Cozy Bear Ear Baby Beanie: Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This Cozy Bear Ear Baby Beanie is a sweet little hat for the smallest members of the family, sized to fit babies 0–6 months. Worked in soft worsted weight yarn, it pairs a forest green crown with a rust band and ribbed brim for a warm, hygge-inspired look. The two flattened bear ears on top make it extra adorable while keeping the construction simple enough for a confident beginner. Single crochet throughout gives it a dense, snuggly texture that holds its shape and keeps little heads cozy.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (4) yarn, acrylic or wool blend. Forest green (MC): approximately 100 yards. Rust (CC): approximately 50 yards.
- Hook: 5 mm (H/8) crochet hook.
- Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors.
- Finished size: Fits 0–6 months; circumference 14 inches, height 6 inches.
Abbreviations
- MC – main color (forest green)
- CC – contrasting color (rust)
- MR – magic ring (an adjustable starting loop)
- sc – single crochet
- inc – increase (work 2 single crochet in the same stitch)
- dec – decrease (work 2 single crochet together into one)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- R / Rnd – round
- BLO – back loop only (work into the back loop of the stitch)
Gauge
16 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches in single crochet. To check, crochet a small swatch in single crochet and measure a 4-inch section; adjust your hook size if needed to match.
Tips Before You Start
- Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round so you never lose your place in the spiral.
- Keep your single crochet tension even and slightly firm so the hat holds its dome shape.
- When changing from MC to CC, change color on the last stitch of the previous round for a clean transition.
- Work the brim's back-loop rounds loosely enough that the brim stretches comfortably over a baby's head.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Hat (MC)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts).
Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts).
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts).
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36 sts).
Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42 sts).
Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] x6 (48 sts).
Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] x6 (54 sts).
Rnd 10: [8 sc, inc] x6 (60 sts).
Rnds 11–20: sc in each st around (60 sts).
Change to CC.
Rnds 21–26: sc in each st around (60 sts). Fasten off.
Brim (CC)
Join CC to any stitch of Rnd 20.
Rnd 1: sc in each st around (60 sts).
Rnds 2–6: sc in back loop only in each st around (60 sts). Fasten off.
Ears (make 2, CC)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts).
Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts).
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).
Rnd 4: sc in each st around (18 sts).
Rnd 5: [sc, dec] x6 (12 sts).
Rnd 6: dec x6 (6 sts). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Assembly and Finishing
Flatten each ear into a half-circle shape. Using the long tails and a tapestry needle, sew the ears to the hat at rounds 8–10, positioning them about 2 inches apart on the upper part of the green dome. Weave in all ends securely on the inside of the hat. Lightly steam or wet block the hat and ears into shape, then let dry completely before wearing.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the rust ears and band for cream or blush pink for a softer, more neutral baby gift.
- Add a small pom-pom or a tiny embroidered nose between the ears for extra bear character.
- For a larger size, work a few more increase rounds before the straight rounds and add length to the body and brim.
