How To Crochet a Santa Hat in Minutes! Easy Beginner Pattern

How To Crochet a Santa Hat in Minutes! Easy Beginner Pattern

Looking for a fast and fun way to make holiday magic? This Easy Free Crochet Santa Hat Pattern works up quickly with simple stitches, a comfy fit, and the fluffiest pom pom. I use only double crochets, chain stitches, and a few decreases, so it’s perfect for beginners and satisfying for pros who want a quick win. I’ll walk you through sizing, shaping in a spiral, adding a cozy white brim, and finishing with a plush pom pom made with stitch markers. Let’s make a hat you’ll reach for all season.

Materials You’ll Need

• Red yarn: Use a size 4 worsted weight yarn like acrylic for the hat body. It holds shape, feels soft, and works up fast in double crochet.
• White yarn: Choose fluffy chenille for the trim and pom pom. It gives that iconic Santa look and feels extra plush.
  • Recommended: Soft chenille-style yarn on Amazon
• Crochet hook: Use a 5.5 mm crochet hook for even stitches and a comfy fit; this hook size works well.
  • Try this: Ergonomic 5.5 mm hook
• Scrap white acrylic yarn: About 3 feet for assembling.
• Stitch markers: Up to 30, especially helpful for decreases and pom pom prep.
• Scissors and needle: You’ll need a pair of scissors and a sharp tip yarn needle for sewing and finishing.
  • Handy set: Sharp tip yarn needles

Tip: If you have a different yarn weight on hand, keep to similar thicknesses so it feels consistent with the hat body.

Understanding the Pattern Basics

• Skill level: Beginner friendly. You’ll use chains, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and a simple double crochet decrease. The pattern uses common stitch abbreviations like 'ch', 'sc', 'hdc', 'dc', and 'decrease (dc2tog)'.
• Construction: Work the hat in a spiral with dc, shaping the sides with staggered decreases for smooth edges.
• Hook and yarn: A 5.5 mm hook with worsted red yarn keeps the fabric soft and wearable. Chenille adds a fluffy finish.
• If you’re new, you’ll be amazed how approachable this pattern feels.

Sizing Your Santa Hat

Adult Small or Teen Size

• For a snug adult small or teen size, chain 65 stitches.
• Every 4 chains is about 1 inch, so you can size up or down with that guide.

Measuring for Fit

• Wrap your starting chain around your adult head where the hat will sit, across the top, like a headband.
• Pull the chain slightly. Crochet stretches, so it should just reach, not overlap loosely.
• Bold rule: Test fit early to avoid remaking!

Adjusting for Larger Sizes

• Add ch in groups of 4. Example: if you need about 1 inch more, add 4 chains.
• Always wrap and test before moving on.

Size (approx.)Starting ChainsApprox. InchesChild/Small57~14Teen/Adult S65~16Adult M69~17Adult L73~18

Note: The inch values use the “4 chains per inch” guide. Your yarn and tension gauge may vary slightly.

Getting Started: Slip Knot and Foundation Chain

1. Make a slip knot and leave an 8 inch tail. You’ll use it for joining later.
2. Place the loop on your hook and ch your size, for example 65 for teen/adult small.
3. Keep your chain even. Count carefully so your join and brim match later.

That tail you left is important. It helps you neatly close the join at the bottom.

First Row: Build the Base

• Skip the first chain from your hook.
• In the second chain, make 1 single crochet.
• In the next chain, make 1 sc again.
• In the next two chains, make 1 half double crochet in each.
• In all remaining chains, make 1 dc in each, into the top loop only.
• Make sure you work that last double crochet into the final chain.

This row sets up the hat to work in a spiral. Keep the chain flat so it doesn’t twist.

Lay It Out and Check the Circle

Before joining, lay your work in a loose circle. Check that:

• The chain isn’t twisted.
• The same side of the stitches faces up all the way around.

Find that very first "sc" you made. You’ll work into it to begin the spiral.

Join and Start the Spiral

• Work 1 double crochet (dc) into that first single crochet. It might look odd at first. Keep going.
• Continue with 1 double crochet into each stitch around.
• When you pass over the join area, ignore the confusing bits below. Work only into the clean top stitches.

After this round, your fabric should look flat and neat.

Continue the Spiral Rounds

• Keep making 1 dc in every stitch, round and round.
• Don’t add chains at the start. The spiral stays smooth without joins.
• If a stitch looks off to the side, trace the stitch you just made down to be sure you don’t work into the same one twice.

