Bring cozy Christmas magic to life with this classic rustic Santa hat!
This fun and festive crochet hat features a soft faux-fur brim, a fluffy pom, and a beautifully textured body. Whether you make the traditional red version or the striped holiday colorway, it’s a joyful project that works up quickly and looks amazing in photos, gift boxes, and holiday gatherings.
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All About the Yarn…
I used three yarns (red, green, white) – 4-weight yarns – in Impeccable Tweed.
Materials & Notions
Suggested Yarn: I used 4-weight yarn (Impeccable Tweed) in red, white & green & Hobby Lobby Faux Fur in Ivory)
Estimated Yardage:
Color A: Approximately 2 skein (uses just a tad over 1 skein).
Color B: Approximately <1 skein.
Color C: Approximately <1 skein.
- Hook Size: 6 mm (USA J)
- Pom Pom Hook Size: 6.5 mm (USA K)
- Scissors
- Darning Needle
Sizes / Finished Measurements:
Adult Size without brim and pom = 17.25″ (44 cm) × 11″ (28 cm) (22″ (56 cm) circumference)
Abbreviations
- dc = double crochet
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- fsc = foundation single crochet
- dc2tog = double crochet 2 together
- sc2tog = single crochet 2 together
- ch (s) – chain (s)
- st (s) – stitch(es)
- yo – yarn over
Stitch guide:
Sc = Single Crochet: Insert your hook in indicated stitch. Yo, pull up a loop. Yo, draw through both loops on the hook.
Dc = Double Crochet: Yo, insert hook in indicated stitch. Yo and pull up a loop. Yo and draw through two loops on the hook.
Hdc = Half Double Crochet: Yo, insert hook in indicated stitch. Yo and pull up a loop. Yo and draw through all three loops on the hook.
Fsc – Foundation Single Crochet = Step 1: Chain 2, insert your hook into the first chain, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through one loop to create a chain. Step 2: Yo and pull through both loops to complete one single crochet. Step 3: For each additional stitch, insert your hook into the chain you just made, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through one loop, yo and pull through both loops.
Dc2tog – Double Crochet 2 Together = Yo, insert your hook in indicated stitch, pull up a loop, yo, pull through two loops, leaving two loops on the hook. Yo, insert hook in next stitch, pull up a loop, yo, pull through two loops, leaving three loops on the hook. Yo, pull through all three loops to complete the double-crochet decrease.
Sc2tog – Single Crochet 2 Together = Insert hook in indicated stitch, pull up a loop, leaving two loops on the hook. Insert hook in next stitch, pull up a loop, leaving three loops on the hook. Yo and pull through all three loops.
PATTERN: CLASSIC TEXTURED CHRISTMAS HAT
Notes:
- Pattern is worked brim up.
- Work in continuous rounds (unless you’re changing colors, then join in 1st stitch, ch 1, and work 1st stitch in that join.
- Mark 1st stitch of each round.
- The 1st stitch is always in the same as the join unless otherwise noted.
- If you use multiple colors, cut and weave in tails after each round.
- 68 stitches to start may seem loose, but when brim is added, it draws it in – keep that in mind before you reduce your starting stitches (fits 22.5 – 23” head)
CLASSIC RUSTIC SANTA HAT
Sizing Adjustments:
| Size | Starting Stitch Count (Even) | When to Begin Decrease Pattern | Will fit Size |
| Adult (as written) | 68 sts | 6” (15 cm) | 22.5–23″ (57–58 cm) |
| Small Adult | 60 – 62 sts | 5.5” (14 cm) | 21–22″ (53–56 cm) |
| Child (5-10 yrs) | 56 – 58 sts | 5” (12.5 cm) | 19–22″ (48–56 cm) |
| Toddler (2-4 yrs) | 48 – 52 sts | 4.5” (11.5 cm) | 15–19″ (38–48 cm) |
**See Stitch Counts Table for Other Sizes at End of Pattern
Color & Rounds Instructions (Simplified)
- For a solid-color hat:
Begin working in continuous rounds, marking the first stitch of every round to keep track. - For a striped hat:
At each color change, join with the new color, then work 3 full rounds in that color before switching again.
