FREE Chunky Santa Hat Crochet Pattern
Perfect for Beginners
The holidays are fast approaching, and if you're anything like me, your to-do list is longer than Santa's naughty-or-nice list!
But don’t worry—I've got the perfect festive project that’s quick, easy, and oh-so-chunky: a FREE Chunky Santa Hat Crochet Pattern that will have you feeling like the jolliest elf in no time.
I'm planning to crochet this Santa Hat for each family member this year. I wanted a design where I wouldn't have to concentrate so much on counting stitches (I'm just so easily distracted!!).
So this Santa Hat design is so easy, I can work on these even when I get constantly interrupted by my kids (and hubby!). I could literally make these Santa Hats with my eyes closed! You'll see why in just a minute.
Photo Courtesy of © Courtney Campbell (Five Stitches Crochet)
PDF Pattern To Download & Print
Chunky Santa Hat Crochet Pattern
PDF Printable
Christmas Tags
Handmade With Love
You may also purchase this pattern from Ravelry if you prefer.
YouTube Video Tutorial
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the Start Crochet links. Please see my disclosure for more details.
What You’ll Learn
- How to work a chain.
- How to work the Double Crochet Stitch (dc).
- How to work the Single Crochet Stitch (sc).
- How to work in joined rounds.
- How to increase stitches to widen your crochet with each round.
- How to decrease stitches to narrow your rounds (for the white ball/pom-pom).
Materials Needed
- Some Chenille yarn in red & white. For this project, I used Katia Bambi Baby Love yarn (100% polyester)
- Crochet hook that fits your yarn. For this project I used a 6 mm hook.
- A tapestry needle
- A stitch marker or contrasting piece of yarn
- A pair of scissors
- A small amount of fiberfill stuffing or yarn scraps for the pompom.
- Embellishment (optional)
Abbreviations
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- inc = 2 stitches into the same stitch of the previous round
- dec = sc2tog (single crochet 2 together). In this pattern we're using a specific type of decrease where two single crochet stitches are worked together to make one stitch. You insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull through (you now have 2 loops on your hook), then insert your hook into the following stitch, yarn over, pull through (you now have 3 loops on your hook), and finally yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
- st = stitch
- sts = stitches
- sl st = slip stitch
- fo = fasten off
Christmas Tags
Handmade With Love
Skill Level
Beginner
Gauge
Gauge = 9 dc and 6 rows with a 6 mm crochet hook = 4" (10 cm).
Like this pattern, but not ready to work it yet? Save it to Pinterest!
Size
This Chunky Santa Hat measures about 20.8" (53 cm) in length and approx. 20.5" (52 cm) in circumference. Check the circumference you need for the head size you're making this Santa Hat for. Here's a free printable download for you:
Crochet Hat & Beanie Sizing Chart + Template
Free Download
Yardage
Approx. 143 meters (156 yards)
Why This Pattern?
I designed this pattern because I needed to make a Santa Hat that is:
- Fast and easy to whip up,
- Doesn’t need much concentration with counting stitches and keeping track of rounds,
- I don't have to strain my eyes looking for the next stitch to work into,
Can be adapted to any size.
Notes
- This Santa Hat is crocheted from the top down. No need to start with a Magic Circle. It's really difficult to close the magic circle using velvet yarn. There are some tricks on how to do this, but it's totally unnecessary for this pattern.
- You can make the pattern larger or smaller by either:
- changing the type of yarn and/or hook size,
- adding or reducing the number of rows,
check the hat sizing template for more info.
- Numbers at the end of each row (in brackets) indicate the number of final stitches in that row.
- The first ch 2 or each round does NOT count as a stitch.
- Please note that I use US crochet terms. Here's a US/UK Conversion Chart.
US vs. UK Crochet Terms & Symbols
Free Printable
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Chunky Santa Hat Crochet Pattern (PDF Printable)
Would you rather have a PDF version of this pattern to print out? Click below to access this downloadable document for a small fee. You'll have the text-only version of the pattern in a couple of pages + all progress photo instructions separately.
PDF Pattern To Download & Print
Chunky Santa Hat Crochet Pattern
PDF Printable
Christmas Tags
Handmade With Love
You may also purchase this pattern from Ravelry if you prefer.
YouTube Video Tutorial
Chunky Santa Hat Crochet Pattern Instructions
Hat
Round 1: With red yarn, chain 2. 6 dc into the second chain from your hook. Sl st to the top of the first dc (not the ch 2) to join. (6).
Notes:
- Beginning ch 2 of each round does NOT count as a stitch.
- From here, work between the dc stitch (into the post gaps) rather than the tops of the stitches. You can feel these gaps easily with your fingers so you don't have to strain your eyes looking for the tops of each dc stitch.
- If using acrylic yarn, you don't need to work into the post gaps, and your first inc (2 dc) should be into the stitch closest to the ch 2, not the next st. This will keep your seam nice and straight.
- If working with the recommended Chenille yarn, make sure to place first inc (2 dc) in the gap between the starting chain and the first dc of the previous round.
