Creative Crochet: Adorable Baby Hat Toppers For Beginners

Baby hats are a popular choice for crocheters, as they are quick to make, use very little yarn, and are a thoughtful gift for new parents. There are thousands of free crochet patterns available online, suitable for all skill levels, and they can be customised with colours, appliques, and pom-poms. The texture of the yarn is important, as it needs to be soft and comfortable for babies' sensitive skin, and easy to care for, too.

Crochet Preemie Hat with a ribbed brim

This sweet little crochet preemie hat is a beautiful and useful creation for newborns. The pattern is adjustable and can be made with any size yarn and hook combination. It is also a great way to use up leftover yarn from your scrap pile. The brim is where the magic happens, with a tiny ribbed edge that gives it a unique look and functionality.

Materials

• US H8/5.00mm crochet hook
• 3/8 oz of Worsted weight yarn in your choice of colour
• Tapestry needle and scissors
• Stitch marker

Pattern

The hat is worked in half double crochet stitch in the round, making it an easy and fast project.

Round 1: 8 hdc into ring (8 sts). Work in rounds through row 9. Use a stitch marker to keep track of the rows.

Round 2: 2 hdc in each st around (16 st)

Round 3: *hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st, repeat from * around (24 st)

Round 4: *hdc in next 2 st, 2 hdc in next st, repeat from * around (32 st)

Rounds 5-9: hdc in each st around (32 st)

Note: Starting with Round 10, rows are no longer worked in a continuous round. Instead, begin each row with chain(s) and end by slip-stitching to the first stitch.

Round 10: ch 2 (counts as the first stitch in the row). Then hdc in each stitch around and join with the top of the ch 2.

Round 11: ch 2 (counts as a stitch), *front post hdc in next st, back post hdc in next st* repeat from * to * around. Join with the top of the ch 2. (32 st).

Round 12: ch 1 and sc in the same stitch as joining (counts as first post stitch), *front post sc in next st, back post sc in next st* repeat from * to * around. Join to the top of the first stitch. (32 st).

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Finishing Touches

Add a tiny pom-pom to the top of the hat for extra warmth and cuteness! This crochet preemie hat is now ready to be gifted or donated to a local hospital.

Quick and simple baby hat

Materials

• Bernat Baby Blanket yarn in any colour of your choice. (Alternatively, use any super chunky, size 6 yarn of the same gauge.)
• A size N/P (10mm) crochet hook.
• A tapestry needle to weave in the ends. (You can also use a smaller hook.)

Abbreviations

• Sc – single crochet
• Hdc – half double crochet
• BLO – back loop only

Instructions

• Work the first 3 rounds of the Newborn Crochet Hat to measure gauge.
• The diameter of the circle after 3 Rounds should be 4-1/2 inches.
• Back Loop Only (BLO): Work in the BLO (back loop only) by inserting your hook just under the back loop of the stitch and leaving the front loop free.
• Two options are given for Round 1: with or without a magic ring. Choose whichever one you are comfortable with.
• If you start with a magic ring, take special care to weave in the beginning tail securely, going back and forth at least 3 times. You don’t want your magic ring to open up and make your hat fall apart.
• If you work your first round without a magic ring, you might have to use the beginning tail to close any holes left on the crown before weaving in the rest of the tail.
• The first 3 Rounds are common for all 4 sizes. After working on those, proceed to Round 4 for the size you are making.
• Round 1 (with magic ring): Make a magic ring and work 8 sc into it, close the ring, do not sl st and do not turn.——–8 sc
• Round 1 (without magic ring): Ch 3, 2 sc into 2nd ch from hook, 4 sc into next ch, you will now end up below your foundation chain, 2 sc into the next free loop of the foundation chain, do not sl st and do not turn. ——–8 sc
• Round 2: 2 sc in next st (the first st of Round 1), place a marker in the first st you just made, 2 sc in next 7 sts until you end in the st right before the marked one, do not sl st and do not turn.——16 sc
• Round 3: 1 sc in next marked st, move the marker up into the first st you just made, 2 sc in next *(1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next), repeat from * until you end in the st right before the marked one, do not sl st and do not turn.———24 sc
• Round 4: 1 sc in next marked st, move the marker up into the st you just made, 1 sc in each st across until you end in the st right before the marked one, do not sl st and do not turn.———24 sc
• Repeat Round 4 three more times until your hat is 4-1/2 inches tall. Do not fasten off yet. Fold your hat flat. Experiment to find the best fold, so it becomes easy to attach the ears.
• Work sc sts until you reach the side of the hat and sl st to the side.
• Once you fold the hat, most likely your marker won’t be on the side fold. So, take out the marker and continue working sc sts until you reach near the side of the hat. It might take you one or more stitches depending on how you folded it and the size you are making.
• Last Round: Sl st to the BLO of the next st on the side fold, ch 1, 1 sc in BLO of the same st as ch 1, 1 sc in the BLO of each st across to end, Sl st to the first sc. Fasten off.——–24 sc
• Run the needle along the base of the ear and cinch.
• Completed ear is round and bowl-like.
• Row 1: Ch 3, 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 2 sc in next ch, turn—–4 sc
• Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in the same st as ch 1, 2 sc in remaining 3 sts, fasten off with a 15-inch tail for sewing.——–8 sc
• Thread the long tail left on the ears and run your needle in and out through the straight base of the ear, pull to cinch. The tighter you pull, the smaller your ears will look. Repeat with the other ear.
• Place both the ears along the sides of the hat and find the position you like best. Sew them along the fold of the hat on either side.
• Make sure you read the pattern notes given at the beginning of the pattern and then weave in any tails left.

