Adorable Newborn Bear Hat: Free Crochet Pattern
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Introducing an irresistibly adorable newborn baby bear hat pattern, designed with love for my niece Mya. This charming little hat, complete with tiny bear ears, is simple to crochet using Worsted Weight Cotton Yarn. In just about an hour and with less than one ball of yarn, you can create this cute accessory that’s perfect for any newborn.
Ideal for baby gifts, donations to hospitals, or charities, this versatile pattern allows for endless customization. Add a flower, bow, or keep it simple—the choice is yours. I hope you enjoy making this adorable bear hat!
The free written pattern is available in the post below or you can purchase an ad-free premium PDF from my shop here.
Easy Newborn Baby Bear Hat Crochet Pattern
Supplies
- Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton. 1.75 oz (50 g) and 80 yds (73 m). 100% Cotton. Worsted Weight Yarn [4]. Machine wash and dry.
- Colors: 1 skein each: Jute (Shade: 1085)
- Crochet Hook: 5 mm (H)
- Finished Project: Hat: 1.75 oz (50 g) and 80 yds (73 m).
- Scissors, Tapestry Needle (yarn needle)
Difficulty Level
- Easy
Finished Sizes
- Newborn – to fit head circumference of 13 – 14 inches; hat height 4.5 inches
Gauge
- Approximately 3 sts per 1 inch and 3 rows per inch
You can substitute any yarn and hook for this stitch pattern – just remember when you substitute if your gauge is different, the finished size, and amount of yarn used for your project will also be different.
Abbreviations
- ch(s) – chain(s)
- esc – extended single crochet
- g – grams
- m – meters
- oz – ounces
- rem – remaining
- rep – repeat
- Rnd – round
- sc – single crochet
- sk – skip/skipped
- sl st – slip stitch
- st/sts – stitch/stitches
- yds – yards
- * to ** – Repeat the instructions between the asterisks the number of times indicated. This repeat will contain multiple instructions.
- [ ] – at the end of the row – the total number of stitches
- ( ) – important notes AND sets of stitches to be worked within one stitch, or space
Special Stitch
Extended Single Crochet (esc)
Insert your crochet hook into the next stitch, yarn over the hook and pull up one loop (2 loops on your hook). Yarn over the hook, pull it through the first loop on the hook (2 loops on your hook). Yarn over the hook, pull it through both loops on the hook.
Helpful Tutorial
Notes:
- I use a DMR (double magic ring) to begin my projects that are worked in rounds. You may substitute a magic ring (magic circle), or a chain 3 and slip to form a ring, if you prefer. See the alternate starting methods here.
- To increase the hat height repeat Rnd 5
- The final round of the hat is made using slip stitches. This round must be done loosely to maintain the hat size. If you crochet sl sts tightly please move up a hook size for this round, or substitute a round of single crochet instead.
- This hat is crocheted in continuous rounds; you may need a stitch marker to mark your place. If you prefer you can sl st tightly at the end of the round to join and ch 1 before beginning the next round.
- Add this pattern to your Ravelry Library here.
Newborn Baby Bear Hat Crochet Pattern
This project is crocheted in continuous rounds.
Newborn Hat Pattern
Using your 5 mm (H) crochet hook (or size required for gauge):
Rnd 1: In a DMR (see notes) work 10 esc. [10 esc]
Rnd 2: 2 esc in each st around. [20 esc]
Rnd 3: 2 esc in the first st, 1 esc in the next st. *2 esc in the next st, 1 esc in the next st**. Work from * to ** around. [30 esc]
Rnd 4: 2 esc in the first st, 1 esc in each of the next 2 sts. *2 esc in the next st, 1 esc in each of the next 2 sts**. Work from * to ** around. [40 esc]
Rnd 5: 1 esc in each st around. [40 esc]
Rnd 6-Rnd 12: Rep Rnd 5
Rnd 13: 1 sl st in each st around (Important: see notes). [40 sl st]
Proceed to finishing instructions.
Bear Ears Pattern
Make 2
Using your 5 mm (H) crochet hook (or size required for gauge):
Rnd 1: In a DMR (see notes) work 10 esc. [10 esc]
Rnd 2-Rnd 3: 1 esc in each st around. [10 esc]
Proceed to finishing instructions.
Finishing Instructions:
- HAT: Finish off and weave in ends securely.
- BEAR EARS: Finish off leaving a 6-inch yarn tail. Flatten the ear and pin it into position on the hat across rounds 4-6 (see image). Thread the yarn tail onto a yarn needle and sew the ears to the crown of the hat. Weave in ends securely.
