crochet dog hat

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Attention all crochet enthusiasts and dog lovers alike!

Are you ready to embark on a delightful crafting adventure that combines your passion for dogs with the joy of crochet? Well, I have fantastic news for you! Introducing my free Crochet Dog Hat Pattern, specially designed for humans who want to wear their canine adoration with pride. 🐶🧶

Whether you’re a crochet newbie venturing into the world of yarn and hooks for the first time or an experienced crafter looking for a fun and rewarding project, this pattern is perfect for you. With clear instructions and helpful tips tailored specifically for beginners, you’ll be crocheting a charming dog-themed hat in no time.

But wait, there’s more! My pattern is available in three sizes: toddler, child, and adult, ensuring that dog lovers of all ages can enjoy the whimsical charm of these hats. Imagine the smiles on the faces of your little ones as they proudly wear their matching hats or the joy you’ll feel when sporting your very own canine-inspired accessory.

Now, let’s talk about the versatility of this pattern. You have the freedom to choose your favorite colors and yarns, adding your personal touch to each hat. Whether you prefer a realistic depiction of your favorite breed or a more whimsical interpretation, the possibilities are endless. Let your imagination run wild as you bring your dog-themed creations to life.

So, grab your crochet hooks and get ready to dive into a project that combines creativity, warmth, and a love for our furry friends. With just a few stitches, you’ll be on your way to crafting adorable hats that are sure to turn heads.

Also, before you go, be sure to check out my many other free crochet hat patterns!

Skill Level

Beginner. Basic stitches in basic form. Simple repeats in rounds.

Materials

Gauge

Gauge is very important for this pattern.

15 dc= 4″ and 10 rows= 4″

To check your gauge, make a gauge swatch by crocheting the first five rounds of the hat. Then, measure your swatch across the middle. If it measures close to 4.5 inches, your gauge matches mine.

If your swatch is larger than 4.5 inches, your gauge is looser than mine. Try using a smaller crochet hook.

If your swatch is smaller than 4.5 inches, your gauge is tighter than mine. Try using a larger crochet hook.

Crochet Dog Hat Size Chart

SizeCrownCircumferenceHeight
Toddler6 inches18-19 inches6.75 inches
Child6.5 inches19-20 inches7 inches
Adult7 inches20-23 inches7.75 inches
Crochet Dog Hat Pattern

Pattern Notes

  • This pattern starts with a magic circle (also known as a magic ring or adjustable ring). If you are a beginner crocheter, check out my magic circle tutorial
  • Leave a long yarn tail for weaving in when you make your magic circle.
  • 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 first stitch made in that round. 
  • Repeat instructions between asterisks (*) for the remainder of the round.
  • You are crocheting in the round.
  • Hat is worked from the top down.
  • If needed, you can make any size hat longer or shorter by repeating or eliminating the last row.

Abbreviations

  • dc = double crochet
  • hdc = half double crochet
  • sc = single crochet
  • inc = increase
  • sc2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together
  • sc3tog = single crochet 3 stitches together
  • hdc2tog = half double crochet 2 stitches together
  • st = stitch
  • sts = stitches
  • sl st = slip stitch
  • ch = chain
  • chs = chains
  • rnd = round
  • rnds = rounds
  • rem = remaining
crochet dog hat

Crochet Stitches

Slip Stitch (sl st)

  1. Insert hook into next stitch.
  2. Yarn over and pull the yarn through the stitch and through the loop on your hook

Double Crochet (dc)

  1. Yarn over & insert hook in next stitch.
  2. Yarn over and pull up a loop. You will have 3 loops on your hook.
  3. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. You will have 2 loops on your hook.
  4. Yarn over and pull through remaining 2 loops on your hook.

Single Crochet (sc)

  1. Insert hook in next stitch.
  2. Yarn over and pull up a loop. You will have 2 loops on your hook.
  3. Yarn over and pull through both loops.

Single Crochet Decrease (sc2tog)

  1. Insert hook in next stitch.
  2. Yarn over and pull up a loop. You will have 2 loops on your hook.
  3. Insert hook in next stitch.
  4. Yarn over and pull up another loop. You will have 3 loops on your hook.
  5. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on your hook.

