Cat Hat Crochet Pattern For Cozy Winter Wear
Finished Size: Approximately 10 inches (25 cm) tall and 8 inches (20 cm) wide
Skill Level: Intermediate
Estimated Time: 2-4 hours
Hook Size: 4 mm
Yarn: worsted yarn
Notions: Yarn needle, stitch marker, polyfill
Gauge: Approximately 12 sc x 14 rounds = 2 inches with 4 mm hook
The Best Things About This Pattern
This cat hat is a hat worked in gray, red, blue, and white. You will crochet the hat base, ear, eye, nose, whisker, ear flap, chin strap, hat body, eye pupil, mouth line, head, mouth, and the tie. The pattern walks through each piece with clear round-by-round counts, then shows how to assemble and finish everything so the result matches the reference photos.
Use the pattern card as your material checklist before starting. Safety eyes give a polished look. The instructions include ear flaps. The instructions include chin straps. Keep your tension even, count stitches at the end of shaping rounds, and check the placement notes before sewing pieces together for a clean handmade result.
Gather These Supplies First
| Material | Details |
|---|---|
| Yarn | worsted yarn in gray, red, blue, white, yellow, black |
| Hook | 4 mm crochet hook |
| Stuffing | Polyfill or fiberfill |
| Eyes | Safety eyes or embroidery thread |
| Extras | Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors |
Gauge: Approximately 12 sc x 14 rounds = 2 inches with 4 mm hook. Not critical but aim for tight, even stitches, if stuffing shows through, go down one hook size.
Crochet Stitches in This Pattern
Note: This pattern uses US crochet terms. All rounds are worked in continuous rounds unless stated otherwise. Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| sc | Single crochet |
| inc | Increase (2 sc in same stitch) |
| dec | Decrease (sc 2 together) |
| sl st | Slip stitch |
| ch | Chain |
How to Crochet This Pattern
hat base, gray yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: (7 sc, inc) x 3 (27)
Rnd 6: (2 sc, dec) x 3 (3 sc, dec) x 3 (21)
Rnd 7: (1 sc, dec) x 3 (2 sc, dec) x 3 (15)
Rnd 8: (dec) x 3 (1 sc, dec) x 3 (9)
Rnd 9: (1 sc, dec) x 3 (6)
Rnd 10: fasten off, close hole (6)
Switch to red yarn for the ear.
ear (make 2), red yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: (inc) x 2 (1 sc, inc) x 2 (10)
Rnd 3: sc around (10)
Rnd 4: sc around (10)
Rnd 5: sc around (10)
Rnd 6: sc around (10)
Rnd 7: (dec) x 2 (1 sc, dec) x 2 (6)
Rnd 8: fasten off, close hole (6)
Switch to blue yarn for the eye.
eye (make 2), blue yarn
Switch to red yarn for the nose.
nose, red yarn
Embroider the nose with black thread after the eyes are placed.
Work a small triangular satin stitch centered between the eyes, about 8 mm wide.
Switch to yellow yarn for the whisker.
whisker (make 6), yellow yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: sc around (24)
Rnd 6: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
Rnd 7: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 8: dec around (6)
Rnd 9: fasten off, close hole (6)
Switch to gray yarn for the ear flap.
ear flap (make 2), gray yarn
Row 1: Ch 33, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (32)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 7: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 8: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 9: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 10: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 11: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 12: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 13: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 14: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 15: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 16: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 17: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 18: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 19: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 20: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 21: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Row 22: Ch 1, turn, sc across (32)
Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing
chin strap (make 2), gray yarn
Rnd 1: Ch 13, join with sl st to form ring, sc in each ch around (12)
Rnd 2: sc around (12)
Fasten off. Do not stuff.
hat body, gray yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
Rnd 6: sc around (30)
Rnd 7: sc around (30)
Rnd 8: sc around (30)
Rnd 9: sc around (30)
Rnd 10: sc around (30)
Rnd 11: (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)
Rnd 12: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
Rnd 13: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 14: dec around (6)
Rnd 15: fasten off, close hole (6)
Switch to blue yarn for the eye pupil.
eye pupil (make 2), blue yarn
Use 6 mm safety eyes or embroidered eyes; place them on the upper half of the head, about one eye-width apart.
If using safety eyes, insert the posts before closing the head opening and secure the backs firmly on the inside.
If embroidering, work two small black satin stitches, then add a tiny white stitch highlight if desired.
Switch to red yarn for the mouth line.
mouth line, red yarn
Switch to gray yarn for the head.
head, gray yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)
Rnd 7: (4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)
Rnd 8: (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)
Rnd 9: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
Rnd 10: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 11: dec around (6)
Rnd 12: fasten off, close hole (6)
Switch to red yarn for the mouth.
mouth, red yarn
Embroider the mouth with black or dark brown thread after the eyes are placed.
Use a single curved satin stitch or back stitch, centered below the eyes and about 1.5 cm wide.