Did you remember to make your Ravelry Project Page? (How to Make a Ravelry Project Page.)
Add your Baby Bear Hat project on Ravelry here.
And here is my niece wearing her Newborn Baby Bear Hat (3-days old):
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Socials:
🧶✨ Crochet an adorable newborn baby bear hat with tiny ears! Perfect for gifts, donations, or just for fun. Free pattern available now! #Crochet #BabyHat #Handmade #DIY #Cute
Craft this adorable newborn baby bear hat in just an hour! Free pattern available. 🧶🐻 #Crochet #DIY #BabyHat #Handmade
Happy crocheting!
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I am making this for a yr old girl and using a j hook with 2 more stitches, it is such a cute hat ty for the pattern
I have just started this, cannot wait for my newborn grandson to try it out
Hi Daphne, A MR is a magic ring or magic circle – here’s a link in case you need to see how to make one: https://oombawkadesigncrochet.com/magic-ring-magic-circle-tutorial/
Have fun!
Rhondda
I just found this; it’s REAL cute! How do you start this? what is ‘magic ring’??
Hi Dianna, I use this sizing chart when I design my hats: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/370772981795531603/ I also take into consideration negative ease because hats should be smaller (slightly) than the head they are going to be fit to – so I take 1-2″ off the finished head circumference measurement (depending on the stretchiness of the hat) to determine my hat circumference measurement.
For more information about FCD (Flat Circle Diameter) you can read this post – it is about baby mittens but they are designed on the same premise – https://oombawkadesigncrochet.com/savannahs-baby-mittens-free-crochet/
Hope this helps 🙂 Rhondda
Rhonda this is such a cute newborn hat but how do you go about increasing the size to fit a 1 yr old toddler? Is there a rule of thumb measuring chart to adapt caps to fit little ones as they grow, say from newborn to 1 then 2 then 3, etc.? years
Than you for your patterns & help! I greatly appreciate it & you, Dianna
Hi Lela 🙂 If you want to make a 6-9 mos size work the increase rounds until you have a flat circle diameter of 5.10″ (approximately) then work even (no more increases) until the hat is a total height of 5.75″ (for mid ear length) or 6.75″ (for bottom of earlobe length).
I think the ears will still work on the 6-9 mos size 🙂
Hope this helps!
Rhondda
For more information about the FCD (flat circle diameter) you can read this post:
https://oombawkadesigncrochet.com/savannahs-baby-mittens-free-crochet/ The post is about how to make mittens but the concept is the same for hats 🙂
Welcome 🙂
I love this little bear hat I have a little boy who will be 7 months this winter. Would it be too dificult to make it bigger?
Love it, Thank you!
Thanks Barbara 🙂
Thank you Richelle 🙂
Thank you Melisa 🙂
Well, that one is really cute. I love this trend with ears on caps and hoods for children (and adults as well). Fantasy rules 🙂
Such a sweet hat!
I love this pattern. Thanks for the chance to win the Clover Hooks. 🙂
Welcome 🙂
So cute. Beautiful thanks
Thank you Andra 🙂 My sister loves it too! I designed it for my Niece who is due in a couple weeks 🙂
OMG…this hat is so cute. Thank you so much for the pattern! 🙂
Thank you Teresa 🙂 I’m happy you like the pattern 🙂 Have a great weekend, Rhondda
Fab as always. you are so kind for sharing these beautiful patterns with us. x
Hi Sue, I work in spirals – using a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of the round. You do not need to slip stitch to join. Just work the first stitch of the each round in the first stitch of the previous round 🙂 Have fun! and you are welcome 🙂 Rhondda
I am fairly new at crochet and am wondering how to join the rounds. Am I supposed to slipstitch to first ESC or just keep going around with no join? Thanks for your pattern and help!
Sue
Hi Sherry, I do not use the chain 3 and join to the first stitch to begin method for my hats 🙂 but if you prefer to you can. I use a magic loop or magic ring to start off. I think I better make a tutorial on this 🙂 If you would like to see how it is done I recommend visiting Tamara’s site – https://www.mooglyblog.com/chainless-starting-dc-in-magic-ring/
Hopet his helps 🙂 Rhondda
hi there i love your little bear hat but i was wondering how many chains to start the hat?
Thank you Elena 🙂
Very nice!
Thank you Cathy 🙂
I like your designs, very nive.
Thank you Sandy 🙂
Hi there! Cute hat! Your blog/website looks fantastic! Like the new tweeks!! Best wishes and hugs, Sandy