42 Free Patterns for Crochet Hats and Beanies - Easy Crochet Patterns (2024)

Do you love crocheting hats or beanies? Are you looking for some cute and easy crochet hat patterns such as messy bun hats, slouchy beanies, stocking hats and more?

If so, then you’ll love this collection below, full of some of my favorite free crochet hat and beanie patterns from Easy Crochet and other amazing designers.

Keep on reading to look through some of my favorite free crochet hat patterns and get started today on making a hat for everyone you know!

I hope you enjoy this big list of free hat patterns! Happy Crocheting!

If you are planning to make more crocheted beanies, I can help! You may like the Emily Beanie, the reader’s favorite Leigh Hat pattern, or explore the Easy Crochet pattern database for access to over 300 FREE crochet designs.

The Best Free Crochet Beanie Patterns

With the amount of hat patterns on the internet, it can be difficult to pick just one!

If you google free crochet hat patterns or free crochet beanie pattern free, then you will see just what I mean. You’ll find results for crochet hats for women, as well as free patterns for crochet caps, too!

It’s a lot!

It can be overwhelming to sort through all the free patterns, so I thought I’d make it easy for you. That way, you don’t have to waste your time searching for new patterns when you could be crocheting hats instead!

To help you out, I’ve picked 42 of my favorite crocheted hats! All of which happen to be pretty easy to work up and are beginner-friendly.

Simple and easy hat patterns are always a plus when looking for a design to crochet.

Crochet Stitches for Hats

Crochet hats can use many crochet stitches, but most of the ones listed here in these hats use basic stitches like the ones below.

1. Single Crochet Stitch (Written & Video Tutorial)
2. Half Double Crochet Stitch (Written & Video Tutorial)
3. Double Crochet Stitch (Video Tutorial)

It is always a good idea to go over each crochet stitch, so you’ll be prepared to make any of these crochet hat variations below.

Best Yarn for Crochet Hats

Crochet hats can be made in many yarn weights, from worsted weight yarn (#4) to super bulky yarn (#6).

Some of my favorites are Vanna’s Choice by Lion Brand, Red Heart Soft Essentials (a bulky #5 weight yarn) and Wool-Ease Thick + Quick by Lion Brand, which is a super bulky (#6) yarn weight.

The Yarn

Every pattern below will have a suggested yarn for that particular hat pattern. I would recommend using the exact yarn weight each pattern recommends because otherwise the sizing will come out wrong.

Here are the seven yarn weights as recognized by the Craft Yarn Council:

1. Weight 1 – Super Fine
2. Weight 2 – Fine
3. Weight 3 – Light
4. Weight 4 – Medium
5. Weight 5 – Bulky
6. Weight 6 – Super Bulky
7. Weight 7 – Jumbo

Recommended Crochet Hooks

Each of the hats below will recommend a different hook size, so keep that in mind before starting your pattern. You can read over our crochet hook size chart and guide to get familiar with hook sizes and more!

Crochet Hat Sizes

Crochet hats can come in different sizes. Take a look at some of the most common hat sizes below from our crochet hat size chart.

The height of a hat can vary depending on if you are making a slouchy hat vs. a fitted beanie, so be sure to read over the hat pattern you are crocheting.

I recommend making your hat about 2 inches smaller than your head circumference width, so it allows for stretch for the perfect fit.

Most patterns I’ve found are for women or children, but lately many crochet designers are beginning to provide multiples or actual instructions for multiple hat sizes. This takes the guess work out of trying to adjust a hat’s size from what the pattern suggests – which rarely works out.

Easy Crochet Hat Pattern Designs

With this list of forty plus easy and cute crochet hats, you can’t go wrong! If you’d like to explore even more unique crochet hat patterns, then please look at my Free Crochet Hat Patterns collection page where you can find patterns for beanies, messy bun hats and more!

To get started, get your yarn, grab a crochet hook, pick a pattern, and started with your next crocheted hat!

