Crochet Santa Hat Christmas Tree Topper: Free crochet pattern

Last year I made a crochet-worthy friend, at their request, a Santa hat crochet Christmas tree topper which they loved.

Seeing as I actually got a real (pot grown) Christmas tree this year for the first time in an age, I thought I would make myself one and share the pattern with you as a last minute crochet Christmas idea…

This pattern is for a quick and easy ‘Santa hat’ crochet Christmas tree topper made using a small amount of chunky yarn.

The Crochet Santa Hat Topper uses the leftovers from my crochet Christmas stockings (to be transparent!), so it works up quickly and is a fun festive crochet ornament that you can bring out year after year.

Pattern Notes

General Notes

• Please read through the pattern and all associated notes before starting your project
• This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology (UK equivalents are given in brackets in the abbreviations list where applicable)
• Numbers at the end of a round indicate the number of stitches in that round and are only given at the start of a section or where there is a change
• Turning chains do not count as stitches
• Unless otherwise indicated, stitches should be worked in consecutive stitches
• Instructions written after an *asterisk should be repeated as indicated 
• This item is designed for decorative purposes only and should not be used as a toy
• Keep out of reach of babies, infants, children and pets

Construction

• The tree topper is worked in one piece top-down in continuous rounds to the widest point
• Decreases are then made to create the inner lining of the topper which is folded inside to add stability
• A ‘brim’ and pom pom are added to finish

Skills used

• Knowledge of basic crochet stitches, techniques and terminology is assumed
• Simple increases and decreases working in continuous and turned rounds
• Working in back and front loops

Materials

Crochet Hook

• 7mm crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge. 
• I used my clover amour hook.

Yarn

You will need about 40m/45yds (approx 30g) chunky / bulky yarn in the main colour for the body of the hat and approx 18m/20yds (approx10g) of chunky / bulky yarn in the contrast colour for the trim and pom pom.

The item pictured used the following yarns:

Main Colour (MC): 

Used for main body of the hat: Stylecraft Special Chunky in Shade Lipstick. 100% Acrylic, 100g ball = 144m / 157yds

Contrasting Colour (CC): 

Used for brim and pom pom: James C Brett Flutterby Chunky in White. 100% Polyester, 100g ball = 175m/191yds

Yarn Substitution Options

A similar chunky / bulky weight yarn which meets gauge should work for this pattern. Different fibres and yarns will produce a different finished result.

When comparing chunky / bulky weight yarns, it can be helpful to look both at the fibre content and the meterage / yardage per 100g to see if the alternative yarn is similar

You may find this post useful when choosing yarn.

Other Materials & Notions

• Yarn needle & scissors, tape measure 
• Small (35mm) pom pom maker such as this one
• Stitch marker to mart the start of each round (this will stop you loosing track when working in continuous rounds).

Finished size

The finished tree topper measures around 15cm in height, 10cm diameter and 32cm circumference at the widest point.

Stitches & Abbreviations: US terms 

(UK Equivalent in Brackets)

• BLO = back loop only
• ch = chain
• FLO = front loop only
• MR = Magic Ring – see special stitches
• rep = repeat
• RS = right side
• sc = single crochet (UK double crochet)
• sc2tog = single crochet 2 together (UK double crochet 2 together) – see special stitches
• ss = slip stitch
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• yo = yarn over

Special Stitches 

Magic Ring (MR)

You can find a photo and video tutorial on how to create a magic ring here.  If you are not familiar with the magic ring for working in the round then you can ch2 and work the first round into the second chain from hook.

Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)

Insert hook, yo, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), insert hook into next st, yo, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo, pull through 3 loops to complete stitch.

You can find a tutorial for simple crochet decreases here.

Note that in the sample I used invisible increases and decreases which you can read about in this post on amigurumi tips

Gauge

14 sts and 14 rows in 10cm of single crochet worked in continual rounds using a 7mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

Note that gauge is not essential in this pattern but variation in your gauge will lead to variations in the finished size of your project. 

Learn how to make and measure a gauge swatch here

Outer hat body

Using MC, make a MR;

Round 1 (RS):  Ch1 (does not count as a stitch here or throughout), make 3sc in MR, do not turn or join throughout unless specified. 3 sts

Round 2: 2sc in each st to end. 6 sts

Round 3: 1sc in each st to end

Round 4: *2sc in next st, 1sc in next st; rep from * to end. 9 sts

Round 5: 1sc in each st around

Round 6: *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 2 sts; rep from * to end. 12 sts

Round 7: 1sc in each st around

Round 8: *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 3 sts; rep from * to end. 15 sts

Round 9: 1sc in each st around

Round 10: *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 4 sts; rep from * to end.18 sts

Round 11: *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 5 sts; rep from * to end. 21 sts

Round 12: 1sc in each st around

Round 13: *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 6 sts; rep from * to end. 24 sts

Round 14: 1sc in each st around

Round 15: *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 7 sts; rep from * to end. 27 sts

Round 16: *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 8 sts; rep from * to end. 30 sts

Round 17: 1sc in each st around

Round 18: *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 9 sts; rep from * to end. 33 sts

Round 19: 1sc in each st around

Round 20: *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 10 sts; rep from * to end. 36 sts

Round 21: 1sc in each st around, ss into next st (does not count as a st) and turn

Continue to lining without fastening off

Inner lining of hat

Round 1 (RS): Ch1 (does not count as a stitch here or throughout), *1sc in next 7 sts, dc2tog; rep from * to end, do not join do not turn throughout unless specified. 32 sts

Round 2: 1sc in each st to end

Round 3: *1sc in next 6 sts, dc2tog; rep from * to end. 28 sts

Round 4: 1sc in each st to end

Round 5: *1sc in next 5 sts, dc2tog; rep from * to end. 24 sts

Round 6: 1sc in each st to end

Round 7: *1sc in next 4 sts, dc2tog; rep from * to end. 20 sts

Round 8: 1sc in each st to end

Round 9: *1sc in next 3 sts, dc2tog; rep from * to end. 16 sts

Round 10: 1sc in each st to end

Round 11: *1sc in next 2 sts, dc2tog; rep from * to end. 12 sts

Round 12: *1sc in next st, dc2tog; rep from * to end. 8 sts

Round 13: 1sc in each st to end

Your topper should look like the image below at this stage:

Fasten off, weave in ends and fold the lining inside the outer body of the hat.

Continue to brim

Brim

Join CC to edge where the lining is folded inside the body with RS facing;

Round 1 (RS): Ch1 (does not count as a stitch here or throughout), ss into each st around the fold of the brim, ss to first st, do not turn. 36 sts

Round 2: Ch1, make an sc around the brim working over the top of the ss and the same place where you crocheted into the fold (at the base of the slip stitch).

Round 3: Ch1, ss into each sc around

Below you will see the finished brim of the topper from the inside and outside respectively. It’s a little different to a traditional brim you might find on an actual crochet hat (not an ornament like this) so you can achieve the double thickness of the fabric to match the lined hat body.

Finishing

Using CC, make a small pom pom and securely sew it to the top of the topper, place on your tree!