Crochet Santa Hat: An Adult and Child Hat Worked Top-Down
A classic red Santa hat with a long, slouchy point, a thick white brim and a pom-pom. Worked top-down in half double crochet, so you try it on as you go.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn
- Worsted (#4) yarn: red (150 yd) and white (60 yd)
- Hook
- 5.5 mm (I-9)
- Time
- About 3 hours
- Finished size
- Child 19 in (48 cm), adult 21 in (53 cm) around
You'll need
- Worsted weight (#4) yarn — red, about 150 yd; white, about 60 yd (fluffy white is extra festive)
- 5.5 mm (I-9) hook
- Pom-pom maker or a piece of cardboard
- Stitch marker, tapestry needle
In this post
A Santa hat should be long, a little floppy and impossible to take seriously. This one is worked from the tip down in half double crochet, adding just four stitches per round. That slow increase gives the long, slouchy point; and because you're working downward, you can try it on and stop exactly when it fits.
Gauge: about 3 hdc per inch with worsted yarn and a 5.5 mm hook.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
The pattern
Joined rounds. Ch 2 at the start of each round doesn't count as a stitch; join with a sl st to the first hdc.
Red body (top-down)
- Rnd 1: 8 hdc in a magic ring. Join. (8)
- Rnd 2: Ch 2, (hdc, inc) 4 times. Join. (12)
- Rnd 3: Ch 2, (2 hdc, inc) 4 times. Join. (16)
- Rnd 4: Ch 2, (3 hdc, inc) 4 times. Join. (20)
- Rnds 5–13: Continue adding 4 sts per round, with one more hdc between increases each round: (4 hdc, inc) on Rnd 5, (5 hdc, inc) on Rnd 6, and so on. (56 after Rnd 13)
- Child size: Stop increasing at 56 sts. Adult size: work Rnd 14 as (12 hdc, inc) and Rnd 15 as (13 hdc, inc). (child 56 / adult 64)
- Plain rounds: Ch 2, hdc around until the hat measures 8 in (child) or 10 in (adult) from the tip.
Try it on: the edge should sit just above your ears. The brim will add another 2 inches.
White brim
- Rnd 1: Join white. Ch 2, hdc around. Join.
- Rnds 2–6: Ch 2, *fpdc around the next st, bpdc around the next st*; repeat around. Join. This post-stitch rib is thick and stretchy.
- Finish: Fasten off and weave in ends. Fold the brim up if you like a double layer.
Pom-pom
Make a 2½-inch white pom-pom and tie it firmly to the tip. Let the point flop to one side and tack it down with one stitch if you want it to stay there.
Sizes at a glance
| Size | Stitches | Circumference | Red length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toddler | 48 | 16 in | 6½ in |
| Child | 56 | 19 in | 8 in |
| Adult | 64 | 21 in | 10 in |
Need other sizes? Our hat size chart gives head circumference and hat height for every age.
Common questions
Why does my Santa hat flare at the brim?
Too many stitches for your head. Pull out to the last increase round you need, or go down a hook size for the brim — post-stitch ribbing pulls the edge in nicely.
How do I make the hat less pointy?
Increase faster: add 8 stitches per round instead of 4. You'll reach the full width sooner and get a rounder, beanie-like top.
Can I use fluffy yarn for the brim?
Yes — a bulky "faux fur" or chenille white gives the classic look. Use sc instead of post stitches, as texture won't show in fluffy yarn.
Ho ho ho — who in your family will refuse to wear it? 🎅
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