A cute baby hat crochet pattern – my Boutchou Hat – is a free crochet pattern here on the blog! Read through my inspiration, where the name comes from and the perfect yarn I choose for this project. Or scroll on down for the free pattern.
No time right now? Pin this cute baby hat crochet pattern for later!
*This post contains affiliate links (only for products I love, use and spend my own money on obviously). This means I earn some yarn money if you make a purchase through one of these links (of course at no extra cost for you!), which I promise to use to create more awesome patterns like this one. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here.
Every baby needs a homemade hat, and this easy striped baby hat crochet pattern is both cute and functional. Choose your own colors to create a newborn or baby hat for any gender. The pattern is available in sizes newborn to adult so you can make a matching set for baby’s siblings or a mommy/daddy and me set.
Scroll down for the free version but I recommend you purchase the ad-free PDF Pattern to get all the instructions and pictures in a nice PDF you can print and take notes on without relying on your phone or an internet connection, I’ve got you covered!
The Boutchou Hat is now available in my Etsy store and on Ravelry.
Why Boutchou?
Boutchou is a french expression coming from “Bout de Chou,” which means “piece of cabbage.” French lore dictates that babies originate from cabbages (now you know where the creator of the Cabbage Patch Doll got the idea!). The word “chou” also translates to “cute,” which made Boutchou the perfect nickname for our unborn baby while I was pregnant. Better than just calling him Baby for 9 months!
These booties, along with the rest of the Boutchou Baby Set, were designed and created especially for our sweet little Boutchou baby.
The Boutchou Crochet Baby Pattern Set
The Boutchou sweater is part of the Boutchou crochet baby pattern set which includes a hat, booties, a romper, a lovey and a matching baby blanket pattern.
Read more about each of the patterns and find the free online version here or grab the discounted PDF pattern set here.
The Yarn
For this extra special personal project, I choose to use Paintbox Cotton Aran yarn. Since an entire set uses up a lot of yarn, I knew I would need something of great quality, yet still affordable.
This yarn has amazing stitch definition, which is exactly what I wanted for this project. The simple design and lightly textured stitches of the pattern are highlighted further by my choice in yarn. I picked a cotton yarn because we live in a tropical country, and I needed something that would be easy to wash. Machine washable is an absolute must when creating anything for a baby, or else parents will rarely use it, which would be a pity!
Added bonus for those of you who want to make your set in a different color, Paintbox Cotton Aran yarn is available in 50 different shades, so you’re sure to find something you like.
A big thanks to my friends at Lovecrafts.com for sponsoring the yarn for this project (btw, did you know they also have a great library of free crochet patterns?).
Before you Start
Materials
- 4 mm / US G – 6 hook.
- Paintbox Cotton Aran (50g, 100% cotton, 85m / 93yds)
- 1 skein in dolphin blue (referred to as blue).
- 1 skein in banana cream (referred to as white).
- 1 skein in daffodil yellow (referred to as yellow).
- Tapestry needle to weave in the ends.
Size
The baby hat crochet pattern is available in the following sizes: newborn, baby, toddler, child, tween, adult.
Finished hat circumference:
- Newborn / Preemie : 24 cm / 9.5”
- Baby: 30 cm / 11.75”
- Toddler: 37 cm / 14.5”
- Child: 43 cm / 17”
- Tween: 49 cm / 19.25”
- Adult: 55 cm / 21.5”
For a snug fit, your hat should be 2-3 cm / 1” smaller than the actual head measurement.
Gauge
The gauge for this pattern, in dc, is 15.5 st by 10 rows for a 10 cm by 10 cm square (4” by 4”).
Abbreviations
This pattern uses US notations.
- st = stitch
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- inc = increase = double crochet 2 stitches together (dc2tog)
Notes
Work instructions between [] the indicated number of times or until the end of the row / round.
The final number of stitches is indicated at the end of the row / round between < >.
The turning ch 1, ch 2 don’t count as stitches throughout the pattern except if mentioned otherwise.
