Last Updated on January 9, 2023 by Cyprianne Nolan

This sweet little bear hat is as cute and snuggly as a real teddy bear. Soft and toasty warm, this hat will keep those peach-fuzzy heads chill-free. Add earflaps to chase the breeze away from those tiny ears.

Whether for a photo prop, Halloween, or everyday wear, the Buddy Bear Hat is an unBEARably cute (okay, couldn’t resist!) way to dress up your little one.

Quick and easy to crochet, this hat has a comfy fit, with just the right amount of wiggle room. Instructions are included to crochet this hat with or without ear flaps.

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Who can make this hat?

This is a super easy crochet pattern with a video tutorial. As long as you know the basics of how to make your stitches and are comfortable counthing you can make this.

Even if you are new to crochet I encourage you to try this. Made of single crochet and double crochet this is a pretty easy pattern for most. PLUS you can always refer to the video if you have questions.

This pattern also includes instructions for making a matching crochet diaper cover. The diaper cover can be made in any size, so it will fit any baby and is a great way to use up any leftover yarn from the hat.

So if you’re looking for an easy crochet project that will result in an adorable finished product, then this elephant hat pattern is perfect for you!

Watch Video Tutorial Here

How to print this pattern

If you’re looking for a crochet pattern that you can take with you anywhere, and that is easy to read and follow, then look no further!

I’ve created an ad-free version of my popular crochet pattern that you can easily download from Etsy.  This way, you can mark up the pattern as needed without any distractions, and enjoy crocheting it wherever you go. 

Thanks so much for supporting my blog!

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Designers Notes

💕 Skill Level is Beginner
💕 Skills Needed single crochet, half double crochet, reverse single crochet (optional) double crochet
💕 Sizes Preemie to 3 Years
💕 Made with bulky weight yarn
💕 All sizes written individually
💕 Unisex crochet hat pattern
💕 Written in Standard American terms

Matching Crochet Diaper Cover here

Substituting Yarn

The yarn I used the Buddy Bear Hat was the old Bernat Chunky which has now been discontinued. It has a, YARN GAUGE of 11sc x 12 rows with 6 mm hook. The yarns below would be great substitutes.

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Recommended Substitute Bulky Yarns

Brava Bulky 100% acrylic yarn, machine washable, tumble dry low. Perfect for hats that are going to get a lot of wear.

Mighty Stitch 20% Superwash Wool and 80% Acrylic, this yarn is perfect for hats, scarves, and blankets, too!

Wool of the Andes Superwash Bulky is the ultimate easy care wool, so you can enjoy all of the warmth, structure, and durability of wool with the convenience of quick bulky projects that are also machine washable.

Free Crochet Bear Hat Pattern for Babies

Skill Level

Easy

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• dec – decrease
• dc – double crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• sc – single crochet
• sk – skip
• st – stitch
• sts – stitches
• sl st – slip stitch
• rsc – reverse single crochet
• rpt – repeat
• sc2tog – single crochet 2 together

Gauge

4” x 4” = 10 sts x 11 rows

Materials Needed

• 6.5 mm hook
• Tapestry Needle
• Stitch Markers
• 100 g – main colour 5 Bulky yarn 

Finished Measurements

• Preemie 14” x 4 1/2”
• Newborn to 6 Months 16” x 5 1/2”
• 6 to 12 Months 17” x 6 1/2”
• 1 to 3 Years 18” x 7 1/2”

Special Stitch

Sk st, (sc, dc) in next, sk nest st, (sc, dc) in next

rsc – reverse single crochet

With right side facing, work left to right.  Insert hook in next stitch to the right, yarn over, draw yarn through stitch, yarn over and draw through two loops on hook. 1 rsc made.

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Little Extras

Special Stitch

Sk st, (sc, dc) in next, sk nest st, (sc, dc) in next

rsc – reverse single crochet

With right side facing, work left to right.  Insert hook in next stitch to the right, yarn over, draw yarn through stitch, yarn over and draw through two loops on hook. 1 rsc made.

sc2tog

Insert hook into specified stich draw up loop, insert hook into next stitch draw up loop, yarn over hook and draw through all 3 loops.  

Note:  If you want to make a hat with no ear flaps repeat last two rounds once and finish with single crochet or reverse single crochet.

Ties (Optional)

Cut 6 (or 12 for larger sizes) pieces of yarn 30 inches or longer.

Working in 3 stitches at bottom of earflap, fold two strands of yarn in half. Hold hat with right side facing you and use hook to draw the folded ends through the stitch from right to wrong side. Repeat for next two stitches.

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

Repeat for other earflap.

Flower

Using 5.50 mm hook ch 4, join with sl st

Rnd 1: Ch 1, 5sc in circle, join with sl st

Rnd 2: ch2, 2dc, ch2, sl st, *(sl st, ch2, 2dc, ch2, sl st) in next st* rpt from *to* 3 more times.  Five petals made.

