Landscape featured image showing a woman modeling a red crochet Santa hat with white trim and pom pom beside bold text reading “Crochet Santa Hat Pattern” and “Free Pattern,” with Lovable Loops by Melissa Hassler branding.

Crochet Santa hat pattern for beginners

This crochet Santa hat pattern is perfect for adding a touch of festive fun to your holiday season. Whether you’re making it for a toddler, child, or adult, this pattern has everyone in the whole family covered. It’s a fun pattern that results in an adorable Santa hat you’ll love wearing.

Free Crochet Santa Hat Pattern

Here’s a quick overview of the materials, sizing, gauge, and pattern notes before you begin.

Skill Level

Beginner. This crochet hat pattern uses basic crochet stitches in basic form and also in simple repeats in rounds.

Avoid frustration by learning the most common crochet mistakes beginners make and how to fix them.

Materials Needed

  • Crochet Hook Size: I-9 5.5 mm hook or size needed for gauge
  • Yarn weight:
    Worsted weight yarn #4 in red for the hat
    Super bulky yarn #6 in white for the brim and pom pom
  • Yarn needle/tapestry needle: Use this to weave in your ends.
  • Scissors: Use scissors to fasten off your yarn.
  • Stitch marker(s): Use these to help keep track of your stitches. 
  • Tape measure: Use a measuring tape to find your head size.
  • XL pom pom maker: Use this tool to make the pom pom.

Finished Sizes

SizeHead Circumference
Toddler Hat18-19 inches
Child Hat19-20 inches
Adult Hat20-23 inches

See my crochet hat sizing guide for full details and size charts.

Square graphic featuring a woman wearing a red and white crochet Santa hat beside text reading “Crochet Santa Hat Pattern” and “Free Pattern,” with snowflake accents and Lovable Loops by Melissa Hassler branding.

Gauge

15 stitches = 4 inches and 10 rows = 4 inches

Learn how to check crochet gauge before you begin so you can adjust your hook size if needed.

Crochet abbreviations

Pattern Notes

  • Join each round to the first stitch with a slip stitch.
  • Repeat the instructions between the asterisks (*) for the rest of the round.
  • You are crocheting in the round and also from the top of the hat down.
  • The stitch count is listed at the end of each round.
  • You will switch to white yarn for the brim.
  • The pattern is written in US terms.
Pinterest graphic showing a woman modeling a red crochet Santa hat with white trim and pom pom beneath bold text reading “Free Santa Hat Crochet Pattern” and “Perfect for Holiday Makes.”

Crochet Santa Hat Pattern Instructions

Rounds 1-26 are the same for all sizes.

Rnd 1: Magic ring, ch 2, 8 dc, join [8]
Rnd 2: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next st*, join [12]
Rnd 3: ch 2, dc in each st, join [12]
Rnd 4: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 2 sts*, join [16]
Rnd 5: ch 2, dc in each st, join [16]

Rnd 6: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 3 sts*, join [20]
Rnd 7: ch 2, dc in each st, join [20]
Rnd 8: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 4 sts*, join [24]
Rnd 9: ch 2, dc in each st, join [24]
Rnd 10: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 5 sts*, join [28]

Rnd 11: ch 2, dc in each st, join [28]
Rnd 12: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 6 sts*, join [32]
Rnd 13: ch 2, dc in each st, join [32]
Rnd 14: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 7 sts*, join [36]
Rnd 15: ch 2, dc in each st, join [36]

Rnd 16: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 8 sts*, join [40]
Rnd 17: ch 2, dc in each st, join [40]
Rnd 18: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 9 sts*, join [44]
Rnd 19: ch 2, dc in each st, join [44]
Rnd 20: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 10 sts*, join [48]

Rnd 21: ch 2, dc in each st, join [48]
Rnd 22: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 11 sts*, join [52]
Rnd 23: ch 2, dc in each st, join [52]
Rnd 24: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 12 sts*, join [56]
Rnd 25: ch 2, dc in each st, join [56]
Rnd 26: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 13 sts*, join [60]

Toddler Size

Rnds 27- 40: ch 2, dc in each st, join [60]

White brim:

Switch to super bulky yarn in white.
Rnds 41- 43: ch 2, dc in each st, join [60]

Child Size

Rnd 27: ch 2, dc in each st, join [60]
Rnd 28: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 14 sts*, join [64]
Rnds 29- 43: ch 2, dc in each st, join [64]

White brim:

Switch to super bulky yarn in white.
Rnds 44- 46: ch 2, dc in each st, join [64]

Adult Size

Rnd 27: ch 2, dc in each st, join [60]
Rnd 28: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 14 sts*, join [64]
Rnd 29: ch 2, dc in each st, join [64]
Rnd 30:  ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 15 sts*, join [68]
Rnds 31- 48: ch 2, dc in each st, join [68]

White brim:

Switch to super bulky yarn in white.
Rnds 49- 51: ch 2, dc in each st, join [68]

Adding the Pom Pom

Make a pom pom with your pom maker using super bulky white yarn.

  1. Wind the yarn around both arches. 
  2. Cut the yarn along the middle gap and then tie with a piece of scrap yarn. 
  3. Open the arches and then remove the pom pom.
  4. Trim any loose ends.

Finishing

Sew the pom pom to the tip of the hat and then fasten off and weave in the ends.

Printable PDF Version

View this Santa crochet hat in my Etsy Shop: Crochet Santa Hat Pattern

Video tutorial

Prefer to learn by watching? This step-by-step crochet Santa hat pattern video shows you how to crochet the hat from the magic ring to the fluffy pom pom. Press play to follow along, then scroll down for the full crochet Santa hat free pattern with written instructions, sizes, and size chart.

Youtube video

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.

Let’s connect!

I’d love to see what you’re making! Share your finished project and follow along for more free crochet patterns and tutorials.

📌 Don’t forget to pin this pattern for later!
Happy crocheting! 🧶
— Melissa

Pinterest pin featuring a woman wearing a red and white crochet Santa hat beneath text reading “Crochet Santa Hat Pattern,” “Free Crochet Pattern,” and “Quick Festive Project,” with Lovable Loops by Melissa Hassler branding.