I created this pattern last year for my little guy and I had such fun working the Waistcoat Stitch and trying out a fair isle pattern!

With four boys in the house, there is always a need for warm, comfy hats. They tend to get lost or ruined (especially by velcro on their coats!) so I am always in need of more.

I used to always buy them, and still do sometimes if I’m too busy to make one, but I also love making hats for them. My oldest son took over the Slip Stitch Hat that I knitted for my husband, so I guess another Hubby Hat needs to be in the works.

If you haven’t tried the Waistcoat stitch before, I hope you will give it a try. It looks a lot like a knit stitch – but it is crochet! It works well for things in the round. I still haven’t mastered it when working in rows, but it is on my list of things I want to learn.

This little hat works up quickly and will fit a baby from about 6-18 months, depending on how big the baby is. Our boys have always been big for their ages, so this fit the youngest until he was around a year. His best friend is considerably smaller, and this would probably still fit her now that she is almost 2.

Fair Isle Baby Hat

What You’ll Need

Yarn: Lion Brand Feels Like Butta, 1 skein each Dusty Blue (MC) and Pale Grey (CC)

Hooks: US Size H (5.0mm) and I (5.5mm)

Notions: Yarn needle, pom pom maker, stitch marker, scissors

Gauge: 14 sts and 20 rows = 4″ in waistcoat st

Note: Ch 2 at beginning of row counts as hdc.

Special Stitches

Waistcoat St (ws): Work sc into the post of the st from the row below.

Pattern

Ribbing

With smaller hook and MC, ch 7. Leave a long tail for sewing up seam in ribbing.

Row 1: Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch (6 sts).

Row 2: Ch 2, hdc in blo of each st; turn.

Repeat row 2 until ribbing measures 14″ from beginning.

Change to larger hook.

Body

Round 1: Turn ribbing to long side and sc 50 sts around. Join to form a continuous loop. From this point on do not join or chain, work in continuous rounds. Use a stitch marker to mark the first st. (50 sts)

Rounds 2-11: Work color chart using ws for all sts.

Rounds 12-13: Change to MC and work in ws.

Round 14: Change to CC and work in ws.

Rounds 15-19: Change to MC and work in ws.

Continue in MC.

Round 20: *Sc2tog, sc 23; repeat from * to end (48 sts).

Round 21: *Sc2tog, sc 8, sc2tog; repeat from * to end (40 sts).

Round 22: Work even in ws.

Round 23: *Sc2tog, sc 6, sc2tog; repeat from * to end (32 sts).

Round 24: Work even in ws.

Round 25: *Sc2tog, sc 4, sc2tog; repeat from * to end (24 sts).

Round 26: Work even in ws.

Round 27: *Sc2tog, sc 2, sc2tog; repeat from * to end (16 sts).

Round 28: Work even in ws.

Round 29: *Sc2tog; repeat from * to end (8 sts).

Fasten off. Draw tail through remaining 8 sts and pull tightly to close.

Finishing

Use long tail from ribbing edge to seam ribbing.

Create pom pom using a pom pom maker (or other method of your choice).

Attach pom to crown.

Weave in ends.

That’s it!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this free crochet pattern for the Fair Isle Baby Hat. If you would like more free crochet patterns, be sure to visit my pattern library here.

Happy Crocheting!
Amanda