Ch 2
6 dc into second ch from your hook
Make sure to sl st into the top of the first dc (not the ch 2) to join.
Make sure to place first inc (2 dc) in the gap between the starting chain and the first dc of the previous round.
Round 2: ch 2, inc (2 dc) into the first st, dc into the next 4 sts, inc (2 dc) into the last st. Sl st to the top of the first dc to join. (8).
- Note: Place first two dc into the gap between the starting chain and first dc of the first round.
Round 3: ch 2, 2 dc into the first st, dc into the next 6 sts, 2 dc into the last st. Sl st to the top of the first dc to join. (10).
Rounds 4-23 & thereafter: ch 2, 2 dc into the first st, dc around, 2 dc into the last st. Sl st to the top of the first dc to join.
Notes:
- Continue to follow this pattern of ch 2, 2 dc into the first st of each round, dc into each of the remaining sts until the last st. 2 dc into the last st. Sl st to the top of the first dc to join. You should be increasing each round by 2 sts.
- Starting from Round 20, check the measurement of your hat according to the Hat Sizing Template you can download above, or by fitting it on the person you're making it for (if they're available).
- Your hat will have a slight V-shape at the back of the head. This will not be noticeable when worn. See image below.
- My hat measures approx. 20.5" (52 cm) in circumference at Round 23. (50 sts)
Continue with the following stitch counts:
Round # | Stitch Count |
R 4 | 12 |
| R 5 | 14 |
| R 6 | 16 |
| R 7 | 18 |
| R 8 | 20 |
| R 9 | 22 |
| R 10 | 24 |
| R 11 | 26 |
| R 12 | 28 |
| R 13 | 30 |
| R 14 | 32 |
| R 15 | 34 |
| R 16 | 36 |
| R 17 | 38 |
| R 18 | 40 |
| R 19 | 42 |
| R 20 | 44 |
| R 21 | 46 |
| R 22 | 48 |
| R 23 | 50 |
| R 24 | 52 |
| R 25 | 54 |
Leaving a 4" tail, cut your yarn and fasten off.
White Brim
Change to white Chenille yarn. [Ch 1, sc into each st around, join to the top of the first sc of each round]. Repeat 4 more rounds.
Leaving a 4" tail, cut your yarn and fasten off.
My brim measures about 2.3" (6 cm) in height. Feel free to add more rounds if you'd prefer a higher brim.
Pom Pom
I noticed that Chenille yarn doesn't lend itself well to traditional pom poms because of the thread used in the center of the yarn. It doesn't look very attractive when cut, so we're going to make a small amigurumi ball instead.
Round 1: ch 2, then 6 sc into the second chain from your hook. (6)
- Note: Use a stitch marker to mark the first sc stitch for every round from now on.
Round 2: inc into each stitch around. (12)
Round 3: [inc, sc into the next]. Repeat 6 times. (18)
Round 4: sc into each stitch around. (18)
Round 5: [sc, dec]. Repeat 6 times. (12)
Stuff your pompom with some fiberfill stuffing or yarn scraps. Do not overstuff.
Round 6: dec into each st around. (6)
Leaving a 10" tail, cut your yarn and fasten off.
Attaching Your Pom Pom
Thread your white yarn tail to your yarn needle.
Sew together each of the 6 stitches of your Pom Pom to the beginning 6 stitches of your hat using the whip stitch.
Weave in your ends.
Wearing Your Santa Hat
You should wear your Santa Hat with the slight V shape towards the back.
This Santa Hat can be worn either as is, or you may fold the brim upwards to create a thicker brim if you like. This will result in a shorter hat.
Brim left down (makes a taller hat)
Brim folded upwards (makes a shorter hat)
Add any Christmas embellishments if you like. I added a little wooden snowflake to mine. You can either stitch it on or use hot glue to attach it.
I hope you liked this tutorial and enjoyed making your new Santa Hat!
Let me know if you have any questions in the comments section below.
Happy hooking!
May
Tester Recognition
A big THANK YOU to all my testers for giving me their time and feedback:
- Beth Bjerklie
- Courtney Campbell (Five Stitches Crochet)
- Dawn Morris Norris
Photo courtesy of Dawn Morris Norris (Pattern Tester)
Looking for more Christmas crochet patterns, gift ideas and printable festive packaging? Have a look at this post below:
Let's Keep in Touch :)
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May
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What a lovely, simple pattern. It works up so quickly and beautifully — I made two today! I used a cheap chenille yarn and it’s lovely and soft. I want to try it will a more expensive wool or wool blend too. This is going to be a great gift for friends and family and I think it will sell well at market stands too! I can’t believe it’s a free pattern.
What a great, easy to follow, and did I say FREE pattern. It turns out so cute. Great for any size all you have to do is work the rounds until you have enough to match your head circumference.
You should give it a try, you will love it.
This was a great pattern! I made one with chunky yarn and it came out great! It fit my teen son and also a girl at scouts. I also made one with superchunky yarn and it was taller but so fluffy and soft! It fit my head and it looked awesome! I can’t wait to make more. You can continue to do rounds until it’s the right size for your head. The versatility is great!