The Crochet Toddler Sun Hat is an easy crochet pattern perfect for sunny days. This easy top down hat pattern also includes a photo tutorial. For the ultimate in comfort and crochet this little hat in cotton yarn.
My fair little lady needed a crochet sun hat for the summer. When she was born, we were amazed she was a girl (after three boys). We were equally surprised, if not more so, that she had red hair! Alas, this olive skinned mama felt wholly inadequate to keep her fair skin well protected from the sun.
Once she started walking, it wasn’t long until I knew she needed her own crochet sun hat. I’ve shared the free pattern with you here. This hat easily fits ages 1-3 years.
The Yarn
The cotton yarn is so very soft. I love that it’s breathable, for a light fit. The best part about cotton yarn is that it’s washable, which is a must for our household of kids.
I used a partial skein of cotton yarn that I had left from another project. These little hats don’t require much! It turned out great and she will actually wear it, phew!
I love fast projects that don’t require a lot of yarn and are functional! The openness of the sides on this hat allows the air in, while blocking those harsh rays.
Read on to get the free crochet sun hat pattern with photo tutorial below.
If you’re looking for an adult size sun hat, you might enjoy Alysha’s Floppy Brim Hat from LittleJohn’s Yarn. I love the bright sunny yellow she chose.
Looking for a more solid crochet hat? I love these Crochet Texture Beanies from Traverse Bay Crochet. And the pattern includes three sizes!
Want a little something to make your handsome little guy even cuter? I’ve got a simple sewing tutorial for a toddler bow tie right here.
I love her in the Bobble Cocoon Shrug, and just look at that hair! This is a fun pattern that uses the same crochet mesh stitch that the Toddler Sun Hat features. Plus bobbles, because who doesn’t love bobbles?
If you love working with cotton yarn you might also enjoy working up the Aria Crochet Summer Headband. It’s a quick, scrap busting pattern in 5 sizes.
You can purchase an ad-free pdf (scroll down for the free pattern)
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Materials:
- 1.25oz/50g 90yds/83m of #4 worsted weight cotton yarn, I used Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Cotton! Yarn in Periwinkle
- yarn needle for weaving in ends
- scissors
Size:
Fits ages 1-3 years.
Gauge:
3 DC x 2 rows = 1″ x 1″
Crochet Abbreviations:
MC-magic circle
SC-single crochet
Rd-Round
Ch-chain
sl st-slip stitch
sk-skip a stitch
sts-stitches, given in ( ) at the end of the round.
*{ }-your pattern repeat
Finish off-cut yarn and weave in tail(s) with a yarn needle.
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Toddler Sun Hat Pattern:
Begin with a magic circle.
Rd 1: DC 11 into MC,
slip stitch back to first DC and pull the tail to close. (11 sts)
Rd 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1st DC here & throughout)-I’ve used a standing stitch here
& DC in same stitch,
2 DC in each around,
join last dc to 3rd ch with a sl st. (22 sts)
Rd 3: Ch 3 & DC in same stitch, DC in next, *{2 DC in next stitch, 1 DC in next stitch} repeat from * til end of round, join with a sl st to 3rd ch. (33 sts)
Rd 4: Ch 3 & DC in same st, *{1 DC, 1 DC, 2 DC} repeat from * til end, join with a sl st to 3rd ch. (44 sts)
Rd 5: Ch 3 & DC in same, *{DC 3 times, 2 DC} repeat from * til end, join with a sl st to 3rd ch. (55 sts)
Sun Hat Sides:
Rd 6: Ch 3 & DC in same, *{DC 4 times, 2 DC} repeat from * til end, join with a sl st to 3rd ch. (66 sts)
Rd 7: Ch. 4 (counts as 1st DC + ch 1),
sk 1, DC in next st, Ch 1, sk 1,
*{DC in next st, Ch 1, Sk 1} repeat from * til end,
join with a sl st to 1st stitch in round. (66 sts)
Rd 8: Slip stitch to first chain space, Ch 4 (counts as 1st DC +Ch 1), *{sk next dc, DC into Ch 1 space, Ch 1} repeat from * til end, join with a sl st to 3rd ch. (66 sts)
Rds 9-12: Slip stitch to first chain space, Ch 4 (counts as 1st DC +Ch 1), *{sk next dc, DC into Ch 1 space, Ch 1} repeat from * til end, join with a sl st to 3rd ch. (66 sts)
Rd 13: Ch 3 (counts as 1st DC), DC in each DC AND into each Chain space til end, join with a sl st to 3rd ch. (66)
Toddler Sun Hat Brim:
My little lady is in the “I don’t want to wear anything on my head stage.” With this in mind, I made the brim as small as I could manage. I know it would bother her if she noticed it too much!
She’s on the young end for this size hat. If you’re crocheting a sun hat for an older toddler I would suggest increasing your brim a few more rounds. We do want some coverage over your little one’s face.
Rd 14: Ch 1, in same stitch, working in Back Loop only SC and repeat in each stitch around til end, sl st to first sc to join. (66 sts)
Working in the back loop helps our brim start to flare out.