Two smooth rounds of double crochet stitches in, you’ll already see the classic shape forming.

Mark the Sides for Decreases

Shaping happens on two opposite sides.

• Place a stitch marker near the join area.
• Fold the hat in half using that marker as one side, then mark a stitch on the opposite side.
• These two markers are your decrease zones, where shaping occurs through techniques like increases (inc) or decreases.
• Keep them near the sides, not stacked in the exact same spot every round.

Move the markers up as the hat grows to keep track of your sides.

How the Decrease (dc2tog) Works

You’ll use a double crochet two together (dc2tog):

• Yarn over, insert hook into the next stitch, pull up a loop.
• Yarn over, pull through two loops. Leave two loops on your hook.
• Yarn over, insert into the next dc, pull up a loop.
• Yarn over, pull through two loops. You now have three loops left.
• Yarn over, pull through all three.

Tip: Turn your hook slightly down as you pull through the last three loops. It slides more easily.

Don’t stack decreases right on top of each other. Staggering avoids holes and keeps the sides smooth.

First Decrease Round

• Work double crochets until you reach the first marked side.
• Perform a decrease (dc2tog) over two stitches near the marker.
• Continue with double crochets to the second marked side.
• Make another dc2tog there.
• Keep going with double crochets back to the starting area.

If you’re tracking rows, this is the round where shaping begins.

Stagger Decreases for Smooth Sides

To avoid visible holes, don’t decrease in the stitch directly over your last decrease. Staggering in this way prevents the need for increases (inc) or decreases in the same spot.

• If your last decrease is obvious, work regular double crochets over that spot.
• Then place your new decrease a stitch or two before or after it.
• Repeat on the other side. You can do it before the previous decrease there, then after on the next round.

If you’re new, mark your decrease stitch with a different colored marker. On the next pass, avoid decreasing into that exact stitch. Give it one stitch of space on either side.

Keep Shaping Until It Tapers

• Continue in a spiral with one dc per stitch.
• Decrease once on each side every round, staggering the placement.
• Aim for about 30 to 31 rows total, depending on your tension and how pointy you want the tip for that classic Santa hat shape.
• When you have around 10 stitches left near the top, it’s small enough to close neatly.

You can stop earlier if you prefer a shorter tip.

Close the Top of the Hat

• After your last stitch, sl st across the opening into a stitch on the other side to pinch it closed.
• Chain 1 to secure and cut the yarn, leaving a tail.
• Pull the tail through and snug it down.

If you don’t want additional embellishments, weave in your tail and skip ahead to the brim finishing steps.

Clean Up the Bottom Join

Use the long tail from your starting chain.

• Thread your yarn needle and insert into the corner near the join, pulling it snug to pinch the edge flat.
• Work under a stitch, over to the next, and through again to close any small gaps.
• For finishing, add a few reinforcing passes along the bottom edge. This spot only has one strand from the start, and a little back-and-forth helps it feel as sturdy as the rest.

Fold the hat so this join sits nicely along the side seam.

Prepare for the Brim

• Keep the pretty stitches facing out.
• Place the side seam at the side so the decreases sit on the hat’s edges.
• Choose a center point on one side of the hat. That’s where you’ll join the white yarn.

Using chenille gives that classic red and white Santa fluff without extra effort.

Attach the White Brim Yarn

• Insert your hook into the chosen spot on the base of the hat.
• Place a loop of white chenille on the hook and join with sl st using both strands.
• Drop the tail and ch 2. This counts as your first double crochet.

Work over the tail for a few stitches to tuck it away as you go.

Mirror the Foundation Stitches for a Neat Brim

You’ll work into the underside of the starting chain. Match one white double crochet to each base stitch along the hat.

• Make 1 double crochet into each chain space along the base, mirroring the red worsted weight yarn stitches you see.
• Keep an even pace. Try not to skip or add stitches.
• When you reach the area where the red join sits, work the stitch before and after. Keep your focus on clean top stitches rather than the join itself.

Matching stitch for stitch keeps the brim flat and full.

Complete the Brim Rounds

• Join with sl st to the top of your starting chain.
• Chain 1 loosely (or ch 3 for a slightly taller start to the next round, if preferred).
• Double crochet into the same stitch to start the next round. Mark it if you like.
• Continue with 1 double crochet in each stitch around.
• Repeat until you have 4 total rows of white double crochet for the brim.

Check that each stitch has one above it and that the pattern is consistent. Consistency creates that even, plush brim.

