It’s game day… crochet style! 🏈
I’m so excited to bring back one of my most popular early designs — the Football Cocoon and Hat Crochet Pattern — now available for free on the blog! This fun and easy pattern has been a long-time favorite among football fans and new parents alike, and I’m thrilled to make it available again for everyone to enjoy.
About the Pattern
This adorable crochet set includes a cozy cocoon that looks just like a football, complete with the white “stitching” details, and a matching hat that represents the top of the football. Together, they make the perfect newborn photo prop or baby shower gift for any football-loving family.
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Sizes Included: Newborn & 3–6 months
- Quick to Make: Works up fast with simple stitches
- Perfect For: Football season, baby gifts, and photo shoots
Materials Needed for the Football Cocoon & Hat
- Crochet Hook size K (6.5 mm)
- Crochet Hook size L (8 mm)
- 150-175 yards of Worsted Weight (#4) Yarn
- Sample Made with Red Heart SS (Espresso & White)
- Yarn Needle
- Scissors
- Measuring Tape
Stitches and Abbreviations Used
- Hdc = Half Double Crochet
- Sc = Single Crochet
- Sc2tog = Single Crochet 2 Stitches Together
- Ch = Chain
- Slst = Slip Stitch
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
- R = Row / Round
- Beg = Beginning
Gauge Check for the Football Cocoon & Hat
Gauge check is always important to ensure your final football cocoon and hat will fit and measure the proper size wheen you are done. If you test your gauge and your swatch is larger than stated, drop down a crochet hook size and try again. If your swatch is smaller than stated, go up a hook size and try again.
To check your gauge, I recommend crocheting about 11 rows of 15 half-double crochets. Then, measure your four-inch square, which should be easy to see with a swatch slightly larger than the gauge check.
With Hook K: 9 rows with 12 hdc = 4 inches square
Pattern Sizing
- Newborn Hat – 12 ¼” around/circumference & 5” high – fits up to 14” circumference
- Newborn Cocoon – 14″ around/circumference & 15” long
- 3-6 Month Hat – 14” around & 5 ¾” high – fits up to 16” circumference
- 3-6 Month Cocoon – 17″ around/circumference & 17” long
Football Cocoon & Hat Pattern
Grab your yarn, hook, and team spirit — it’s time to crochet your own Football Cocoon & Hat Set! 🧶💛
With crochet hook K (6.50 mm) and the main (brown) color of yarn: follow the instructions below through round 5 for newborn size and through round 6 for the 3-6 month size.
Crown of Hat
R1: Ch 2, 7 sc in 1st ch, join (7 st), at this point, if you pull the beginning strand of yarn, the hole will cinch close. If you prefer to begin with a magic circle, you may substitute that method instead of the beginning chain.
R2: Ch 1, 2hdc in each st around, join (14)
R3: Ch 1, 2hdc in same st joined in, hdc in next st, [2hdc in next st, hdc in next st], repeat [ ] around, join (21)
R4: Ch 1, 2hdc in same st joined in, hdc in next 2 sts, [2hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts], repeat [ ] around, join (28)
R5: Ch 1, 2hdc in same st joined in, hdc in next 3 sts, [2hdc in next st, hdc in next 3 sts], repeat [ ] around, join (35) newborn size continue to main body of the hat, 3-6 month size will continue to the specified R6 below instructions.
3-6 month size only R6: Ch 1, 2hdc in same st joined in, hdc in next 12, 2hdc in next st, hdc in next 8 sts, 2hdc in next st, hdc in next 12 sts, join (38) continue to 3-6 month size main body of the hat
NEWBORN Main Body of the Hat
R6-8: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join (35) at the end of round 8, switch to white yarn in joining slip stitch
R9-10: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join (35) at the end of round 10, switch to brown yarn in joining slip stitch
R11-12: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (35), after round 12, fasten off and weave in ends.
3-6 MONTH Main Body of Hat
R7-9: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join (38) at the end of round 9, switch to white yarn in joining slip stitch
R10-11: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join (38) at the end of round 11, switch to brown yarn in joining slip stitch
R12-13: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (38), after round 13, fasten off and weave in ends.
NEWBORN Football Cocoon Pattern
With Hook L and brown yarn
R1: Ch 2, 7 sc in 2nd ch from hook, join in top of beg sc (7 st not counting beg ch)
R2: Ch 2, hdc in same st, 2 hdc in each st around, join (14 count beg ch now and throughout remainder of pattern)
R3: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in next st, [2hdc in next st, hdc in next st], repeat [] around, join (21)
R4: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in next 2 sts, [2hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts], repeat [] around, join (28)
R5: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in next 3 sts, [2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 3 sts], repeat [] around, join (35)
R6-8: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join (35) at the end of round 8, switch to white yarn in joining slip stitch
R9-10: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join (35) at the end of round 10, switch to brown yarn in joining slip stitch
R11-27: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join, (35)
R28-29: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (35), after final round, fasten off and weave in ends. See laces instructions below the 3-6 month cocoon instructions.
3-6 MONTH Football Cocoon Pattern
Begin by working round 1 through round 5 of the newborn cocoon listed above.
R6: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in next 4 sts, [2hdc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts], repeat [] around, join (42)
R7-9: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join (42) at the end of round 9, switch to white yarn in joining slip stitch
R10-11: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join (42) at the end of round 11, switch to brown yarn in joining slip stitch
R12-33: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join, (42)
R34-35: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (42), after final round, fasten off and weave in ends. See lace instructions below.
Football Lace Instructions
Using smaller crochet hook and white yarn, chain 90 fasten off. Chain should measure 22 ½” long. Use chain to embroider the football lacing onto the cocoon. If you are unfamiliar with how to embroider on the crochet piece, here is a video with basic embroider instructions:
Special Thank You
I hope you have loved all the adorable images of the newborn babies wearing the Aviator Hat. I would like to personally thank Christy, from Christy Mitchell Photography, and Maria, from Scrappy Doddles Photography, for sharing their adorable images of my hats. They have a special skill and really show of my crochet pattern. If you live in Connecticut or Texas, be sure to look them up!
More Football Themed Crochet Patterns
- Football sports Blanket pattern – click HERE
- Children’s Football Helmet – click HERE
More Free Fun Baby Crochet Patterns
If you enjoy making unique hats or props for babies, be sure to check out my other free crochet hat patterns on the blog. From playful animal designs to cozy classics, there’s something for every style and season.
- Free Avaitor Hat – click HERE
- Free Fishing Hat Crochet Pattern – click HERE
- Free Frog & Cookie Monster Inspired Hat Crochet Pattern – click HERE
- Free Ice Cream Hat Crochet Pattern – click HERE
- Love Bug Crochet Hat Pattern – click HERE
More Crochet Fun
Follow Sweet Potato 3 on Facebook to see more pattern releases, sales, and crochet fun, just click HERE.
However, if you would enjoy a more interactive group experience, you need to join my Crochet & Conversations Facebook group, click HERE. It is a ton of fun, and I encourage everyone to share their projects, WIPS (works in progress), and inspirations. Plus, you get exclusive deals, are the first to see new releases, give input on designs, and have opportunities to win patterns. Join now and get to know others who also enjoy the art of crochet.
