Looking for a fun and quick crochet project? Dive into the adorable world of Crochet Cat Hats! These charming beanies are not only a delightful way to express your love for feline friends, but they also make fantastic gifts, cozy accessories for yourself, or even items to donate to charity. This free crochet cat hat pattern is designed to be easy and enjoyable, perfect for crocheters of all skill levels. Get ready to create your own purr-fectly cute crochet cat hat in just a few hours!
Why Crochet a Cat Hat?
Crocheting a cat hat is more than just making a hat; it’s crafting a piece of joy and personality. Here’s why you should hook up a crochet cat hat today:
- Quick and Satisfying Project: Cat hats work up surprisingly fast, offering instant gratification for your crochet efforts. You’ll see your adorable creation come to life in just a short amount of time.
- Perfect for Gifting: Cat lovers in your life will adore a handmade crochet cat hat. It’s a thoughtful and unique gift for birthdays, holidays, or just because.
- Customize Your Style: From playful pinks to classic blacks and stripes, the color possibilities are endless. Add pom-poms or embroidery to truly personalize your crochet cat hat.
- Spread the Feline Fun: Wear your crochet cat hat to show off your love for cats, or create them for fundraising events or animal shelters.
Gather Your Supplies: What You’ll Need
To begin your crochet cat hat project, gather these essential materials:
Materials List:
- Worsted Weight Yarn (#4/Medium): This versatile yarn weight is ideal for hats, providing warmth and structure. Choose your favorite colors! Find Worsted Weight Yarn on Amazon
- I/9/5.50mm Crochet Hook: This hook size is recommended for worsted weight yarn and will help you achieve the correct gauge. Get an I/9/5.50mm Crochet Hook on Amazon
- Yarn Needle: Essential for weaving in ends and seaming the hat neatly. Purchase a Yarn Needle Set on Amazon
- Scissors: For cutting yarn cleanly. Find Craft Scissors on Amazon
Gauge:
- 13 stitches x 8 rows = 4 inches in half double crochet.
- Achieving the correct gauge is important to ensure your crochet cat hat fits properly. If your gauge differs, adjust your hook size accordingly.
Sizes:
This pattern includes instructions for two sizes to fit a range of ages:
- Child / Tween: Fits a 20-inch head circumference.
- Teen / Adult: Fits a 22-inch head circumference.
- Instructions for the Teen/Adult size are provided in parentheses throughout the pattern.
Crochet Stitches and Techniques
This crochet cat hat pattern uses basic crochet stitches, making it accessible for beginners. Here’s a guide to the stitches you’ll need to know:
Stitch Guide:
- ch: chain
- ehdc: Extended Half Double Crochet (See Special Stitches below)
- hdc: half double crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
- YO: yarn over
Special Stitch: Extended Half Double Crochet (ehdc)
The Extended Half Double Crochet (ehdc) stitch creates a fabric with a lovely texture. Here’s how to work it:
- YO (yarn over), insert hook into the indicated stitch.
- YO, draw up a loop (3 loops on hook).
- YO, draw through 1 loop on hook. (This is the ‘extended’ part of the stitch).
- YO, draw through all 3 loops on hook.
Skill Level:
Easy – This pattern is perfect for beginner crocheters or anyone looking for a relaxing and quick project.
Pink crochet cat hat with pointed ears for children and adults
Step-by-Step Crochet Cat Hat Pattern
Follow these instructions to crochet your adorable cat beanie pattern:
Pattern Notes:
- Turning Chain: The pattern uses a chain 1 (ch 1) at the beginning of each row. This ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
- Size Adjustment: If you prefer to use a ch-2 turning chain for hdc, you may need to remove some rows to achieve the correct size.
- Yarn Choice: The hat shown was made with Big Twist Premium Yarn in Fuchsia, but feel free to use any worsted weight yarn in your desired color.
Instructions:
R1. Ch 71 (75), hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (70 (74) hdc stitches)
R2. Ch 1, ehdc in back loop only (BLO) of each st across, turn. (70 (74) ehdc stitches)
R3. Ch 1, hdc in BLO of each st across, turn. (70 (74) hdc stitches)
R4-17 (21). Repeat Rows 2 & 3. Fasten off at the end of row 17 (21).
Close up of the texture of the pink crochet cat hat, showing stitch detail
Finishing Touches
Now that you’ve crocheted the main rectangle for your crochet cat hat, it’s time to finish it off and bring those kitty ears to life!
Assembly:
- Fold in Half: Fold your crocheted rectangle in half lengthwise, with the wrong side facing out.
- Seam the Sides: Using your yarn needle and yarn, sew the long sides together to form a tube. You can use a whip stitch or your preferred seaming method.
Adding Ears (Automatic!):
The clever design of this crochet cat hat means the ears form naturally when you wear it!
- Try it On: Place the hat on your head, positioning the seam at the sides of your head.
- Pull Down: Pull the hat down fully until the folded edge touches the top of your head.
- Roll the Brim: Roll up the excess brim to your desired cuff depth. As you pull the hat down and roll the brim, you’ll see the corners at the top magically transform into adorable cat ears!
Customization Ideas:
Want to add extra flair to your crochet cat hat? Consider these customization options:
- Pom-poms: Attach small pom-poms to the ear tips for a playful touch.
- Colorwork: Incorporate stripes or color blocking for a unique look.
- Embroidery: Add embroidered details like whiskers or paw prints.
Teen girl wearing a grey crochet cat hat with pointed ears, smiling
More Free Crochet Hat Patterns You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this crochet cat hat pattern, you might also like these other free hat patterns:
- Hopeful Butterfly Hat
- Nor’easter Hat
- Granite Stitch Hat & Cowl Set
Come join the Blackstone Designs Crochet Community on Facebook to share your creations, get inspiration, and stay updated on new patterns and events! Don’t forget to add this pattern to your Ravelry favorites for easy access later.
Pattern Design © 2016 Sonya Blackstone of Blackstone Designs. This pattern is for personal and commercial use. Please do not sell or distribute the pattern itself. When sharing your finished items, please credit Blackstone Designs and link back to this pattern.
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Ready to start crocheting your own adorable crochet cat hat? Grab your hook and yarn and let’s get started!
