The holiday season has a way of turning even the simplest handmade gift into a cherished treasure. There’s something special about crocheting for those we love, each stitch woven with warmth and good wishes.

This year, let’s make a bit of festive magic with our hooks! Inspired by a classic Christmas tale, this cheerful Elf Hat pattern is a quick, fun project that will bring a smile to anyone’s face. Whether you’re making it for a family member, a friend, or even for yourself to wear to an ugly sweater party, it’s a wonderful way to spread holiday spirit.

The best part? You likely have everything you need in your stash already. Grab your go-to yarn in classic festive colors and get ready to create a timeless holiday accessory. Let’s get started!

Gauge in dc: 11 stitches and 7 rows = 4 inches
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver (less than a skein each): Red, White, and Green Tones
Tapestry needle for sewing
H hook (or hook needed for your yarn choice to obtain gauge)

Notes and Hacks

• The stitch count is found at the end of each round inside a parenthesis. If there is no stitch count,
  then the stitch count for that round is the same as the previous round.
• All images and tutorials are found at the end of the pattern. The numbers on the photos
  correspond to the row or round in which they appear. I have included many photos to help guide
  you if you get confused, but you may find you do not need them. Feel free to omit the last few
  pages (or pick and choose which pages you want to print) when printing to conserve ink if this is
  the case.
• I’d love to see your projects, feel free to tag me #DragonbirdCreations
• I always ch 2 for my start of a row to count as a dc or hdc. If, however, you prefer ch 3 feel free
  to substitute that for the ch 2.
• The hat will fit a head size 21.5-23.5 (which fits most adults) feel free to experiment to change up
  your initial stitch count-just keep it an even number so you can have even amounts of
  BPDC/FPDC for the beginning band section.

Stitches and Abbreviations:

• BL- Back loop
• BLO- Back loop only
• BP- Back post
• FP- Front post
• RS- Right side
• YO- Yarn over hook
• St- Stitch
• FO- Finish off
• Sl- Slip
• Ch- Chain

• dcdec- double crochet decrease: YO, insert hook in stitch indicated, pull up a loop, YO, pull through two loops, YO, insert hook in the next stitch, pull up a loop, YO, pull through two loops, YO pull through remaining loops.
• Standing: Begin with the stitch that is mentioned, you will hold the slip stitch that is on your hook steady with one finger as you make the stitch. For a video demonstration use this link: https://youtu.be/Lkfac8RKJ9U

Hat Instructions

Round 1: With Green: Loosely ch 60 and join with sl st to first ch being careful to not twist loop. Ch 2 (counts as dc) and dc in remaining 59 dc around, join with sl st to first dc. (60)

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as FPdc), (BPdc in next dc, FPdc in next dc) around, BPdc in last dc; join with sl st around FP to first dc.

Round 3: Same as round 2

Round 4: Same as round 2

Round 5: Same as round 2

Round 6: Same as round 2, but finish off green.

Round 7: With red, Join with standing dc in BLO, dc in BLO of each dc around; join with sl st to first dc.

Round 8: Ch 2 (counts as dc) dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc. FO red

Round 9: With White, join with standing dc in dc and dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc.

Round 10: Ch 2 (counts as dc) dc in next 7 dc, dcdec, (dc in next 8 dc, dcdec) x 5; join with sl st to first dc and FO white (54)

Round 11: With red, Join with standing dc in dc, dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc.

Round 12: Ch 2 (counts as dc) dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc. FO red

Round 13: With White, join with standing dc in dc and dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc.

Round 14: Ch 2 (counts as dc) dc in next 6 dc, dcdec, (dc in next 7 dc, dcdec) x 5; join with sl st to first dc and FO white (48)

Round 15: With red, join with standing dc in dc, dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc.

Round 16: Ch 2 (counts as dc) dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc. FO red

Round 17: With White, join with standing dc in dc and dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc.

Round 18: Ch 2 (counts as dc) dc in next 5 dc, dcdec, (dc in next 6 dc, dcdec) x 5; join with sl st to first dc and FO white (42)

Round 19: With red, join with standing dc in dc, dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc.

Round 20: Ch 2 (counts as dc) dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc. FO red

Round 21: With White, join with standing dc in dc and dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc.

Round 22: Ch 2 (counts as dc) dc in next 4 dc, dcdec, (dc in next 5 dc, dcdec) x 5; join with sl st to first dc and FO white (36)

Round 23: With red, join with standing dc in dc, dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc.

Round 24: Ch 2 (counts as dc) dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc. FO red

Round 25: With White, join with standing dc in dc and dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc.

Round 26: Ch 2 (counts as dc) dc in next 3 dc, dcdec, (dc in next 4 dc, dcdec) x 5; join with sl st to first dc and FO white (30)

Round 27: With red, join with standing dc in dc, dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc.

Round 28: Ch 2 (counts as dc) dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc. FO red

Round 29: With White, join with standing dc in dc and dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc.

Round 30: Ch 2 (counts as dc) dc in next 2 dc, dcdec, (dc in next 3dc, dcdec) x 5; join with sl st to first dc and FO white (24)

Round 31: With red, join with standing dc in dc, dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc.

Round 32: Ch 2 (counts as dc) dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc. FO red

Round 33: With White, join with standing dc in dc and dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc.

Round 34: Ch 2 (counts as dc) dc in next 1 dc, dcdec, (dc in next 2 dc, dcdec) x 5; join with sl st to first dc and FO white (18)

Round 35: With red, join with standing dc in dc, dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc.

Round 36: Ch 2 (counts as dc) dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc. FO red

Round 37: With White, join with standing dc in dc and dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc.

Round 38: Ch 2 (counts as dc), dcdec, (dc in next 1 dc, dcdec) x 5; join with sl st to first dc and FO white (12)

Round 39: With red, join with standing dc in dc, dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc.

Round 40: Ch 2 (counts as dc) dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc. FO red

Round 41: With White, join with standing dc in dc and dc in each dc around; join with sl st to first dc.

Round 42: Ch 2, dc in next dc (counts as decdc), dcdec x 5; join with sl st to first dc and FO white (6)

Use a tapestry needle to weave in all ends.

Make a pompom (I used green, but feel to mix this up if you want) and secure to the tip of the hat.