Switch to gray yarn for the tie.
tie (make 2), gray yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: sc around (18)
Rnd 5: sc around (18)
Rnd 6: sc around (18)
Rnd 7: sc around (18)
Rnd 8: sc around (18)
Rnd 9: sc around (18)
Rnd 10: sc around (18)
Rnd 11: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 12: dec around (6)
Rnd 13: fasten off, close hole (6)
Final Stitch Counts
- hat base: 27 stitches at widest point
- ear (x 2): 10 stitches at widest point
- eye (x 2): See pattern
- nose: See pattern
- whisker (x 6): 24 stitches at widest point
- ear flap (x 2): 32 stitches at widest point
- chin strap (x 2): 12 stitches at widest point
- hat body: 30 stitches at widest point
- eye pupil (x 2): See pattern
- mouth line: See pattern
- head: 36 stitches at widest point
- mouth: See pattern
- tie (x 2): 18 stitches at widest point
Final Assembly, Step by Step
1. Stuff hat base, hat body, head, tie firmly with polyfill for stability. Shape as you go, pressing and molding to match the reference photo. Add extra stuffing to the base for a sturdy foundation.
2. Sew ear to the sides of the head. Position on the upper sides of the head, angled outward. Pin in place before sewing to check alignment from all angles. Use the long tail left for sewing and whipstitch around the base.
3. Attach eye to the head. Position on the upper half of the head, spaced about one eye-width apart. Secure firmly with embroidery thread or fabric glue. Embroider a small line below each eye for a more expressive look.
4. Embroider the nose with black thread centered between the eyes. Work a small triangular satin stitch about 8 mm wide.
5. Sew ear flap to the sides of the head. Position on the upper sides of the head, angled outward. Pin in place before sewing to check alignment from all angles. Use the long tail left for sewing and whipstitch around the base.
6. Attach eye pupil to the head. Position on the upper half of the head, spaced about one eye-width apart. Secure firmly with embroidery thread or fabric glue. Embroider a small line below each eye for a more expressive look.
7. Sew mouth line to the head. Pin in place before sewing to check positioning. Use whipstitch for a secure attachment.
8. Sew mouth to the head. Pin in place before sewing to check positioning. Use whipstitch for a secure attachment.
9. Sew whisker in place following the reference photo. Pin first to check positioning, then whipstitch with matching yarn, weaving in the ends securely.
10. Sew ear flap in place following the reference photo. Pin first to check positioning, then whipstitch with matching yarn, weaving in the ends securely.
11. Sew chin strap in place following the reference photo. Pin first to check positioning, then whipstitch with matching yarn, weaving in the ends securely.
12. Sew eye pupil in place following the reference photo. Pin first to check positioning, then whipstitch with matching yarn, weaving in the ends securely.
13. Sew mouth line in place following the reference photo. Pin first to check positioning, then whipstitch with matching yarn, weaving in the ends securely.
14. Check all seams are secure. Gently tug each attached piece to test. Trim any loose yarn ends with sharp scissors. Weave in all remaining tails with a needle, passing through at least 3 stitches in each direction to prevent unraveling. Give the finished piece a gentle squeeze to distribute stuffing evenly and shape the final form.
Pro Tips and Care Advice
These practical tips will help you crochet a well-fitting cat hat with a 4 mm hook at an intermediate skill level.
- Use stitch markers to mark the beginning of each round, especially when working the ear shaping, to keep your stitch count accurate.
- Maintain consistent tension throughout the hat to achieve a gauge of approximately 4 stitches per inch; adjust your tension before starting if your swatch measures differently.
- Work decreases using the invisible decrease technique to create smooth, refined shaping along the crown without visible gaps.
- When forming the ears, use short rows to shape the pointed tips cleanly and ensure both ears match in size and placement.
- Stuff the ears lightly with polyfill before closing the openings, distributing the stuffing evenly so the ears stand upright nicely.
- Block the finished hat flat on a towel, pinning the ears into shape and allowing them to dry completely before assembly.
Follow these care instructions to keep your crocheted cat hat looking its best over time.
- Hand wash the hat gently in cool water using a mild detergent, then rinse thoroughly without wringing the fabric.
- Air dry the hat flat on a clean towel, reshaping the ears and crown as needed to preserve the original form.
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight exposure, as this can cause fading in colored yarns and weaken the fibers.
- Spot clean minor stains promptly with a damp cloth and gentle soap to prevent setting and reduce the need for full washing.
Your Questions, Answered
What skill level is required for the cat hat crochet pattern?
The cat hat pattern is rated Intermediate. You should be comfortable with techniques like invisible decrease and surface crochet, which help create a clean finish and neat shaping.
What hook and yarn do I need for the cat hat?
You will need a 4 mm crochet hook and worsted weight yarn. This combination gives the cat hat a soft yet structured feel that holds its shape well.
How long does it take to crochet the cat hat?
Most crocheters complete the cat hat in 2-4 hours, depending on your pace and experience. The simple construction helps keep the project moving quickly.
Can I sell finished cat hats made from this pattern?
Yes, you may sell finished cat hats made from this pattern. Please credit the designer when listing your items online or at craft fairs.
How do I resize the cat hat for a different fit?
To resize the cat hat, adjust the starting chain and the number of increase rounds to match the desired head circumference. Decreasing rounds can be extended or shortened to control the crown depth.
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