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All About Newborn Crochet Hats
Babies are the best people to crochet for, and these newborn crochet hat patterns are the perfect place to start. If you’re a new crocheter who wants to learn how to knit hats, you’ve come to the right place.
Crochet baby hats are quick and easy gifts to make for new little ones, whether your own or for a baby shower or a charity project.
We’ve collected 40 free patterns to get you started, from plain beanies and other hats great for beginners to stitch, to animal hats and costume hats ideal for a baby’s first photo shoot.
Why Crochet a Newborn Hat?
The first reason you might want to crochet baby hats is that there are tons of adorable designs that you can choose from. A lot of them are so charming you might want to start crocheting before you even have a recipient in mind.
Crochet hats are one of the easiest and quickest projects to make. You can finish a hat for a baby in about an hour depending on your pace and its design.
You can also make use of your scrap yarns on baby hats, because they use such a small amount of yarn. Or if you want to use a new skein of yarn, you can make several newborn hats out of one.
If you’re an expecting parent, or just had a baby, or if you know one, a hat is a great gift to give to a newborn. They are best for keeping the baby’s head snug, warm, and protected.
Crochet hats are also lovely items to donate to charities and newborn babies at hospitals. A lot of new parents and babies will be so grateful to receive this small but thoughtful gift.
How to Crochet a Newborn Hat for Beginners?
The most basic way to crochet a newborn hat is to start from the top and work down to the brim. Top-down hats typically start with a magic ring or chain stitches joined into a circle. The top of the hat is typically worked with basic crochet stitches like single crochet or double crochet. Stitches are increased until the hat is big enough to fit baby’s head.
Then the body of the hat is stitched without increasing or decreasing. Some hats will continue in the same stitch as the top of the hat, or you may change to a different stitch pattern for this portion.
And lastly, you will crochet the brim. It could be a ribbed brim (crocheting stitches in the back loops only) or a wide brim for a sun hat. Or the pattern stitch from the body of the hat can continue the full length without an edging. Some patterns will have earflaps for added warmth for the ears.
Speaking of ears, some hats have ears, little bows, or other embellishments that are often stitched separately and sewn onto the hat. You can also add other embellishments like buttons and ribbons.
What is the Size of a Newborn Crochet Hat?
First, it’s important to note that a newborn is a baby from birth to three months old. Some patterns may have separate instructions for different ages, such as newborn, 3-6 months, 6-12 months. So, if you know the age of the newborn, you’re making the hat for, then it will be easier to determine which instruction to follow.
All babies are different, and some have large heads while others have smaller heads, so it’s ideal if you can measure the baby’s head and then determine the size of the hat to make based on their actual head circumference.
For an average newborn hat sizing, refer to the table below. Remember that this is just the average measurement and a newborn baby’s head may differ.
| Head’s Circumference | Head Diameter | Hat Circumference | Hat Diameter | Hat Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 in | 4.5 in | 12 in | 4 in | 6 in |
| 35.5 cm | 11 cm | 30 cm | 10 cm | 15 cm |
Notice that the hat’s circumference is 2 in or 5.5 cm narrower than the head measurement. This is because the crocheted hat will stretch, so making it a little smaller than the actual measurement assures a snug but comfortable fit.
Some patterns have more ease because they are meant to be slouchy or to fit the baby for longer than just the newborn stage. Consult the pattern you want to work for exact measurements.
Materials Needed to Crochet a Newborn Hat
Yarn
There are so many beautiful yarns available in the market today. In choosing which one to use, always keep in mind that babies often have sensitive skin (and not a lot of hair!), so you want to make sure you choose a yarn that is soft.
Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice is the most used yarn in the patterns below because it comes in a wide range of colors, is soft, inexpensive, and machine washable. Other yarns we recommend are the Knit Picks Brava Worsted and Red Heart Super Saver. If you want to use cotton yarn, try Lily Sugar‘n Cream or Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton.
Other Tools and Materials
Optional Accessories
Now that you know the basics, it’s time to get into the crochet newborn baby hat patterns.
Newborn Crochet Beanie Patterns for Beginners
Let’s start with simple and easy crochet beanies for newborns. In this first collection, you’ll find adorable designs you’ll not want to miss.
Newborn Baby Crochet Hat Pattern
Designer: Lisa Auch Crochet
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Baby Soft
One of the simplest newborn hats you can make is this ribbed baby beanie. It’s stretchable with a foldable brim so it can fit on different newborn head sizes.
Super Simple Newborn Beanie
Designer: Yarn and Chai
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
This simple newborn beanie is made with double crochets and accented with a round of single crochet at the bottom. Work it in a different color or make it solid if you’d rather.
Easy Crochet Baby Hat
Designer: Maisie & Ruth
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Sirdar Snuggly Baby Crofter
The crown part of this beanie is made with simple double crochets. Then the body has a beautiful texture made with the piqué stitch. You can also add a pompom on its top for embellishment.
