This crochet santa hat is a classic red Christmas hat with a long, floppy point, a thick white brim and a fluffy pompom, and it comes in four sizes from baby to large adult. It is worked from the tip down in simple rounds of half treble crochet, so the shaping is all in the stitch counts and there is no sewing apart from the pompom.
Quick answer: To crochet a santa hat, work from the tip down in rounds of half treble crochet (UK terms, US half double crochet), increasing 3 stitches every round to make a long cone, then add plain rounds, a white brim and a pompom. With aran yarn and a 5mm hook (US H-8), an adult hat has 72 stitches at the widest point and takes 2 to 4 hours.
Our crochet santa hat pattern is written in UK crochet terms, with US terms in the abbreviations table and exact stitch counts for every round. Aran yarn and a 5mm hook make it quick: most people finish an adult hat in an evening or two. At the end you will also find a mini santa hat to hang on the tree, plus ideas for the whole family.
Why you will love this crochet santa hat
- Four sizes: baby, child, adult and large adult, all from the same simple pattern.
- Beginner friendly: just a magic ring, half treble crochet and a steady increase.
- Quick: 2 to 4 hours for an adult hat in aran yarn.
- No seams: worked in the round from tip to brim.
- Perfect for Christmas: matching hats for Christmas Day photos, school jumper days, Christmas parties and festive runs.
What you need for this crochet santa hat
- Yarn: aran (worsted) acrylic or wool blend in red, plus white or cream for the brim and pompom. For a fluffy brim you can use a white faux fur or chenille yarn of a similar thickness.
- Amounts: about 35g red and 15g white for a baby hat, 50g red and 20g white for a child, 70g red and 25g white for an adult, and 85g red and 30g white for a large adult.
- Hook: 5mm (UK 6, US H-8).
- Extras: a stitch marker, a yarn needle, scissors and a pompom maker or a piece of card.
For help choosing yarn and hooks, see our crochet yarn guide and crochet hooks guide. Aran is weight 4 in the Craft Yarn Council yarn weight system.
Abbreviations (UK terms with US equivalents)
| UK term | Abbreviation | US term |
|---|---|---|
| Magic ring | MR | Magic ring |
| Chain | ch | Chain |
| Slip stitch | ss | Slip stitch (sl st) |
| Double crochet | dc | Single crochet (sc) |
| Half treble crochet | htr | Half double crochet (hdc) |
| Increase | inc | 2 htr (US hdc) in the same stitch |
New to UK terms? Our UK vs US crochet terms guide explains everything. The hat starts with a magic ring (see our magic ring tutorial), and the main stitch is the half treble.
Tension and sizes
Tension: 14 htr and 10 rounds to 10cm in aran yarn with a 5mm hook. Check your tension before you start, because it decides the size of the hat. If you have more stitches to 10cm, use a bigger hook; if you have fewer, use a smaller hook.
| Size | Fits head | Stitches at the widest point | Last increase round | Plain rounds | Brim rounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby (6 to 18 months) | 42 to 46cm | 54 | 17 | 6 | 3 |
| Child (2 to 10 years) | 48 to 52cm | 63 | 20 | 7 | 4 |
| Adult | 54 to 58cm | 72 | 23 | 8 | 5 |
| Large adult | 58 to 62cm | 81 | 26 | 8 | 5 |
The hats are designed to be a little smaller than the head so they stretch to fit snugly.
Crochet santa hat pattern: the red cone
Work in joined rounds. At the start of each round, 2 ch does not count as a stitch. Join each round with a ss to the first htr. Put a marker in the first stitch of each round so the join is easy to find.
- Round 1: in red, make a magic ring, 2 ch, 6 htr into the ring. Pull it closed and join. (6)
- Round 2: 2 ch, *1 htr, inc* three times. Join. (9)
- Round 3: 2 ch, *2 htr, inc* three times. Join. (12)
- Round 4: 2 ch, *3 htr, inc* three times. Join. (15)
- Round 5: 2 ch, *4 htr, inc* three times. Join. (18)
- Continue in the same way: on every round, work one more htr before each increase. Each round adds 3 stitches.
Stop increasing when you reach the stitch count for your size:
- Baby: Round 17, *16 htr, inc* three times. (54)
- Child: Round 20, *19 htr, inc* three times. (63)
- Adult: Round 23, *22 htr, inc* three times. (72)
- Large adult: Round 26, *25 htr, inc* three times. (81)
Because you increase only 3 stitches per round, the cone grows slowly and makes the long, floppy point that a santa hat needs.
Plain rounds
Work 2 ch, then 1 htr in each st around, and join. Repeat for the number of plain rounds given in the size table (6, 7, 8 or 8 rounds). Fasten off red.
The white brim
Join white in any stitch. Work 2 ch, then 1 htr in each st around, and join. Repeat for the number of brim rounds in the table (3, 4, 5 or 5 rounds). For a thicker, ribbed brim, work every brim round into the back loops only. Fasten off and weave in the ends.
For a fluffy faux fur brim, change to a fur yarn and work the brim in dc (US sc) instead, so the stitches are easy to see. Fur yarn is tricky to count, so place a marker every 10 stitches.
The pompom
- Wind white yarn about 80 times around a 6cm pompom maker, or around three fingers or a piece of card.
- Tie tightly around the middle with a 30cm length of yarn.
- Cut the loops, fluff the pompom and trim it into a neat ball.
- Use the long ties to sew the pompom firmly to the tip of the hat.