The pattern is written in crochet shorthand. For example:
- “sc 1” means to single crochet in the next stitch,
- “sc 2” means to single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches,
- and “2 sc” means to single crochet twice in the next st.
Special Stitches and Techniques
- Back loop only: Work the stitch as you normally would but instead of working through both loops, only go through the back loop.
- Front loop only: Work the stitch as you normally would but instead of working through both loops, only go through the front loop.
- Magic ring, aka magic circle. If you’re not familiar with this technique, this detailed photo and video tutorial should help you.
Tips and Tricks
- To avoid having a ton of ends to weave in at the end, I crochet the first 6-8 stitches in a new color over the old color yarn so my ends get woven in while I keep crocheting. You can also carry up the blue yarn on the inside of the hat to avoid ends.
The Actual Baby Hat Crochet Pattern
With your 4mm / US G – 6 crochet hook and blue color yarn, sc 6 in a magic ring. Work in the round.
Round 1: Ch 1, inc in each st around, finish with a sl st in the ch. <12 st>
Round 2: Ch 2, inc in each st around, finish with a sl st in the 2nd ch. <24 st>
Round 3: Ch 2, [inc, dc] around, finish with a sl st in the 2nd ch. <36 st>
For newborn size, skip to straight section.
Round 4: Ch 2, [inc, dc 2] around, finish with a sl st in the 2nd ch. <48 st>
For baby size, skip to straight section.
Round 5: Ch 2, [inc, dc 3] around, finish with a sl st in the 2nd ch. <60 st>
For toddler size, skip to straight section.
Round 6: Ch 2, [inc, dc 4] around, finish with a sl st in the 2nd ch. <72 st>
For child size, skip to straight section.
Round 7: Ch 2, [inc, dc 5] around, finish with a sl st in the 2nd ch. <84 st>
For tween size, skip to straight section.
Round 8: Ch 2, [inc, dc 6] around, finish with a sl st in the 2nd ch. <96 st>
Straight Section
Switch to yellow color yarn.
Round 1: Ch 1, sc across, turn.
Switch back to blue.
Round 2: Ch 2, dc across, turn.
Switch to white color yarn.
Round 3: Ch 1, hdc across, turn.
Round 4: Ch 1, hdc in the back loop only across, turn.
Switch to blue color yarn.
Round 5: Ch 2, dc in the back loop only across, turn.
Round 6: Ch 2, dc across, turn.
Switch to yellow color yarn.
- For newborn size: Repeat Rounds 1 to 4.
- For baby size: Repeat Rounds 1 to 5.
- For toddler size: Repeat Rounds 1 to 6.
- For child size: Repeat Rounds 1 to 6 then repeat Rounds 1 and 2 one more time.
- For tween size: Repeat Rounds 1 to 6 twice.
- For adult size: Repeat Rounds 1 to 6 twice then repeat Rounds 1 and 2 one more time.
The last row will be referred to as the base row in the ribbing instructions.
Ribbing
* Pictures show the ribbing for the sleeves of the matching cardigan but the process is the same
With blue color yarn, ch 5, turn.
Row 1: Sl st in the back loop of the 2nd ch from the hook, sl st in the back loop of the next 3 sts. Sl st in the next stitch of the base row, ch 1 and turn. < 6 st >
Row 2: Sl st in the back loop of the 3rd st from the hook (skipping the ch 1 and sl st in the sleeve), sl st in the back loop of the next 3 sts, ch 1 and turn. < 5 st >
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 around the hat
Finish with a Row 2 starting in the last st of the hat. Sew the ribbing closed.
Blocking and Finishing Touches
You’re done with the crocheting part. Make sure to weave in all the ends.
Carefully block your hat to give it its best shape.
Don’t skip this step as it can make a huge difference. Read my detailed tutorial on why block, how-to, and all my tips and tricks if you need help.
If you enjoyed this pattern, share it with your yarn loving friends.
