Free Crochet Santa Hat Pattern: Easy Christmas Hat for Baby, Kids and Adults (5 Sizes)
This free crochet Christmas hat is a classic Santa hat with a fluffy white cuff, a long red cone and a big pom-pom, and it comes in five sizes from baby to adult. It is worked from the bottom up in joined rounds of half double crochet, with no seaming, and the whole hat takes about 2 to 3 hours.
Every stitch count is given for each size, and the shaping follows one simple rule, so it is easy to adjust. Read the pattern through once, make a gauge swatch, and then enjoy a hat the whole family can wear.
Pattern at a Glance
- Skill level: beginner (chain, slip stitch, half double crochet, decrease)
- Time: about 2 to 3 hours
- Construction: worked in the round from the cuff to the tip, with no seams
- Fit: snug, with about 7 to 8 percent negative ease, so it stays on the head
Sizes and Finished Measurements
| Measurement | Baby | Toddler | Child | Adult M | Adult L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fits head circumference | 40 to 44 cm (16 to 17.5 in) | 46 to 49 cm (18 to 19.25 in) | 50 to 53 cm (19.75 to 21 in) | 54 to 57 cm (21.25 to 22.5 in) | 58 to 61 cm (22.75 to 24 in) |
| Hat circumference (unstretched) | 38.5 cm (15 in) | 43 cm (17 in) | 47 cm (18.5 in) | 51.5 cm (20.25 in) | 55.5 cm (22 in) |
| Hat height without pom-pom | 24 cm (9.5 in) | 27 cm (10.5 in) | 30 cm (12 in) | 33 cm (13 in) | 36 cm (14 in) |
| Stitches around the cuff | 54 | 60 | 66 | 72 | 78 |
Measure around the head just above the eyebrows and ears and choose the size closest to that number. If you are between sizes, choose the smaller one, because the cuff stretches.
Materials
Yarn: worsted weight (weight 4) soft acrylic or wool-blend yarn. Approximate amounts, including 10 percent extra:
| Colour | Baby | Toddler | Child | Adult M | Adult L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red (hat body) | 40 m (44 yd) | 50 m (55 yd) | 60 m (65 yd) | 70 m (77 yd) | 80 m (88 yd) |
| White (cuff and pom-pom) | 25 m (27 yd) | 30 m (33 yd) | 33 m (36 yd) | 38 m (42 yd) | 42 m (46 yd) |
Tools
- 5.0 mm (H/8) crochet hook
- Stitch marker
- Tapestry needle and sharp scissors
- A piece of cardboard for the pom-pom, or a pom-pom maker
Gauge
14 half double crochet (hdc) and 10 rows = 10 cm (4 in) with the 5.0 mm hook.
To check gauge, chain 22, hdc in the 3rd chain from the hook and in each chain across (20 hdc), then work 12 more rows of hdc. Measure the centre 10 cm (4 in). If you have more stitches than 14, go up a hook size; if you have fewer, go down a hook size.
Abbreviations (US terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- hdc: half double crochet
- dec: decrease (hdc 2 stitches together: yarn over, insert the hook in the next st and pull up a loop, yarn over, insert the hook in the following st and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all 5 loops)
- BLO: back loop only
- st(s): stitch(es)
- FO: fasten off
- ( ) x N: repeat the instructions in brackets N times
- [ ]: stitch count at the end of the round
- Baby (Toddler, Child, Adult M, Adult L): numbers are given for the smallest size first, with the other sizes in brackets. If only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.
Notes Before You Begin
- The hat is worked in joined rounds. Do not turn your work between rounds.
- The ch 2 at the start of each round does not count as a stitch. Work the first hdc of the round in the same stitch as the join (the first stitch of the previous round), and end each round with a sl st to the first hdc.
- When you change colour, pull the new colour through the last loop of the sl st at the end of the round.
- Keep the foundation chain loose, and make sure it is not twisted when you join it.
Step 1: Cuff (white)
With white and the 5.0 mm hook, ch 54 (60, 66, 72, 78). Join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring, being careful not to twist the chain.
- Round 1: ch 2, hdc in the same ch as the join and in each ch around, sl st to the first hdc [54 (60, 66, 72, 78)]
- Rounds 2 to 5: ch 2, hdc in the back loop only of each st around, sl st to the first hdc [54 (60, 66, 72, 78)]
On the last sl st of Round 5, pull the red yarn through the loop to change colour. Do not cut the white yarn yet if you want to carry it, or cut it leaving a 10 cm (4 in) tail.
Check: The cuff should measure about 5 cm (2 in) tall.
Step 2: Straight Section (red)
Work the next rounds with the red yarn.
- Rounds 6 to 9 (10, 11, 12, 13): ch 2, hdc in each st around, sl st to the first hdc [54 (60, 66, 72, 78)]
That is 4 (5, 6, 7, 8) rounds.
Step 3: Shape the Cone (red)
The cone is made by alternating a decrease round with a plain round, and each decrease round takes away 6 stitches. Every decrease round uses one fewer hdc than the one before.
Decrease round: ch 2, (hdc in the next k sts, dec) x 6, sl st to the first hdc.
Plain round: ch 2, hdc in each st around, sl st to the first hdc.
