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This free crochet winter hat pattern uses a herringbone crochet moss stitch and a simple bottom up method from the band to create a stunning, textured beanie in sizes for the whole family. With gentle decreases to shape and gather the top of the hat, you can add a pom pom or just leave it plain.
In this post you’ll find everything you need to know how to make this crochet winter hat step by step, including materials, stitches, a detailed video tutorial and free written pattern for blog subscribers.
Free Winter Crochet Hat Pattern Overview
When it comes to how to crochet a hat and what construction to choose I often work from the bottom band up and this works perfectly for this design.
You begin by working a long, thin strip for the band which then gets joined to form a circular ring. The hat is then worked in rounds directly into the band and closed at the top. So only two ends to weave in and super easy to crochet the hat in lots of sizes for the whole family!
In sizes newborn baby to large adult with a full video tutorial and step by step images of the stitch pattern you can create this crochet hat that looks like it’s from a store in no time!
⭐⭐⭐ Difficulty level: Intermediate – using the herringbone half double crochet moss stitch to create beautiful texture
💬 Hook Size: 4.5mm
📏 Sizes: Newborn (Baby, Child, Teen/Small, Large)
✨ Crochet Technique: herringbone half double crochet moss stitch
⚖️ Yarn Weight: Wool DK weight (category 4)
🧶 Yarn Used: Swish DK from WeCrochet
🕐 Approx Crochet Time: 5-10 hours depending on your pace
👍 Perfect For: a quick make for a cozy wear
Table of Contents
Things you’ll love about this winter crochet hat pattern
Video Tutorial for the Moss Stitch Crochet Hat
Come along as I make this crochet hat and see just how easy it is in our step-by-step video tutorial.
Do crochet hats keep you warm?
I often get asked if crochet hats keep you warm and my answer is always yes!
It seems a mystery to me that just because they aren’t knitted or bought from a store there is an assumption that they don’t have the same kind of warmth for your head.
Of course, how warm the crochet hat keeps your head depends on a few factors including the type of yarn fibre you choose, the style of stitch used and whether you crochet it to the correct tension to make it fit you well.
The great thing about crochet hats is that you can easily adapt them and there are so many styles and designs out there to choose from!
I have a quick round up of crochet hats for all the family that might be a good read to see some options.
Free Crochet Winter Hat Pattern Materials
- A 4.5mm(K) crochet hook or hook needed to meet gauge
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
Along with the above you will need the following yarn for your hat:
Swish DK from WeCrochet (100% Fine Superwash Merino Wool , 123yds/50g)
You will need for the following sizes: Newborn (Baby, Child, Teen/Small, Large), 1 (1, 2, 3, 3) balls of yarn.
The great thing about crochet hat patterns like this one is that it doesn’t use all that much yarn so you can almost certainly find something in your collection.
For the cream coloured newborn crochet hat I used Along Avec Anna Merino in Colombe. It’s a beautiful fingering weight yarn that I held doubled to create a double knit weight.
Check out our handy yarn weight chart and guide to find out more about yarn weights and categories.
See my other worsted weight crochet patterns – you might find your next project there too!
Yarn Substitutes
You can use any yarn that you like bearing in mind that you need to make sure you meet the gauge. Another great option is:
- Paintbox Yarns Simply DK – 100% acrylic, 276m/100g
- Stylecraft Bellisima – 100% acrylic, 268m/100g
- Lion Brand Heartland #3 yarn, 100% acrylic
Here’s a picture to show you just how important it is to find a yarn that gives you really good stitch definition for this pattern. I’m also tempted to crochet more hats without pom poms because this one looks so cute!
Sizing
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The free winter crochet hat pattern is for sizes Newborn (Baby, Child, Teen/Small, Large).
To fit head circumferences: 12-15 (15-18, 18-21, 21-24, 24+) inches.
If you’re enjoying this textured crochet hat, have a look at this short row crochet hat pattern too.
Glossary and Abbreviations
- ch(s) – chain(s) (chain stitch tutorial)
- sp – space
- ss – slip stitch
- RS – right side
- WS – wrong side
- sk – skip
- rep – repeat
- yoh – yarn over hook
- blo – back loop only
Stitches
The pattern is written in standard US terms and uses the following crochet stitches:
sc – single crochet (how to single crochet stitch)
hdc – half double crochet (how to half double crochet)
Special Stitches
If the herringbone moss stitch is new to you then make sure to check out my video tutorial or herringbone half double crochet moss stitch step by step tutorial.
The moss stitch (often known as the granite or linen stitch too) is by far one of my favourites. It has such a lovely texture, delicate drape and works so well for all sorts of designs. I love working with this stitch and have used it to create matching mittens and a headband too!
The herringbone moss stitch crochet mittens pattern use exactly the same style of construction as this hat and so would be the perfect set to make!
If you’re looking for a quicker make then the herringbone moss stitch chunky crochet headband pattern is the one for you. It’s worked in the round too but without a cuff to make and with chunky yarn.
Or if you fancy having a go at the stitch in rows then you can with my herringbone crochet dickie pattern. And adding to this collection of herringbone stitch makes, I have a crochet backpack pattern as well so now you can choose from all sorts of accessories to make!
Herringbone half double crochet: Hhdc
Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Pull first loop straight through the second loop (similar to a slip stitch to leave 2 loops on the hook). Yarn over, pull through two remaining loops on hook.
Back loop only herringbone half double crochet moss stitch: Hhdc-moss
Work as for Hhdc but insert hook into back loop only of unworked stitch 2 rounds below. Work over the chain 1 space on the previous round.
