Crochet Hat Patterns are Easy to Design,  Learn How With This Tutorial

Wanna know the ins and outs of making a hat if you don't have any crochet hat patterns?

Crochet hat patternsCrochet hat patterns

There are 3 main techniques for crochet hat patterns.  

  1. From the top down
  2. From the bottom up
  3. Crochet a square or rectangular piece of fiber and sew it up to form a hat.  

None of these techniques are better than the other.  It’s a personal preference which method you choose.  Try all three ways and you decide for yourself.  

To get the best fit, measure and fit the person you are making the hat for. People come in all different sizes no matter their age. 

For an accurate head measure, you need the full head circumference. Use a tape measure around the forehead, keeping it tight. Then divide that number by 3.14 and round up or down to the nearest quarter to get a good crown measurement.  For example, if the head measures 21, here is the math:

21 divided by 3.14 = 6.68 rounded to 7

For the length, measure from the center of the head down to the bottom of the ear.  Consider what your hat brim will look like and make the necessary adjustments.  

Crocheted hats are stretchy and have some give which allows for less importance on precise measurements.  

Here is the Crochet Hat Pattern measurement chart.

Here is a free printable ruler, if you need one.

Are hats a good beginner project?

It depends on the beginner’s confidence in being able to properly crochet a few of the basic stitches.  At a minimum, you must know how to chain and make a slip stitch.  Knowing how to make the half double crochet and a double crochet would make you a very nice hat.   You also need to know how to accurately count stitches, and how to increase and decrease each stitch.   

If you able capable of the above, give it a try. I know that you will make something beautiful.

Top-Down Crochet Hat Patterns

crochet hatcrochet hat crown

If your hat is top-down, it means you start from the middle of the crown and work down to the brim.  Measure the circle as you crochet. 

You will be increasing at regular intervals until you reach the desired crown size.  When you achieve the measurement, stop increasing.

Continue with the same number of stitches around.  This will shape the sides of the hat.  Proceed with your pattern until your hat reaches the desired size.   

This is the most beginner-friendly method of crocheting a hat.  

Easy Crochet Hat Pattern

Easy Crochet Hat Pattern made with just single crochetEasy Crochet Hat Pattern

Crochet Winter Hat Pattern

This is a sweet little top down hat that you may enjoy making.  

crochet winter hat patterncrochet winter hat pattern

Crochet Newborn Hat Pattern

Crochet Newborn Hat PatternCrochet Newborn Hat Pattern

Crochet Beanie Pattern

more top down hats

crochet beanie patterncrochet beanie pattern

Bulky Crochet Hat Pattern

Bulky Crochet Hat PatternBulky Crochet Hat Pattern

Mens Crochet Hat Pattern

mens crochet hat patternMens Crochet Hat Pattern

Crochet Slouchy Hat Pattern

Crochet Slouchy Hat PatternCrochet Slouchy Hat Pattern

Toddler Crochet Hat Pattern

Toddler Crochet Hat PatternToddler Crochet Hat Pattern

Easy Crochet Hat Patterns

Easy Crochet Hat PatternsEasy Crochet Hat Patterns

Womens Crochet Hat Patterns

Womens Crochet Hat PatternsWomens Crochet Hat Patterns

Bottom-Up Approach Crochet Hat Patterns

The bottom-up approach can be done 2 ways.  

Method 1:  Crochet enough chains for a brim, (9 chains) then work the chosen stitch in the back loop only.  This creates a ribbed look, much like knitting produces. 

This rib can be worked with either single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), or double crochet (dc).  When the rib reaches the size of the circumference of the head (around), join the two ends using slip stitches. This will be an invisible join.  This is the brim of the hat.

Picture below uses single crochet for the rib.  

rib for brim of crochet hatrib for brim of crochet hat

This is what the rib looks like with the Single Crochet (sc), Half Double Crochet (hdc) and Double Crochet (dc).  Note that the hdc is a slightly higher stitch than the sc and the dc is yet higher than the hdc.  

crochet rib in sc, hdc and dccrochet rib in sc, hdc and dc

Baby Hat Crochet Pattern

Baby Hat Crochet PatternBaby Hat Crochet Pattern

Mens Crochet Beanie Pattern

mens crochet beanie patternmens crochet beanie pattern

Method 2:  Crochet enough chains (we call this foundation chains) to fit the circle of the head, just above the ears.  Then without twisting the chains, join to form a circle with a slip stitch.  Continue working your pattern to form the brim of the hat.  

Once the brim is done, start making the body of the hat by crocheting around. Decrease gradually as you get to the top.  

The top of this hat will not be as smooth as the top-down approach but will be somewhat gathered.  A beautiful pom-pom embellishment will look very nice.  

Mens Crochet Hat Pattern Free

Mens Crochet Hat Pattern FreeMens Crochet Hat Pattern Free

Sew up Fabric

Sometimes, crochet hat patterns are worked flat then sewn together.  

You crochet a square or rectangular flat piece of fiber. Then sew it up with your big darning needle that will fit your yarn through the eye.  

This method is somewhat beginner-friendly.  No increases or decreases are required.  But it can prove challenging for beginners to make square or rectangle fabrics.  Also, sewing it together leaves a seam.  Having to sew up the hat neatly can be an issue for many beginners as well as more experienced crocheters.  

sew up crochet hatsew up crochet hat
crochet hatscrochet hats