Easy Striped Crochet Baby Hat Pattern
Designer: Dabbles & Babbles
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Berroco Vintage DK
Create a quick and lovely crochet project with this hat pattern. It has a minimalistic style and stripes at the bottom with a textured brim.
Parker Crochet Baby Hat
Designer: Sewrella
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
Make your newborn baby cozy and cute with this free crochet baby hat pattern. With just knowledge of double crochet and front post double crochet stitches, you can finish this hat.
Ocean Sea Shells Hat Pattern
Designer: Oombawka Designs
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver Ombre
Practice making the perfect shell stitch with this beginner-friendly crochet pattern. With the self-color-changing yarn, the result is an amazing hat.
Strawberry Crochet Hat Pattern
Designer: Mud Paper Scissors
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
Let your sweet little one wear a sweet strawberry hat. This is a less-than-an-hour project that you can enjoy making and is so cute for a summer baby.
Sweet Baby Hat
Designer: Raffamusa Designs
Yarn weight: (2) Sport
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand LB Collection Merino Camel
Keep your newborn cozy with this thick crochet hat. It mainly uses the half double crochet in the third loop stitch, making it chunky and squishy and giving it a fun, almost knit look.
Adorable Free Crochet Hat Pattern for Babies
Designer: Blue Star Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver O’Go
Welcome a newborn baby into this world with this delightful hat. The puff stitches will surely keep the baby’s head warm and protected, and the color changes are so pretty.
Newborn Knot Hat
Designer: Crochet Spot
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Baby Soft Yarn
Here’s another way to top a hat aside from a pompom: tie a knot. It’s a cute and unique hat your newborn baby can wear daily or during a photoshoot.
Stylish Crochet Hats for Newborns
This set consists of hats that are not beanies designed for newborns. You’ll find here other kinds of hats such as bucket hats, berets, and bonnets.
Ribbed Baby Turban
Designer: Sweet Softies
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
A turban is a cute way to give your baby girl some extra style. This turban pattern has a bow on it for even more sweetness.
Valerie’s Sun Hat
Designer: The Lavender Chair
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar‘n Cream
This hat is perfect to wear during summer. It has a lacy pattern on its body that can protect and comfort your newborn’s head while still keeping them cool.
Summer Sun Hat
Designer: My Merry Messy Life
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar‘n Cream
Cover your little one’s head when you go outside with this hat. Use cotton yarn so this hat will feel comfortable and cool on your baby’s head.
Tiny Textures Crochet Baby Newsboy Cap
Designer: Pretty Darn Adorable
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease
This is just the cutest newsboy cap! Aside from the easy written instructions, this pattern also includes a video tutorial that you opt for if you want.
Chameleon Hat
Designer: Pattern Paradise
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Baby Soft
This pattern is called the Chameleon Hat because the designer has made it in so many different ways. This cute fishing hat version includes a tie with little fish dangling from it!
Infant Pixie Hat Pattern
Designer: Crazy Hands
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion’s Brand Wool Ease
Any newborn baby will look adorable in this pixie hat. This pattern is for confident beginners who are ready to try and learn new crochet stitches.
Back to Basics Crochet Baby Bonnet
Designer: Croby Patterns
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar’n Cream
Crochet a simple and cute bonnet for your newborn with this easy-to-follow pattern. It has helpful pictures and a video tutorial with the pattern.
Seamless Earflap Hat
Designer: Lindsey Carr, via Ravelry
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted
Wrap your newborn’s delicate head with this hat that has lovely earflaps. With this pattern, you can practice crocheting in continuous rounds, which makes the hat more seamless and perfect.
Today Beret
Designer: Winding Road Crochet
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Mandala Ombre
Of course, your newborn baby should also wear a fashionable hat, like this sweet beret. This is a simple and beginner-friendly pattern. If you haven’t tried crocheting a beret before, now is the time to make one.
Newborn Costume Hat Crochet Patterns
Looking for a baby hat for a photo shoot? These costume-style hats are great for a newborn’s first photos or for their first Halloween.
Crocheted Aviator Hat
Designer: Repeat Crafter Me
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
Have your little future pilot wear this inspiring hat for a fun photo shoot. It’s a cute hat that can keep your baby’s head warm during chilly days.
Baby Crochet Football Hat Free Pattern
Designer: Jenny and Teddy
Yarn weight: (2) Sport
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Brava Sport
Do you know expecting parents who are also fond of sports? This is the perfect baby shower gift. Surprise them with a handmade football (maybe it could also be rugby?) hat that they will fall in love with.
