Crochet Puff Stitch Baby Hat With Earflaps (0-3 months) – Free Pattern
This puff stitch baby hat with earflaps is a cozy, textured crochet hat designed specifically for newborn to 0-3 months babies.
The snug fit covers little ears properly, while the earflaps and ties help keep the hat in place without slipping.
Puff stitch creates a soft, squishy fabric that’s warm without feeling stiff, making it ideal for delicate baby heads.
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The crochet puff stitch baby hat pattern below includes the newborn size and the 0-3 months adjustments for free, with a multi-size version (newborn up to 24 months) available separately on Etsy. With a Link to the Video Tutorial included HERE
The crochet baby hat is VERY generous in sizing due to the crochet PUFF stitches used.
- The Puff Stitches should be worked LOOSELY! For neat puff stitch pull-ups of yarn should all be equal height.
- The finishing border should not pull the hat in; if needed, work 2 single crochets at the sides of the earflaps at the final border.
- I have added the average/approximate size. If crocheting for the Larger end of the size, use the last measurement.
- It is always best to try the hat on a model.
For this hat, you will use a Puff st (4 yarn over pull-ups): [yo, insert in st, yo, pull up a loop] 4 times, yo, pull through all loops, Ch 1 to close. - REMEMBER : 1 stitch for the puff, 1 stitch for the closing chain – Caution: I am an extremely loose crocheter to achieve the puff stitch hat measurements, you may feel the need to go up a size of hook.
Gauge (Don’t Skip)
- Gauge
- 3 full puff stitches, including the chain-1 closure = 2 inches
- 6 rows = 4 inches
How to Crochet the Puff Stitch Used in This Pattern: and how to check Gauge
This baby crochet hat pattern uses a puff stitch made with four yarn-over pull-ups:
- Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop — repeat 4 times, yarn over and pull through all loops, chain 1 to close.
- Important: Each puff stitch counts as one stitch, and the closing chain also counts as one stitch. (EACH puff stitch has 2 sts, 1 PUFF 1 chain 1)
Please note that these measurements were achieved by crocheting very loosely. If your stitches tend to be tighter, you may need to use a larger hook size to obtain the correct fit and fabric drape.
- Gauge is measured over the puff stitch pattern worked loosely, with the fabric lightly flattened but not stretched.
- Because puff stitch creates a thick, flexible fabric, tension plays a significant role in overall fit.
- If your gauge is tighter, consider moving up a hook size to achieve the correct measurements and a soft, squishy texture suitable for a newborn hat.
Crochet Puff Baby Hat Summary
- This hat is worked top-down in joined rounds. The chain-2 at the beginning of each round does not count as a stitch.
- Puff stitches should be worked loosely to maintain the correct sizing and soft texture.
- In the straight hat rounds, each puff stitch is worked with a chain-1 closure. Remember that each puff stitch and its closing chain-1 are both counted as stitches in these rounds.
What are the Measurements of the Newborn Crochet Baby Hat
If there are 2 measurements use the first for smallest size and use the last for a bigger size baby
MEASUREMENTS (BEFORE EARFLAPS)
Measurements are taken with the hat lying flat and are approximate. Fit may vary slightly depending on yarn choice and individual tension.
- Head Circumference: 15 in (38 cm)
- Hat Circumference: 14 in (36 cm)
- Crown Diameter: 4.75–5 in (12–12.7 cm)
- Hat Height: 5.75–6 in (14.5–15 cm)
MATERIALS
- Hook: NEWBORN use a 5.5 mm, 0-3 months use a 6.50mm
- Yarn: 2 strands DK / Light Worsted held together
- Yarn Amount: 110 g (240m -280 m) MORE if you are creating a pompom
- Gauge: 4 puff sts × 4 rows = 3 in (7.5 cm)
US TERMS – ABBREVIATIONS & STITCH GUIDE
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd – round
- RS – right sideWS – wrong side
For this hat you will use a Puff st (4 yarn over pull-ups): [yo, insert in st, yo, pull up a loop] 4 times, yo, pull through all loops, ch 1 to close.
REMEMBER : 1 stitch for the puff, 1 stitch for the closing chain–
NOTE: Caution:
- I am an extremely loose crocheter when following the puff stitch hat measurements; you may need to go up a hook size.
- The finished size is designed for a gentle, comfortable stretch,
Newborn/0-3 months Puff Stitch crochet baby hat Pattern STARTS HERE
CROWN in your chosen hook size, (Newborn 5.50mm, 0-3 months 6.50mm
Round 1: Ch 3, work 6 puff sts into first ch, ch 1 after each puff. Sl st to first puff. (6 puff sts = 12 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 puff sts in each st around. Sl st to join. (12 puff sts = 24 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2, puff in next st, 2 puff sts in next st; repeat around. Sl st to join. (18 puff sts = 36 sts)
Crown should measure 4.75–5 in.
HAT BODY
Rounds 4 to Rounds 7 or 8 depending : Ch 2, puff st in each st around. Sl st to join.
Check height; add one more round if needed.
Do NOT fasten off.
EARFLAP 1
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 6 sts. TURN. (7 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc across. TURN. (7 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 3, sc2tog. TURN. (5 sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, sc across. TURN. (5 sts)
Row 5: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 1, sc2tog. TURN. (3 sts)
Row 6: Ch 1, sc across. TURN. (3 sts)
Row 7: Ch 1, skip 1, sc2tog. (1 st)
Fasten off.
EARFLAP 2 :
Join yarn in the 14th stitch from Earflap 1. Repeat Earflap 1. Do NOT fasten off.
EDGING & TIES
RS facing. Work sc evenly around hat, making 2 sc in each earflap corner.
At Earflap 1: Ch 31, sc in 2nd ch from hook, starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc back along the chain to earflap along chain. Continue around hat in sc evenly.
At Earflap 2: Ch 31, sc in 2nd ch from hook, starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc back along the chain to earflap along chain.
Sl st to join. Fasten off.
YOu can add a pom pom if you wish, shown below is the newborn size made in the 2 different hook sizes (BLUE 5.50mm , Pink 6.5mm crochet hook )
Why does my Puff Stitch hat seem too big or too small even though I followed the pattern?
Puff stitch fabric is naturally thick and stretchy, so small tension differences can affect the finished size. This pattern is written with very loose puff stitches to create a soft, flexible fit.
If your hat feels too small or stiff, switch to a larger hook size and work the puff stitches more loosely. If the hat turns out too large, use a smaller hook size while keeping all stitch counts the same. There is no need to rewrite or adjust the pattern itself.
Always check fit before completing the final border and ties, as hook size changes at this stage can easily correct the fit.
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