Free Crochet Summer Sun Hat Patterns for a Baby and Toddler

Here is a free crochet sun hat pattern for babies and toddlers! My kids have worn these hats every summer when they were little and it worked to keep their sweet noggins covered while still looking cute.

Free Patterns for a Crochet Sun Hat for Babies and Toddlers using Cotton Yarn

Of all the things I crochet, the things we actually use all winter and summer include hats – beanies in the winter and sun hats in the summer (click here to see all my sun hat patterns!). They are very functional and keep the sun off my sweet little boys' faces and necks. With three boys, I have to get creative to make their hats cute without being girly. And here's another pattern I love!

Free Crochet Sun Hat Pattern Comes in Two Sizes

I have the free crochet sun hat pattern in two sizes – newborn to six months, and toddler from about 18 months to 3 years. Of course, this will vary according to your child's head. If it's too big, I suggest adding a strap under the brim that you can tie together (so you don't have to frog it and start over!). Then he or she will be able to grow into it!

Made of Just Half Double Crochet and Double Crochet

These hats are just made of simple half double crochet and double crochet, so they can be adapted for girls, too, using different colored yarn. Add more rounds and make it longer for adults by using my hat measurements post. To make a 6 month to 18 month hat, I think it'll work just fine to just increase the hook size from the newborn size to use an I (5.5mm) hook, but I haven't done it myself so I can't say for sure. The same is probably true for a child's size hat – just use the 18 mos. to 3 years pattern and an J hook.

Free Crochet Sun Hat Pattern for a for Babies and Toddlers

Materials

  • 0 to 6 month hat – Hook: H/8 (5.0 mm)
  • 18 mos. to 3 years hat – Hook: I/9 (5.5mm)
  • Tapestry needle to sew on accessories and hide the tails
  • Scissors to cut tails
  • Yarn: I used cotton yarn for this since I wanted a breathable, lightweight yarn for summertime. I used Lily Sugar'n Cream Yarn Warm Brown, Hot Green, Hot Blue, and Hot Orange

Abbreviations

  • CH  = chain
  • HDC = half double crochet
  • DC = double crochet
  • SL ST = slip stitch
  • ST = stitch
Free Crochet Pattern for a Baby

The Pattern for Babies – 0 to 6 months

All rounds are joined with a SL ST. This hat measures about 5 1/2 inches long by 7 1/2 inches wide, to fit a 14 to 16 inch round head.

  • CH 3, SL ST to form a ring
  • Round 1 – CH 2 (counts as first HDC), 7 HDC into ring (8 HDC total). Join.
  • Round 2 -CH 2 (counts as first HDC), HDC in same ST. Increase in every ST – 2 HDCs in each ST around (16 HDC total). Join.
  • Round 3 -CH 2 (counts as first HDC), HDC in same ST. 1 HDC in next ST. Increase every other ST – *2 HDCs in next ST, 1 HDC in next ST. Repeat from * around (24 HDC total). Join.
  • Round 4 -CH 2 (counts as first HDC), HDC in same ST. 1 HDC in each of the next 2 STs. Increase every 3 STs – *2 HDCs in next ST, 1 HDC in each of the next 2 STs. Repeat from * around (32 HDC total). Join.
  • Round 5 -CH 2 (counts as first HDC), HDC in same ST. 1 HDC in each of the next 7 STs. Increase every 8 STs – *2 HDCs in next ST, 1 HDC in each of the next 7 STs. Repeat from * around (36 HDC total). Join.
  • Round 6 – CH 2 (counts as first HDC), 1 HDC in next ST. 1 HDC in each ST around. (36 HDC total). Join.
  • Rounds 7 – 13 – Repeat round 6

Brim

This is made to be a more straight brim for a boy's hat. To make a ruffled brim for a girl, see my pattern here.

  • Round 1 – CH 2 (counts as first HDC), HDC in same stitch. 1 HDC in each of the next 3 STs. Increase every 4 STs – *2 HDCs in next ST, 1 HDC in each of the next 3 STs. Repeat from * around . Join.
  • Round 2 – CH 2 (counts as first HDC), HDC in same stitch. 1 HDC in each of the next 2 STs. Increase every 3 STs – *2 HDCs in next ST, 1 HDC in each of the next 2 STs. Repeat from * around . Join.
  • Round 3 – repeat round 2. Join.
Grayson wearing the hat I crocheted for him

The Free Crochet Sun Hat Pattern for Young Toddlers – 18 months to 3 years

All rounds are joined with a SL ST. This hat measures about 6.25 inches long by 9.5 inches wide, to fit a 18 to 20 inch round head.

  • CH 3, SL ST to form a ring
  • Round 1 – CH 3 (counts as first DC), 11 DC into ring (12 HDC total). Join.
  • Round 2 -CH 3 (counts as first DC), DC in same stitch. Increase in every ST – 2 DCs in each ST around (24 DC total). Join.
  • Round 3 -CH 3 (counts as first DC), DC in same stitch. 1 DC in next ST. Increase every other ST – *2 DCs in next ST, 1 DC in next ST. Repeat from * around (36 DC total). Join.
  • Round 4 -CH 3 (counts as first DC), DC in same stitch. 1 DC in each of the next 2 STs. Increase every 3 STs – *2 DCs in next ST, 1 DC in each of the next 2 STs. Repeat from * around (48 DC total). Join.
  • Round 5 -CH 2 (counts as first DC), 1 DC in next ST. 1 DC in each ST around. (48 DC total). Join.
  • Rounds 6 – 12 – Repeat round 5

Brim

This is made to be a more straight brim for a boy's hat. To make a ruffled brim for a girl, see my pattern here.

  • Round 1 – CH 2 (counts as first HDC), HDC in same stitch. 1 HDC in each of the next 3 STs. Increase every 4 STs – *2 HDCs in next ST, 1 HDC in each of the next 3 STs. Repeat from * around. Join.
  • Round 2 – CH 2 (counts as first HDC), HDC in same stitch. 1 HDC in each of the next 2 STs. Increase every 3 STs – *2 HDCs in next ST, 1 HDC in each of the next 2 STs. Repeat from * around. Join.
  • Round 3 – repeat round 2. Join.

Hope you enjoy making this free crochet sun hat pattern for the babies and toddlers in your life! If you do make it, tag me on Instagram at @mymerrymessylife and I'll feature you in my stories!

Summer Sun Hat Pattern - Cute and Easy!

2 Comments

  1. Hi Sara – i’m a newbie at crochet and was curious how you achieved the colour change pattern in your photos. I changed colour each row but yours almost looks like you changed each stitch after the first couple of rows.

    Or perhaps my HDC technique isn’t right- I wrap the yarn around the needle then insert, pick up, pull through (to have three loops) and then pickup and pull through all to have one loop.

    Maybe it just looks different because of different wool type and tensions.

    Anyway appreciate any guidance you have! 🙂

    thanks for the pattern!! hopefully the recipient enjoys it

  2. Good Morning In the pattern for the 18 mos-3yr you stat with DC with total of 12HDC and continue as DC. Is it HDC or DC that you do?
    Thank you
    Sue Reynolds

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