Single Crochet Decrease (sc3tog)

  1. Insert hook in next stitch.
  2. Yarn over and pull up a loop. You will have 2 loops on your hook.
  3. Insert hook in next stitch.
  4. Yarn over and pull up another loop. You will have 3 loops on your hook.
  5. Insert hook in next stitch.
  6. Yarn over and pull up another loop. You will have 4 loops on your hook.
  7. Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops on your hook.

Half Double Crochet (hdc)

  1. Yarn over & insert hook in next stitch.
  2. Yarn over and pull up a loop. You will have 3 loops on your hook.
  3. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on your hook.

Half Double Crochet Decrease (hdc2tog)

  1. Yarn over & insert hook in next stitch.
  2. Yarn over and pull up a loop. You will have 3 loops on your hook.
  3. Yarn over & insert hook in next stitch.
  4. Yarn over and pull up another loop. You will have 5 loops on your hook.
  5. Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops on your hook.

Toddler Size Crochet Dog Hat Pattern

dc inc = double crochet increase
Make 2 dc stitches in the same stitch.

Rnd 1: Magic circle, ch 2, 11 dc, join with sl st to the top of the first dc (11 stitches)

Rnd 2: Ch 2, dc inc in each st, join (22 stitches)

Rnd 3: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next st*, join (33 stitches)

Rnd 4: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next 2 sts*, join (44 stitches)

Rnd 5: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next 10 sts*, join (48 stitches)

Rnd 6: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next 11 sts*, join (52 stitches)

Rnd 7: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next 12 sts*, join (56 stitches)

Rnd 8: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next 13 sts*, join (60 stitches)

Rnd 9: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (60 stitches)

Rnds 10– 18: Repeat round 9 (60 stitches)

Now, scroll down for earflap instructions.

Child Size Crochet Dog Hat Pattern

dc inc = double crochet increase
Make 2 dc stitches in the same stitch.

Rnd 1: Magic circle, ch 2, 11 dc, join with sl st to the top of the first dc (11 stitches)

Rnd 2: Ch 2, dc inc in each st, join (22 stitches)

Rnd 3: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next st*, join (33 stitches)

Rnd 4: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next 2 sts*, join (44 stitches)

Rnd 5: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next 10 sts*, join (48 stitches)

Rnd 6: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next 11 sts*, join (52 stitches)

Rnd 7: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next 12 sts*, join (56 stitches)

Rnd 8: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next 13 sts*, join (60 stitches)

Rnd 9: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next 14 sts*, join (64 stitches)

Rnd 10: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (64 stitches)

Rnds 11– 19: Repeat round 10 (64 stitches)

Now, scroll down for earflap instructions.

Adult Size Crochet Dog Hat Pattern

dc inc = double crochet increase
Make 2 dc stitches in the same stitch.

Rnd 1: Magic circle, ch 2, 11 dc, join with sl st to the top of the first dc (11 stitches)

Rnd 2: Ch 2, dc inc in each st, join (22 stitches)

Rnd 3: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next st*, join (33 stitches)

Rnd 4: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next 2 sts*, join (44 stitches)

Rnd 5: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next 10 sts*, join (48 stitches)

Rnd 6: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next 11 sts*, join (52 stitches)

Rnd 7: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next 12 sts*, join (56 stitches)

Rnd 8: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next 13 sts*, join (60 stitches)

Rnd 9: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next 14 sts*, join (64 stitches)

Rnd 10: Ch 2, *dc inc, dc in next 15 sts*, join (68 stitches)

Rnd 11: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (68 stitches)

Rnds 12– 21: Repeat round 11 (68 stitches)

Now, scroll down for earflap instructions.

