Crochet Pig Tail Baby Hat
What an adorable and sweet accessory for a little bundle of joy! A crochet pig tail baby hat is a playful and whimsical addition to any baby's wardrobe. Made with soft, cuddly yarn and a snug fit, this hat is designed to keep baby's head warm and cozy while also adding a touch of personality to their outfit. The adorable pig tail design will bring a smile to everyone's face, making it a perfect gift for any baby shower or special occasion. Plus, the soft texture and comfortable fit ensure it's a practical and wearable accessory for daily wear.
Skill level: Easy
Size: Newborn-6 mos. (approx. 12” circumference x 5.5” deep unstretched)
Materials:
100 yds. fingering-weight baby yarn (samples shown in Shepherd Baby Wool 4-ply)
Knit version:
Set of size 6 (4.25 mm) double-pointed needles (or size 6 (4.25 mm) circular needle (16”length), plus a set of size 6 (4.25 mm) dpn), or size needed to achieve gauge
Crochet version:
Size H/8 (5 mm) hook, or size needed to achieve gauge
Tapestry needle
Gauge:
Knit version: 5 sts = 1" in stockinette stitch with fingering yarn on size 6 (4.25 mm) needles
Crochet version: 4.5 single crochet = 1" with fingering yarn on size H/8 (5 mm) hook
NOTE: Hats are made circularly, from lower brim to top point, finished with an I-cord or chain “pigtail” tied into a top-knot. For stretchiness and softness on baby’s head, hats are worked on larger needles/hooks than normally used for fingering-weight yarn. Finished hat size can be changed by using smaller or larger needles/hooks, or by changing yarn thickness.
Stitches/Terms: back loop only (BLO), beginning (beg), bind off (BO), cast on (CO), chain (ch), decrease (dec), double crochet (dc), double-pointed needles (dpn), each (ea), knit (K), knit two together (K2tog), place marker (pm), purl (P), repeat (rep), single crochet (sc), single crochet two together (sc2tog), slip stitch (sl st), space (sp), stitch (st)
Crochet Hat
Important note: Work foundation chain and first round VERY LOOSELY (use one size larger hook if necessary) to allow for maximum stretch of hat brim.
With size H hook (or one size larger to create a loose foundation chain), chain 48 VERY LOOSELY. Join into ring, being careful not to twist chain.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, single crochet in ea chain around, join with sl st (48 sc)
Rnds 2-10: Ch 1, sc around, join with sl st (48 sc)
Rnd 11: Working in back loop only (BLO) of ea sc, ch 3, dc in back loop only of ea sc around, join with sl st to top of beginning ch-3 (48 dc)
Rnd 12 (cross-stitch round): Ch 3, dc in first dc to the right of beg ch-3 (first cross-stitch formed), *ch2, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in second skipped st (the stitch to the right of the dc you just made) (cross-stitch completed), rep from * around, end ch2, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3 (16 cross sts, 16 sps)
Rnd 13: Ch 3, dc in ea dc and ea sp around, join with sl st (48 dc)
Rnd 14: Working in back loop only (BLO), ch 1, sc in back loop of ea dc around, join with sl st (48 sc)
Rnd 15: Ch 1, sc in ea sc around, join with sl st (48 sc)
Begin decreases:
Rnd 16: Ch 1, sc in same sc and ea of next 5 sc, sc2tog, *sc in next 6 sc, sc2tog, rep from * around, join with sl st (42 sc)
Rnd 17: Ch 1, sc in ea sc around, join with sl st (42 sc)
Rnd 18: Ch 1, sc in same sc and ea of next 4 sc, sc2tog, *sc in next 5 sc, sc2tog, rep from * around, join with sl st (36 sc)
Rnd 19: Ch 1, sc in ea sc around, join with sl st (36 sc)
Rnd 20: Ch 1, sc in same sc and ea of next 3 sc, sc2tog, *sc in next 4 sc, sc2tog, rep from * around, join with sl st (30 sc)
Rnd 21: Ch 1, sc in ea sc around, join with sl st (30 sc)
Rnd 22: Ch 1, sc in same sc and ea of next 2 sc, sc2tog, *sc in next 3 sc, sc2tog, rep from * around, join with sl st (24 sc)
Rnd 23: Ch 1, sc in ea sc around, join with sl st (24 sc)
Rnd 24: Ch 1, sc in same sc and next sc, sc2tog, *sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog, rep from * around, join with sl st (18 sc)
Rnd 25: Ch 1, sc in ea sc around, join with sl st (18 sc)
Rnd 26: Ch 1, sc in same sc, sc2 tog, *sc in next sc, sc2tog, rep from * around, join with sl st (12 sc)
Rnd 27: Ch 1, sc in ea sc around, join with sl st (12 sc)
Rnd 28: Ch 1, sc2tog around, join with sl st (6 sc)
Rnd 29: Ch 1, sc in ea sc around, insert hook through center point of top of hat, ch 14, sc back across chain to top point of hat, join with sl st. Fasten off and weave in yarn tails. Tie chain into “pigtail” top-knot.
Knit Hat
With size 6 circular needle or dpn, cast on 60 sts LOOSELY, join into round (place marker to note beginning of round.)
Rnds 1-15: Knit around (60 sts)
Rnd 16: Purl around.
Rnd 17-18: Knit around.
Rnd 19 (eyelet round): *K2tog, yo, rep from * around.
Rnd 20-21: Knit around (60 sts)
Rnd 22: Purl around.
Rnds 23-32: Knit around.
Rnds 33-39: Repeat Rnds 16-22 once.
Rnds 40-41: Knit around.
Begin decreases (if using circular needle, change to dpn when stitches no longer fit comfortably on needle):
Rnd 42: *K8, K2tog, rep from * around (54 sts)
Rnd 43: Knit around (54 sts)
Rnd 44: *K7, K2tog, rep from * around (48 sts)
Rnd 45: Knit around (48 sts)
Rnd 46: *K6, K2tog, rep from * around (42 sts)
Rnd 47: Knit around (42 sts)
Rnd 48: *K5, K2tog, rep from * around (36 sts)
Rnd 49: Knit around (36 sts)
Rnd 50: *K4, K2tog, rep from * around (30 sts)
Rnd 51: Knit around (30 sts)
Rnd 52: *K3, K2tog, rep from * around (24 sts)
Rnd 53: Knit around (24 sts)
Rnd 54: *K2, K2tog, rep from * around (18 sts)
Rnd 55: Knit around (18 sts)
Rnd 56: *K1, K2tog, rep from * around (12 sts)
Rnd 57: Knit around (12 sts)
Rnd 58: *K2tog, rep from * around (6 sts)
Rnd 59: *K2 tog, rep from * around (3 sts)
Using dpn, begin to work I-cord for top knot by sliding stitches to right side of needle, knit 3, *DO NOT TURN, slide stitches to the right again, knit 3, repeat from * until I-cord measures 2”. Bind off, cut yarn and weave in ends. Tie cord into a “pigtail” top-knot.