This easy crochet bonnet pattern is practical, SO customizable (you can see how I’ve used this bonnet for my daughter’s costumes on Instagram), and it can be made in sizes for baby through adult. Keep reading for the free crochet pattern.

A Basic, Beginner Crochet Bonnet Pattern
I am serious when I say that writing this crochet pattern has been on my to do list for over a year. I wanted to publish a basic and easy crochet bonnet for a couple of reasons. First, it is a nice alternative for a hat when making something for babies or toddlers. It not only covers the head, but also the sides of the face and cheeks. The size and fit of a bonnet is slightly more forgiving than that of a beanie, so if you are making a baby set as a gift go with a bonnet - its more likely to fit well! The second reason I wanted to write an easy basic bonnet pattern is a slightly selfish one - I LOVE using them for my kids’ costumes.

Crochet Bonnets are Great for Costumes!
Typically when I think of a crochet bonnet, I think of something ornate or frilly. But if you start with a basic, no-frills bonnet the possibilities for it are endless! As I mentioned above, I love that bonnets cover the face and cheeks along with the head. When you live in a place that can very easily have snow on Halloween, it just makes sense to have a costume that is also warm. I have now make my daughter’s costumes two years in a row, and having a basic bonnet pattern to embellish pretty much gives me endless options!

Show off Your Crochet Projects
Don’t forget to share pictures of your projects with me in my Facebook Group or by tagging @leftinknots on Instagram. I can’t wait to see what you make!
Supplies:
- Worsted weight yarn (Category 4) - 45 to 115 yards (Red Heart with Love ‘Pewter’ pictured)
- 5.5mm (I) Hook
- Scissors - I always keep these travel scissors in my hook case
- Yarn needle
Abbreviations (written in U.S. terms):
- Sl St: slip stitch
- Ch: chain
- SC: single crochet
- SC2Tog: single crochet two together
- DC: double crochet
- DC2Tog: double crochet two together
Gauge
6 sts x 4 rows = 2” square in DC
Finished Size:
Adult Height = 11”
Adult Width = 9.75”
Child (Large) Height = 10”
Child (Large) Width = 9”
Child (Small) Height = 9”
Child (Small) Width = 8.25”
Toddler Height = 8”
Toddler Width = 7.5”
Baby Height = 7”
Baby Width = 6.75”
Newborn Height = 6”
Newborn Width = 6”
Magic Circle Video Tutorial
How to Crochet the Magic Cirlce - the right handed video loads with the page
Find the left handed tutorial here
Pattern Notes
- Chain stitches at the beginning of rounds/rows do not count as a stitch
- The end of each round is joined to the first stitch of the round with a sl st.
- The ties on the bonnet are optional, and should not be used on bonnets for unsupervised babies or toddlers.
Crochet Basic Bonnet - Free Pattern
Newborn
Start by making a magic circle
Round 1: ch 2, DC 10 stitches in magic circle (10)
Round 2: ch 2, 2 DC in each st around (20)
Round 3: ch 2, *2 DC, DC in next st, repeat from * around (30)
Round 4: ch 2, *2 DC, DC in next two sts, repeat from * around (40)
Round 5: ch 2, DC in each st around (40)
**You will now be working in rows**
Row 6-9: ch 2, DC in 38 sts. (38) Turn.
Row 10: ch 2, DC2Tog, DC in 34 sts, DC2Tog. (36) Turn.
Row 11: ch 1, *SC2Tog, SC in 4, repeat from * across (30) Turn.
Row 12: ch 1, SC in each st across (30).
Continue to finishing instructions.
Baby
Start by making a magic circle
Round 1: ch 2, DC 11 stitches in magic circle (11)
Round 2: ch 2, 2 DC in each st around (22)
Round 3: ch 2, *2 DC, DC in next st, repeat from * around (33)
Round 4: ch 2, *2 DC, DC in next two sts, repeat from * around (44)
Round 5-6: ch 2, DC in each st around (44)
**You will now be working in rows**
Row 7-10: ch 2, DC in 42 sts. (42) Turn.
Row 11: ch 2, DC2Tog, DC in 38 sts, DC2Tog. (40) Turn.
Row 12: ch 1, *SC2Tog, SC in 6, repeat from * across (35) Turn.
Row 13: ch 1, SC in each st across (35).
Continue to finishing instructions.
Toddler
Start by making a magic circle
Round 1: ch 2, DC 10 stitches in magic circle (10)
