Getting the crochet hat sizes correct can be difficult. This crochet hat size guide will help you choose the correct size of crochet hat for you or your loved one.
Below you will get information about how to measure your head to decide on the crochet hat size, find a crochet hat size chart and also different ways to crochet hats in the correct size.
It will also give you a few crochet hat sizing guidelines.
What size should you make a crochet hat?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the crochet hat sizes will depend on the intended wearer’s head circumference. However, there are some general guidelines that can be followed in order to ensure that the hat is the right size.
- Measure the circumference of the head for which the hat is being made. This will give you an idea of how wide the circumference of the hat needs to be.
- A good rule of thumb is to make the hat about 1 inch smaller than the head circumference (negative ease), so that it will fit snugly without being too tight. Keep in mind that crochet hats can stretch a bit, so it’s better to err on the side of making it too small rather than too large.
- Next, measure the length of the head, from the top of the head to the bottom of the ear. This will give you an idea of how tall the hat needs to be.
- Once you have these measurements, you can start crocheting the hat. Make sure to try it on the intended recipient periodically to ensure that it is the right size.
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Crochet Hat & Beanie Dimensions
There are 3 main measurements you need to know for crochet hats and beanies. Each explained in depth below.
How to Measure Head Circumference
There are a few different ways to measure the head circumference to figure out the crochet hat sizes. The most common way is to measure around the forehead, just above the eyebrows. Another way is to measure around the largest part of the head, which is typically just above the ears.
To get an accurate measurement, it is best to use a soft tape measure or a string that can be easily wrapped around the head. Once you have the measurement, you can refer to a crochet hat or beanie size chart to find the corresponding size.
When crocheting a hat or beanie, it is important to keep in mind that the finished product should be slightly smaller than the actual head circumference. This is because the crochet fabric will stretch a bit when worn.
Hat vs Head Circumference on Crochet Hats
To figure out how wide the hat should be, you can measure the head circumference and subtract about 1 inch.
The hat circumference should be slightly smaller than the head circumference, because stitches may stretch a bit when you wear the hat and to avoid the hat being too big, you should not make the hat exactly as wide as your head.
For a more fitted hat, subtract more than 1 inches.
How To Decide Hat Height on Crochet Beanies
Hat height refers to how tall you crochet the hat. This is the measurement from the neck or bottom of the ear to the top of the hat or the crown.
When deciding how tall to make a crochet hat consider how slouchy you want the hat to be. Add extra length if you want a slouchy crochet beanie.
Some also prefer a crochet hat with a folded brim. To account for a folded brim, add extra length, to the width of your desired brim. Many find 2.5 cm or 1 inch a good width for a brim.
How to Crochet a Top-Down Crochet Beanie
When crocheting a top down beanie you often start in the center of the top with a magic circle or circle of chains.
You will then work with gradual increases while crocheting a somewhat flat circle.
When the diameter of the circle is correct for the head circumference, you will stop increasing and start working evenly without increases until you reach the desired length of the crochet beanie.
Finally you will crochet the ribbing or brim.
Flat Circle Hat Method With Printable Hat Size Checker
When crocheting a top down hat, you can easily do that by crocheting a flat circle as mentioned above.
Flat circles can be crocheted with anything from advanced stitch patterns to basic crochet stitches. The amount of increases you have to do depends on the height of the stitches used.
With this method you can use any yarn weight and crochet hook size, and still get the best fit for your crochet hats.
To crochet a flat circle start with:
- 6-8 stitches in the first round when crocheting single crochet
- 8-10 stitches in the first round when crocheting half double crochet
- 10-12 stitches in the first round when crocheting double crochet
Then increase this way:
- Increase by the number you started with on round 1 each of the following rounds.
- That means: If you started with 6 stitches on round 1 for single crochet, keep increasing with 6 stitches on each of the following rounds.
To make it easy for you, I’ve created a printable crochet hat sizes checker for 14 crochet hat sizes to use when crocheting hats using the flat circle hat method.
How to use the Flat Circle Hat Method with the Printable Crochet Hat Sizes Checker:
- Print the crochet hat sizes checker.
- Measure the ruler on the printed hat size checker to make sure the measurements are correct. Note: Some printers may scale it incorrectly when printing, but the original document are created and tested for the correct measurement. If you have issues with how your printer we can unfortunately not offer any support.
- Crochet a flat circle according to the instructions above.
- Measure your flat circle against the printable hat size checker to get the correct crochet hat sizes.
- When you get the correct size, stop increasing and continue crocheting without increasing util your hat is the desired length.
Unlock this Exclusive Subscriber Content to get the downloadable + printable version of the Flat Circle Hat Sizes Checker.
How to Size a Top-Down Crochet Hat
To size top-down crochet hats without the printable hat size checker, you need to calculate the crown diameter / flat circle diameter.
