There is nothing quite like the crisp winter air and the cozy glow of holiday lights to inspire a handmade project. This Santa Crochet Hat with Beard is the perfect seasonal craft to bring that festive spirit to life. Designed as a wearable piece with playful texture, it offers a satisfying mix of standard single crochet and unique techniques like reverse sc and shell stitches. Whether you are making a gift for a loved one or treating yourself to a cozy winter accessory, this pattern provides a complete look with a substantial brim, a slouchy cap, and a distinctive beard with a mustache.
Seasonal Styling Ideas
Once you have finished your Santa hat, there are plenty of ways to style it for the holidays. The textured brim and fluffy beard make it an excellent photo prop for family Christmas cards or holiday parties. Because the beard is designed to be pinned before sewing, you can adjust the fit to suit different face shapes, ensuring it looks great on everyone. Pair the burgundy and white colors with a matching scarf or cozy sweater for a complete winter ensemble. It also pairs beautifully with other holiday decor; consider displaying it alongside your easy crochet Christmas wreath or next to an adorable free Santa Claus amigurumi for a charming holiday vignette.
Project Overview
This project is a wearable adult-sized hat featuring a slouchy cap, a thick textured brim, and a tiered curly beard with a mustache. The pattern is designed for intermediate crocheters who enjoy texture work, as it incorporates back loops, front loops, reverse single crochet, and shell stitches. The construction involves making the cap and beard separately, allowing for a custom fit before assembly.
Materials
- Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver, Aran/Worsted weight. You will need 1 skein of Burgundy (Color A) and 1 skein of Soft White (Color B). Note: A different Aran/Worsted yarn can be used, but it must meet the gauge requirements. Softer or less structured yarns may affect how well the brim, curls, and pom-pom hold their shape.
- Crochet Hook: 6.0 mm (US J-10)
- Stitch Marker: Essential for tracking rounds in the continuous spiral cap.
- Tools: Pins (for fitting), Yarn needle (for assembly), and scissors.
Gauge and Finished Size
- Finished Size: Adult; 22 in. [55.9 cm] circumference.
- Gauge: 12 sts and 14 rows = 4 in. [10 cm] in single crochet.
Abbreviations
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together
- blo: back loop only
- flo: front loop only
- sts: stitches
Special Stitches
Reverse sc: Working from left to right, insert the hook into the next stitch to the right, yarn over and draw up a loop, then yarn over and draw through both loops on the hook.
Shell: Work (sc, ch 2, sc) in the same stitch.
Pattern Notes
Before starting, read through the taper, textured brim, and beard notes to understand where fit checks and flexible ridge placements occur. The cap is worked in a continuous spiral without joining. Place a marker in the first stitch and move it up after each round. After Round 17, six additional decrease rounds are needed to reduce from 54 sts to 18 sts. Space them every 5-6 rounds through Round 53, working sc around between decrease rounds.
For the beard base, distribute the increases across Rows 1-6 so the piece expands from the 33-chain foundation to 40 sts. For Rows 8-12 of the beard, work into the available free horizontal ridges descending through Rows 5, 4, 3, and 2. Four ridges are specifically identified for five curl rows, so check the fullness and fit before adding an extra pass. The brim names nine reverse sc rounds but identifies the free front loops descending only to Row 2. Work through the available free front-loop ridges without forcing an additional pass once every ridge is filled. The pom-pom uses a small sphere based on 6 sc. Use your preferred small crocheted-sphere construction, add the reverse sc surface texture, and close it securely before attaching it to the cap.
Pattern Instructions
Long Slouchy Stocking Cap
Work with Burgundy (A).
Foundation: Ch 66; join with sl st to form a large ring. (66)
Take care not to twist the chain before joining.
Round 1: Ch 1, work 66 sc around. Do not join; begin working in a continuous spiral with a marker. (66)
Rounds 2-10: Sc in each sc around. (66)
Round 11: (9 sc, sc2tog) 6 times. (60)
Rounds 12-16: Sc in each sc around. (60)
Round 17: (8 sc, sc2tog) 6 times. (54)
Rounds 18-53: Continue tapering the cap smoothly. Work six more decrease rounds, reducing by 6 sts on each decrease round and spacing them every 5-6 rounds, with sc rounds between, until 18 sts remain at the end of Round 53. (18)
Keep the decreases evenly distributed around each decrease round.
Rounds 54-56: Sc in each sc around. Fasten off. (18)
Textured Brim
Join Soft White (B) in the starting chain with the wrong side facing. The brim will flip up to the right side.
Round 1: Work 66 sc around the starting chain. (66)
Rounds 2-9: Sc in blo around. (66)
Rounds 10-18: Work reverse sc in a spiral through the unworked front loops, descending through the available ridges toward Round 2 to create a thick texture.