Earflaps

First Earflap- Begin Where Hat Ended

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in 14, turn (14 stitches)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 10 sts, sc2tog, turn (12 stitches)

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn (12 stitches)

Row 4: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 8 sts, sc2tog, turn (10 stitches)

Row 5: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn (10 stitches)

Row 6: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 6 sts, sc2tog, turn (8 stitches)

Row 7: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn (8 stitches)

Row 8: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 4 sts, sc2tog, turn (6 stitches)

Row 9: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn (6 stitches)

Row 10: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 2 sts, sc2tog, turn (4 stitches)

Row 11: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn (4 stitches)

Row 12: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc2tog, turn (2 stitches)

Row 13: sc2tog (1 stitch)

Repeat for second earflap and continue to single crochet around entire hat and both ear-flaps.

Second Earflap Placement

SizeFront of HatBack of Hat
Toddlerleave 18 stitches in frontleave 14 stitches in back
Childleave 20 stitches in frontleave 16 stitches in back
Adultleave 22 stitches in frontleave 18 stitches in back

Braids

  1. Firstly, cut fourteen 30” strands of yarn.
  2. After that, fold the strands in half and pass the folded loop through the bottom of the ear flap. Use your crochet hook to help.
  3. Then, pass the strand ends through the loop and pull tight to form a knot.
  4. Lastly, divide the strands into three sections and braid. Repeat for 2nd braid.
crochet dog hat

Ears

Firstly, crochet two of each of the outer and inner ears.

Then, use a tapestry needle to sew the inner and outer ears together. You will be working through the back loops of the sc border on the inner ear and the front loops of the sc border on the outer ear.

Finally, use a tapestry needle to sew the ears onto the hat.

Outer Ear- make 2

G/4 mm crochet hook
Medium brown

Row 1: Ch 10, hdc in 3rd ch from the hook, hdc in next 7 chs, turn (8 stitches)

Row 2: Ch 2, hdc in each st, turn (8 stitches)

Rows 3- 6: repeat row 2, turn (8 stitches)

Row 7: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc in 4 sts, hdc2tog (6 stitches)

Row 8: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc in 2 sts, hdc2tog (4 stitches)

Row 9: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc2tog (2 stitches)

Row 10: Ch 2, hdc2tog (1 stitch)

Loosely continue to sc around entire ear.

Inner Ear- make 2

G/4 mm crochet hook
Light brown yarn

Row 1: Ch 10, hdc in 3rd ch from the hook, hdc in next 7 chs, turn (8 stitches)

Row 2: Ch 2, hdc in each st, turn (8 stitches)

Rows 3- 6: repeat row 2, turn (8 stitches)

Row 7: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc in 4 sts, hdc2tog (6 stitches)

Row 8: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc in 2 sts, hdc2tog (4 stitches)

Row 9: Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc2tog (2 stitches)

Row 10: Ch 2, hdc2tog (1 stitch)

Loosely continue to sc around entire ear.

Eye Patch

G/4 mm crochet hook
Light brown yarn

Firstly, crochet the eye patch.

Then, fasten off and use a tapestry needle to sew the eye patch onto the hat.

Rnd 1: Magic circle, ch 2, 9 hdc, join (9 stitches)

Rnd 2: Ch 2, hdc inc in each st, join (18 stitches)

Rnd 3: Ch 2, *hdc inc, hdc in next st*, join (27 stitches)

Rnd 4: (do not chain) sc, hdc, dc, tc in next 3 sts, dc, hdc, loosely sc in rem 19 sts, join (27 stitches)

Eyes

G/4 mm crochet hook
Black and white yarn

Firstly, crochet two eyes.

After that, fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Then, use a tapestry needle to sew a “twinkle” on the eyes in white yarn.

Finally, sew the eyes onto the hat.

Rnd 1: With black yarn, magic circle, ch 2, 9 hdc, join with a sl st using the white yarn (9 stitches)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc inc in each st, join (18 stitches)

Nose

G/4 mm crochet hook
Black yarn

First, crochet the dog nose.

After that, fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Finally, use a tapestry needle to sew the nose onto the hat.

Row 1: Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from the hook, sc in rem 4 chs, turn (5 stitches)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn (5 stitches)

Row 3: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next st, sc2tog, turn (3 stitches)

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn (3 stitches)

Row 5: Ch 1, sc3tog and continue to sc around entire nose.

Smile & Whiskers

Lastly, use a tapestry needle and black yarn to sew a smile and whisker spots onto the dog hat.