 cm) |
See my crochet hat sizing guide for full details and size charts.
Gauge
15 dc sts and 10 dc rnds = 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
- hdc = half double crochet stitch
- sc = single crochet stitch
- sc2tog = single crochet decrease
- ch/chs = chain/chains
- st/sts = stitch/stitches
- rnd/rnds = round/rounds
- sl st = slip stitch
Pattern notes
- The hat is worked from the top down in joined rounds.
- Start with white yarn and alternate white with red or green every 2 hat rounds.
- The beginning ch 1 or ch 2 does not count as a stitch.
- Join each completed round with a sl st to the first stitch made in the round.
- Repeat from the asterisk (*) as indicated.
- The pattern is written in US crochet terms.
Video tutorial
Prefer YouTube? Watch the candy cane hat tutorial on YouTube.
Crochet candy cane hat pattern instructions
Begin with white yarn. Alternate white with red or green every 2 rnds throughout the hat.
The beginning ch 2 does not count as a st. Join each completed rnd with a sl st to the first dc.
0–3 months size
Rnd 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join. (11 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, work 2 dc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (44 sts)
Rnd 5: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (48 sts)
Rnds 6–13: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (48 sts)
Do not fasten off. Continue to the earflap instructions.
3–6 months size
Rnd 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join. (11 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, work 2 dc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (44 sts)
Rnd 5: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (48 sts)
Rnd 6: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 11 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (52 sts)
Rnds 7–15: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (52 sts)
Do not fasten off. Continue to the earflap instructions.
6–12 months size
Rnd 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join. (11 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, work 2 dc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (44 sts)
Rnd 5: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (48 sts)
Rnd 6: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 11 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (52 sts)
Rnd 7: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 12 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (56 sts)
Rnds 8–16: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (56 sts)
Do not fasten off. Continue to the earflap instructions.
Toddler size
Rnd 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join. (11 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, work 2 dc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (44 sts)
Rnd 5: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (48 sts)
Rnd 6: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 11 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (52 sts)
Rnd 7: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 12 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (56 sts)
Rnd 8: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 13 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (60 sts)
Rnds 9–18: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (60 sts)
Do not fasten off. Continue to the earflap instructions.
Child size
Rnd 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join. (11 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, work 2 dc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (44 sts)
Rnd 5: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (48 sts)
Rnd 6: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 11 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (52 sts)
Rnd 7: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 12 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (56 sts)
Rnd 8: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 13 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (60 sts)
Rnd 9: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 14 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (64 sts)
Rnds 10–19: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (64 sts)
Do not fasten off. Continue to the earflap instructions.
Adult size
Rnd 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join. (11 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, work 2 dc in each st around. Join. (22 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (44 sts)
Rnd 5: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (48 sts)
Rnd 6: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 11 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (52 sts)
Rnd 7: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 12 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (56 sts)
Rnd 8: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 13 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (60 sts)
Rnd 9: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 14 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (64 sts)
Rnd 10: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 15 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (68 sts)
Rnds 11–21: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (68 sts)
Do not fasten off. Continue to the earflap instructions.
Earflap placement
Begin the first earflap where you ended the final rnd of the hat. Work the earflap instructions for your size, then fasten off.
Skip the number of front sts listed below. Join the same color yarn used for the first earflap in the next st and work the second earflap using the same instructions. Fasten off. The remaining unworked sts form the back of the hat.
| Size | Leave at front | Leave at back |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3 months | 16 sts | 12 sts |
| 3–6 months | 16 sts | 12 sts |
| 6–12 months | 18 sts | 14 sts |
| Toddler | 18 sts | 14 sts |
| Child | 20 sts | 16 sts |
| Adult | 22 sts | 18 sts |
0–3 months earflaps
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in next 10 sts. Turn. (10 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 6 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (8 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (8 sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (6 sts)
Row 5: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (6 sts)
Row 6: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (4 sts)
Row 7: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (4 sts)
Row 8: Ch 1, sc2tog twice. Turn. (2 sts)
Row 9: Ch 1, sc2tog. (1 st)
Fasten off.
3–6 and 6–12 months earflaps
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in next 12 sts. Turn. (12 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 8 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (10 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (10 sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 6 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (8 sts)
Row 5: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (8 sts)
Row 6: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (6 sts)
Row 7: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (6 sts)
Row 8: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (4 sts)
Row 9: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (4 sts)
Row 10: Ch 1, sc2tog twice. Turn. (2 sts)
Row 11: Ch 1, sc2tog. (1 st)
Fasten off.
Toddler, child, and adult earflaps
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in next 14 sts. Turn. (14 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 10 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (12 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (12 sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 8 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (10 sts)
Row 5: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (10 sts)
Row 6: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 6 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (8 sts)
Row 7: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (8 sts)
Row 8: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (6 sts)
Row 9: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (6 sts)
Row 10: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (4 sts)
Row 11: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (4 sts)
Row 12: Ch 1, sc2tog twice. Turn. (2 sts)
Row 13: Ch 1, sc2tog. (1 st)
Fasten off.
Edge the hat and earflaps
After both earflaps are complete, join yarn with a sl st anywhere along the lower edge of the hat.
Ch 1 and sc evenly around the entire lower edge of the hat and both earflaps.
Join with a sl st to the first sc and fasten off.
Add the braids
Make 2 braids, one for each earflap.
For each braid, cut twelve 30-inch (76 cm) strands using your choice of the hat colors.
Fold all 12 strands in half. Insert the folded loop through the bottom of the earflap, then pass all of the loose ends through the loop and pull firmly to secure.
Divide the strands into 3 equal sections and braid. Tie the bottom of each braid in a secure knot, then trim the ends evenly.
Add a pom pom (optional)
Use a large pom pom maker.
- Wrap yarn evenly around both arches.
- Cut the yarn along the center groove.
- Tie the center tightly with a piece of scrap yarn.
- Open the pom pom maker and remove the pom pom.
- Fluff the pom pom and trim any uneven strands.
- Use the tying strands to attach the pom pom securely to the top of the hat.
Add a bow (optional)
Use an H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook.
0–3, 3–6, and 6–12 months bow
Foundation: Ch 40. Join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, hdc in each ch around. Join. (40 sts)
Rnds 2–8: Ch 1, hdc in each st around. Join. (40 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a very long yarn tail.
Toddler, child, and adult bow
Foundation: Ch 45. Join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, hdc in each ch around. Join. (45 sts)
Rnds 2–8: Ch 1, hdc in each st around. Join. (45 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a very long yarn tail.
Assemble the bow
Thread the long yarn tail onto a yarn needle.
Weave the yarn back and forth through the center of the bow, then gently pull the yarn to gather the middle.
Wrap the remaining yarn tail around the center several times until you are happy with the shape.
Secure the yarn on the back of the bow.
Use the remaining yarn tail to sew the bow securely to the front of the hat.
Finishing
Weave in all remaining yarn ends.
Make sure the braids and any optional bow or pom pom are securely attached.
Printable PDF version
Prefer a printable copy? You can purchase the ad-free PDF version of this crochet candy cane hat pattern in my Etsy shop.
More free crochet hat patterns
Prefer a classic striped beanie without earflaps and braids? Try my striped crochet beanie pattern, featuring two-color stripes and a stretchy ribbed brim.
For more styles and sizes, browse my full collection of free crochet hat patterns.
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📌 Don’t forget to pin this pattern for later!
Happy crocheting! 🧶
— Melissa
