Free Read Across America Crochet Hat Pattern

Make a playful crochet hat for Read Across America week, school spirit days, or storybook celebrations. The bold design, braided earflaps, pom pom, and number appliqué give it a fun character-inspired look that works especially well for classroom events and themed photos.

Quick answer

This beginner Read Across America crochet hat is made with 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, with optional earflaps worked in rows and finished with braided ties, a pom pom, and a number appliqué. The pattern includes six sizes from 0–3 months through adult, with an H-8 (5 mm) hook used for the circle appliqué.

Read Across America crochet hat pattern details

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

Skill level

Beginner — This pattern uses basic double crochet and single crochet stitches and is worked in the round from the top down. If you are comfortable joining rounds and sewing pieces in place, you can make this hat with confidence.

Materials needed

I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook for the hat
H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook for the circle appliqué
Worsted weight yarn (#4) in red, blue, white, and black
Yarn needle
Scissors
Pom pom maker

Finished size

This pattern includes multiple sizes with a complete size chart to help you choose the best fit. Use the chart below to match head circumference and hat height, and always check your gauge for the most accurate results.

Sizes are based on average head circumference. When between sizes, size up for a more relaxed fit.

Hat Size	Fits head circumference	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)

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

Square graphic featuring a red and blue crochet Thing 2 hat beside text reading “Read Across America crochet hat pattern.”

Gauge

14 dc and 9 rounds = 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 stitch
sc = single crochet stitch
sc2tog = single crochet decrease
ch/chs = chain/chains
st/sts = stitch/stitches
sl st = slip stitch
rnd/rnds = round/rounds

Pattern notes

The chain at the beginning of each round does not count as your first stitch.
Join each round with a slip stitch to the first stitch made in that round.
Repeat instructions between the asterisks (*) for the rest of the round.
You are crocheting in the round from the top of the hat down.
The pattern is written in US crochet terms.

Red crochet Thing 2 hat with a bright blue pom-pom beside text reading “Free Read Across America hat pattern” and “Fun classroom project.”

Step-by-step video tutorial (child size)

Prefer to follow along visually? In this step-by-step video tutorial, I walk you through making the child size of this Read Across America crochet hat pattern from start to finish.

Prefer YouTube? Watch the crochet read across America hat tutorial on YouTube.

Two children wearing red Read Across America crochet hats with braided earflaps, white circle appliqués, and blue pom poms.

Free Read Across America crochet hat pattern instructions

Use an I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook and red yarn to begin the hat.

Hat instructions

For the earflap version, stop before the final edging round and continue to the linked earflap section for your size. For a simple beanie, work the final single crochet edging round as written.

0–3 months size

To add earflaps, continue to the Earflaps (0–3 months) section below.
For a simple beanie, continue to the edging round as written.

Use blue yarn.
Round 13: Ch 1, sc in each st, join, fasten off (44 stitches)

3–6 months size

To add earflaps, continue to the Earflaps (3–6 and 6–12 months) section below.
For a simple beanie, continue to the edging round as written.

Use blue yarn.
Round 14: Ch 1, sc in each st, join, fasten off (48 stitches)

6–12 months size

To add earflaps, continue to the Earflaps (3–6 and 6–12 months) section below.
For a simple beanie, continue to the edging round as written.

Use blue yarn.
Round 16: Ch 1, sc in each st, join, fasten off (52 stitches)

Toddler size

Round 1: Magic circle, ch 2, 11 dc, join (11 stitches)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st, join (22 stitches)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next st*, join (33 stitches)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 2 sts*, join (44 stitches)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 10 sts*, join (48 stitches)
Round 6: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 11 sts*, join (52 stitches)
Round 7: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 12 sts*, join (56 stitches)
Rounds 8–16: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (56 stitches)

To add earflaps, continue to the Earflaps (toddler to adult) section below.
For a simple beanie, continue to the edging round as written.

Use blue yarn.
Round 17: Ch 1, sc in each st, join, fasten off (56 stitches)

Child size

To add earflaps, continue to the Earflaps (toddler to adult) section below.
For a simple beanie, continue to the edging round as written.

