Free Crochet Zombie Hat Pattern

Turn a simple Halloween hat into a creepy zombie with an exposed brain, dangling eyeball, bloody face details, and braided earflaps. It’s a fun statement piece for costumes, Halloween parties, spooky photos, or anyone who loves playful horror-inspired accessories.

Quick answer

This advanced-beginner crochet zombie hat is worked from the top down in joined rounds using worsted weight (#4) yarn and an I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook for the main hat. The pattern includes six sizes from 0–3 months through adult, with earflaps, braids, and crocheted zombie details added after the main hat is complete.

Crochet zombie hat pattern details

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

Skill level

Advanced beginner — This pattern uses basic crochet stitches, repeated rounds, color changes, and some shaping for the zombie details.

Materials needed

I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook (hat)
H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook (eye and brain)
4.5 mm crochet hook (hanging eyeball)
Worsted weight yarn (#4) in pink, green, red, black, blue, white, and gray
Fiberfill for stuffing the hanging eyeball
Yarn needle
Scissors

Size chart

Hat Size	Fits head circumference	Height
0–3 Months	13–14 inches	5 inches
3–6 Months	14–15 inches	5.5 inches
6–12 Months	16–17 inches	6.25 inches
Toddler	18–19 inches	6.75 inches
Child	19–20 inches	7 inches
Adult	20–23 inches	7.75 inches

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

Gauge

15 dc and 10 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 beginning chain does not count as a stitch.
Join each round with a slip stitch to the first stitch.
Repeat instructions between the asterisks (*) for the rest of the round.
The pattern is written in US crochet terms.

Crochet zombie hat pattern instructions

Choose the size you want to make and follow the matching instructions below. Each hat is worked from the top down in joined rounds, with the zombie details added after the main beanie is finished.

0–3 months size

Start with pink yarn.

Rnd 1: Magic circle, ch 2, 11 dc, join (11 stitches)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st, join (22 stitches)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next st*, join (33 stitches)

Switch to green yarn.

Rnd 4: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 2 sts*, join (44 stitches)
Rnd 5: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 10 sts*, join (48 stitches)
Rnd 6: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (48 stitches)

Rnds 7–13: Repeat round 6 (48 stitches)

3–6 months size

Start with pink yarn.

Switch to green yarn.

Rnd 5: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 10 sts*, join (48 stitches)
Rnd 6: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 11 sts*, join (52 stitches)
Rnd 7: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (52 stitches)
Rnds 8–15: Repeat round 7 (52 stitches)

6–12 months size

Start with pink yarn.

Switch to green yarn.

Rnd 5: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 10 sts*, join (48 stitches)
Rnd 6: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 11 sts*, join (52 stitches)
Rnd 7: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 12 sts*, join (56 stitches)
Rnd 8: Ch 2, dc in each st, join (56 stitches)
Rnds 9–16: Repeat round 8 (56 stitches)

Toddler size

Start with pink yarn.

Rnd 1: Magic circle, ch 2, 11 dc, join (11 stitches)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st, join (22 stitches)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next st*, join (33 stitches)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 2 sts*, join (44 stitches)
Rnd 5: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 10 sts*, join (48 stitches)

Switch to green yarn.

Rnd 6: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 11 sts*, join (52 stitches)
Rnd 7: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 12 sts*, join (56 stitches)
Rnd 8: Ch 2, *2 dc, 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)

Child size

Start with pink yarn.

Switch to green yarn.

Rnd 6: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 11 sts*, join (52 stitches)
Rnd 7: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 12 sts*, join (56 stitches)
Rnd 8: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 13 sts*, join (60 stitches)
Rnd 9: Ch 2, *2 dc, 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)

Adult size

Start with pink yarn.

Switch to green yarn.

Rnd 7: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 12 sts*, join (56 stitches)
Rnd 8: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 13 sts*, join (60 stitches)
Rnd 9: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 14 sts*, join (64 stitches)
Rnd 10: Ch 2, *2 dc, 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)

Add the earflaps

Begin the first earflap where you ended the final round of the hat. After completing it, use the chart below to position the second earflap so the listed number of stitches remain unworked across the front and back of the hat.

