Crochet Hat Patterns

Striped Earflap Crochet Hat Free Pattern

IngredientGrid: Fiber Blends, Wool Guides & Yarn Elements • October 28, 2026

Introduction

This striped earflap crochet hat is the perfect project for an advanced beginner who wants to try simple color changes without any fuss. Alternating bands of cotton candy pink and baby blue give it a preppy, playful look, while the half double crochet fabric makes it soft, stretchy, and warm. The two blue earflaps taper to neat points and finish with braided ties, so the hat stays snug on little heads and big ones alike. Worked in joined rounds from the crown down, it comes together quickly and is a great way to use up worsted weight scraps.

Materials Needed

Yarn: Worsted weight (4) acrylic yarn, approximately 150 yards total: 80 yards cotton candy pink (Color A) and 70 yards baby blue (Color B).
Hook: 5.5 mm (I/9) crochet hook.
Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and a ruler or gauge swatch tool.
Finished size: Circumference 20 inches, height 8 inches (excluding earflaps).

Abbreviations

ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
sl st – slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
sc – single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
hdc – half double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all three loops.
hdc2tog – half double crochet two together: a decrease that turns two stitches into one.
st(s) – stitch(es).
Rnd / Row – round (worked in a circle) / row (worked back and forth).

Gauge

12 stitches and 8 rows = 4 inches in half double crochet. Crochet a small swatch in hdc and measure a 4-inch section; if you have more stitches, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

Change colors on the last yarn-over of the final stitch of a round so the new color begins cleanly at the join.
Keep your starting chain and first round loose so the crown stays flat instead of puckering.
Use a stitch marker at the first stitch of each round to keep your count accurate.
Count your stitches after every increase round; the totals below are your safety net.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Hat Body (worked in rounds)

With Color A, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 8 hdc in second ch from hook, join with sl st to first hdc (8 sts).

Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 hdc in each st around, join (16 sts).

Rnd 3: Ch 1, [hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st] around, join (24 sts).

Rnd 4: Ch 1, [hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st] around, join (32 sts).

Rnd 5: Ch 1, [hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st] around, join (40 sts).

Rnd 6: Ch 1, [hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st] around, join (48 sts).

Rnd 7: Ch 1, [hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st] around, join (56 sts).

Rnd 8: Ch 1, [hdc in next 6 sts, 2 hdc in next st] around, join (64 sts).

Rnd 9: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join (64 sts). Change to Color B.

Rnd 10: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join (64 sts). Change to Color A.

Rnd 11: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join (64 sts). Change to Color B.

Rnd 12: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join (64 sts). Change to Color A.

Rnd 13: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join (64 sts). Change to Color B.

Rnd 14: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join (64 sts). Change to Color A.

Rnd 15: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join (64 sts). Change to Color B.

Rnd 16: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join (64 sts). Change to Color A.

Rnd 17: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join (64 sts). Change to Color B.

Rnd 18: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join (64 sts). Change to Color A.

Rnd 19: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join (64 sts). Change to Color B.

Rnd 20: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join (64 sts). Change to Color A.

Rnd 21: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join (64 sts). Fasten off and weave in ends.

Earflaps (make 2)

With Color B, join yarn at the side of the hat (approximately 16 sts from front center) with a sl st.

Row 1: Ch 1, hdc in same st and next 11 sts, turn (12 sts).

Row 2: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 8 sts, hdc2tog, turn (10 sts).

Row 3: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn (10 sts).

Row 4: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 6 sts, hdc2tog, turn (8 sts).

Row 5: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn (8 sts).

Row 6: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 4 sts, hdc2tog, turn (6 sts).

Row 7: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn (6 sts).

Row 8: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 2 sts, hdc2tog, turn (4 sts).

Row 9: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn (4 sts).

Row 10: Ch 1, hdc2tog twice, turn (2 sts).

Row 11: Ch 1, hdc2tog (1 st). Fasten off.

Repeat for the second earflap on the opposite side of the hat.

Braided Ties

Cut 6 strands of Color B, each 40 inches long. Divide into 2 groups of 3 strands. Insert the hook through the bottom point of one earflap, pull one group through, then pull the other group through the same hole to create a loop. Braid the strands together, knot at the end, and trim. Repeat for the other earflap.

Edging

With Color B, join yarn at the back of the hat with a sl st.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around the entire bottom edge of the hat and earflaps, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Assembly and Finishing

This hat is worked in one piece, so there is no seaming required. Weave in all remaining ends on the wrong side, taking care to secure the color-change joins. Gently block the hat by misting it lightly and shaping it over a bowl or hat form to the finished measurements (20-inch circumference, 8-inch height); let it dry completely. Trim the braided ties evenly at the ends.

Pro Tips and Variations

Swap the stripe colors for any two shades you love, or add a third color for a wider stripe pattern.
Add a single crochet round in Color A at the very bottom edge for a contrasting trim.
For a larger hat, work one or two extra increase rounds before the straight rounds, adding 8 stitches each time.

Also Check Out: We think you'd love this beautiful pattern on our sister site: The Kips Bun Hat Free Pattern – A Cozy Knitted Ode to Effortless Updos