The value of k for your size starts at the number in the table and drops by 1 on every following decrease round, until k = 0.
| Baby | Toddler | Child | Adult M | Adult L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting stitches | 54 | 60 | 66 | 72 | 78 |
| First value of k | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| Values of k, in order | 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 | 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 | 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 | 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 | 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 |
| Decrease rounds | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| Plain rounds in between | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| Stitches after the last decrease round | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
How to work it
- Work the first decrease round with the first value of k for your size (for example, Adult M: (hdc in the next 10 sts, dec) x 6, leaving 66 stitches).
- Work 1 plain round.
- Work the next decrease round with k reduced by 1 (Adult M: (hdc in the next 9 sts, dec) x 6, leaving 60 stitches).
- Repeat steps 2 and 3, reducing k by 1 each time.
- When k = 0, the decrease round is simply (dec) x 6, which leaves 6 stitches. Do not work a plain round after it.
Stitch counts after each decrease round (for checking)
| Decrease round | Baby | Toddler | Child | Adult M | Adult L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 48 | 54 | 60 | 66 | 72 |
| 2 | 42 | 48 | 54 | 60 | 66 |
| 3 | 36 | 42 | 48 | 54 | 60 |
| 4 | 30 | 36 | 42 | 48 | 54 |
| 5 | 24 | 30 | 36 | 42 | 48 |
| 6 | 18 | 24 | 30 | 36 | 42 |
| 7 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 | 36 |
| 8 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
| 9 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | |
| 10 | 6 | 12 | 18 | ||
| 11 | 6 | 12 | |||
| 12 | 6 |
Step 4: Close the Tip
FO leaving a 30 cm (12 in) tail. Thread the tail through the front loops of the 6 remaining stitches, pull tight to close the hole, and secure with a few stitches. Weave in the end inside the hat.
Step 5: Pom-Pom (white)
- Cut a piece of cardboard that is 6 cm (2.5 in) wide for the baby and toddler sizes, or 8 cm (3 in) wide for the child and adult sizes.
- Wrap white yarn around the cardboard about 90 times (baby and toddler) or 120 times (child and adult).
- Slide a 30 cm (12 in) strand of white yarn under the wraps at one edge, tie it tightly around the middle and knot it twice.
- Cut the loops on both edges, fluff the pom-pom and trim it into a neat round. Keep the tying strand as a tail.
- Sew the pom-pom firmly to the tip of the hat, passing the tail through the top and tying it off inside.
You can also use a pom-pom maker. For babies and toddlers, sew the pom-pom on very securely, or use a crocheted ball instead (see the variations).
Step 6: Finishing
- Weave in all remaining ends.
- Lightly steam or block the hat so it lies smoothly. Do not press the cuff.
- Fold the cuff once if you want it snugger, or leave it down for a taller white band.
- For a classic look, fold the tip over to one side and tack it down with a few stitches.
Adjusting the Hat
- Make the hat longer or shorter: Add or remove plain rounds in Step 2 (the straight section). Each extra round adds about 1 cm (0.4 in).
- Make the cone taller: Add one extra plain round between each decrease round. Each extra round makes the cone about 1 cm (0.4 in) taller per decrease round.
- Make the hat larger or smaller: Change the number of starting stitches by a multiple of 6. Each 6 stitches adds about 4.3 cm (1.75 in) to the circumference. Start the cone with k equal to the new stitch count divided by 6, minus 2.
- Make the cuff taller: Add more BLO rounds in Step 1.
Variations
- Elf hat: Swap the colours: a green hat with a red cuff and a gold pom-pom.
- Candy-cane hat: Work the cone in stripes of 2 rounds red and 2 rounds white.
- Crocheted ball for babies: Instead of a pom-pom, work a small ball: MR, 6 hdc [6], inc x 6 [12], hdc in each st [12] for 2 rounds, dec x 6 [6]. Stuff it lightly and sew it to the tip.
- Jingle bell: For older children and adults, sew a small bell at the tip of the hat or inside the pom-pom. Do not use bells on baby hats.
- Slouchy beanie: Make the straight section longer by 5 or 6 rounds and shorten the cone by omitting the last 2 plain rounds.
Care Instructions
Hand wash or machine wash on a gentle cycle, following the yarn label. Reshape the hat while it is damp and dry it flat. Do not tumble dry if you used acrylic yarn, as high heat can damage the fibre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this hat suitable for beginners? Yes. It uses only chain, slip stitch, half double crochet and a simple decrease, and there is no seaming.
How do I make the hat fit better? Measure the head, choose the closest size, and adjust the starting stitch count by multiples of 6 if needed.
Can I make the hat in another yarn weight? Yes, but you will need to work out new stitch counts: multiply the finished circumference in cm by your stitches per cm, and round to the nearest multiple of 6.
Can I make the hat in cotton? Yes. Cotton gives a firmer, less stretchy hat, so choose a size up.
Is a pom-pom safe for babies? Sew it on very securely or use the crocheted ball variation. For very young babies, skip the pom-pom altogether.
Final Thoughts
This Santa hat is quick to make, easy to size and a joy to wear. Make one for each family member, or a whole stack for gifts and photos. Happy crocheting, and Merry Christmas!
Pattern notes: This pattern is for personal use. If you sell finished items, please credit the pattern designer.