For babies and toddlers, sew the pompom on very securely, or leave it off.
Mini crochet santa hat ornament
This little santa hat is perfect for the tree, a wine bottle or a toy. It is about 6cm tall in DK yarn with a 3.5mm hook, worked in spiral rounds of dc.
- Round 1: in red, 6 dc into a magic ring. (6)
- Round 2: *1 dc, 2 dc in next st* three times. (9)
- Round 3: *2 dc, 2 dc in next st* three times. (12)
- Rounds 4 to 7: continue adding one more dc before each increase every round. (15, 18, 21 and 24)
- Rounds 8 to 10: 1 dc in each st around. (24)
- Rounds 11 and 12: change to white, 1 dc in each st around, then join with a ss. (24)
Add a tiny white pompom and a ribbon loop. Our crochet penguin pattern has a mini santa hat sized for toys, too.
Crochet santa hat variations
- Elf hat: work the cone in green and the brim in red, and add a little bell instead of a pompom.
- Striped hat: change between red and white every two rounds on the cone for a candy cane look.
- Personalised hat: embroider a name on the brim in red or gold yarn with chain stitch.
- Short santa beanie: work each increase round as *1 htr fewer, inc* six times instead of three, so you add 6 stitches per round (6, 12, 18, 24 and so on). You reach your size in half the rounds, which makes a short, rounded hat.
- Dog santa hat: make the baby size and add a ribbon tie at each side.
Ways to use your crochet santa hats
Make a set for the whole family for Christmas morning photos, wear one to a Christmas jumper day or festive run, or pop a small one on a teddy. A crochet santa hat also makes a lovely handmade gift, especially paired with a matching crochet Christmas stocking. For a full Father Christmas, see our amigurumi crochet Santa.
Want an everyday hat as well? Our crochet hat guide has beanies for the rest of the winter, and our crochet baby hat pattern has four baby sizes.
Common problems and easy fixes
The hat is too small or too big
Check your tension first. If the circumference is close but not right, move to the next size up or down, or add or remove a few plain rounds for length.
The point curls or twists
A slight twist is normal when you increase in the same place each round. Stagger the increases by starting some rounds with the increase rather than the plain stitches; the stitch counts stay the same.
The joins make a visible seam
Joined rounds always leave a faint line. Keep it at the back of the hat, or turn your work at the end of every round to make the seam less noticeable.
The brim flips up
Work the white brim in back loops only, or go down half a hook size for the brim rounds.
Tips for a neat crochet santa hat
- Use a stitch marker: it makes counting each round much easier.
- Try it on as you go: after the plain rounds, check the fit before adding the brim.
- Choose soft yarn: a soft acrylic or wool blend is comfortable for a whole Christmas Day.
- Block gently: steam the brim lightly to even out the stitches.
Making a set of crochet santa hats for the family
Matching hats are a fun Christmas tradition, and because the pattern uses one simple rule for every size, it is easy to make a whole family set. Work the hats in order from smallest to largest, so you get faster with each one. Wind all the red yarn into balls first and keep a note of the round you reached for each size.
| Family set | Red yarn | White yarn | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 adults | 140g | 50g | 5 to 8 hours |
| 2 adults and 2 children | 240g | 90g | 9 to 14 hours |
| 2 adults, 1 child and 1 baby | 225g | 85g | 8 to 13 hours |
Add each person’s initial to the brim in a contrast colour so nobody mixes up their hat on Christmas morning.
Gifting and caring for your crochet santa hat
A handmade crochet santa hat makes a cheerful early Christmas present, so it can be worn all through December. Fold it with the point tucked inside, wrap it in tissue paper and add a tag with the care instructions. For a teacher or neighbour, tuck a mini santa hat ornament into a Christmas card instead.
To wash, hand wash in cool water with a little wool wash, squeeze gently, roll in a towel and dry flat. Fluff the pompom with your fingers once it is dry. Store the hats flat in a box between seasons, with the points folded in so they do not crease.
Ready to start your crochet santa hat?
Pick your size from the table, check your tension with a small swatch, and start with Round 1 in red. Count your stitches at the end of every increase round, and you will reach the widest point without any guesswork. Once the plain rounds and white brim are done, all that is left is the pompom, which is the most fun part of all.
If you are making several hats for Christmas, start with the smallest size: it is the quickest way to learn the increase rhythm before you move on to the bigger hats. Keep your finished hats in a bag together, then add the pompoms in one cosy evening with a film. And if you make a crochet santa hat from this pattern, we would love to see it on Pinterest, where you can find more festive ideas on our Christmas board.
Finish the festive look with a free crochet Christmas garland pattern for the mantelpiece.
Frequently asked questions about the crochet santa hat
How long does it take to crochet a santa hat?
An adult crochet santa hat takes about 2 to 4 hours in aran yarn. A baby size takes 1 to 2 hours, and the mini ornament about 30 minutes.
What yarn is best for a crochet santa hat?
Soft aran acrylic or a wool blend works best. Use red for the hat and white or cream for the brim and pompom, or a white faux fur yarn for an extra fluffy brim.
How much yarn do I need?
About 70g of red and 25g of white aran for an adult hat. The baby size needs about 35g red and 15g white.
Is this santa hat crochet pattern suitable for beginners?
Yes. You only need a magic ring and half treble crochet, and the stitch counts tell you exactly where you are.
Is the pattern in UK or US terms?
It is written in UK terms. In US terms, htr is half double crochet (hdc) and dc is single crochet (sc).
