Get the cutest crochet duck cap with this free 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

Not ready to make it just yet?  No problem PIN  my Free Crochet Duck Cap Pattern on Pinterest now and make it later!

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More Free Crochet Patterns for Babies

Free Crochet Duck Cap Pattern

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Skill Level

Beginner/Easy

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

Materials

• 5.0 mm hook
• 4.5 mm hook
• Tapestry Needle 50 g – 4 Worsted weight cotton (main colour)
• 10 g – 4 Worsted weight cotton (contrast colour)
• Small amount black and white for eyes

Liquid stitch (optional) I find that this makes placing eyes easier if they are glued in place before stitching that way there is no shifting and they end up in the right place.

Gauge 

15 sc x 12 rows hdc = 4″ x 4″ square

Free Crochet Pattern 

This hat will be worked in rounds, use a marker in the last st of each round to indicate the beginning of each row.  First six rounds are worked the same for all sizes.

Work entire cap right side facing.
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

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Continue here for Newborn to 6 Months

Rnds 7-11: Hdc in first st and each st around. (48 hdc)

Change to 4.5mm 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 11^th 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.

Continue here for 6 to 12 Months

Rnds 8 -12: Hdc in first st and each st around. (56 hdc)

Change to 4.5mm 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 15^th 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.

Continue here for Toddler, 12 Months to 3 Years

Rnds 9-13: Hdc in first st and each st around. (64 hdc)

Change to 4.5mm 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 19^th 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.

Free Printables

Crochet Instructions for Eyes, Hair and Ties

EYES (make 2)

Starting with black yarn ch 2, 8 hdc in 2^nd ch from hook join with sl st and fasten off.  Weave in tails.

Starting in any stitch  join white with sl st, sc in same space, 2hdc in next, 1 sc, sl st  in next.  Fasten off.

Take two tiny stitches with white using photo as guide.

Using tapestry need and double strand of black yarn attach eyes and work eye lashes using photo as guide.

HAIR

Ch 37 – leave long tail for sewing to hat.  Fold into three lengths with the middle being longest, stitch to top of hat.

TIES (Optional) – worked the same as a fringe

Cut 6 pieces of cc yarn 30 inches long.

Working in 3rd st beside brim, hold a strand and fold in half.  Hold hat with right side facing you, using 4.5mm hook draw the folded ends through the stitch from right to wrong side.

Pull the loose ends through the folded section and draw the knot up firmly.  Repeat for next two stitches.

Braid ties.  With 20” piece of yarn tie yarn around, knot and weave in ends. Trim ends.

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!

Download Free Crochet Duck Cap Pattern Here

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