Crochet Hat Size Chart: Beanie Sizes From Baby to Adult

The most common reason a crochet hat does not fit is not the pattern. It is the size. Crochet stretches, heads vary, and every crocheter's tension is a little different. This crochet hat size chart gives you head sizes, finished hat sizes, crown diameters and heights from preemie to adult, and then shows you how to crochet a beanie in the round that fits the first time, whichever stitch you choose.

Crochet hat size chart

Use this beanie crochet size chart as a starting point. Head sizes are averages, so measure the actual head whenever you can.

Size	Head circumference	Finished hat circumference	Crown diameter	Hat height
Preemie	30 to 35 cm (12 to 14 in)	about 30 cm	9.5 cm (3.75 in)	11 to 13 cm (4.5 to 5 in)
Newborn	33 to 36 cm (13 to 14 in)	about 33 cm	10.5 cm (4.25 in)	13 to 15 cm (5 to 6 in)
Baby 3 to 6 months	36 to 43 cm (14 to 17 in)	about 38 cm	12 cm (4.75 in)	15 to 16.5 cm (6 to 6.5 in)
Baby 6 to 12 months	41 to 48 cm (16 to 19 in)	about 43 cm	13.5 cm (5.25 in)	16.5 to 18 cm (6.5 to 7 in)
Toddler	46 to 51 cm (18 to 20 in)	about 46 cm	14.5 cm (5.75 in)	18 to 19 cm (7 to 7.5 in)
Child	48 to 53 cm (19 to 21 in)	about 48 cm	15.5 cm (6 in)	19 to 20 cm (7.5 to 8 in)
Teen and adult woman	53 to 57 cm (21 to 22.5 in)	about 52 cm	16.5 cm (6.5 in)	20 to 21.5 cm (8 to 8.5 in)
Adult man	56 to 61 cm (22 to 24 in)	about 55 cm	17.5 cm (7 in)	21.5 to 23 cm (8.5 to 9 in)

Hat height is measured from the centre of the crown to the bottom edge of the brim, for a classic beanie that covers the ears. Add 2 to 4 cm if you plan to fold the brim up, and 5 to 8 cm for a slouchy beanie.

How to measure a head for a hat

1. Wrap a soft tape measure around the head, just above the eyebrows and the tops of the ears, and around the widest part at the back. This is where a hat sits.
2. Keep the tape snug but not tight, and read the number where it meets.
3. No tape measure? Use a piece of string, mark it, and measure the string against a ruler.
4. For a gift, measure a hat that fits the person well, laid flat, and double the width.

Negative ease: why your hat should be smaller than the head

A hat that is exactly the size of the head will slide off, because crochet stretches as you wear it. Make the finished hat about 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) smaller than the head measurement. This is called negative ease.

• Stretchy fabrics (ribbing, half double crochet in the back loop, wool yarn) need more negative ease, up to 5 cm.
• Firm fabrics (single crochet, cotton yarn, tight colourwork) need less, around 2 cm.
• Baby hats need only a little, around 2 cm, so they are comfortable and easy to pull on.

How to crochet a beanie for beginners, step by step

This top-down method works with any yarn, any hook and any of the basic stitches. Instead of trusting a stitch count, you measure as you go, which is the most reliable way to crochet a hat that fits.

Step 1: Make the crown

Start with a magic ring and work a flat circle, increasing evenly every round. The number of increases depends on the stitch:

Stitch	Round 1	Increase per round	Round 2	Round 3
Single crochet (sc)	6 sc in ring	+6	12	18
Half double crochet (hdc)	8 hdc in ring	+8	16	24
Double crochet (dc)	12 dc in ring	+12	24	36

The increase pattern is always the same: on round 2, increase in every stitch; on round 3, (1 stitch, increase) all around; on round 4, (2 stitches, increase), and so on. Join each round with a slip stitch and chain up for the next one.

Keep increasing until the circle's diameter reaches the crown diameter in the chart above. Lay it flat and measure straight across the middle.

