Crochet Sloth Earflap Hat Pattern with Braids (Free)

This crochet sloth earflap hat pattern combines a cozy winter hat with an adorable sloth face, warm earflaps, and long braided ties. It’s a fun handmade hat for sloth lovers and works well for winter wear, gifts, costumes, and cute cold-weather photos.

Quick answer

This advanced beginner crochet sloth earflap hat pattern uses worsted weight (#4) yarn and an I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook. The hat is worked from the top down in joined double crochet rounds, followed by shaped single crochet earflaps and braided ties. It includes six sizes from 0–3 months through adult, with separate crocheted pieces used to create the sloth face.

Crochet sloth earflap hat pattern details

Skill level

Advanced beginner — Uses basic crochet stitches, joined rounds, simple increases and decreases, earflap shaping, separate face pieces, and basic sewing.

Materials needed

I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook
Worsted weight (#4) yarn in brown, dark brown, tan, and black
Yarn needle
Scissors

Size guide

The head circumference ranges below are the intended wearer fit ranges. Hat height is the finished hat measurement.

Size	Fits head circumference	Finished hat height
0–3 months	13–14 inches (33–36 cm)	5 inches (13 cm)
3–6 months	14–15 inches (36–38 cm)	5.5 inches (14 cm)
6–12 months	16–17 inches (41–43 cm)	6.25 inches (16 cm)
Toddler	18–19 inches (46–48 cm)	6.75 inches (17 cm)
Child	19–20 inches (48–51 cm)	7 inches (18 cm)
Adult	20–23 inches (51–58 cm)	7.75 inches (20 cm)

Need help with sizing? Check out my crochet hat sizing guide for help measuring head circumference and choosing the best size.

Square graphic featuring a brown crochet sloth earflap hat with braided ties and text reading “Crochet Sloth Earflap Hat Pattern” and “free pattern.”

Gauge

15 dc × 10 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
sc = single crochet
sc2tog = single crochet decrease
ch/chs = chain/chains
st/sts = stitch/stitches
sl st = slip stitch
rnd/rnds = round/rounds

Pattern notes

The hat is worked from the top down in joined rounds.
The beginning ch 1 or ch 2 does not count as a stitch.
Join each round with a sl st to the first stitch made in that round unless otherwise stated.
Repeat the instructions between the asterisks (*) as indicated.
The earflaps are worked in rows directly from the bottom edge of the hat.
The sloth face pieces are crocheted separately and sewn to the front of the hat.
The pattern is written in US crochet terms.

Magic circle alternative for the hat

If you prefer not to use a magic circle for the first round of the hat, use this alternative:

Rnd 1: Ch 4, work 11 dc in the 4th ch from the hook. Join. (11 sts)

Pinterest graphic showing a brown crochet sloth earflap hat with cream face details and braided ties beneath colorful text reading “Crochet Sloth Earflap Hat Pattern.”

Crochet sloth earflap hat pattern instructions

Use brown yarn for the main hat.

Rounds 1–5

These rounds are the same for all six sizes.

Rnd 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the first dc. (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)