Get ready for takeoff with this adorable crochet aviator hat pattern! Perfect for photo props, dress-up, or just keeping your little one warm, this free pattern comes in sizes from newborn up to child. The design features a classic beanie with earflaps for extra coziness, plus the signature aviator look – a pair of crochet goggles stitched right on top.
Whether you’re making it as a gift for a new baby, a fun accessory for a toddler, or a cozy winter hat for an older child, this aviator hat is sure to bring smiles. The goggles add a playful touch, making this design stand out from the usual winter beanie.
Aviator Hat Pattern Highlights
- Adorable photo prop for newborns and toddlers
- Practical earflaps keep little ears cozy
- Goggles detail makes it unique and fun
- Free pattern in multiple sizes – so you can make one for every age
- Perfect for baby shower gifts, fall and winter accessories, dress-up play, or just a fun crochet project
Free Aviator Hat Crochet Information
Ready to start crocheting? Grab your yarn and hook and follow the free written instructions below.
- Skill Level: Easy/Intermediate
- Sizes Included: Newborn, 3–6 months, 6–12 months, toddler, and child
Materials Needed
- Crochet Hook size: H (5.00 mm) / I (5.50 mm) / K (6.50 mm)
- 50-140 yards worsted-weight (#4) yarn in desired color (the yardage will vary depending on the size of hat you are making)
- Yarn Needle, Scissors, Measuring Tape
Stitches & Abbreviations Used
- Hdc = half double crochet
- Sc = single crochet
- Ch = chain
- Slst = slip stitch
- Sc2tog = single crochet next two stitches together, decrease
- Dc = double crochet
- Tc = treble crochet
- Join = this means to join the rounds together with a slip stitch
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
- BP / FP = Back Post / Front Post
- R = Round or Row
Gauge Check for the Aviator Hat
Gauge check is always important to ensure your final hat will fit and measure the proper size you are making. 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 12 rows of 15 half-double crochets. Then, measure your four-inch square, which should be easy to see with a swatch slightly larger crochet piece than the measurements needed to confirm your gauge.
With Hook K: 9 rows with 12 hdc = 4 inches square
Aviator Hat Sizing:
- Newborn (12 ¼ ” around & 5” high – fits up to 14” circumference)
- 3 to 6 Months (14” around & 5 ½ “ high – fits up to 15″ or 16″ circumference)
- 6 to 12 Months (16″ around & 6” high – fits up to 18″ circumference)
- 12 to 24 Months (17″ around & 6 ½ “ high – fits up to 19″ circumference)
- Child (18” around & 7 ½ “ high – fits up to 20″ circumference)
Aviator Hat Pattern
You will start the pattern by crocheting the main beanie. Once that is completed, you will add earflaps on both sides of the hat, followed by crocheting the goggles. And the final touch will be sewing on the goggles for the perfect Aviator touch!
For all hat sizes, follow the instructions through Round 5, then continue to the size of hat you are crocheting. Do not count your beginning chain as a stitch. To join at the end of the round, work a slst in the top of the round’s beginning stitch.
Crown of the Hat
With crochet hook K (6.50 mm) and the main color of yarn: follow the instructions below, make sure to pay close attention to the size you are making, especially after round 5.
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. All other sizes continue to R6 for all sizes.
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
R6 (all sizes): Ch 1, 2hdc in same st joined in, hdc in next 4 sts, [2hdc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts], repeat [ ] around, join (42) 6-12 month size continue to main body of the hat. 12-24 month size will continue to the specified R7 below instructions. Child size continues to specified Child R7 below.
12-24 Month only R7: Ch 1, 2hdc in same st joined in, hdc in next 13 sts, [2hdc in next st, hdc in next 13 sts], repeat [ ] around, join (45) continue to 12-24 month size main body of the hat.
Child Size only R7: Ch 1, 2hdc in same st, hdc in next 5 sts, [2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 5 sts], repeat [ ] around, join (49), continue to main body of the hat specific to the children’s size.
Main Body of the Hat:
Newborn Size: R6-11: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join (35), after R11 is crocheted, do NOT fasten off. Slst in the next 3 sts, then continue to the earflap instructions.
3- 6 Month Size: R7-12 Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join (38) after R12 is crocheted, do NOT fasten off. Slst in the next 4 sts, then continue to the earflap instructions.
6-12 Month Size: R7-13: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join (42) after R13 is crocheted, do NOT fasten off. Slst in the next 4 sts, then continue to the earflap instructions.
12-24 Month Size: R8-14: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join (45) after R14 is crocheted, do NOT fasten off. Slst in the next 5 sts, then continue to the earflap instructions.
Child Size: R8-16: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join (49) after R16 is crocheted, do NOT fasten off. Slst in the next 5 sts, then continue to the earflap instructions.
Earflaps of the Aviator Hat
The main body of the hat is now completed. Each size will have a slight variation to their earflaps, so once again, pay close attention to the bold print and follow the size you are crocheting. At the end of the main body of the hat, you worked a specified number of slip stitches, these slip stitches intentionally brought you to the back side of the hat and is now the beginning of your first earflap.