Preemie Crochet Bear Hat

Using 6.5 mm hook

Ch 2 

Rnd 1: Work 8 hdc in 2nd st from hook (8)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in 1st and each st around, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (16)

Rnd 3: Sk 1st st, (sc, dc) in next st *sk next st (sc, dc) in next st* rpt from *to* end of rnd, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (16)

Rnd 4: 2 sc in 1st st and each st around (32), join with sl st, ch 1 turn

Rnd 5: Sk 1st st, (sc, dc) in next st *sk next st (sc, dc) in next st* rpt from *to* end of rnd, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (32)

From this point forward be sure to work (sc,dc) in dc

Rnds 6-10: Sk 1st st, (sc, dc) in next dc *sk next st (sc, dc) in next dc* rpt from *to* end of rnd, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (32)

After last round, fasten off and weave in ends.

Earflaps Make 2

Ch 7

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each stitch across (6) ch 1 turn

Row 2: Sk 1st st (sc,dc) in next *sk next st, (sc,dc) in next* rpt from * to * to end of row (6) ch 1 turn

Rows 3-8: Repeat row 2

Row 9: Sc2tog, 3 times (3) fasten off

Using tapestry needle and yarn stitch earflaps to the hat placing just slightly to the back of hat. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Join yarn at fasten off point at back of hat.  Working left to right rsc in each st around.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

EARS Make 2

Ears are worked in rows do not join work back and forth.

Using 5.5 mm hook

Ch 3

Row 1: 7 hdc in 2nd st from hook (7), ch 2 turn

Row 2: 2 hdc in 1st st and each st around (14), ch 1 turn

Row 3: Sc in 1st and each st around (14) fasten off and weave in ends.

Sew ears to hat using tapestry needle and yarn, using photo as guide.

Attach ties to earflaps.

Newborn to 6 Months Crochet Bear Hat

Using 6.5 mm hook

Ch 2 

Rnd 1: Work 8 hdc in 2nd st from hook (8)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in 1st and each st around, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (16)

Rnd 3: Sk 1st st, (sc, dc) in next st *sk next st (sc, dc) in next st* rpt from *to* end of rnd, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (16)

Rnd 4: 2 sc in 1st st and each st around (32), join with sl st, ch 1 turn

Rnd 5: Sk 1st st, (sc, dc) in next st *sk next st (sc, dc) in next st* rpt from *to* end of rnd, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (32)

Rnd 6: Sc in first 3 sts *2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts* rpt from *to* till end of rnd (40) join with sl st, ch 1 turn

Rnds 7: Sk 1st st, (sc, dc) in next st *sk next st (sc, dc) in next st* rpt from *to* end of rnd, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (40)

From this point forward be sure to work (sc,dc) in dc

Rnds 8-14: Sk 1st st, (sc, dc) in next dc *sk next st (sc, dc) in next dc* rpt from *to* end of rnd, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (40)

After last round, fasten off and weave in ends.

EARFLAPS MAKE 2

Ch 7

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each stitch across (6) ch 1 turn

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each stitch across (6) ch 1 turn

Row 2: Sk 1st st (sc,dc) in next *sk next st, (sc,dc) in next* rpt from * to * to end of row (6) ch 1 turn

Rows 3-8: Repeat row 2

Row 9: Sc2tog, 3 times (3) fasten off

Using tapestry needle and yarn stitch earflaps to the hat placing just slightly to the back of hat. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Join yarn at fasten off point at back of hat.  Working left to right rsc in each st around.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

EARS Make 2

Ears are worked in rows do not join work back and forth.

Using 5.5 mm hook

Ch 3

Row 1: 7 hdc in 2nd st from hook (7), ch 2 turn

Row 2: 2 hdc in 1st st and each st around (14), ch 1 turn

Row 3: Sc in 1st and each st around (14) fasten off and weave in ends.

Sew ears to hat using tapestry needle and yarn, using photo as guide.

Attach ties to earflaps.

