Who doesn’t love dressing up their children in adorable outfits? These crochet hat patterns for kids add a special touch to any outfit.

Hats for our little ones are popular crochet patterns. They’re usually beginner-friendly and they can be made in less time than it takes to watch your latest show on Netflix. Most of these hats use basic crochet stitches like single and double crochet stitches. The best thing about them is that they are manageable even for newbie crocheters. 

These free crochet hat patterns are perfect to keep your little one’s head warm and they look adorable too! They also make great baby shower gifts for newborns or birthday presents for kids of any age. 

Many crochet hat projects use simple stitches that even those new to crochet can easily master, but if you need help brushing up on your crochet skills, our Crochet Fundamentals course is just the thing for you.

How Do You Crochet a Hat For Kids?

Crocheting a hat for a child is a great beginner crochet project. All you need is some soft yarn, a crochet hook of the correct size to work with your yarn, and a little bit of time and understanding of basic crochet techniques. 

Crocheted hats are typically worked from the top down, starting with a magic circle or a chain that you slip stitch into and then add stitches around the ring. You then increase stitches strategically around the hat to make it large enough to cover a head and continue straight down the sides. 

Alternatively, a hat can also be crocheted from the bottom up, starting with a long chain a joining to work in the round. In this case you would work straight for a period of time, then work decreases to shape the top of the hat. 

Hats can also be crocheted flat and seamed up the side with a length of yarn and a tapestry needle once the crocheting is done. 

Sometimes hats made in any manner will include a bit of ribbing at the bottom to hold the hat on the head better. This is often done by crocheting some stitches through the front loop and some through the back loop to give a look similar to ribbing in knitting. 

Hats can be made with any kind of yarn you like. Aran or worsted weight is probably the most popular but if you’re in a hurry or want a really warm hat you can use bulky weight yarn. Lighter weight yarn is a great choice for baby hats because you can make delicate stitches with it. 

Whatever yarn you choose, make sure you check out gauge before you begin crocheting your hat. Just because a pattern calls for medium weight yarn and a 5mm hook doesn’t mean that’s the right size for you in the stitch the pattern calls for. 

If you aren’t getting the same gauge as the pattern you’re working from calls for, your hat won’t come out the right size and that sweet toddler hat may end up fitting a small adult instead!

Kids Crochet Hat Patterns

Check out this great collection of crochet hat patterns for kids. There are sweet animal designs, plain hats you can embellish with flowers, ear flap hats and more to suit your child’s personality, to work up for a holiday or to wear every day.

Simple Crocheted Pointed Bonnet Pattern

This Simple Crocheted Pointed Bonnet is a fast, easy crochet project great for beginners! The shape of this hat is so sweet and the long ties just make it that much cuter.

Via Delia Creates
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease

Toddler Hooded Cowl Pattern

Keep those sweet little necks and heads warm this winter with this adorable hooded cowl. The pieces are worked flat so even though this looks more complicated than a regular hat it’s actually super simple and quick to stitch. 

Via Whistle and Ivy
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Mighty Stitch

Cabled Slouchy Beanie Crochet Pattern and Tutorial

This easy crochet hat pattern making matching mommy & toddler slouchy beanies is adorable and a perfect baby shower gift for both the mother and the baby! If you are someone who loves wearing matching clothes with your toddler then this pattern is absolutely perfect. The cable adds a fun bit of texture to the project without being too difficult to stitch. (Note the adult pattern is free on her website; you can purchase a pattern that includes two cabled beanies in both toddler and adult sizes.)

Via All About Ami
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Heartland

Santa’s Helper Crochet Elf Hat Pattern

This crochet elf hat makes a perfect photo prop for Santa’s little helper! Whether you have upcoming Christmas photos or are planning a trip to the North Pole, this festive crochet elf hat with ears is a must for each member of the family. And it has ears! Come on! 

Via Make & Do Crew
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice

Vintage Style Lamb Hat Crochet Pattern

Another adorable, toddler-sized crochet baby hat that you can try is this vintage style lamb hat. This crochet lamb hat is made with easy crochet stitches, making it a great crochet pattern for those who are still learning how to crochet. And of course this one has ears, too. 

Via Mama in a Stitch
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Feels Like Butta

Crochet Toddler Turban with Flower Pattern

Are you a fan of vintage-looking hats? This pretty flapper-style hat is made with double crochet stitches so it’s a quick and easy project, too. Don’t forget to add the flower for extra cuteness. 

Via Kiku Corner
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Cotton Merino

Baby Button Trapper Crochet Hat

You don’t need to look for the perfect hat to keep your little one warm and cozy, you can make one! This trapper style crochet hat is perfect for winter. You can choose the color combinations you like for the hat and flap, add buttons and pom poms using your pom pom maker. The 3-6 month size is a free pattern; other sizes for babies and toddlers are available for purchase. 

Via Whistle and Ivy
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Brava

Pumpkin Hat Crochet Pattern

If you are looking for a quick Halloween costume for your baby, then this pumpkin hat is the best idea. You can also adjust the pattern to create this hat for adults, so you can have twinning outfits with your little one. 

Via Bowties and Fezzes
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice

Easy Earflap Hat

Earflaps on a crocheted hat are both useful and adorable. This free crochet pattern is sized for babies up through adults so everyone in the family can keep their ears – and the rest of their heads – warm and colorful. Of course your hat doesn’t need to be rainbow striped, but these bright colors look like just the thing to chase away the gloom on a winter day!

Via Pattern Paradise
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Soft

Crochet Bunny Hat Pattern

This free crochet bunny hat pattern is easier than it looks and makes a darling Easter accessory for your favorite baby or toddler. The pattern is great for newborns and you can use worsted weight yarn for this project. The details really make this one, and the special Lion Brand yarn used adds texture and warmth. 

Via Make and Do Crew
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Ve-luxe

Crochet Giraffe Hat Pattern

We love newborn photoshoots! And if you are looking for animal-themed crochet hat, this pattern is excellent. A little giraffe hat is all you need! It is easy to do, quick to learn and can fit a newborn’s head circumference.  You can also add lining inside the hat as it is done flat, and then seamed. 

Via Mama in a Stitch
Yarn weight: (6) Super bulky
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Hometown

Double Crochet Beanie Hat Pattern

A double crochet beanie hat is perhaps one of the simplest crochet patterns you can try. You don’t have to follow complicated abbreviations for this one either. It’s sized from preemies up to adults to you can make them for everyone or use this as your go-to charity stitching project. You can add embellishments to your hat with your favorite flower for a perfect gift!

Via Oombawka Design Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart With Love

Crochet Toddler Ear Flap Hat Pattern

This sweet toddler-sized earflap hat also has a chin strap to help the hat stay on your little one’s head. It’s a simple and cute project worked from the top down in a couple of different colors. 

Via Kiku Corner
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Cotton Merino

Toddler Sock Monkey Hat

Sock monkeys are a classic toy and a great theme for making hats, pillows, socks, you name it. This sock monkey hat uses pink and gray yarn instead of the classic red and brown, but whatever colors you choose it will definitely look like a sock monkey in the end.  

Via Stitch 11
Yarn weight: (4) Medium
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver

Crochet Little Deer Hat Pattern

This Deer Hat Pattern is super cute and makes a perfect winter hat or maybe even a baby shower gift! It uses a few different stitches like sc, half dc, and trc to create this fun hat, but it’s well worth the effort for this kind of cuteness. 

Via The Friendly Red Fox
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Read Heart With Love