Use blue yarn.
Round 18: Ch 1, sc in each st, join, fasten off (60 stitches)

Adult size

To add earflaps, continue to the Earflaps (toddler to adult) section below.
For a simple beanie, continue to the edging round as written.

Use blue yarn.
Round 20: Ch 1, sc in each st, join, fasten off (64 stitches)

Adding the earflaps

Continue with red yarn for the first earflap. After completing it, fasten off. Use the spacing listed for your size to join red yarn for the second earflap and repeat the same instructions. After completing both earflaps, join blue yarn and work sc evenly around the entire hat and both earflaps. Join with a sl st to the first sc and fasten off.

Earflaps (0–3 months)

Space to leave between earflaps
14 stitches in front, 10 stitches in back

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in 10 sts, turn (10 stitches)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 6 sts, sc2tog, turn (8 stitches)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn (8 stitches)
Row 4: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 4 sts, sc2tog, turn (6 stitches)

Row 5: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn (6 stitches)
Row 6: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 2 sts, sc2tog, turn (4 stitches)
Row 7: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn (4 stitches)
Row 8: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc2tog, turn (2 stitches)
Row 9: Ch 1, sc2tog. Fasten off. (1 stitch)

Earflaps (3–6 and 6–12 months)

Space to leave between earflaps
3–6 months: 14 stitches in front, 10 stitches in back
6–12 months: 16 stitches in front, 12 stitches in back

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in 12 sts, turn (12 stitches)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 8 sts, sc2tog, turn (10 stitches)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn (10 stitches)
Row 4: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 6 sts, sc2tog, turn (8 stitches)

Row 5: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn (8 stitches)
Row 6: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 4 sts, sc2tog, turn (6 stitches)
Row 7: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn (6 stitches)
Row 8: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in 2 sts, sc2tog, turn (4 stitches)

Row 9: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn (4 stitches)
Row 10: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc2tog, turn (2 stitches)
Row 11: Ch 1, sc2tog. Fasten off. (1 stitch)

Earflaps (toddler to adult)

Space to leave between earflaps
Toddler size: 16 stitches in front, 12 stitches in back
Child size: 18 stitches in front, 14 stitches in back
Adult size: 20 stitches in front, 16 stitches in back

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in 14 sts, 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: Ch 1, sc2tog. Fasten off. (1 stitch)

Adding the circle appliqué

Use an H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook and white yarn. Do not sew circle onto the hat until you have added the number.

Circle instructions (0–3 through 6–12 months)

Round 1: Magic circle, 9 dc, join (9 stitches)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st, join (18 stitches)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next st*, join (27 stitches)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 2 sts*, join (36 stitches)
Switch to black yarn.
Round 5: Ch 1, sc in each st. Join with a sl st and fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. (36 stitches)

Circle instructions (toddler through adult)

Round 1: Magic circle, 9 dc, join (9 stitches)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st, join (18 stitches)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next st*, join (27 stitches)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 2 sts*, join (36 stitches)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 3 sts*, join (45 stitches)

Switch to black yarn.
Round 6: Ch 1, sc in each st. Join with a sl st and fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. (45 stitches)

Adding the number

Use an H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook and black yarn.

Ch 30. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Shape the chain into the number 1 or 2 and sew it securely to the circle. Use the long tail from the circle to sew the finished appliqué onto the hat.

Adding braids

Cut fifteen 30” strands of yarn for each braid.

Fold the strands in half and pass the folded loop through the bottom of the ear flap.
Pass the strand ends through the loop and pull tight to form a knot.
Divide into three sections and braid.

Adding a pom pom

Use blue yarn.

Wind the yarn around both arches.
Cut the yarn along the middle gap.
Tie with a piece of scrap yarn.
Open the arches and remove the pom pom.
Trim any loose ends.

Attach the pom pom to the top of your hat.

Finishing

Weave in the ends.

Finished red Read Across America crochet hat with white circle appliqué, black number 2, turquoise edging, and large blue pom pom.

What is Read Across America?

Read Across America celebrates reading and encourages children, families, and schools to enjoy books and literacy activities. This playful crochet hat works well for school spirit days, classroom reading events, storybook dress-up, and themed photos.

More 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.

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