Rd 15: Ch. 1, 2 SC in same stitch, 1 SC, *{2 SC, 1 SC} around til end, sl st to first sc to join. (99 sts)
Rd 16: Ch. 1, 2 SC in same stitch, 1 SC in next 3 stitches, *{2 SC, SC 3 times} til end, sl st to first sc to join. (126 sts)
If your brim is large enough skip to Trim.
For a larger brim
Add a round or two here, if you would like a large brim. Follow the increase pattern:
Next round: {2 SC, SC 4 times},
Next round: {2 SC, SC 5 times},
Etc. until the brim is the desired size.
Be aware that the larger your brim the floppier it will become. If you would like a large and stiffer brim, try crocheting 2 strands together for the brim.
Trim:
Rd 17: Ch. 1, SC around til end, sl st to first sc to join. (126 sts)
Rd 18. Ch 3,
sk 2, slip stitch to next,
*{Ch 3, sk 2, slip stitch to next} repeat from * around til end, join with a sl st to 3rd ch. Finish off.
Finishing
Feed a 1/4″ ribbon through the bottom row of DC & Ch spaces. Tie into a bow.
Eccola!
I hope your little one enjoys some fun in the sun with their crochet toddler sun hat!
Very nice project ! Congratulations from Uruguay. I would like to ask you one question, Is this hat for 1-3 years old ? As the instructions I have for crocheting a hat for these ages are : Magic ring
using dc and make increases until you have a circunference with a diameter of 14-16 cm .
Thanks and kind regards.
Thanks Andrea. Yes, I made the hat for my daughter who was 18 mos at the time (she’s 2 today!), it also fit my 3 year old snugly. This pattern is specific to the yarn & hook used though so changes will effect how it turns out. My measurements are also in inches, but 14-16cm looks right for this style of hat. I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Is there a substitute for this yarn?
Hi Julie, great question! Here’s a list of substitutes and info about each of them!
https://yarnsub.com/yarns/hobby_lobby/i_love_this_cotton_solids
How much yarn is needed for this hat?
Hi Nancy! For this size hat I used about half a skein of this yarn which comes in 180yds/3.5oz, for an adult beanie in this same yarn I use almost the whole skein. I hope that helps!
Thanks, I hope I do it
Good luck! Please ask if you have any question!
Please provide instructions for making the magic ring. Thank you.
Here’s a photo tutorial for the magic circle https://christacodesign.com/2017/07/31/crochet-magic-circle-photo-tutorial/
Alternately you can chain 3, slip stitch to the first chain to form a ring and crochet into it to start the pattern.
I hope that helps!
Thank you!
Like the pattern! plan on going larger for a 5 year old, that should be easy enough right? LOL. Thanks for posting this!
Yes, absolutely! Just increase your crown circle to fit your five year old-about 6.5” and then the stitch multiple is 3. I hope that helps, let me know if you have more questions!
thank you for the pattern, Christa. I just made one for my 20 month old grandaughter. As you said it went fast. Took me maybe an hour but I didn’t really time myself. It’s so cute
You’re so welcome, I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank you 😊
I made one. It’s so cute. Thank you. I shared your link on Quilting Time in Dixie. pj
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for sharing 😄
beautiful project. I just finished making this hat for my 1 year old granddaughter. I don’t know when I will see her due to quarantine but hoping pretty soon. Thanks for the tutorial.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it! I know it’s hard not right now, not seeing family. I hope you get hugs when you’re finally able to see her again ❤️
Does the ch 3 always count as a double crochet? I have one extra in my count for each row and I have counted each stitch at least 10 times? Help I want to make this hat!
Yes, the ch 3 always counts as your first dc.
Thank you for your quick reply. I don’t know why my count is off by one stitch starting with the third row. I am not new to crocheting and this has me baffled.
I’m sorry you’re having such trouble! Did you start with 11 dcs in the first round (not 12-like we typically would)? Also, double check that you’re not working extra stitches into the joining slip st at the end of your rounds-sometimes mine are too loose and it looks like a stitch to me. I hope you get it worked out, let me know!
I have never heard of a standing stitch and am thinking that may be my problem. I don’t usually give up but after about 10 tries I think I’m beat.
Sorry to hear it, but I understand. The standing stitch takes the place of chain 3, it’s a “fuller” way of filling the space. So you should do a ch 3 or a standing stitch, but not both.
I apologize for bothering you so much and thank you for being so patient with me. I have 4 great granddaughters that are 1 & 2 year old and wanted to make them this hat. I have made 50 to 75 hats using many patterns but give up. I tried one last time & still had 33 stitches in that 3rd row. I have checked my count numerous times. Guess I will try something else.
Oh my goodness Rhonda, that’s my mistake-it is 33 stitches. I didn’t think to ask your stitch count specifically. Row 3 should be 33 stitches, I will update it thank you. So sorry for your trouble!
It’s me again. On rows 14 – 17, you start the row with ch1, but at the end of each row you say to slip stitch to 3rd chain. Is this a typo? I’ve been doing fine after that glitch in row 3, but just wondered about this.
Yes, you are right, it should be sl st to first sc. I will update that. Thanks so much for letting me know!