Finish the Brim with an Invisible Join

• After the final stitch of your fourth row, cut your yarn and pull the tail through. Don’t add a chain.
• Thread your needle.
• Insert the needle where your hook would normally go in the next stitch.
• Before tightening, bring the needle back down into the center of the last stitch you made.
• Shrink the loop until it matches the stitch size. This creates a clean, seamless finish and serves as an invisible alternative to join with sl st.
• Weave in the tail a few stitches away from the edge to hide it.

This invisible join makes your work look tidy from every angle.

Make the Fluffy Pom Pom

This pom pom for your Santa hat looks luxe and full, and it’s fast to assemble with stitch markers.

You’ll make chains in sets of 14, mark each 14th chain, thread them onto a center yarn, then cinch them tight.

Chain the Pom Pom Base

• With chenille, make a slip knot and place it on your hook.
• Chain 14.
• Place a stitch marker into the last chain you made.
• Repeat: chain 14, mark the last chain.
• Continue until you’ve used your markers and made your full chain length.
• Cut the chenille leaving a 3 to 4 inch tail, chain 1, and pull through to secure.

Each marker shows the loop you’ll gather later.

Prepare the Center Yarn

• Take the 3 feet of white acrylic and fold it in half.
• Attach the folded end to the first stitch marker by threading the loop through the marker, then pull both tails through the loop to secure.

This folded yarn becomes your pom pom core. It’s strong and easy to tie.

Thread the Pom Pom Loops

• Thread both tails of the center yarn onto your needle.
• Starting at the first marker, pass the needle under one strand of that marked chain. Leave a few inches of tail hanging out the other side to prevent pulling through.
• Slide off the stitch marker.
• Move to the next marker and repeat: pass the needle under one strand of that chain, then remove the marker.
• Continue until every 14th chain is threaded onto the center yarn.

Only grab one strand of each chain, not both. That gives the pom its fullness.

Tighten and Secure the Pom

• Lay the threaded loops flat with the center yarn facing up.
• Gently pull one side of the center yarn, then the other, to gather the loops.
• Remove your needle and the first marker.
• Tie a hockey skate tie. That is a shoelace knot with an extra loop through before tightening. It keeps the knot from slipping as you pull tight.
• Pull very tight. The pom stays cinched thanks to the double loop.
• Tie another knot with the tails for good measure and trim any extra scraggly bits. Don’t cut the main tails you’ll use for attaching.

No loops should fall into the center gap. The pom should puff out evenly.

Attach the Pom Pom to the Hat

• Thread each pom pom tail onto a needle. One tail per needle makes it easy, but you can use one needle and alternate.
• At the top of the hat, send one tail from one side through to the other. Send the second tail through a nearby but slightly different spot to anchor it.
• Pull both tails snug.
• Tie the tails together inside the hat with a few firm knots.
• Tuck the ends inside the hat using a crochet hook if needed, and trim. Give them a little tug so they retract out of sight.

Pull snug, but don’t yank so hard that you distort the top stitches.

Final Touches and Fit

Give your hat a little steam with a steamer or hang it overnight for the stitches to relax. Try it on and check the fit; it's perfect for the holiday season. If you want a taller brim, simply add another round before finishing.

If you like a longer, floppier top, stop decreasing later. For a short classic look, stop around 10 stitches at the tip, then close.

Common Beginner Tips

• Measure your chain around your head early for the Santa hat. Crochet stretches, so aim for a firm but comfy wrap.
• Stagger your decreases. Avoid stacking them on the same stitch to prevent holes along the sides.
• When working in the spiral, focus on the clean top sc stitches and ignore the odd shapes below at the join area.
• Move your side markers up as you go to keep your shaping consistent.

These small habits give a clean, pro finish.

Troubleshooting Holes or Gaps

• Gaps on the sides: You likely decreased on top of the previous decrease. Shift your next decrease a stitch before or after.
• Wobbly bottom join: Use your starting tail to sew a few reinforcing passes along the join and brim.
• Loose pom pom: Use the hockey skate tie when cinching. It keeps the knot from loosening.

If you miss a stitch in the brim, refer to the pattern instructions, rip back a few stitches and redo. The evenness is worth it.

Why This Crochet Santa Hat Is So Fast

The spiral method in this crochet Santa hat keeps you moving without constant joins. Most of the hat is simple double crochets, so you can relax and get into a rhythm. The brim is just four rounds. The pom pom looks fancy but assembles in minutes.

This pattern makes it a perfect last-minute gift. Holiday gifting sorted.