6 to 12 Months Crochet Bear Hat

Using 6.5 mm hook

Ch 2 

Rnd 1: Work 8 hdc in 2nd st from hook (8)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in 1st and each st around, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (16)

Rnd 3: Sk 1st st, (sc, dc) in next st *sk next st (sc, dc) in next st* rpt from *to* end of rnd, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (16)

Rnd 4: 2 sc in 1st st and each st around (32), join with sl st, ch 1 turn

Rnd 5: Sk 1st st, (sc, dc) in next st *sk next st (sc, dc) in next st* rpt from *to* end of rnd, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (32)

Rnd 6: Sc in first 3 sts *2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts*  rpt from *to* till end of rnd (40) join with slt st, ch 1 turn

Rnd 7: Sk 1st st, (sc, dc) in next st *sk next st (sc, dc) in next st* rpt from *to* end of rnd, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (40)

Rnd 8: Sc in first 7 sts *2 sc in next st, sc in next 7 sts* rpt from *to* till end of rnd (44) join with sl st, ch 1 turn

Rnds 9: Sk 1st st, (sc, dc) in next st *sk next st (sc, dc) in next st* rpt from *to* end of rnd, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (44)

From this point forward be sure to work (sc,dc) in dc

Rnds 10-16: Sk 1st st, (sc, dc) in next dc *sk next st (sc, dc) in next dc* rpt from *to* end of rnd, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (44)

After last round, fasten off and weave in ends.

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Free Printables

EARFLAPS MAKE 2

Ch 9

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each stitch across (8) ch 1 turn

Row 2: Sk 1st st (sc,dc) in next *sk next st, (sc,dc) in next* rpt from * to * to end of row (8) ch 1 turn

Rows 3-8: Repeat row 2

Row 9: Sc2tog, sc, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog (5) ch 1 turn

Row 10: Sc2tog, sc, sc2tog (3) ch 1 turn

Using tapestry needle and yarn stitch earflaps to the hat placing just slightly to the back of hat. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Join yarn at fasten off point at back of hat.  Working left to right rsc in each st around.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

EARS Make 2

Ears are worked in rows do not join work back and forth.

Using 5.5 mm hook

Ch 3

Row 1: 7 hdc in 2nd st from hook (7), ch 2 turn

Row 2: 2 hdc in 1st st and each st around (14), ch 2 turn

Row 3: Hdc in 1st and *2 hdc in next, 1 hdc in next* rpt from *to* till end of row (21) fasten off and weave in ends.

Sew ears to hat using tapestry needle and yarn, using photo as guide.

Attach ties to earflaps.

12 Months to 3 Years Crochet Bear Hat

Using 6.5 mm hook 

Ch 2

Rnd 1: Work 8 hdc in 2nd st from hook (8)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in 1st and each st around, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (16)

Rnd 3: Sk 1st st, (sc, dc) in next st *sk next st (sc, dc) in next st* rpt from *to* end of rnd, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (16)

Rnd 4: 2 sc in 1st st and each st around (32), join with sl st , ch 1 turn

Rnd 5: Sk 1st st, (sc, dc) in next st *sk next st (sc, dc) in next st* rpt from *to* end of rnd, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (32)

Rnd 6: Sc in 1st st *2 sc in next st, sc in next st* rpt from *to* till end of rnd (48) join with slt st, chain 1 turn

Rnd 7: Sk 1st st, (sc, dc) in next st *sk next st (sc, dc) in next st* rpt from *to* end of rnd, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (48)

From this point forward be sure to work (sc,dc) in dc

Rnds 8-17: Sk 1st st, (sc, dc) in next dc *sk next st (sc, dc) in next dc* rpt from *to* end of rnd, join with sl st, ch 1 turn (48)

After last round, fasten off and weave in ends.

EARFLAPS MAKE 2

Ch 9

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each stitch across (8) ch 1 turn

Row 2: Sk 1st st (sc,dc) in next *sk next st, (sc,dc) in next* rpt from * to * to end of row (8) ch 1 turn

Rows 3-8: Repeat row 2

Row 9: Sc2tog, sc, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog (5) ch 1 turn

Row 10: Sc2tog, sc, sc2tog (3) ch 1 turn

Using tapestry needle and yarn stitch earflaps to the hat placing just slightly to the back of hat. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Join yarn at fasten off point at back of hat.  Working left to right rsc in each st around.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

EARS Make 2 

Ears are worked in rows do not join work back and forth.

Using 5.5 mm hook

Ch 2 

Row 1: 8 hdc in 2nd ch from hook (8) ch 2 turn

Row 2: 2 hdc in 1ST st, and each st around (16) ch 2 turn

Row 3: 1 hdc in 1ST st, *2 hdc in next st, 1 hdc in next* rpt from * to * to end of row (24 fasten off and weave in ends.

Sew ears to hat using tapestry needle and yarn, using photo as guide.

Attach ties to earflaps.

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If you loved this pattern, please let me know by commenting below or sharing a picture of your finished project on Instagram. Happy crocheting!

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Copyright

All patterns and photos are copyright protected, you are welcome to sell finished products.  Please credit @prettydarnadorable. Please do not alter, copy parts of, or piece my different patterns together and claim the design as your own.

This includes any items listed with alterations to my original designs/pattern(s), as well as items listed for sale on Etsy, blogs, websites, Facebook or any other site. 

I also love to see what you make so please also be sure to tag me on social media @prettydarnadorable xo

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