A free crochet pattern for a friendly fox hat, complete with sizes from newborn to adult! This is perfect for a fox-lover or for Halloween costumes and is warm enough for the whole winter.

When I asked my oldest son (who’s 4) what he wanted to be for Halloween, he said very quickly, “a fox!” In the days to follow, he also came up with a moose, a “daddy deer,” a bear, a lion and several other wild animals. But the fox was first, so I went to work on a fox hat. When it was all finished, Gabe refused to wear it and would run away when I brought it out. I couldn’t for the life of me understand why the sight of it repulsed him, until I discovered he was scared of it. I tried to think like a preschooler and realized all I had to do was add a little smile and voila! He now loves it!

Check out my other hat in this series – the Shabby Happy Lion I made for our two-year-old.

Thank you to Lion Brand Yarn for providing Vanna’s Choice yarn for this project. This yarn is so soft, yet still strong and warm so it’s perfect for winter hats on a budget.

Materials Needed

• Vanna’s Choice Yarn by Lion Brand in radiant orange, white, and black
• Hook (unless otherwise stated for the face pieces): H, 5.0 mm
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle to sew on pieces and sew in tails

Tutorials to Help You

• How to Work In the Round – if you’ve never done a hat before, one skill that’s needed is to be able to work in the round. I have a complete photo tutorial to guide you all the way!
• Increasing and Decreasing – to make the triangle eyes and the ear flaps, you’ll need to know how to work a decreasing stitch. Check out my full photo tutorial to learn it!
• Hat Measurements for Crochet and Knit – if you know the exact size of the head for which you are making the hat, you might be better off using my sizing guide to make the perfect fit.

Newborn to 3 months

Round 1

• CH 3, SL ST to form a ring
• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 7 HDC in ring, SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (8 HDC total)

Round 2

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 2 HDC in each space around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (16 HDC total)

Round 3

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in next space
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in next space
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (24 HDC total)

Round 4

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (32 HDC total)

Round 5

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (40 HDC total)

Round 6 (work an increasing stitch just 2 times this round, doesn’t matter where)

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 19 spaces
• 2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 19 spaces
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (42 HDC total)

Done with the crown!

The Sides: Rounds 7-17

(or keep working rounds until the hat is about 6 inches tall)

• CH 2 (or mark with a stitch marker and eliminate the CH 2 and SL ST at the end of the round, in other words, work a continual round)
• 1 HDC in each space around
• SL ST to top of CH 2 (42 HDC total)

Rounds 14-17 change to white and continue with 1 HDC in each space

3 to 6 months

Round 1

• CH 3, SL ST to form a ring
• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 7 HDC in ring, SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (8 HDC total)

Round 2

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 2 HDC in each space around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (16 HDC total)

Round 3

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in next space
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in next space
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (24 HDC total)

Round 4

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (32 HDC total)

Round 5

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (40 HDC total)

Round 6

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 9 spaces
• *2 HDC in the next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 9 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (44 HDC total)

Done with the crown!

The Sides: Rounds 7-20

(or keep working rounds until it’s about 7 inches tall)

• CH 2 (or mark with a stitch marker and eliminate the CH 2 and SL ST at the end of the round, in other words, work a continual round)
• 1 HDC in each space around
• SL ST to top of CH 2 (44 HDC total)

Rounds 17-20 change to white and continue with 1 HDC in each space

6-12 Months (16 to 18 inch head)

Round 1

• CH 3, SL ST to form a ring
• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 7 HDC in ring, SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (8 HDC total)

Round 2

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 2 HDC in each space around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (16 HDC total)

Round 3

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in next space
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in next space
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (24 HDC total)

Round 4

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (32 HDC total)

Round 5

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (40 HDC total)

Round 6

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (48 HDC total)

Done with the crown!

The Sides: Rounds 7-23

(or keep working rounds until it’s about 7.5 inches tall)

• CH 2 (or mark with a stitch marker and eliminate the CH 2 and SL ST at the end of the round, in other words, work a continual round)
• 1 HDC in each space around
• SL ST to top of CH 2 (48 HDC total)

Rounds 19-23 change to white and continue with 1 HDC in each space

Toddler – 12 Months to 3 Years

Round 1

• CH 3, SL ST to form a ring
• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 9 HDC in ring, SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (10 HDC total)

Round 2

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 2 HDC in each space around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (20 HDC total)

Round 3

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in next space
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in next space
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (30 HDC total)

Round 4

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in each space around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (30 HDC total)

Round 5

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (40 HDC total)

Round 6

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in each space around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (40 HDC total)

Round 7

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (50 HDC total)

Done with the crown!