Newborn & 3-6 Month Earflaps:
- R1: Ch 1, hdc in same st as slst, hdc in next 9 sts, turn (10)
- R2: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 6 sts, hdc2tog, turn (8)
- R3: Ch1, hdc in each st across, turn (8)
- R4: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 4 st, hdc2tog, turn (6)
- R5: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn (6)
- R6: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 2 sts, hdc2tog, (4)
- If this is your first earflap, fasten off and count across the front of the hat 9 sts for newborn and 10 sts for 3-6 month size, join in the next stitch, and repeat earflap. In the back of the hat there will be 6 stitches unworked for the newborn size and 8 stitches unworked for the 3-6 month size, between the two earflaps. If this is your second earflap do not fasten off. Instead, turn so the front of the hat is facing you, chain 1 and crochet one round of sc (along sides of earflap and around hat), join in your 1st sc and fasten off. Continue to Goggle Pattern below.
6-12 Month & 12-24 Month Earflaps:
- R1: Ch 1, hdc in same st as slst, hdc in next 11 sts, turn (12)
- R2: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 8 st, hdc2tog, turn (10)
- R3: Ch 1, hdc in same st as slst, hdc in next 9 sts, turn (10)
- R4: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 6 sts, hdc2tog, turn (8)
- R5: Ch1, hdc in each st across, turn (8)
- R6: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 4 st, hdc2tog, turn (6)
- R7: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn (6)
- R8: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 2 sts, hdc2tog, (4)
- If this is your first earflap, fasten off and count across the front of the hat 11 sts for 6-12 month and 12 sts for 12-24 month size, join in the next stitch, and repeat earflap. In the back of the hat there will be 7 stitches unworked for the 6-12 month size and 9 stitches unworked for the 12-24 month size, between the two earflaps. If this is your second earflap do not fasten off. Instead, turn so the front of the hat is facing you, chain 1 and crochet one round of sc (along sides of earflap and around hat), join in your 1st sc and fasten off. Continue to Goggle Pattern below.
Children’s Size Earflaps:
- R1: Ch 1, hdc in same st as slst, hdc in next 13 sts, turn (14)
- R2: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 10 sts, hdc2tog, turn (12)
- R3: Ch 1, hdc in same st as slst, hdc in next 11 sts, turn (12)
- R4: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 8 st, hdc2tog, turn (10)
- R5: Ch 1, hdc in same st as slst, hdc in next 9 sts, turn (10)
- R6: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 6 sts, hdc2tog, turn (8)
- R7: Ch1, hdc in each st across, turn (8)
- R8: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 4 st, hdc2tog, turn (6)
- R9: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn (6)
- R10: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in next 2 sts, hdc2tog, (4)
- If this is your first earflap, fasten off and count across the front of the hat 12 sts, join in the next stitch, and repeat earflap. In the back of the hat there will be 9 stitches unworked between the two earflaps. If this is your second earflap do not fasten off. Instead, turn so the front of the hat is facing you, chain 1 and crochet one round of sc (along sides of earflap and around hat), join in your 1st sc and fasten off. Continue to Goggle Pattern below.
Goggle Pattern
To make the goggles you will begin by crocheting two lenses. After they are completed you will add the frame to the lenses to create the front of the goggles. Lastely you will crochet the band that will connect the goggles and then attach them to the hat with a seam.
Goggle Lens: make 2
Newborn, 3-6 months, & 6-12 months sizes: Use Crochet Hook H (5.00 mm) & lens color choice of yarn
R1: Ch 5, 3 dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc in next, 4 dc in last st, rotate your work and work the opposite side of the chain, 4dc in 1st st, dc in next st, 4 dc in last st, join in top of beginning ch and fasten off.
12–24 months up to child: Use Crochet Hook H (5.00 mm) & lens color choice of yarn
R1: Ch 6, 4 tc in 4th ch from hook, tc in next st, 5 tc in last st, rotate your work and work the opposite side of the chain, 4tc in 1st st, tc in next st, 3 tc in last st, join in top of beginning ch and fasten off.
Goggle Frame around Lens:
- To crochet the frame of the goggles, you will crochet around each of the lens pieces.
- The instructions will be the same for all sizes.
- Working the Front & Back Loops is what makes the goggles really pop with the frames.
- For the Newborn, 3-6 Months & the 6-12 Month size use crochet hook H (5.00 mm)
- For the 12-24 Month and the Children’s Size use crochet hook I (5.50 mm)
R1: Join with a slst in the top of the beginning chain of a lens, ch 1, FPsc around each st around, join
R2: Ch 1, BPsc around each st around, join. If this is your first lens, fasten off. If this is your second lens, ch 5, slst in the post of each ch working back to lens frame-this will be used for the bridge between the lenses. Repeat R1 & R2 on second lense, once R1 & R2 are complete, use your yarn needle to stitch lense pieces together at the bridge.
Goggle Headstrap Band
For all sizes use crochet hook K (6.50 mm)
Newborn, 3-6 month, & 6-12 months: Ch 28, hdc 2nd ch and each ch across, fasten off, leaving enough yarn to sew to hat.
12-24 months & Child: Ch 36, hdc in 2nd ch and each ch across, fasten off, leaving enough yarn to sew to hat.
Attaching to Hat
Sewing crochet pieces (also known as appliques) can be a very intimidating part of a project. It used to worry me, but, after many years of practice, lots of frogging and redoing, I have learned a few tips to help you out. You can watch my YouTube video on how to easily sew on appliques.
To sew the goggles onto the aviator hat, just be sure to align the goggle lenses on the front of the hat, take your time to ensure they are not crooked. Once you are happy with their placement, move onto the band of the hat.
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 Crochet Fun
If you enjoy making unique hats like this aviator design, 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 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
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