Stop once every available front-loop ridge is filled rather than crowding an extra pass.
Pom-Pom
Step 1: Work a small sphere based on 6 sc and add reverse sc surface texture. The exact sphere rounds are flexible; close and secure the sphere before attachment.
Step 2: Stitch the pom-pom securely to the tapered peak of the hat.
Tiered Curly Shell Beard and Mustache
Work with Soft White (B).
Foundation: Ch 33. (33)
Rows 1-6: Work 6 rows of sc, expanding evenly to 40 sts and alternating blo and flo to form raised horizontal ridges. (40)
Distribute the increases evenly while keeping the row edges balanced.
Row 7: Work 1 shell in the front loop of each stitch across Row 6. (40 shells)
Rows 8-12: Working downward into the free horizontal ridges of Rows 5, 4, 3, and 2, work dense shell repeats across each available ridge.
Check the beard fullness before working a fifth curl pass because four specific free ridges are identified.
Row 13: Work across the foundation edge: 5 shells, ch 15 for the mouth-opening bridge, skip 13 ch, then work 5 shells.
Center the ch-15 bridge and distribute the remaining foundation chains as evenly as possible at the sides while checking the fit.
Rows 14-15: Work shell curls directly into the ch-15 loops to build the mustache above the mouth opening.
Assembly
Step 1: Try on the hat and pin the beard tabs comfortably along Round 1 of the hat brim. Adjust the position so the mouth opening sits comfortably before sewing.
Step 2: Whipstitch the beard tabs securely in place. The wrong side faces you so the completed brim can flip upward to the right side of the hat. This also positions the free front-loop ridges for the reverse sc texture. Before continuing, fold the brim into place briefly and confirm that the textured surface will sit where you want it.
Tips
- Check the foundation ring: Lay the chain flat before joining it. A twist at this point will travel through the entire cap and can’t be corrected later.
- Mark every decrease round: Write down each decrease-round number as you work it. Six additional decrease rounds after Round 17 must bring the count from 54 to 18 sts by Round 53.
- Keep reverse sc relaxed: Reverse sc naturally tightens the fabric. Draw each loop up to the height of the surrounding stitches so the brim stays flexible enough to wear.
- Pin before sewing: Try on the hat with the beard pinned in place and move the tabs until the mouth bridge rests comfortably. Whipstitch only after you’re happy with that position.
Ways to Adapt Your Santa Hat and Beard
- Use another Aran/Worsted yarn: Choose a yarn that matches the stated sc gauge. Fiber and twist affect the raised ridges, so make a swatch and test reverse sc before committing to both pieces.
- Make a lighter brim: Fill fewer of the free front-loop ridges with reverse sc. The brim will have less thickness, but you should still distribute the completed passes evenly around the hat.
- Reduce the beard tiers: Stop after fewer horizontal ridges have been filled with shells. This reduces weight and bulk without changing the base mesh, mouth bridge, or attachment tabs.
- Change the pom-pom construction: A yarn pom-pom or another crocheted sphere can replace the textured sphere. Whatever you use, secure it firmly to the narrow hat peak.
- Make the beard removable: Replace the whipstitching with securely sewn buttons or snaps if you want to detach the beard. Test the attachment carefully because the beard’s weight pulls directly on those points.
Care Instructions
Follow the washing directions on the Red Heart Super Saver yarn label. Acrylic can be damaged by high heat, so use a cool or gentle wash and low heat when drying. A mesh laundry bag can help protect the pom-pom, shell curls, and attached beard from snagging.
FAQs
How many decrease rounds come after Round 17?
After Round 17, you need six additional decrease rounds to reduce the stitch count from 54 sts to 18 sts. These should be spaced every 5-6 rounds through Round 53.
Why is the brim joined with the wrong side facing?
Joining the brim with the wrong side facing allows it to flip up to the right side once completed. This positioning also exposes the free front-loop ridges needed for the reverse sc texture.
Do I have to work all five beard curl rows?
No, you can adjust the fullness. Rows 8-12 work into the free horizontal ridges of Rows 5, 4, 3, and 2. There are four specific ridges identified for five curl rows, so check the fullness and fit before adding an extra pass. You can stop earlier if you prefer less bulk.
When should I attach the beard?
Attach the beard only after the hat and all beard sections are complete. Pin both tabs along Round 1 of the brim while wearing the hat, adjust the mouth opening for comfort, and then whipstitch the tabs securely in place.
Can I use a different yarn brand?
Yes, you can use a different Aran/Worsted yarn, but it must meet the gauge of 12 sts and 14 rows = 4 in. [10 cm] in sc. Keep in mind that softer or less structured yarns may change how firmly the brim, curls, and pom-pom hold their texture.
