A few years ago I posted a free basic cabled hat pattern for adults. Its a quick and easy pattern to crochet. I decided I needed a child’s size hat for an upcoming gift. So I downsized that original crochet pattern and created two different sizes. One for a baby (1+ years old) and another for more of a toddler’s size (2-3+ years old).

The free pattern is below and you can always go up or down a hook size to adjust for a different child’s head size as needed. Enjoy and happy crocheting!

Child’s Simple Cabled Hat Pattern
H (5 mm) crochet hook = 1 year old baby (16” cir by 7.5” long) for baby hat
or 18” cir by 8” long for child size 2-3 year old
Yarn – 2 ounces worsted weight (medium) 4-ply (100-110 yards) baby; 2.4 ounces (120-130 yards) child
Note: Ch 2 at beg of each round counts as DC.

Ch 56 for baby hat or Ch 60 for child size. Join to make a ring and making sure your chain is not twisted.
(You will be working in the round and not turning your work as you crochet this hat.)

Rnd 1
Ch 1, Sc into the 2nd bump loop in the back of the chain to create a smooth edge.
This is done by working Sc in back bump of each chain across. Join with sl st to beg ch-1. (56 Sc for baby or 60 Sc for child size)

Here is link to a tutorial on the back bump chain method if you are not familiar with it. (You can also crochet regular Sc’s into the 2nd chain from hook if you’d rather not use the back bump chain method.)

Rnd 2
Ch 2 and DC in next 2 sts, skip next st and FPDC around next Sc, then *DC in next 3 sts, skip next st and FPDC around next Sc.* Repeat between * across row. Join with sl st to beg ch-2.
Tip: Make sure before the FPDC that you skip one Sc and FPDC around the following Sc. You should have 11 FPDCs and 33 DCs on row 2 for baby’s size or 12 FPDCs and 36 DCs for child’s size.
Rnd 3-14
Ch 2 and DC in next 2 sts, FPDC around next FPDC, then *DC in next 3 sts, FPDC around next FPDC.* Repeat between * across row. Join with sl st to beg ch-2.

Length should be approx. 6.25” after rnd 14 is complete for baby hat size.

For child’s sized hat, work rnd 14 one additional time, then work rnds 15-17 as follows. (7” long for child’s size at this point)

Rnd 15
Ch 2 and work 1 DC Dec over next 2 sts, FPDC around next FPDC, *DC in next st, then work 1 DC Dec over next 2 sts, FPDC around next FPDC.* Repeat between * across row. Join with sl st to beg ch-2.
Rnd 16
Ch 2 and Dc in next st, FPDC around next FPDC, *work 1 DC Dec over next 2 sts, FPDC around next FPDC.* Repeat between * across row. Join with sl st to beg ch-2.
Rnd 17
Ch 1, *skip over to FPDC and work FPDC around FPDC, *Sc in next st, FPDC around next FPDC.* Repeat between * across row. Join with sl st to beg ch-1. FO and leave a long tail.
Using the long tail, whip stitch close the top of hat opening. Pull up tight and tie a knot. Go inside with tail and weave under and tie another knot or two to secure opening.

Top with a pom pom ball if desired. I used a 1-5/8” pom pom loom maker on hat pictured.

If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab.

Abbreviations:
Beg – Beginning
Ch – Chain
Cir – Circumference
Dc – Double Crochet
Dec – Decrease
FO – Finish Off
FPDC – Front Post Double Crochet
Rnd – Round
Sc – Single Crochet
Sl St – Slip Stitch
St – Stitch

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****Please do not copy my patterns on your blog site or post my patterns on Internet sites. I do not allow my patterns to be republished without expressed written permission. Posting of my patterns, without written permission is in violation of my copyrights and is content theft.