Crochet Baby Hat Free Pattern You Can Easily Make In One Evening

This Easy Crochet Baby Hat pattern is perfect for beginners who want to make something soft, adorable, and practical for little ones. Designed by Craft & Crochet, this pattern features a delicate shell stitch texture and a cozy fit that keeps your baby warm and stylish.

Crochet Baby Hat

The hat is worked in rounds and includes sizing options from newborn to 12 months, so you can create multiple versions as your baby grows. With simple stitches and clear steps, even beginners can craft this charming baby beanie with confidence. It’s also a wonderful handmade gift for baby showers or newborn photo sessions.

Materials

• Double Knitting (DK) Weight Yarn
• 4 mm crochet hook

General Information & Sizing

For the newborn size, start with a chain of 56 (54 DC in Row 1, 9 shells, 4 3D shells tall, total 8 body rows).
>For the 0–3 month size, chain 62 (60 DC, 10 shells, 5 3D shells, 10 body rows).
>For the 3–6 month size, chain 68 (66 DC, 11 shells, 6 3D shells, 12 body rows).
>For the 6–12 month size, chain 74 (72 DC, 12 shells, 7 3D shells, 14 body rows).

Foundation Row & Ribbon (Rounds 1–3)

• Chain the required number of stitches for your size.
• Skip the first 3 chains (counts as 1 Double Crochet, DC).
• Work 1 DC into the 4th chain from the hook and into every chain across.
• Join with a Slip Stitch (SS) to the top of the starting chain-3.
• Round 2: Chain 3, work 2 FPDC around the next two posts, 2 BPDC around the next two posts, repeat around, SS to join.

• Round 3: Chain 3, FPDC on FPDC and BPDC on BPDC, SS to join.

Hat Body Pattern (Shell Pattern)

• Round 1: Chain 1, SC in first stitch, skip 2 stitches, work 7 DC in next stitch, skip 2 stitches, SC in next stitch, repeat around, SS to first SC.
• Round 2: Turn, SS into next stitches to position over third DC of shell, chain 3 (counts as FPDC), FPDC around next 2 DC, chain 1, skip the middle DC, FPDC around last 3 DC, skip SC, repeat pattern, SS to top of chain-3.
• Round 3: Do not turn, SC between FPDC groups, skip 3 FPDC, in chain-1 space work 3 DC, 1 FPDC around skipped DC from Round 1, 3 DC in same space, SC between shells, repeat around, SS to first SC.
• Repeat Rounds 2 and 3 until the body reaches the correct number of shell rounds for your size.

Decrease & Closing Rounds

• Decrease Round 1: Follow Round 3 but make 2 DC instead of 3 DC per side of each shell. SC between shells, SS to join.
• Decrease Round 2: Follow Round 2 but make 2 FPDC instead of 3 FPDC.
• Turn, SS into next stitches, chain 3, FPDC around next DC, chain 1, skip next FPDC, FPDC around last 2 DC, repeat, SS to join.
• Decrease Round 3: Follow Round 3 but make 1 DC instead of 2 DC per side.
• Do not turn, SC between shells, repeat pattern, SS to join.

Final Closing Rounds

• Round 14: Chain 1, SC in every stitch and space around, SS to join.
• Round 15: Chain 1, SC in first stitch, skip 1 stitch, SC in next, repeat around, SS to join.
• Cut yarn, leave a tail, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight to close, and secure.