Cupcake Crochet Hat Free Pattern
Designer: Jenny and Teddy
Yarn weight: (2) Sport
Suggested yarn: Ewe Ewe Ewe So Sporty
Make this sweet, cute hat for your little cupcake! It’s such an adorable gift for a new little one, and you can change the colors to whatever “flavor” you like.
Pumpkin Hat with Vines and Leaf
Designer: American Crochet Association
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
If your baby is born during the fall, here’s a hat you can welcome them with. The textures will surely make your baby’s head comfortable and happy.
Little Helper Crochet Elf Hat
Designer: Janaya Chouinard, via All Free Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
This sweet little Elf hat is perfect for a baby’s first Christmas or to use in a gnome-themed photo shoot. The picots on the edging make it extra cute.
Baby Snowman Hat Pattern
Designer: Make and Do Crew
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Worsted
This perfect Christmas hat can also serve as your baby’s costume for Halloween or for any winter event. Make your baby the cutest snowman in your home.
Newborn Sorting Hat Pattern
Designer: Amidorable Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
If you’re a fan of the movie series Harry Potter, you’re going to love this hat. Let your newborn baby be familiar with the world of wizardry with this hat that will keep them cozy and warm.
Baby Monster Beanie
Designer: Raffamusa
Yarn weight: (2) Fine
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Brava Sport
Looking for your newborn’s Halloween costume? Crochet this hat that’s scary, silly, and cute all at the same time.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse Crochet Hats
Designer: Repeat Crafter Me
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Worsted
Give your optimistic, brave, and lovable newborn baby a hat inspired by Mickey Mouse. There’s an option that includes a bow to make it a Minnie Mouse hat if you like as well.
Newborn Sailor Hat Crochet Pattern
Designer: Cream of the Crop Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Crochet your newborn baby this hat and give them the spirit of being a brave adventurer. This sweet hat is worked mostly in double crochets and would be perfect for a trip to the beach.
Preemie/Newborn Braided Hair Hat Crochet Pattern
Designer: Cream of the Crop Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
Got a new baby girl? Make her the princess of your home with this hat. It’s an easy-to-follow pattern that you’ll enjoy crocheting, and the braids can be made any color.
Animal Motif Newborn Hats
Take your newborn baby on a jungle escapade or a trip to the petting zoo. with these animal-themed newborn crochet hat patterns.
Newborn Bunny Crochet Pattern
Designer: Briana K Designs
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Soft
For springtime, let your newborn baby wear this matching set of a lovely bunny hat and a bottom cover. This is an easy and quick pattern that beginners can enjoy that’s perfect for a newborn photo session.
Frog Bucket Hat
Designer: Strommer Crafts
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Make a perfect gift for a baby born during springtime with this cute bucket hat. This is a great project for baby to wear to the beach or the park.
Teddy Hats
Designer: Crochet Dreams
Yarn weight: (6) Bulky
Suggested yarn: Bernat Baby Blanket
The tiny ears on this chunky hat are so adorable! Imagine a newborn baby wearing it. It’s a cuteness overload.
Caron Snowy Owl Crochet Hat
Designer: Repeat Crafter Me, via Yarnspirations
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Get your newborn this silly and squishy owl hat. This is a fun and quick project with almost as much personality as your little one.
Crochet Puppy Hat Pattern
Designer: Repeat Crafter Me
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
Are you a dog lover? This sweet puppy hat is a great option for you! The eye patch is super adorable and the braids on the ear flaps make a fun addition.
Crochet Lamb Hat Pattern
Designer: Repeat Crafter Me
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
This sweet lamby hat is so sweet and cute for your little lamb. It would be adorable for baby to wear around Easter or any other time!
Bernat Crochet Sloth Hat
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Bernat Super Value
You might not think of sloths as being cute, but just imagine your sweet baby wearing a sloth hat. This is an easy and beginner-friendly pattern with such cute details.
Free Elephant Baby Crochet Pattern
Designer: Briana K Designs
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart With Love
Let your little newborn baby wear a costume hat for a big animal, an elephant. It’s a great outfit for a photo shoot and other baby events. And while this post is focused on hats, check out the sweet little tail on this diaper cover.
Preemie Newborn Duck Hat Crochet Pattern
Designer: Cream of the Crop Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
This is a simple newborn beanie adorned with duck eyes and a bill. Keep your baby cute and cozy with this crochet animal hat.
Crochet Shark Hat Pattern
Designer: Repeat Crafter Me
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
Make your newborn a baby shark with this lovely hat. If your baby has siblings who like the Baby Shark song, I’m sure they will be also delighted with this hat.
Are You a New Crocheter Looking for Extra Help Learning to Crochet?
If you want to have more confidence in following these free crochet patterns, check out our Crochet Fundamentals workshop.
This collection of videos will teach you the basics and beyond, including how to hold your yarn and hook, make basic stitches, increase and decrease, finish projects with accuracy, and more.