- Measure the head to get the hat circumference.
- Then calculate: HAT CIRCUMFERENCE / PI = CROWN DIAMETER
PI = 3,14 - When you have the crown diameter, work a flat circle to that size. Then work evenly without increasing until you reach the desired hat length.
The Textured Tweed Hat pattern is worked from the top down.
How to crochet a Bottom-Up In The Round Crochet Hat
A bottom-up in the round crochet hat is worked from the bottom upwards with the same stitch count until you reach the desired length.
At the end you may decrease a few stitches or just close the hat at the top.
This is definitely one of the easiest crochet hats to make.
Steps to crochet a bottom-up crochet hat:
- To crochet a hat in the round from the bottom-up, you need to know the hat circumference before starting. This is done by measuring around the head and subtracting about 1 inch or by checking the crochet hat sizing chart below.
- Then you start with either chains or foundation stitches to crochet the number of stitches to reach that circumference measurement and join to a circle with a slip stitch.
Calculate stitches needed for a Bottom-Up In The Round Crochet Hat
If you rather want to calculate the stitches needed, you need to know the crochet gauge.
To figure out the gauge you need to:
- Crochet gauge swatches and then you can use the gauge calculator to find stitches per cm or inch.
- Then calculate: HAT CIRCUMFERENCE * STITCHES PER INCH or CM = STITCHES NEEDED
If you use single stitches, you can use that exact stitch count. However, if you use a stitch pattern with a stitch multiple, you need to go up/down to the closest number.
The Crochet Beanie pattern shown below is worked in the round as a tube using the bottom-up method.
How to crochet a Bottom-Up Rectangle Crochet Hat
The Bottom-Up Rectangle crochet hat is worked from the bottom up like the In The Round Bottom-Up hat. However, this type of crochet hat needs to be seamed with whip stitches at the end to form a tube.
This may be easier while you crochet, as you work back and forth in rows, just like a crochet blanket.
This type of hat is also typically closed at the top in the end.
The crochet hat sizes of this type of crochet hat is the same as the bottom-up in the round crochet hat as described above, the only difference is that you don’t join with a slip stitch to form a circle.
The Beginner Crochet Hat pattern shown below is a basic beanie that are worked as a rectangle from the bottom-up and then closed at the top.
How to crochet a Sideways Rectangle Crochet Beanie
The sideways rectangle crochet beanie is also worked flat like the bottom-up rectangle hat.
However it is worked sideways, meaning you need to decide the hat height for your finished hat before you start, and then you crochet back and forth in rows until you reach the desired hat circumference.
The hat height is decided based on how slouchy you want it to be, the suggested hat size measurements can be found in the size chart below. This measurement is for a normal fitted hat, and if you want it more slouchy you need to add a few stitches.
Steps to crochet a sideways rectangle crochet hat:
- Start with either chains or foundation stitches to crochet the number of stitches to reach the hat height measure ment.
- Crochet back and forth in rows until you reach hat circumference.
- Whip stitch the short edge together.
- Close the top of the hat.
Calculate stitches needed for a Sideways Rectangle Hat
If you rather want to calculate the stitches needed, you need to know the crochet gauge.
To figure out the gauge you need to:
- Crochet gauge swatches and then you can use the gauge calculator to find stitches per cm or inch.
- Then calculate: HAT HEIGHT * STITCHES PER INCH or CM = STITCHES NEEDED
If you use single stitches, you can use that exact stitch count. However, if you use a stitch pattern with a stitch multiple, you need to go up/down to the closest number.
The Mitis Crochet hat pattern shown below is worked sideways as a rectangle.
Crochet Hat Sizes Chart
The charts below provide the average crochet hat sizes measurements for crochet hats and beanies for 12 different age groups, in both inches and centimeters.
As noted, these figures are averages, and actual sizes can vary depending on the crochet pattern you follow.
When making a hat for someone, it’s always best to check their head circumference as well, to ensure you’re making the correct size.
Below the charts you can find a downloadable crochet hat sizes chart to keep for for future reference.
Crochet Hat Sizes Chart (cm)
| Head Circumference | Hat Circumference | Hat Height | Crown Diameter* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preemie | 23 – 30.5 | 20.5 – 28 | 11.5 | 6.5 – 9 |
| Newborn | 33 – 35.5 | 30.5 – 33 | 13 | 9.5 – 11 |
| 3-6 Months | 38 | 35.5 | 15 | 11.5 |
| 6-12 Months | 40.5 | 38 | 16.5 | 12 |
| 12-18 Months | 43 | 40.5 | 18 | 12.5 |
| 18-24 Months | 45.5 | 43 | 18.5 | 14 |
| 2-5 Years | 48 | 45.5 | 19 | 14.5 |
| Child | 51 | 48 | 20.5 | 15 |
| Teen / Adult Small | 53 | 51 | 21.5 | 16 |
| Woman / Adult Medium | 56 | 53 | 23 | 17 |
| Man / Adult Large | 58.5 | 56 | 24 | 18 |
| Adult X-Large | 61 | 58.5 | 24 | 18.5 |
*Crown diameter is used for top down crochet hats.