Back loop only herringbone half double crochet moss stitch 2 together : Hhdc-moss2tog
Yarn over, insert hook into back loop only of next stitch 2 rounds below (working over the ch1 on round below), yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Pull first loop straight through the second loop (similar to a slip stitch to leave 2 loops on the hook). Yarn over, skip next st on previous round, insert hook into back loop only of next stitch 2 rounds below (working over the ch1 on round below), yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook). Pull first loop straight through the second loop (similar to a slip stitch to leave 3 loops on the hook). Yarn over, pull through three remaining loops on hook.
If you love the look of the moss stitch then you might also like to have a go at the double crochet moss stitch – I have a tutorial and lots of patterns featuring that too!
How do you Make this Crochet Hat Pattern?
- The Cuff is worked in rows then joined to make the band for the hat.
- Continue with the same yarn to now work in rounds into the sides of the Cuff rows.
- This creates the Main Hat Section.
- Once you complete the Main Hat Section you are ready to decrease and close the top of the hat.
- The final rounds decrease to gather the top of the hat.
Pattern Gauge
Gauge: 18 sts and 20 rounds of Hhdc moss stitch = 4in by 4in / 10 cm x 10 cm. using a 4.5mm hook, or size needed to obtain correct tension
A gauge swatch will help you find out if your yarn and hook size will give you the tension for the scarf and make it the size of the schematic.
You can find out more about making a crochet gauge swatch here.
Before you jump into crocheting your winter hat, take a moment to read through the pattern notes—it’s a game-changer!
These handy insights will not only simplify your pattern-reading journey but also ensure a smoother crochet experience. You’ll find helpful tips on deciphering the sizing, customisation and more.
Trust me, a quick peek at these notes will set you up for crochet success!
- A ch1 at the beginning of a round does not count as a stitch.
- A ch2 at the beginning of a round counts as a ch1-sp in stitch count.
- Work in back loops only throughout.
- Turn the Band after each row.
- Work the Main Hat Section in rounds without turning.
- The pattern is written in standard US crochet terms.
Free Crochet Winter Hat Pattern
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Pattern Support
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Fancy trying another hat pattern? This crochet sunhat pattern features textured stitches and an adjustable brim.
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US Crochet Terminology
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Cuff
Foundation chain: ch 12 (12, 12, 20, 20) turn.
Row 1: ss in blo 2nd ch from hook and each across, turn. [ 11 (11, 11, 19, 19)]
Row 2: ch1, ss in blo each across, turn.
Rows 3 – 60 (78, 90, 108, 120): Repeat Row 2.
At the end of the final row turn and join the penultimate row to the foundation chain with a slip stitch seam. Joining the penultimate row will make a much neater finish (make sure to watch my video to see more details on this).
Turn the work to RS facing and rotate to work into the sides of the rows for the Main Hat Section.
Main Hat Section
Round 1: ch1, *Hhdc in side of next row, ch1, skip side of next row; rep from * around, ss in 1st to join. [60, (78, 90, 108, 120)]
Round 2: ch2 (counts as ch1-sp), Hhdc-moss in side of next row on cuff, *ch1, skip next st, Hhdc-moss in side of next row on cuff; rep from * around, ss in 1st ch of beginning ch2 to join.
Round 3: work all moss stitches in blo from now onwards, ch1, Hhdc-moss in skipped st below ch-1 sp, ch1, skip next st, *Hhdc-moss in next skipped st below ch1-sp, ch1, skip next st; rep from * around, ss in 1st Hhdc-moss to join.
Round 4: ch2 (counts as ch1-sp), Hhdc-moss in next skipped st below ch-1 sp, *ch1, skip next st, Hhdc-moss in next skipped st below ch-1 sp; rep from * around, ss in 1st ch of beginning ch2 to join.
Rounds 3 and 4 create the first set pattern.
Rounds 5 – 16 (20, 26, 26, 30): Repeat the first set pattern. Continue to Decrease Section for all sizes.
Customisation
The repeats of the first set pattern will create the height of the hat. The decrease section won’t add much so if you’d like to adjust the height of your hat you can repeat the set pattern as many or as few times as you like.
If you can, try the hat on as you go to make sure it’s how you’d like it.
Decrease Section
Round 1: ch1, *Hhdc-moss2tog, ch1, skip next st, Hhdc-moss in skipped st below next ch-1 sp, ch1, skip next st; rep from * around ss in 1st Hhdc-moss2tog to join. [40, (52, 60, 72, 80)]
Round 2: ch2 (counts as ch1-sp), Hhdc-moss in next skipped st below ch-1 sp, *ch1, skip next st, Hhdc-moss in next skipped st below ch-1 sp; rep from * around, ss in 1st ch of beginning ch2 to join.
Round 3: ch1, *Hhdc-moss2tog, ch1, skip next st; rep from * around ss in 1st Hhdc-moss2tog to join. [20, (26, 30, 36, 40)]
Round 4: (sc in next st and Hhdcmoss in next st together) around. [10, (13, 15, 18, 20)]
Break yarn leaving a long tail to use for seaming and finishing.
Seaming and Finishing
Using your long tail, thread through the final round of the hat and pull secure to close the top.
If you are choosing to add a pom pom you can use the same tail to secure it/add the popper/button now.
Weave in ends securely to finish.
Congratulations on crocheting your very own crochet hat! 🌟 Now that you’ve completed this fun project, why stop here? Explore my other crochet hats and beanies each waiting to be transformed into your next crochet masterpiece.
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Ready for your next crochet accessory pattern? Look no further! This easy crochet beanie uses just the slip stitch.
