Adorably Festive Free Crochet Baby Santa Hat for Christmas Fun

Hi, I am Amy, and is there anything sweeter than a baby in a tiny Santa hat at Christmas? This soft red hat has a stretchy ribbed white brim and a fluffy pompom on the tip, and it is just made for first-Christmas photos, family gatherings, and thoughtful handmade gifts.

The hat is worked in rounds in double crochet, starting at the crown. You increase steadily round by round to build the long Santa shape, work straight rounds for the body, then switch to white for the ribbed brim.

The stitches are beginner friendly, and the source notes you can adjust the size by adding or reducing rounds during the crown and body sections. Take your time with the pompom trimming, that neat round finish really makes it.

Materials

• Medium weight yarn in red, main colour
• Medium weight yarn in white, for the brim and pompom
• 4.5 mm crochet hook
• Yarn needle, for weaving in ends
• Scissors

Abbreviations

• MR: magic ring
• ch: chain
• dc: double crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• FPDC: front post double crochet
• BPDC: back post double crochet

Special Stitches

• Front post double crochet (FPDC): worked around the post of the stitch from the front, so the stitch sits raised on the front of the work.
• Back post double crochet (BPDC): worked around the post of the stitch from the back. Alternating FPDC and BPDC creates the ribbed brim texture.

Gauge & Size

• Size: ideal for babies, per the source
• Adjustments: add or reduce rounds during the crown and body sections to change the size
• Shape: soft and stretchy body with a ribbed brim and a pompom
• Skill level: Beginner friendly

Crown Pattern

Foundation: Create a magic ring (MR). Work 6 DC into the magic ring. Pull the loop tight to close the ring. Sl St into the first DC to close the round.

Round 2: Chain 2, which does not count as a stitch. Work 2 DC in each stitch around, making a total of 12 DC. Join with a Sl St to the top of the first DC. (12 DC)

Round 3: Chain 2. Alternate 1 DC in the next stitch, 2 DC in the next stitch (increase). Repeat the sequence around. Join with a Sl St. (18 DC)

Round 4: Chain 2. Work 4 DC, then 1 increase (2 DC in one stitch). Repeat this sequence all the way around. Join with a Sl St.

Round 5: Chain 2. Work 5 DC, then 1 increase. Repeat the sequence to complete the round. Join with a Sl St.

Round 6: Work 6 DC, then 1 increase around.

Round 7: Work 7 DC, then 1 increase around.

Round 8: Work 8 DC, then 1 increase around.

Round 9: Work 9 DC, then 1 increase around.

Round 10: Work 10 DC, then 1 increase around.

Round 11: Work 11 DC, then 1 increase around.

Round 12: Work 12 DC, then 1 increase around.

Round 13: Work 13 DC, then 1 increase around.

Round 14: Work 14 DC, then 1 increase around.

Round 15: Work 15 DC, then 1 increase around.

Round 16: Work 16 DC, then 1 increase around.

Round 17: Work 17 DC, then 1 increase around.

Round 18: Work 18 DC, then 1 increase around.

Round 19: Work 19 DC, then 1 increase around.

Round 20: Work 20 DC, then 1 increase around.

Round 21: Work 21 DC, then 1 increase around.

Body Pattern

After completing the increase rounds, begin working straight rounds without increases to create the body of the hat.

Chain 2, then work 1 DC into every stitch around.

Repeat this for 8 rounds, or until the desired height of the hat is achieved.

Brim Pattern

Switch to the white yarn colour for the brim. Join the new yarn with a Sl St. Chain 2.

Work Front Post Double Crochet (FPDC) into the first stitch, followed by Back Post Double Crochet (BPDC) into the next stitch.

Alternate FPDC and BPDC around to create a ribbed texture. Join each round with a Sl St.

Repeat for a total of 4 rounds of alternating FPDC and BPDC.

Finishing & Assembly

Cut the yarn, leaving a tail. Secure the final stitch by pulling the tail through the loop. Use a yarn needle to weave in and hide all yarn ends.

Make the pompom: Wrap the white yarn around your fingers or a small object repeatedly until it is thick enough for a pompom. Carefully slide the looped yarn off your fingers and tie a piece of yarn tightly around the centre. Use scissors to cut the loops on both sides of the tied centre, then trim the ends to create a neat, round shape.

Attach the pompom: Place the finished pompom on the tip of the hat. Use a yarn needle and the long pompom tail to sew the pompom securely to the hat. Make a few tight knots to ensure it is firmly attached, then weave in the tail and trim the excess yarn.

Tips

Add or reduce rounds in the crown and body sections to adjust the baby size.

Make sure the centre tie of the pompom is very secure before cutting the loops, so it does not unravel.

Trim the pompom a little at a time, turning it as you go, for an even round shape.

Weave in every end securely, since baby hats get handled and washed often.