FAQ’s About Crochet Hats, Beanies, and More

1. What type of yarn should I use for a crochet hat?
   • The best yarn for crocheting hats is usually medium-weight or worsted yarn because it’s easy to work with and provides a good balance of warmth and softness. However, the choice can vary depending on the style of the hat and personal preference. For warmer hats, wool or acrylic blends are great choices.
2. What size crochet hook do I need for a crochet hat?
   • The size of the crochet hook typically depends on the yarn you’re using. For worsted weight yarn, a hook size of 5.5mm to 6.5mm is commonly used. It’s always a good idea to check the yarn label, as it often suggests the appropriate hook size.
3. How do I finish and close the top of the hat?
   • To finish and close the top of a crochet hat, you typically decrease the number of stitches in each round as you get closer to the top. This gradually makes the hat narrower. Once the opening at the top is small enough, you can cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread this tail through a yarn needle and weave it through the remaining stitches. Pull it tight to close the opening, and then secure it with a knot. Finally, weave in any loose ends with your needle to give your hat a neat finish.
4. How do I add embellishments or designs?
   • Embellishments or designs can be added to a crochet hat in several ways:
     • Crocheting designs directly into the hat: This can be done by changing yarn colors as you work, to create stripes or other patterns.
     • Appliques: You can crochet separate shapes, like flowers or stars, and then sew them onto the hat.
     • Surface crochet: This involves crocheting stitches directly onto the surface of your completed hat for added texture or design.
     • Adding non-crochet elements: Consider sewing on buttons, beads, or embroidered details.
     • Pompoms or tassels: These can be made separately and attached to the top or the sides of the hat.
5. How do you seam a crochet hat?
   • Lay the Hat Flat: Once you’ve completed crocheting the hat, lay it flat with the right sides (the outside of the hat) facing each other. This means the wrong side (the inside of the hat) is facing out.
   • Align the Edges: Make sure the edges of the hat are perfectly aligned. This will ensure your seam is neat and straight.
   • Choose a Seaming Method:
     • Slip Stitch Seam: Use a crochet hook to slip stitch the edges together. This method creates a sturdy seam, but can be a bit bulky.
     • Whip Stitch Seam: With a yarn needle and a length of yarn, you can whip stitch the edges together. This is done by passing the needle through both layers of fabric in a spiral motion.
     • Single Crochet Seam: You can also use single crochet to seam the hat. Place the right sides of the hat together and single crochet through both layers along the edge. This will create a ridge on the inside of the hat but provides a strong seam.
   • Finishing: Once you reach the end of the seam, cut the yarn, leaving a small tail. Pull this tail through the last loop on your hook or needle to secure it. Weave in this end, as well as any others, into the inside of the hat to hide them.
   • Turn the Hat Right Side Out: Finally, turn your hat right side out, so the seam is on the inside.

Easy Crochet Hat Patterns for Beginners

Most hats above are either for those with a crochet skill level of beginner or intermediate.

However, if you’ve never crocheted a hat before, then you may want to take a look at my Easy Crochet Hats for Beginners list before you search for your next crochet project here. The beginner-friendly hats that all use simple crochet stitches. You can learn more about basic crochet stitches if you’d like a refresher.

For beginners, simple beanie or slouchy hat patterns are a great start. Search for patterns that use basic stitches like single crochet or double crochet and work in the round. These patterns typically have minimal shaping and are quick to complete. Enjoy!

Other Crochet Hat, Toboggans & Beanie Patterns

Easy Crochet has a ton of other hat and beanie patterns available. You can either check out our beanie archive, or click through some of our favorites below.

• 15 Free Crochet Bandana Patterns for all Skill Levels
• 14 Free Crochet Beret Patterns
• Neon Rainbow Striped Crochet Hat
• 7 Easy-to-Follow Slouchy Hat Crochet Patterns You’ll Love
• Chunky Crochet Ear Warmer Pattern
• Bernat Yarn Scrunchie Crochet Pattern
• Crochet Twist Headband Pattern
• Crochet Face Mask Pattern Covers
• Ear Warmer Headband Crochet Patterns

Crochet hat patterns are a great way to create warm and cozy headwear for yourself, family, or friends.

With a wide range of styles and techniques to choose from, including beanies, slouch hats, toboggans, sunhats, and more, there’s a crochet hat pattern out there for every skill level and taste.

Share Your Crocheted Hats With Me!

If you do decide to make one of these crochet hats, please share it with me (and all the group members) over in the Easy Crochet Facebook group, so we all know which hat design is your favorite.

We are nice. I promise! Everyone in the group loves helping out, giving advice and words of encouragement! I can’t wait to meet you and see your hat projects.

I hope you enjoyed this collection of the easiest crochet hat patterns!

Happy Crochet Hat Making!