Round 2: ch 2, 2 DC in each st around (20)
Round 3: ch 2, *2 DC, DC in next st, repeat from * around (30)
Round 4: ch 2, *2 DC, DC in next two sts, repeat from * around (40)
Round 5: ch 2, *2 DC, DC in next three sts, repeat from * around (50)
Round 6-7: ch 2, DC in each st around (50)
**You will now be working in rows**
Row 8-12: ch 2, DC in 48 sts. (48) Turn.
Row 13: ch 1, *SC2Tog, SC in 4, repeat from * across (40) Turn.
Row 14: ch 1, SC in each st across (40).
Continue to finishing instructions.
Child (small)
Start by making a magic circle
Round 1: ch 2, DC 11 stitches in magic circle (11)
Round 2: ch 2, 2 DC in each st around (22)
Round 3: ch 2, *2 DC, DC in next st, repeat from * around (33)
Round 4: ch 2, *2 DC, DC in next two sts, repeat from * around (44)
Round 5: ch 2, *2 DC, DC in next three sts, repeat from * around (55)
Round 6-7: ch 2, DC in each st around (55)
**You will now be working in rows**
Row 8-12: ch 2, DC in 52 sts. (52) Turn.
Row 13: ch 2, DC2Tog, DC in 48 sts, DC2Tog. (50) Turn.
Row 14: ch 1, *SC2Tog, SC in 8, repeat from * across (45) Turn.
Row 15: ch 1, SC in each st across (45).
Continue to finishing instructions.
Child (large)/Adult (small)
Start by making a magic circle
Round 1: ch 2, DC 10 stitches in magic circle (10)
Round 2: ch 2, 2 DC in each st around (20)
Round 3: ch 2, *2 DC, DC in next st, repeat from * around (30)
Round 4: ch 2, *2 DC, DC in next two sts, repeat from * around (40)
Round 5: ch 2, *2 DC, DC in next three sts, repeat from * around (50)
Round 6: ch 2, *2 DC, DC in next four sts, repeat from * around (60)
Round 7-8: ch 2, DC in each st around (60)
**You will now be working in rows**
Row 9-13: ch 2, DC in 58 sts. (58) Turn.
Row 14: ch 2, DC2Tog, DC in 54 sts, DC2Tog. (56) Turn.
Row 15: ch 1, *SC2Tog, SC in 8, repeat from * across (48) Turn.
Row 16-17: ch 1, SC in each st across (48).
Continue to finishing instructions.
Adult (large)
Start by making a magic circle
Round 1: ch 2, DC 11 stitches in magic circle (11)
Round 2: ch 2, 2 DC in each st around (22)
Round 3: ch 2, *2 DC, DC in next st, repeat from * around (33)
Round 4: ch 2, *2 DC, DC in next two sts, repeat from * around (44)
Round 5: ch 2, *2 DC, DC in next three sts, repeat from * around (55)
Round 6: ch 2, *2 DC, DC in next four sts, repeat from * around (66)
Round 7-8: ch 2, DC in each st around (66)
**You will now be working in rows**
Row 9-14: ch 2, DC in 64 sts. (64) Turn.
Row 15: ch 2, DC2Tog, DC in 60 sts, DC2Tog. (62) Turn.
Row 16: ch 1, SC2Tog, SC in 58, SC2Tog (60) Turn.
Row 17: ch 1, *SC2Tog, SC in 10, repeat from * across (55). Turn
Row 18: ch 1, SC in each st across (55).
Continue to finishing instructions.
Finishing Instructions
Basic Bonnet (no ties)
When you reach the edge of your final row, do not tie off your yarn. Chain 1 and SC around the raw edge of the bottom of the bonnet (Figure 1). When you reach the end of the raw edge, sl st to join into the first stitch of your last row.
Bonnet with ties
When you reach the edge of your final row, do not tie off your yarn. Chain 25. SC into the second chain from your hook and across all the chain stitched. Continue to SC around the raw edge of the bottom of the bonnet (Figure 2). When you reach the end of the raw edge, chain 25. SC into the second chain from the hook and across all the chain stitches. When you reach the end of the chain stitches, sl st to join into the first stitch of your last row.
More Free Crochet Patterns You'll Love
Find all FREE CROCHET PATTERNS here
Now the legal stuff...You may sell items made from this pattern, but please credit me as the original designer. Also, please do not share the written pattern in print or electronically. The photos on this webpage belong to Megan Meyer of Left in Knots and may not be used for product sales/product listings. You may share a link back to my blog if you would like someone else to see or work with this pattern. Thank you for your cooperation and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me!
This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting free patterns and yarn deals from Left in Knots!