Crochet basketweave baby beanie

The crochet basketweave stitch is a popular stitch for baby beanies, creating a textured, stretchy, and soft fabric with a double-thick layer, perfect for winter. The stitch pattern can be worked into big or little squares, creating a unique texture.

The basketweave baby beanie is typically crocheted top-down, working in the round, and joined with a slip stitch. The brim of the hat can be worked using slip stitches, single crochet stitches, or half double crochet stitches—slip stitches are preferred for their knit look and ability to maintain their shape. The body of the hat is then worked before finishing with decreases for the top.

For a basketweave baby beanie, you will need two crochet hooks of different sizes, one smaller (3.5 mm or E/4) and one larger (4 mm or F/6). The larger hook is used for the main body of the hat, while the smaller hook is used for the brim. You will also need sport-weight (5 ply, 2 fine) baby merino wool in two contrasting colours. Some suggested yarns include DROPS Baby Merino, Katia Merino Baby, or Lang Yarns Merino 200 Bebe.

The beanie pattern can be adjusted for different sizes by adding or removing a few rounds. The size can also be modified by working the first hdc round of the hat body in multiples of eight.

• Using the larger hook, make a magic circle (MC).
• Chain 2, crochet 12 double crochet (dc) in MC, join with a slip stitch (sl st) in the first dc.
• Chain 2, 2 dc in each stitch around, join by sl st.
• Chain 1, *2 front post double crochet (FPdc) in the first stitch, 1 FPdc in the next stitch, 2 back post double crochet (BPdc) in the next stitch, 1 BPdc in the next stitch*, repeat from * all around, join by sl st into the first stitch.
• Chain 1, *2 FPdc in the first stitch, 1 FPdc in the next 2 stitches, 2 BPdc in the next stitch, 1 BPdc in the next 2 stitches*, repeat from * all around, join by sl st into the first stitch.
• Continue working in the round, following the established pattern, and increasing the number of stitches as needed for the desired size.
• Switch to the smaller hook for the brim of the beanie.
• Join the contrasting colour, chain 2, dc in each stitch around, join by sl st.
• Chain 1, alternate FPdc and BPdc in each stitch around, join by sl st.
• Switch back to the main colour, chain 1, single crochet (sc) in each stitch around, join by sl st.
• Tie off and weave in the ends.

You can add a pompom or an applique to personalise your beanie.

Spring girls crochet hat

The Spring Girls Crochet Hat is a lightweight hat for older baby girls (6-12 months) and their older sisters. It is made using a granny stitch and features a feminine ruffled brim and a puffy flower embellishment.

The pattern for this hat is easy to follow and suitable for crocheters of all skill levels. It is a great project for using up leftover yarn, as it only requires a small amount of yarn to make. The hat is also quick to work up, making it an ideal last-minute gift for a baby shower.

When choosing yarn for this project, it is important to select a soft and cosy fibre that will feel comfortable against a baby's sensitive skin. Machine-washable cotton, acrylic, or blends are good options, as they are easy for new parents to care for.

To make the Spring Girls Crochet Hat even more special, you can add personal touches such as a pom-pom or a fun applique. With its ruffled brim and flower embellishment, this hat is sure to be a hit with both little girls and their big sisters!

Autumn wheat flat crochet hat

The Autumn Wheat Hat is a crochet pattern designed by Briana K. that captures the beauty of fall with a unique stitch that is both stylish and functional. The pattern is worked up in worsted weight yarn, which is perfect for giving the hat a nice, cozy feel. It uses a 5 mm crochet hook, but you can use whatever hook size your tension demands.

The Autumn Wheat Hat is a great first project to kick off the new season and is perfect for beginners. It is worked in rows from the side across, and the decreases of the crown and the ribbing are worked at the same time. Once the rectangle is complete, simply join the edges and use the starting tail to close up the top of the hat.

The pattern is versatile and can be made in 8 sizes, from newborn to adult, ensuring that both little and big heads stay cozy all season long. It is also customizable, allowing you to choose fall shades like deep reds, oranges, or yellows, or go with neutral tones that will match any wardrobe effortlessly.

The Autumn Wheat Hat is not only a stylish accessory, but it is also functional, providing warmth on crisp autumn days. It can be dressed up or down, paired with a comfy sweater and jeans or a long coat and scarf, making it a versatile addition to your wardrobe.

Frequently asked questions