Work the second earflap using the same instructions for your size. When both earflaps are complete, work single crochet evenly around the entire hat and both earflaps.

Size	Front of Hat	Back of Hat
0–3 Months	leave 16 stitches in front	leave 12 stitches in back
3–6 Months	leave 16 stitches in front	leave 12 stitches in back
6–12 Months	leave 18 stitches in front	leave 14 stitches in back
Toddler	leave 18 stitches in front	leave 14 stitches in back
Child	leave 20 stitches in front	leave 16 stitches in back
Adult	leave 22 stitches in front	leave 18 stitches in back

0–3 months earflaps

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 (1 stitch)

3–6 and 6–12 months earflaps

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 (1 stitch)

Toddler, child, and adult earflaps

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 (1 stitch)

Adding braids

Cut twelve 30” strands of yarn for each braid. Use green, black, and white yarn for the braids.

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.

Crochet the flat eyeball and eye socket

Use an H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook. Make one white circle for the flat eyeball and one black circle for the hanging eyeball socket.

Rnd 1: Magic circle, 9 dc, join (9 stitches)

Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st, join, fasten off & leave a long tail for sewing on (18 stitches)

Sew the flat eyeball and the black eye socket for the hanging eyeball onto the front of the hat.

Crochet the pupil for the flat eyeball

Use an H–8 (5 mm) crochet hook and start with black yarn.

Rnd 1: Magic circle, 4 sc, join (4 stitches)

Switch to blue yarn.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st, join and fasten off (8 stitches)

Sew the pupil to the flat eyeball. Use red yarn to add veins.

Hanging eyeball video tutorial

Prefer YouTube? Watch the crochet hanging eyeball tutorial on YouTube.

Crochet the hanging eyeball

Use a 4.5 mm crochet hook and start with black yarn.

Rnd 1: Magic circle, 3 sc, join (3 stitches)

Switch to blue yarn.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st, join (6 stitches)

Switch to white yarn.

Rnd 3: Ch 1, *2 sc in next st, sc in next st*, repeat from * around, join. (9 stitches)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts*, repeat from * around, join. (12 stitches)
Rnds 5–7: Ch 1, sc in each st, join (12 stitches)
Rnd 8: Ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in 2 sts*, join (9 stitches)

Begin stuffing with fiberfill and add the veins with red yarn.

Rnd 9: Ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in next st*, repeat from * around, join. (6 stitches)
Rnd 10: Ch 1, sc2tog around, join. (3 stitches)
Rnd 11: Ch 1, sc2tog. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Use the tail to close the remaining opening.

Tie a piece of red yarn to the eyeball and attach the other end to the middle of the black eye socket.

Use your yarn needle to add red yarn to the bottom of the eye socket to make it look like blood is coming out.

Add the zombie mouth

Use your yarn needle to stitch a piece of black yarn straight across 11 stitches, centering it under the eyes.

Add red yarn to the bottom of the mouth line to make it look like blood is coming out.

Crochet the zombie brain

Make 3 using an H–8 (5 mm) crochet hook and pink yarn.

Brain for the 0–3, 3–6, and 6–12 month sizes

Ch 46, sc in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each remaining ch, fasten off (45 stitches)

Brain for the toddler, child, and adult sizes

Ch 50 and sc in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each remaining ch, fasten off (49 stitches)

Brain assembly

Sew two brain pieces onto the front half of the pink section at the top of the hat, placing one on each side and leaving a small space between them to define the left and right halves. Loosely arrange and sew the third piece across the back half.

Use gray yarn to make a dotted line in each squiggle. Outline the bottom of the brain and in between the squiggles with red yarn.

Finishing

Fasten off and then weave in the ends.

Lovable Loops free Crochet Zombie Hat Pattern

More free crochet hat patterns

Looking for another spooky project? Try my crochet devil horn hat pattern for another Halloween-ready design, or browse my full collection of free crochet hat and beanie patterns for more hats in different sizes and styles.

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