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.

Before we begin… let’s get Social!

I would love for you to come follow me on
Instagram (get sneak peeks of what’s coming up!)
My Facebook Page (come join the fun!)
Follow me on Pinterest (I pin tons of free patterns to my boards!)
Join my Facebook group (lots of awesome crochet talk there)
Also, you can find me on Ravelry or join more than 16.5K subscribers on YouTube.

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.

You Might Like These Other Free Crochet Hat Patterns:

Get the Ad-Free PDF here!

This crochet winter hat pattern is completely free and can be viewed in its entirety below, including a complete video tutorial. However, many readers have requested ad-free PDF’s of my patterns so I provide inexpensive options for these.

If you like to crochet on the go or just prefer paper, you can print this PDF and take it with you anywhere.

If you would like to buy the ad-free PDF, you can purchase on Etsy here.

Pin now, crochet later!

Save to Ravelry!

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