The Sides: Rounds 8-25

(or keep working rounds until it’s about 8 inches tall)

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in each space around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (50 HDC total)

Rounds 21-25 change to white and continue with 1 HDC in each space

Child Size – 3-10 Years

Round 1

• CH 3, SL ST to form a ring
• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 9 HDC in ring, SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (10 HDC total)

Round 2

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 2 HDC in each space around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (20 HDC total)

Round 3

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in next space
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in next space
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH  2 (30 HDC total)

Round 4

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in each space around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (30 HDC total)

Round 5

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (40 HDC total)

Round 6

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (50 HDC total)

Round 7

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (60 HDC total)

Done with the crown!

The Sides: Rounds 8-25

(or keep working rounds until the hat is about 8 inches tall)

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in each space around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (60 HDC total)

Rounds 20-25 change to white and continue with 1 HDC in each space

Pre-Teens and Teens

Round 1

• CH 3, SL ST to form a ring
• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 9 HDC in ring, SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (10 HDC total)

Round 2

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 2 HDC in each space around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (20 HDC total)

Round 3

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in next space
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in next space
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH  2 (30 HDC total)

Round 4

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in each space around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (30 HDC total)

Round 5

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (40 HDC total)

Round 6

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (50 HDC total)

Round 7

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (60 HDC total)

Round 8

Work an increasing stitch only 5 times this round (an increasing stitch is 2 HDC in one stitch).

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 11 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 11 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (65 HDC total)

Done with the crown!

The Sides: Rounds 9-28

(or keep working rounds until the hat is about 9 inches tall)

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in each space around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (65 HDC total)

Rounds 23-28 change to white and continue with 1 HDC in each space

Adults (for a 22-23 inch head)

Round 1

• CH 3, SL ST to form a ring
• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 9 HDC in ring, SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (10 HDC total)

Round 2

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 2 HDC in each space around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (20 HDC total)

Round 3

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in next space
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in next space
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH  2 (30 HDC total)

Round 4

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in each space around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (30 HDC total)

Round 5

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (40 HDC total)

Round 6

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (50 HDC total)

Round 7

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (60 HDC total)

Round 8

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in same space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 5 spaces
• *2 HDC in next space
• 1 HDC in each of the next 5 spaces
• Repeat from * all the way around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (70 HDC total)

Done with the crown!

The Sides: Rounds 9-34

(or keep working rounds until the hat is about 9 inches tall)

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in each space around
• SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (70 HDC total)

Rounds 30-34 change to white and continue with 1 HDC in each space

Trick for sewing the ear flaps on symmetrically

Fold the hat in half and use sewing pins to tack one of the flaps onto the hat. Tack the other one to the other side in the same position. Whip stitch the flaps on with the sewing pins still attached and then remove them when finished.

Ear Flaps

Knowledge of  a half double crochet decrease stitch is necessary to complete the ear flaps. If you’ve never worked one, here is my complete photo tutorial!

Row 1

• CH 16
• In 3rd CH from hook, work a HDC
• 1 HDC in each CH down  (13 HDC total)

Row 2

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
• 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
• 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
• 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces (11 HDC total)

Row 3

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces
• 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
• 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces (10 HDC total)

Row 4

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
• 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
• 1 HDC decrease in each of the next 4 spaces (9 HDC total)

Row 5

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
• 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
• 1 HDC decrease in each of the next 3 spaces (8 HDC total)

Row 6

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
• 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
• 1 HDC  in each of the next 2 spaces (7 HDC total)

Row 7

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in the next space
• 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
• 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces (6 HDC total)

Row 8

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC in the next space
• 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
• 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces (5 HDC total)

Row 9

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
• 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces (4 HDC total)

Row 10

• CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
• 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
• 1 HDC in the last space (3 HDC total)

Row 11

• CH 2
• 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces

Finish off

Trick For Sewing On the Face Parts Symmetrically

I have spent many a precious hour sewing and resewing facial parts onto projects before and have found the best and easiest way to do it is to tack all of the pieces onto the hat with sewing pins first. It takes more time up front, but saves lots of frustration and time later!

