Get the cutest free crochet duck hat pattern – made just for beginners!
Whether you are just learning to crochet or looking for the perfect shower gift, this free crochet duck cap pattern is perfect for you. This easy to follow pattern is great for beginners, and only uses basic stitches. The finished product is an adorable baby hat that is perfect for summer or Easter.
The duck cap is shown here in cotton but works up perfectly using worsted weight yarn so choose whichever you feel will be more comfortable for baby.
Back in 2009 this was the 1st ever crochet pattern I released on Etsy now I am offering free to you below or if you prefer a ad free printable version that can be found here: ON ETSY
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Free Crochet Duck Cap Pattern
Scroll down for free download of pattern
Skill Level
Beginner
Abbreviations
- cc – contrast colour
- ch – chain
- dec – decrease
- hdc – half double crochet
- mc – main colour
- sc – single crochet
- st – stitch
- sts – stitches
- sl st – slip stitch
Gauge
15 sc x 12 rows hdc = 4″ x 4″ square
A gauge swatch is vital for a well-fitting crochet hat. It determines stitch tension and measures the number of stitches and rows. Comparing it to the pattern’s gauge ensures the final hat fits as desired. Adjust hook or tension if needed for a perfectly fitting hat.
Finished Measurements
Please note that the actual amount of yarn needed may change depending on the yarn chosen always purchase a little more than you think you may need.
- Newborn to 6 months: 14″–16″ x 5″
- 6 to 12 months: 16″–18″ x 5¾”
- 1 to 3 years: 18″–20″ x 6½”
Materials Needed
- 4.50 mm and 5.00 mm crochet hooks
- Tapestry needle
- 50 g worsted weight cotton (main colour)
- 10 g worsted weight cotton (contrast colour)
- Small amounts of black and white for eyes
- Liquid stitch (optional) – This helps keep the eyes in place while stitching so they don’t shift.
Notes
- This pattern comes with a video tutorial, so you can follow along step-by-step.
- The hat is worked in rounds. Use a stitch marker to mark the last stitch of each round.
- The first six rounds are the same for all sizes.
- Work the entire cap with the right side facing
Video Tutorial
Click below to Watch Video
Finishing Touches
EYES (make 2)
- With black yarn, ch 2. Work 8 hdc in the 2nd ch from hook. Join with sl st and fasten off. Weave in tail.
- With white yarn, join in any st with sl st. Work: sc in same st, 2 hdc in next st, sc in next st, sl st in next st. Fasten off.
- Take two tiny stitches with white using the photo as a guide.
- Use a tapestry needle and black yarn to attach the eyes and stitch the eyelashes, following the photo for placement.
HAIR
Ch 37, leaving a long tail for sewing. Fold the chain into three lengths, with the middle section longest. Stitch to the top of the hat.
Begin all sizes here:
Using 5.00 mm hook begin at the top with main colour ch 2
Rnd 1: 8 hdc in first ch
Rnd 2: 2 hdc in each st around (16 hdc)
Rnd 3: 1 hdc in first st, 2 hdc in next *hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st* repeat from * to * to end of round. (24 hdc)
Rnd 4: 1 hdc in first 2 sts, 2 hdc in next *hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st* repeat from * to * to end of round. (32 hdc)
Rnd 5: 1 hdc in first 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st* repeat from * to * to end of round. (40 hdc)
Rnd 6: 1 hdc in first 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st* repeat from * to * to end of round. (48 hdc)
Newborn to 6 months (14”-16”) x 5” stop here and continue as per below
Rnd 7: 1 hdc in first 5 sts, 2 hdc in next *hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st* repeat from * to * to end of round. (56 hdc)
6 months to 12 months (16”-18”) x 5 ¾” stop here and continue as per below
Rnd 8: 1 hdc in first 6 sts, 2 hdc in next *hdc in next 6 sts, 2 hdc in next st* repeat from * to * to end of round. (64 hdc)
12 months to 3 years (18”-20”) x 6 ½” stop here and continue as per below
Newborn to 6 Months
Rnds 7-11: Hdc in first st and each st around. (48 hdc)
Change to 4.50 mm hook for rest of pattern.
Rnds 12-16: Sc in first st and each st around, skip next st and fasten off with sl st. (48 sc)
BRIM
With right side facing join cc with slip stitch in 11th st from fasten of point.
Row 1: Ch 1, working in front loop only sc in next 22 sts, sc through both loops of last st
(24 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1 turn, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc next 4, 2 sc in next st, sc next 8, 2 sc in next st, sc next 4 sts, sc dec over next 2 sts sc last st (24 sc)
Row 3: Ch 1 turn, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc next 18 sts, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc in last st (22 sc)
Row 4: Ch 1 turn, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc next 8 sts, 2 sc next st, sc next 3 sts, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc last st (22 sc)
Row 5: Ch 1 turn, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc next 16 sts, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc last st (22 sc)
Here is the final round which will give the hat a nice clean edge.
Start beside last stitch worked on brim, sc down side of brim and each stitch around the cap and finishing at the bottom of the other side of the brim. Fasten off and weave ends into brim.
6 to 12 Months
Rnds 8 -12: Hdc in first st and each st around. (56 hdc)
Change to 4.50 mm hook for rest of pattern.
Rnds 13-18: Sc in first st and each st around, skip next st and fasten off with sl st. (56 sc)
BRIM
With right side facing join cc with slip stitch in 15th st through both loops from fasten of point.
Row 1: Ch 1 working in front loop only sc in next 24 sts, sc though both loops of last st (26 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1 turn, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc next 5, 2 sc in next st, sc next 8, 2 sc in next st, sc next 5 sts, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc last st (26 sc)
Row 3: Ch 1 turn, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc next 20 sts, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc in last st (24 sc)
Row 4: Ch 1 turn, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc next 8 sts, 2 sc next st, sc next 4 sts, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc last st (24 sc)
Row 5: Ch 1 turn, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc next 18 sts, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc last st (22 sc)
Here is the final round which will give the hat a nice clean edge.
Start beside last stitch worked on brim, sc down side of brim and each stitch around the cap and finishing at the bottom of the other side of the brim. Fasten off and weave ends into brim.
1 to 3 Years
Rnds 9-13: Hdc in first st and each st around. (64 hdc)
Change to 4.50 mm hook for rest of pattern.
Rnds 14-21: Sc in first st and each st around, skip next st and fasten off with sl st. (64 sc)
BRIM
With right side facing join cc with slip stitch in 19th st from fasten of point.
Row 1: Ch 1 working in front loop only sc in next 24 sts, sc through both loops of last st
(26 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1 turn, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc next 5, 2 sc in next st, sc next 8, 2 sc in next st, sc next 5 sts, sc dec over next 2 sts sc last st (26 sc)
Row 3: Ch 1 turn, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc next 20 sts, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc in last st (24 sc)
Row 4: Ch 1 turn, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc next 8 sts, 2 sc next st, sc next 4 sts, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc last st (24 sc)
Row 5: Ch 1 turn, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc next 18 sts, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc last st (22 sc)
Row 6: Ch 1 turn, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc next 3 sts, 2 sc next st, sc next 8 sts, 2 sc next st, sc next 3 sts, sc dec over next 2 sts, sc last st (22 sc)
Here is the final round which will give the hat a nice clean edge.
Start beside last stitch worked on brim, sc down side of brim and each stitch around the cap and finishing at the bottom of the other side of the brim. Fasten off and weave ends into brim.
Do this on each side of brim. Be sure to share my Free Crochet Duck Cap Pattern on Pinterest for even more fellow crocheters to enjoy!
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