Stripe Pattern Variations:
I did solid red & pattern 3 (on the right) for my samples. A red & white would be fun too!
Round 1: Fsc 68, join in 1st fsc (make sure chain is not twisted). (68 sts)
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in the same as join. *Dc 1, sc 1, repeat from * around, dc in last st. (68 sts)
The “up and down” stitch pattern is dc 1, sc 1.
Round 3: (Dc 1, sc 1) around. (68 sts)
Rounds 4: (Sc 1, dc 1) around. (68 sts)
Rounds 5 – Repeat rounds 3 & 4 alternating until it measures around 6” (I crocheted until it measured 6”)
PS, If you mess up or miscount – don’t fret! Just make sure you make all sc in dc’s from the previous round and vice versa. And keep your rounds up to 6” in multiples of 2.
Tapering (Decrease Rounds)
Notes:
1. Using stitch markers for decreases
When the pattern says to “decrease every 10th, 9th, 8th stitch,” place a stitch marker in every 10th/9th/8th stitch around before you begin the round. Start each decrease in the marked stitch so you never lose your place.
2. How to work decreases while keeping the up-and-down stitch pattern
The up-and-down stitch pattern alternates double crochet (dc), single crochet (sc) all the way around. Your decreases must match the stitch you are decreasing into so the pattern stays consistent.
Here’s how to keep it straight:
- If the first stitch of the decrease is a double crochet:
Work the decrease as a dc2tog (a double-crochet decrease).
After that, look at the next stitch after your decrease:
- If the next stitch is a single crochet, work a dc into it.
- If it’s a double crochet, work a sc into it.
- If the next stitch is a single crochet, work a dc into it.
- If the first stitch of the decrease is a single crochet:
Work the decrease as a sc2tog (a single-crochet decrease).
Then continue the alternating pattern the same way in the next stitch:
- If the next stitch is sc, work dc into it.
- If the next stitch (below) is dc, work sc into it.
- If the next stitch is sc, work dc into it.
Because of how decreases shift the stitch order, you may occasionally end up with two or three of the same type of stitch in a row.
This is normal, the goal is to keep the overall alternating pattern aligned with the stitches below, not the stitches next to each other. However, you can alter it at any point, it’s a very forgiving stitch pattern.
On the Non-Decrease Rounds:
On the rounds where you don’t decrease, simply continue the up-and-down pattern by working the opposite stitch of whatever is below it. So if the stitch below is a single crochet, work a double crochet into it; if the stitch below is a double crochet, work a single crochet into it—even if this means you occasionally get two or three singles or two or three doubles in a row. The important part is matching the stitch below, not the stitch beside it.
Decrease Pattern:
Round 1: Decrease every 10 sts (6 decreases). (62 sts)
Round 2: No decreases – crochet the up and down pattern around.
Round 3: Decrease every 9 sts (6 decreases). (56 sts)
Round 4: No decreases – crochet the up and down pattern around.
Round 5: Decrease every 8 sts (7 decreases)
On the last decrease, make it the last two stitches of the round. (49 sts)
Round 6: No decreases – crochet the up and down pattern around.
Round 7: Decrease every 7 sts (7 decreases) The last decrease make in the last two stitches. (42 sts)
Round 8 & 9: No decreases – crochet the up and down pattern around.
Round 10: Decrease every 6 sts (7 decreases) The last decrease make in the last two stitches. (35 sts)
Round 11, 12 & 13: No decreases – crochet the up and down pattern around.
Round 14: Decrease every 5 sts (6 decreases). (29 sts)
Round 15, 16 & 17: No decreases – crochet the up and down pattern around.
Round 18: Decrease every 5 sts (5 decreases evenly spaced). (25 sts)
Round 19, 20 & 21: No decreases – crochet the up and down pattern around.
Round 22: Decrease every 6 sts (4 decreases). (22 sts)
Round 23 & 24: No decreases – crochet the up and down pattern around.
Round 25: Decrease every 3 sts (6 decreases). (16 sts)
Round 26 & 27: No decreases – crochet the up and down pattern around.