Holiday Crochet Inspiration

Want more holiday ideas? I love pairing this hat with quick decor and giftables. If you’re planning a handmade season, you’ll find more inspiration in my Christmas-focused post here: easy holiday crochet projects.

Share your hat in your favorite crochet group or tag your photos. It’s always fun to see everyone’s color and brim choices, like red and white, shared by others in those groups.

Handy Resources

• Need a quick hook refresher or stitch reminders? Grab a simple guide like my favorite yarn needles for clean finishing.
• Tools I used in this Santa hat tutorial: 5.5 mm crochet hook and soft chenille-style yarn.

Left-handed makers can follow the same steps by mirroring where needed. The motions and counts stay the same.

Conclusion

This Easy Crochet Santa hat is quick to make, comfy to wear, and full of holiday cheer. You learned how to size with a simple chain test, work smoothly in a spiral, shape with staggered decreases, add a plush chenille brim, and build a full pom pom with stitch markers. Grab your red and white yarn, turn on some music, and make a few Santa hats for friends and family this holiday season. Which brim height will you try first? Stay hooked and have the happiest holiday stitching.

Left Handed?

FAQs

What yarn works best for this hat?

Use a size 4 worsted acrylic for the red body. For the brim and pom pom, a fluffy chenille gives that classic Santa look. Keep both yarns a similar thickness so the brim sits flat.

Can I use bulky yarn instead?

Yes. Go up a hook size that matches your yarn label. Reduce your starting chain so it fits your head. Do the same spiral and decrease method.

How do I size this for a baby or toddler?

Use the 4 chains per inch guide. Measure around the head where the brim sits, then chain to that length. For most toddlers, 53 to 57 chains works. Always wrap and test the chain before joining.

How do I keep the spiral from twisting at the start?

Lay the chain in a circle before joining and make sure the same side of the chain faces up. Work your first single crochets slowly, then check again before you commit to the spiral.

My sides have holes where I decreased. What did I do wrong?

You likely stacked decreases in the same spot. Stagger them by placing the next dc2tog one stitch before or after the last one on each side.

How tall should the hat be?

Aim for 30 to 31 rows for a long, floppy tip. Stop earlier if you want a shorter, classic tip. You can also add or remove rounds from the brim to tweak overall height.

Can I make it without a pom pom?

Yes. Close the top as written, weave in the ends, and you’re done. Or add a faux fur pom with a snap if you prefer.

How do I attach a removable pom pom?

Sew a flat button inside the top of the hat. Put a snap or elastic loop on the pom. Attach the pom to the button or snap so you can remove it for washing.

What hook size should I use if I crochet tightly?

Go up to a 6.0 mm hook. Make a small swatch of double crochets to check drape. The fabric should feel soft and bend easily.

Can I add stripes or different colors?

Absolutely. Add a white round or two in the body, or make a candy-cane tip by switching colors every 2 to 3 rounds. Carry the unused color up the inside to avoid too many ends.

How do I make the brim extra plush?

Add more rounds in white. Four rounds is standard; six is extra cozy. Keep your tension even and use the invisible join for a clean edge.

My brim flares or ripples. How do I fix it?

You may have added stitches. Count the first white round to match your base stitches. If it still ripples, go down half a hook size just for the brim.

Can I turn this into a messy bun Santa hat?

Yes. Stop decreasing when the top opening fits your bun, then work a round of single crochet to firm it up. Add the white brim as usual.

How long does this take to make?

Most makers finish in 1 to 2 hours, depending on size and experience. The pom pom is just a few extra minutes with the stitch marker method.

Do I need to join rounds or chain at the start?

No. Work in a continuous spiral. No chains at the start of each round. Use a marker to track your side decreases.

What if my starting chain feels loose later?

That is normal. The brim will cover and stabilize it. If it’s very loose, use the starting tail to reinforce the join as shown.

Christa Patel is the maker behind Secret Yarnery and a champion of fast, feel-good crochet. She designs beginner-friendly patterns that look polished, work up quickly, and use simple stitches you can master in an evening. Her mission is to help makers relax, finish projects they love, and feel proud of every stitch.

Christa teaches through step-by-step videos, friendly checklists, and practical tips that boost confidence. She believes in clear steps, simple tools, and small tricks that make a big difference, like invisible joins and neat decreases.

• Favorite stitches: double crochet, half double crochet, and smooth spiral work
• Go-to tools: a comfy 5.5 mm hook and sharp yarn needles
• Best crochet vibe: hot tea, a good playlist, and a quick finish

Want more patterns, tutorials, and holiday ideas? Visit secretyarnery.com.