Cute animal hats for preemies are in! The possibilities are endless with this pattern, you can use different yarn colors and end up with a different animal each time. And did we say you can crochet one in an hour or two? Yep, so try it with the free pattern below or get the ad-free printable PDF pattern here.
Babies look at least 60 percent cuter when they are wearing animal-themed hats. It’s science! This preemie, newborn polar bear hat crochet pattern is no different.
There is something irresistible about making – and putting little ones in – tiny crochet hats that look like little animals.

This polar bear hat is sized for preemies as small as 1 pound up to 11 pound newborns and beyond.
You could pretty easily make this hat into a snowman instead by leaving off the eats and changing up the decorations. So fun!
Before we get to the crochet hat pattern, if you're thinking of making some crochet patterns for a baby in your life, you might want to check out the professionally filmed video tutorial for making a Log Cabin Baby Blanket here.
Get the ad-free printable PDF pattern here.
Skill Level: Easy
Materials:
Yarn: Extra soft, worsted weight yarn.
25 [45, 55, 65] yds white
5 yds black
Hook:
US size G/6 (4.00mm) crochet hook or size needed to match gauge
Notions:
Scissors
Yarn needle
2 small black buttons (about ¾ to 1” – for eyes)
Gauge: 12 x 8 rows = 4”
Sizes:
1-3 [3-5, 6-8, 9-11] lbs
To fit head circumference: 8.5-9 [11-11.5, 12-12.5, 13-14]”
Height: 4 [5, 6, 6.5]”
Pattern uses US crochet terms.
ABBREVIATIONS | DESCRIPTION |
---|---|
ch | Chain |
dc | Double crochet |
rnd | Round |
sc | Single crochet |
sc2tog | Single crochet 2 together |
sl st | Slip stitch |
st(s) | Stitch(es) |
Get the ad-free printable PDF pattern here.
Note: Join rnds where indicated with a sl st in the first st of the rnd.
1-3 lb Preemie Hat
With white, ch 3.
Rnd 1: 11 dc in 3rd ch from hook, join. (11 dc)
Rnd 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a st throughout), 2 dc in each st around, join. (22 dc)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, 2 dc in first st, dc in each of next 2 sts, [2 dc in next st, dc in each of next 2 sts] around to last st, dc in last st, join. (29 dc)
Rnds 4-6: Ch 2, dc in each st around, join.
Rnd 7: Ch 2, fpdc around first st, bpdc around next st, [fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st] around to last st, fpdc around last st, join. (15 fpdc, 14 bpdc)
Fasten off.
3-5 lb Preemie Hat
With white, ch 3.
Rnd 1: 11 dc in 3rd ch from hook, join. (11 dc)
Rnd 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a st throughout), 2 dc in each st around, join. (22 dc)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, 2 dc in first st, dc in next st, [2 dc in next st, dc in next st] around, join. (33 dc)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, 2 dc in first st, dc in each of next 7 sts, [2 dc in next st, dc in each of next 7 sts] around to last st, dc in last st, join. (37 dc)
Rnds 5-8: Ch 2, dc in each st around, join.
Rnd 9: Ch 2, fpdc around first st, bpdc around next st, [fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st] around to last st, fpdc around last st, join. (19 fpdc, 18 bpdc)
6-8 lb Preemie Hat
With white, ch 3.
Rnd 1: 11 dc in 3rd ch from hook, join. (11 dc)
Rnd 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a st throughout), 2 dc in each st around, join. (22 dc)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, 2 dc in first st, dc in next st, [2 dc in next st, dc in next st] around, join. (33 dc)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, 2 dc in first st, dc in each of next 4 sts, [2 dc in next st, dc in each of next 4 sts] 5 times, 2 dc in next st, dc in each of next 2 sts, join. (40 dc sts)
Rnds 5-9: Ch 2, dc in each st around, join.
Rnd 10: Ch 2, fpdc around first st, bpdc around next st, [fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st] around, join. (20 fpdc, 20 bpdc)
Fasten off.
9-11 lb Newborn Hat
Get the ad-free printable PDF pattern here.
With white, ch 3.
Rnd 1: 11 dc in 3rd ch from hook, join. (11 dc)
Rnd 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a st throughout), 2 dc in each st around, join. (22 dc)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, 2 dc in first st, dc in next st, [2 dc in next st, dc in next st] around, join. (33 dc)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, 2 dc in first st, dc in each of next 2 sts, [2 dc in next st, dc in each of next 2 sts] around, join. (44 dc)
Rnds 5-11: Ch 2, dc in each st around, join.
Rnd 12: Ch 2, fpdc around first st, bpdc around next st, [fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st] around, join. (22 fpdc, 22 bpdc)
Fasten off.
Face and ears (all sizes)
Nose
With white, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, join. (6 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, join.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next st, [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] around, join. (12 sc)
Rnds 4-5: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Weave in starting end.
With black yarn, embroider a triangle in the middle of the nose. Weave in black ends. Using long white tail, sew nose to the front/middle of the hat.
Eyes
With black yarn, sew buttons on either side of the nose for eyes.
Ears (Make 2)
With white, ch 2, leaving a long tail.
Rnd 1: 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook, join. (5 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, join. (10 sc)
Rnds 3-4: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join.
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc2tog around, join. (5 sts)
Fasten off.
Using tail, sew ear to top of hat.
Weave in all ends.
Get the ad-free printable PDF pattern here.
Did you enjoy this adorable crochet hat pattern? If you're looking for more, check out the patterns on my blog:


I will be making this next!