Round 28: FINAL CLOSE Dec around (3–4 decreases) alternate between double crochet and single crochet decreases as needed. Pull tight to close. Cut tie off and weave in all tails
Faux Fur Brim:
With the widest side of the hat facing up, attach the faux-fur yarn to any stitch. Work hdc stitches around, placing a stitch in every other stitch for the first round (if it gets too tight, you can work it in each stitch and do every other stitch alternating)
For the next round (and any additional rounds you want for a wider brim), JOIN & Ch 2, work one hdc into every stitch around. I worked two rounds for my brim. When finished, cut the yarn, fasten off, and weave in all tails.
Create the Pom:
Using the faux-fur yarn, chain 3 and work 8 double crochets into the first chain (use treble crochets if you want a larger pom).
Leave two long tails, then fold the piece over to form a small ball, weaving and tucking the tails inside to shape it. With a yarn needle, thread one tail through the top of the hat and secure it firmly. Use the long tail from the hat to add extra reinforcement. Once the pom is secure, weave in all tails.
You can also use a pre-made pom pom or a faux-fur pom if you prefer.
Congrats! You are finished!
SMALL ADULT / TEEN (60 sts)
Starting count: 60 sts
| Dec Rounds | Instruction | Resulting St Count |
| 1 | Dec every 10 (5 dec) | 55 |
| 2 | No dec | |
| 3 | Dec every 9 (5 dec) | 45 |
| 4 | No dec | |
| 5 | Dec every 8 (5 dec) | 40 |
| 6 | No dec | |
| 7 | Dec every 7 (5 dec) | 35 |
| 8-9 | No dec | |
| 10 | Dec every 6 (5 dec) | 30 |
| 11/12/13 | No dec | |
| 14 | Dec every 5 (6 dec) | 24 |
| 15/16/17 | No dec | |
| 18 | Dec every 5 (4 dec) | 20 |
| 19/20/21 | No dec | |
| 22 | Dec every 6 (3 dec) | 17 |
| 23/24 | No dec | |
| 25 | Dec every 3 (4 dec) | 13 |
| 26/27 | No dec | |
| 28 | Close (dec until closed) | Cinch |
CHILD (5–10 yrs) (56 sts)
Starting count: 56 sts
| Dec Round | Instruction | Resulting St Count |
| 1 | Dec every 9 (6 dec) | 50 |
| 2 | No dec | |
| 3 | Dec every 8 (6 dec) | 44 |
| 4 | No dec | |
| 5 | Dec every 7 (6 dec) | 38 |
| 6 | No dec | |
| 7 | Dec every 5 (7 dec) | 31 |
| 8-9 | No dec | |
| 10 | Dec every 6 (5 dec) | 26 |
| 11-12-13 | No dec | |
| 14 | Dec every 4 (6 dec) | 20 |
| 15-16-17 | No dec | |
| 18 | Dec every 5 (5 dec) | 15 |
| 19-20-21 | No dec | |
| 22 | Dec every 3 (4 dec) | 11 |
| 23-24 | No dec | |
| 25 | Dec every 3 (3 dec) | 8 |
| 26-27 | No dec | |
| 28 | Dec until closed. | Cinch |
TODDLER (2–4 yrs) (48 sts)
Starting count: 48 sts
| Dec Round | Instruction | Resulting St Count |
| 1 | Dec every 7 (6 dec) | 42 sts |
| 2 | No dec | |
| 3 | Dec every 6 (6 dec) | 36 sts |
| 4 | No decreases | |
| 5 | Dec every 5 (6 dec) | 30 sts |
| 6 | No decreases | |
| 7 | Dec every 6 (4 dec) | 26 sts |
| 8-9 | No dec | |
| 10 | Dec every 5 sts (5 dec) | 21 sts |
| 11-13 | No dec | |
| 14 | Decrease every 4 sts (6 decreases) | 15 sts |
| 15-17 | No dec | |
| 18 | Dec every 4 sts (3 dec) | 12 sts |
| 19 | Dec around until closed | (closed) |
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