Check your circle: if the edge ruffles like a wave, you are increasing too much; work a round without increases. If the circle cups into a bowl too early, you need more increases. A flat crown is the key to a hat that sits well.

Step 2: Work the body

Once the crown is the right size, stop increasing. Work even rounds (one stitch in each stitch) until the hat reaches the height in the chart, minus the height of your brim. The sides will now go straight down, turning the circle into a hat shape.

Step 3: Add the brim

Finish with 4 to 8 rounds of ribbing or a fold-up band (see brim options below), then fasten off and weave in the ends. Try the hat on and add a pom-pom if you like.

Using gauge to get the right stitch count

If you prefer to calculate rather than measure as you go, use your gauge:

1. Crochet a swatch of about 12 x 12 cm in the stitch you will use for the body of the hat.
2. Count how many stitches fit in 10 cm.
3. Multiply by the finished hat circumference in cm and divide by 10.
4. Round to the nearest multiple of your increase number (6, 8 or 12).

Example: your swatch has 14 half double crochet stitches in 10 cm and you want a 52 cm adult woman's beanie. 14 x 52 / 10 = 72.8, so you need about 72 stitches. For half double crochet that is a multiple of 8, so you stop increasing at 72 stitches, which is round 9.

Best crochet stitches for beanies

• Half double crochet: the most popular beanie stitch. Warm and quick without big gaps.
• Half double crochet in the back loop or third loop: creates horizontal ridges that look knitted.
• Front and back post double crochet: raised ribbing, ideal for brims and for the whole hat in a ribbed style.
• Moss stitch: a woven texture, great for unisex and men's hats.
• Star, puff and bobble stitch: soft texture for baby and women's beanies. Our Star Stitch Baby Hat uses star stitch in 8 sizes.
• Single crochet: dense and windproof, but the fabric is stiffer. Use a hook one size bigger than usual.

Not sure how to make these? Our crochet stitches guide for beginners explains each stitch.

Crochet hat brim options

• Post stitch ribbing: alternate 1 front post double crochet and 1 back post double crochet for 4 to 8 rounds. Stretchy and classic.
• Sideways ribbed band: work a strip of half double crochet in the back loop only, as long as the hat circumference, seam it, then crochet the hat body from one edge. This gives the most knit-like brim.
• Fold-up cuff: work 2 to 4 cm extra and fold it up for a double-thick, warm band.
• Simple edging: a round of single crochet or crab stitch for a clean, finished look on baby hats.

How to crochet a loose (slouchy) beanie

For a slouchy beanie, keep the brim at the normal size but make the body looser and longer. Increase the crown 1 or 2 rounds beyond the chart size, then work even for an extra 5 to 8 cm. On the first round after the body, decrease back to the brim size (for example, work every 5th and 6th stitch together) so the brim stays snug while the top slouches.

Best yarn for crochet hats

Who it is for	Yarn	Why
Babies and toddlers	Soft cotton or baby acrylic, DK	Gentle, washable, not scratchy.
Winter beanies	Wool, merino or wool blends, worsted or chunky	Warm and stretchy, holds its shape.
Quick gifts	Chunky or super chunky acrylic	A whole hat in one or two evenings.
Summer hats	Cotton, linen or raffia	Breathable and light.

For babies, avoid long loose stitches that little fingers can catch, and keep ties short.

Crochet hat troubleshooting

Problem	Cause	Fix
Hat is too big	Crown too wide or loose tension	Stop increasing one round earlier or go down a hook size.
Hat is too tight	Crown too small or firm stitch	Add one more increase round, or use a stretchier stitch.
Hat is too short or too long	Height not measured	Measure from the crown centre to the edge and add or remove rounds.
Top is pointy	Too few increases	Increase evenly every round until the crown is flat.
Seam line slants	Joining rounds always in the same place	Normal for joined rounds; turn your work each round to keep the seam straight.

Want a hat pattern with all the sizes already worked out? See our crochet wearables, or pair a baby hat with the Baby Bunny in Hoodie toys for a baby shower set (more ideas in our quick crochet gifts guide).

Frequently asked questions