Eyes

Change to a G hook, use white yarn

Row 1

• CH 10, work 1 SC in the 2nd CH from the hook
• Work 1 SC in each space all the way down (8 total SC)

Row 2

• CH 1 (counts as first SC)
• 1 SC in each of the next 3 spaces
• 1 SC decrease in the next 2 spaces
• 1 SC  in each of the next 2 spaces (7 SC total)

Row 3

• CH 2 (counts as first SC)
• 1 SC in the next space
• 1 SC decrease in the next 2 spaces
• 1 SC in each of the next 3 spaces (6 SC total)

Row 4

• CH 2 (counts as first SC)
• 1 SC in the next space
• 1 SC decrease in the next 2 spaces
• 1 SC in each of the next 2 spaces (5 SC total)

Row 5

• CH 2 (counts as first SC)
• 1 SC decrease in the next 2 spaces
• 1 SC in each of the next 2 spaces (4 SC total)

Row 6

• CH 2 (counts as first SC)
• 1 SC decrease in the next 2 spaces
• 1 SC in the last space (3 SC total)

Row 7

• CH 2
• 1 SC decrease in the next 2 spaces

Pupils

G hook, use black yarn

Round 1

• CH 2, SL ST to form a ring (or use a magic circle)
• 7 SC in ring (8 total)

Round 2

• CH 2
• 2 SC in next space
• *1 SC in next space
• 2 SC in next space
• Repeat from * all the way around (12 SC total)

Round 3

• CH 2
• 1 SC in each space around (12 SC total)

Sew into middle of the eye triangles

Nose

Use a G hook

Round 1 (black yarn)

• CH 3, SL ST to form a ring
• CH 1, 4 SC in ring (5 SC total)
• SL ST to beginning CH 1

Round 2

• CH 1, SC in same space
• 2 SC in each space around (10 SC total)
• SL ST to beginning CH 1

Round 3

• CH 1, SC in same space
• 1 SC in next space
• 2 SC in next space
• 1 SC in next space
• Repeat from * around (15 SC total)
• SL ST to beginning CH 1

Round 4 (switch to orange)

• CH 1, 1 SC in same space
• 1 SC in next space
• *2 SC in next space
• 1 SC in each of the next 2 spaces
• Repeat from * around (20 SC total)
• SL ST to beginning CH 1

Rounds 5-10

• CH 1
• 1 SC in each space around (20 SC total)
• SL ST to beginning CH 1

Ears

These ears are worked in the round as little pointy hats. It makes the ears very sturdy so they stand straight up like real fox ears. First CH of each round counts as a SC.

1. Row 1: CH 3, SL ST to form a ring (or do a magic circle), 5 SC in ring (6 total)
2. Row 2: CH 1, 1 SC, 1 SC in each of the next 2 stitches, 2 SC, 1 SC in each of the last 2 stitches . SL ST to CH 1.
3. Row 3: CH 1, 1 SC in same stitch, 1 SC in each of the next 2 stitches, *2 SC h, 1 SC in each of the next 2 stitches, Repeat from * one more time. SL ST to CH 1.
4. Row 4: CH 1, 1 SC in same stitch, 1 SC in each of the next 3 stitches, 2 SC , 1 SC in each of the next 3 stitches, 2 SC, 1 SC in each of the last 4 stitches. SL ST to CH 1.
5. Rows 5-16: Ch 1, SC in each stitch around.

Smile

• CH 13, finish off
• Ch 3 for the short line
• Leave a long tail for sewing onto the hat

Braids

Take 10 strands of yarn and cut them 24 inches long

Fold them in half as a group and knot onto the end of 1 ear flap by inserting the loop into a space at the point of the flap and pull the ends of the strands through the loop.

Divide evenly into 3 groups and braid. Tie off the end of the braid with a strand of yarn and trim the ends so they are even.

Need another character hat for Halloween? Check out my monster crochet beanie and my shabby happy lion beanie!