Classic Baby Hat – Free Crochet Pattern

Crochet Newborn Hat

Learn how to crochet a baby hat with this easy-to-follow crochet baby hat pattern and step-by-step video tutorial. This Classic Baby Hat Crochet Pattern is specially designed to fit a newborn baby, making it a perfect handmade gift for baby showers, newborn photo sessions, or welcoming a little one into the world.

With its timeless design and simple stitches, this crochet baby hat is a wonderful choice for both baby boys and baby girls. The pattern works up quickly, making it ideal for last-minute gifts or charity donations. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crocheter, you’ll love how easy and enjoyable this project is.

Follow along with the detailed instructions and video tutorial to create a soft and cozy newborn hat that will keep your baby warm and stylish.

You can use the Table of Contents below to jump to any section of the pattern or keep scrolling down to view all the details, the video tutorial and the written instructions.

Matching Baby Blanket

This baby hat pattern was designed to match my Classic Baby Blanket Crochet Pattern.

The Classic Baby Blanket (pictured above) is made with the same stitch as this hat and the last three rounds of the border of the blanket is the same as the final three rounds as this hat.

I call the stitch used in both patterns “the modified blanket stitch,” as it’s similar to the blanket stitch but in reverse.

Both the blanket and the hat are gender-neutral and perfect for a baby boy or baby girl.

Make both the Classic Baby Blanket (which has detailed written instructions and a step-by-step video tutorial) and this Classic Baby Hat as truly special gift for the new bundle of joy in your life!

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Get the PDF!

Purchase the printer-friendly, ad-free PDF of this pattern that you can instantly download! It includes everything from this free pattern but you can easily save, print and access it anytime!

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Pattern Details

Skill Level

Easy

Size

The pattern creates a hat that is designed to fit a newborn baby (age 0 – 3 months). The finished hat when folded is approx. 6” wide and 5.25” high.

Materials

Yarn: Any size 4 (medium) and 100% acrylic yarn. You will need approx. 50 yds (for one hat). 

For this pattern, I only recommend using size 4 (medium) and 100% acrylic yarn.

I used Impeccable yarn by Loops & Threads in the colors “Lavender” (purple), “Clear Blue,” “Arbor Rose” (pink) and “Jade” (green). This yarn is size 4 (medium) and 100% acrylic. A skein is 285 yds / 260 m and 4.5 oz / 127.5 g.

Crochet Hook Size: H/8 (5.00 mm).

Other Materials: Yarn needle, scissors, a measuring tape and a stitch marker.

Terminology

This pattern is written for right-handed crochet using standard US terminology. If you’re more familiar with UK terms, here’s my US to UK Conversion Chart. 

Abbreviations

• ch/chs = chain/chains
• st/sts = stitch/stitches
• sp/sps = space/spaces
• sk = skip
• sl st = slip stitch 
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet 
• ch-2 sp = chain two space

Gauge

After Round 2, work should measure 2.25” across. Measurements are provided throughout the pattern. If your work is measuring differently at any point, start again with a different hook size. 

Pattern Notes

• The hat is made from the top down.
• The pattern is worked in the round. Never turn at the start or end of a round. 
• Chains never count as stitches.
• The slip stitch that joins the round never gets worked into or counted as a stitch. 
• The first stitch of the round is the stitch attached to the chain(s) and is the same stitch that you slip stitched into to join the previous round. You may find it helpful to place a stitch marker in the top of the first stitch of each round.
• When the pattern has stitches in brackets, it means to make the indicated stitches in the same stitch or space. For example: “In the first st, (sc, dc).” means to make a single crochet and a double crochet in the same stitch. 

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Video Tutorial

Watch the step-by-step video tutorial below or keep scrolling down for the written instructions.

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Just a Reminder!

This pattern is also available as a PDF, which includes everything listed here but as a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF that you can instantly download, save, print, make notes on and keep forever.

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How to Crochet the Classic Baby Hat (Pattern Instructions)

Start: Make a Magic Circle.

Round 1: Ch 1. 

Make 12 dc into the Magic Circle. 

Pull the end of the Magic Circle tight to close. 

Sl st into the top of the first dc to join.

(12 dc sts. Reminder: chs and the joining sl st never count as sts. After Round 1, work should measure 1.5” across). 

Round 2: Ch 1. Reminder: never turn.

In the first st, (sc, dc). 

*In the next st, (sc, dc).*

Repeat from * to * around. 

Sl st into the top of the first sc made in the round to join. 

(24 sts. After Round 2, work should measure 2.25” across).

Round 3: Ch 1. 

In the first st, (sc, ch 2, 2 dc). 

Sk the next st. 

*In the next st, (sc, ch 2, 2 dc).

Sk the next st.*

Repeat from * to * around. 

Sl st into the top of the first sc made in the round to join. 

(36 sts. After Round 3, work should measure 3.5” across (measured at the furthest points). It’s okay if your work curls and does not lay completely flat.). 

Every time you made 2 chs you created a “ch-2 sp” that you will work into on the following round. This sp is under the 2 chs and between the sc and dc sts. After Round 3, there are a total of 12 ch-2 sps. 

For Rounds 4 – 9, you will only be working into the ch-2 sps and not in the tops of sts, except when joining the round. 

Round 4: Ch 1. 

In the first ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, 2 dc). 

*In the next ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, 2 dc).*

Repeat from * to * around. 

Sl st into the top of the first sc made in the round to join.

(36 sts and 12 ch-2 sps. After Round 4, work should measure 4.5” across (measured at the furthest points)). 

Rounds 5 – 9: Repeat Round 4. 

After Round 9, work when folded should measure 6” wide and 4.25” high. 

Note: This hat is designed to be 5.25” high when complete, which is the average height of a newborn baby hat. If you need to make it taller, continue to repeat Round 4 any number of times, then proceed to Round 10.

Round 10: Ch 1. 

In the first st, sc. 

Sk the first 2 chs and the first ch-2 sp.

*Sc in the next 3 sts. 

Sk the next 2 chs and the next ch-2 sp.* 

Repeat from * to * around until there are 2 sts left. 

Sc in the last 2 sts. 

Sl st into the top of the first sc made in the round to join.

(36 sc sts). 

Round 11: Ch 2. 

In the first st, dc.

Dc in each st around. 

Sl st into the top of the first dc made in the round to join.

(36 dc sts. After Round 11, work should measure 6” wide and 5” high.)

Round 12: Ch 1. 

In the first st, sl st. 

In the next st, make 4 sc in the same st. 

Sk the next st. 

*In the next st, sl st.

In the next st, make 4 sc in the same st.

Sk the next st.*

Repeat from * to * around. 

Sl st into the top of the first sc made in the round (the first of 4 sc made in the second st) to join. 

(48 sc sts). 

Fasten off and weave in loose ends. 

And now you have a new baby hat!

Make the matching Classic Baby Blanket next!

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