Crochet Hat Sizes Chart (inches)
| Head Circumference | Hat Circumference | Hat Height | Crown Diameter* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preemie | 9 – 12 | 8 – 11 | 4.5 | 2.5 – 3.5 |
| Newborn | 13 – 14 | 12 – 13 | 5 | 3.75 – 4.25 |
| 3-6 Months | 15 | 14 | 6 | 4.5 |
| 6-12 Months | 16 | 15 | 6.5 | 4.75 |
| 12-18 Months | 17 | 16 | 7 | 5 |
| 18-24 Months | 18 | 17 | 7.25 | 5.5 |
| 2-5 Years | 19 | 18 | 7.5 | 5.75 |
| Child | 20 | 19 | 8 | 6 |
| Teen / Adult Small | 21 | 20 | 8.5 | 6.25 |
| Woman / Adult Medium | 22 | 21 | 9 | 6.75 |
| Man / Adult Large | 23 | 22 | 9.5 | 7 |
| Adult X-Large | 24 | 23 | 9.5 | 7.25 |
*Crown diameter is used for top down crochet hats.
Unlock this Exclusive Subscriber Content to get the downloadable + printable version of the Hat Sizes Chart.
Comes in both inches and cm measurements. Print it and use it as a reference whenever you crochet hats.
Things that may affect the crochet hat sizes
There are a few thing that may affect the crochet hat size, such as the head circumference of the receiver, the stitch pattern and the yarn fiber used to crochet it.
Head Circumference Doesn’t Match The Size Chart
The actual head size of the receiver may not match the crochet hat sizes charts above.
If you are able to actually measure the receivers head size according to the descriptions above, you don’t have to worry about it not fitting.
However, if it’s a gift and you can’t ask, here’s a few solutions.
- Use the suggested size for the age from the size chart and cross your fingers it fits.
- See if it’s possible to measure a hat they already have.
- Ask if someone knows if the receiver has a “bigger” or “smaller” head than average.
Stitch Patterns May Change Crochet Hat Sizes
When crocheting hats, its typical to subtract 1 or sometimes 2 inches from the head size. That is done because the crochet fabric usually stretch a bit when you start wearing the hat.
However, if you notice that there’s not much stretch in the crochet stitch fabric when you start crocheting, add back the 1 inch to be sure it fits.
On the other hand, ribbed crochet hats often has extra stretch, which may mean you could subtract 2-3 inches as well.
Keep an eye on it & try it on as you crochet if possible.
Yarn Fiber and Hat Size
The yarn fiber you use may affect the crochet hat sizes as well, as some yarn fibers give more stretch than others.
Regular wool and acrylic yarns usually give a normal amount of stretch. For smoother fibers, such as alpaca, you may find it will give even more stretch.
On the other hand, “fluffy” or “hairy” yarns may in some instances give less stretch. Even though cotton hats isn’t as common for winter, but rather summer sun hats, they may give less stretch as well.
If you are making summer sunhats with cotton yarn, these also tend to stretch a bit, especially if the cotton is mercerized.
Lining Fleece Inside The Crochet Hat
If you line the crochet hat with fleece fabric, you may see that the crochet hat sizes are affected.
The fleece liner may reduce the amount of stretch.
Because of that, you should crochet the hat slightly bigger if you plan on lining it with fleece fabric.
Free Crochet Hat Patterns
We have more than 26 Free Crochet Hat Patterns for you to choose from, however here are some of the most popular patterns:
- Beginner Crochet Hat
- Crochet Slouchy Beanie
- Striped Crochet Hat (with double brim)
- Crochet Beanie Pattern
- Cold Day Hat
- All Hat Patterns
Or grab 18 crochet hat patterns in a crochet pattern bundle.
Commonly Asked Questions About Crochet Hat Sizes
How do you size a crochet hat?
To size a crochet hat you need to measure your head circumference, then reduce 2.5 cm / 1 inch to get the crochet hat circumference. The hat height is measured form the top of the head to the bottom of the ear.
What size should a crochet baby hat be?
The size a crochet baby hat should be, depends on how many month the baby is. There are different suggested crochet hat sizes for preemie, newborn (0-3 months), 3-6 months and 6-12 months. These have a hat circumference from 9 to 12 inches and hat height from 4.5 to 6.5 inches. Toddler sizes are a bit bigger.
