This is a free crochet pattern for an easy level Toddler Earflap Hat. Created only with single crochet and chains this is a great pattern for a beginner.
We don’t usually get a whole lot of cold weather here in middle Tennessee. About half an inch of snow on the road will close school and we don’t get down to single digits very often. This year, however, has been a bit of a change! We saw a very cold snap this week where temperatures were below zero for the first time in over a decade.
Design Story and Inspiration for This Crochet Hat Pattern
My oldest son asked me to make him a “snow hat” so I decided to whip up a simple earflap hat that would keep his little noggin warm. I needed something that didn’t take long because I was working on several magazine projects at the time so I used a large hook and this hat was created easily in a day! The only stitch used is single crochet, so it is fairly beginner-friendly as long as you can join rows and work in the round. My oldest son wouldn’t model it for me, so I had to get little brother to do it, and as you can see, he did a fine job. He is one year old and it fits him well and also fits my four year old.
Yarn Options for the Toddler Beanie
I made two hats with different worsted weight yarn and they both worked out well. The model on my son was made with Mission Falls 1824 Wool, which has been discontinued so I made another hat with Malabrigo Worsted.
I have to tell you I am in love with the Malabrigo yarn now. Believe it or not this was the first time working with it! Now I am envisioning many more projects in my future…
Several people have tested this pattern out for me and found that with Aran
yarn you might need a K hook. I still needed a size L but whichever works to get gauge for your yarn is great. This was tried with several different worsted and Aran yarns and turned out really well.
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Toddler Crochet Hat Pattern Details
This hat is worked from the bottom up, starting with the ear flaps. It is made entirely of basic crochet stitches: single crochet and chains, making it ideal for a beginner.
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Crochet Toddler Hat with Ear Flaps
What You’ll Need
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted: 1 ball #247 Whales Road
Crochet Hook: US size L (8.0mm) hook or any size to obtain correct gauge
Notions: Yarn Needle/Tapestry Needle, scissors, stitch marker (optional, to mark first stitch of round)
Skill Level: Easy
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference: 16 inches (41 cm)
Length: 7 1/2 inches (19 cm) not including earflaps and ties
Gauge: 13 sts and 16 rows = 4″/10cm in sc
Stitch Descriptions and Abbreviations
Chain (ch)
Single Crochet (sc)
Toddler Earflap Hat Pattern
Earflap (Make 2):
Ch 5.
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across; turn – 4 sts.
Row 1: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, ch 1, sk next st, sc in next st , 2 sc in last st; turn – 6 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc 2, ch 1, sk next st, sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next st, sc in last sc; turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, *sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next st, rep from * to last st, 2 sc in last st; turn – 8 sts.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc 1, *ch 1, sk next st, sc in ch-1 sp, rep from * to last 3 sts, ch 1, sk next st, sc in next 2 sts; turn.
Row 5: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, *ch 1, sk next st, sc in ch-1 sp, rep from* to last st, 2 sc in last st; turn – 10 sts.
Row 6: Ch 1, sc 2, *ch 1, sk next st, sc in ch-1 sp, rep from * to last 2 sts, ch 1, sk next st, sc in last st; turn.
Row 7: Repeat row 3 – 12 sts.
Row 8: Repeat row 4.
Row 9: Repeat row 5 – 14 sts.
Row 10: Repeat row 6.
Fasten off.
Note: At the end of each round, join with a sl st to first sc.
BODY:
Joining Row: Ch 8, sc across each st and ch-1 space of one earflap, ch 16, sc across each st and ch-1 sp of second earflap, join to first ch with a sl st, being careful not to twist – 52 sts.
Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch and sc.
Work even in sc for three rounds.
Ridge: Ch 1, sc back loop only around.
Work even in sc until body measures 5 inches (13 cm) from joining row.
CROWN
On the next round, ch 1 (work 11 sts, sc2tog) 4 times. [48 sts]
Work one round even.
Shape crown as described below.
Round 1: Ch 1, *Sc 4, sc2tog. Repeat from * around. [40 sts remain]
Round 2: Work even
Round 3: Ch 1, *Sc 3, sc2tog. Repeat from * around. [32 sts remain]
Round 4: Work even
Round 5: Ch 1, *Sc 2, sc2tog. Repeat from * around. [24 sts remain]
Round 6: Work even
Round 7: Ch 1, *Sc 1, sc2tog. Repeat from * around. [16 sts remain]
Round 8: Work even
Round 9: Ch 1, *Sc2tog. Repeat from * around. [8 sts remain]
Finishing
Cut yarn, a generous tail. Draw tail through remaining stitches. Pull gently to close hole. Weave in tail. Weave in ends.
BRAIDS
Cut 16 pieces of yarn (8 for each earflap) about 32 inches (81 cm) long. With WS facing, fold each bunch in half and push the folded end through an opening in the bottom of each earflap. Pull the unfolded ends through the loop and pull tight. Braid the strands and tie a knot to secure the braid. Complete the second braid the same way.
Create a pom pom for the top and you’re done!
More Free Crochet Hat Patterns
This Fair Isle Crochet Hat comes in all sizes – from a preemie crochet baby beanie pattern all the way to adult large!
Valentine Ear Flap Crochet Baby Hat
I hope you’ve enjoyed the free crochet pattern for the Crochet Toddler Hat with Ear Flaps. Today in our tutorial you learned how to crochet this simple hat starting with the earflaps and working up.
Happy Crocheting!
Amanda
Lovely pattern. Do you have any idea how I could make it for a 6 year old with lots of thick hair?
Scan this made for a Girl 5 montd old?
Hi Sylvia,
It would be a bit big but you could try going down a hook size or two to make it smaller. 🙂
Amanda, HELP!! Your pattern on Toddler Earflap Hat – Free Crochet Pattern has stumped me. Your instructions for working the ear flaps, rows 7 & 9. We are instruction for repeating rows that do not exist. Help me understand what you are saying.
Hi Frances! For row 7 you just repeat what you did on row 3 “Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, *sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next st, rep from * to last st, 2 sc in last st; turn” and you should have 12 sts. For row 9 you repeat what you did on row 5 “Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, *ch 1, sk next st, sc in ch-1 sp, rep from* to last st, 2 sc in last st; turn” and you should have 14 sts. Hope this helps! 🙂