How to Make An Easy Fleece Hat Without a Pattern
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.
Cover your little one’s head this winter with this extremely easy Fleece Hat Pattern. This is perfect to make, even if you’ve never sewn before! With no pattern needed, this will probably be the simplest sewing project that you’ve ever done.
Making an Easy Fleece Hat
To make a fleece hat, all you need is a small amount of fabric, needle and thread, and about 10 minutes of your time. Making a simple fleece hat is even easier than you think and this is a great project for a beginner. You can be creating custom (and cute) fleece hats for everyone in your family. These fleece hats are also great to give as gifts or you could make them to give out to homeless and women’s shelters this winter.
In total, all you need to do to make a fleece hat is:
- Cut the Fabric
- Measure the Fabric
- Sew One Straight Line
- Cut and Tie the Fringe
- Roll Up The Bottom
The steps couldn’t be any simpler…are you ready to get started?
Why I Love Making Fleece Hats
I’m always the one at the store digging around in the bargain bin fabric. Is it just me or is there something about the discounted fabric that is just….exciting? It seems like most of my sewing projects tend to be made with scraps or small pieces so I love finding a deal and adding to my fabric bin at home.
Once upon a time, I ended up with a bunch of fleece that I had gotten for a very cheap price per yard. After I stocked up, I came home and sat down in front of my sewing machine trying to figure out what I should make first. Being that it was almost winter here and still will be for a while yet I decided that a fleece hat would be the perfect project.
This fleece hat pattern is so easy to put together you will wonder why you haven’t made these already. These are definitely going to be my stocking stuffers for the whole family next year! Even if you aren’t a sewer you can make these! All they require for sewing is one simple straight line. Start to finish this free pattern takes no more than 10 minutes tops. 🙂 Enjoy!
Making a Homemade Fleece Hat Instructions
Start by finding the piece of fleece fabric that you want to use. It won’t matter for this project if you use cotton, polyester, or even a wool-style fleece. Anything that will keep a head warm will work!
Start by measuring your hat-wearer’s head with a measuring tape. Fleece is usually a little stretchy so you don’t need to add in much extra but just to make sure, I would add an extra 1/2 inch seam allowance onto your measurement.
If your fleece does not have any stretch to it at all, add a little more extra space or select a different fleece fabric.
This measurement that you are making now will be the width.
Now for the length here are some measurements:
Baby – 10 inches
Toddler & Child – 13 inches
Adult – 15- 17 inches
Those measurements may be a little give or take depending on the size of the hat-wearer’s head.
Cut the fabric to this length now and you are officially done with cutting out your hat!
Fold the fleece the wrong side out and stitch a straight linedown the side of the hat. You are sewing down the cut sides to keep them together. You can sew fleece with a regular needle since it’s only 2 layers and won’t be too thick.
I used a zigzag stitch just for extra strength. This could also easily be hand sewn if you are able to sew in a fairly straight line.
Leave 2 inches unsewn along this straight line at the top of the hat for the next step.
–Find more Easy Kids Fleece Projects.
Take a rotary cutter or scissors and cut 2-inch long strips across the top of the hat. Turn the hat right side out.
This will be for the fringe or the poof on top of the hat.
Gather all the cut strips together and tie with another thin fleece strip. (Just a piece of scrap fleece will do.) If you don’t have any extras you can also use a piece of yarn.)
Fold up the bottom of the hat as many times as needed to create the brim of the hat.
And that’s all you need to do to create a super cute fleece beanie. This is such an easy fleece hat pattern, anyone can do it!
When I made these for my little one, I can get 3 hats out of 1/2 yard of fleece or I could do one hat for me and one hat for him with some fleece left over from the 1/2 yard. (This was for a toddler sized head.)
This project would be very easy to make even with small scraps of fleece fabric and you could definitely hand sew it if you don’t own a sewing machine.
Another fun and simple free sewing pattern for a project (that can also be handsewn) you need to check out these Homemade Hand Warmers.
Here are more Crafts and Sewing Projects for you to try.
Where Can I Buy Fleece Fabric?
There are often many sales on fleece fabric at stores like Joann Fabrics as we get into winter and close to the holiday season.
If you are looking to buy fleece fabric in other times of the year or if you are looking for more specialty prints, I would recommend getting fabric from Fabric.com . When I want to order fabric online, they are my favorite fabric store to shop at because they have such a huge selection. They also have free and fast shipping if you are an Amazon Prime member. Perfect for when you need to save money on gas and trips to the store!
How Much Fabric Do I Need to Make a Fleece Hat?
You can make 4-6 fleece hats out of one yard of fleece fabric depending on if you are making them for a child or for an adult.
How Do You Make an Adult Fleece Hat?
The measurements given above are in different sizes for each age. The best measurement you can get for width will be the measure your hat-wearer’s head first and then you can use the pre-determined sizes above for the length.
Can Fleece Be Embroidered?
Yes, you can embrioder fleece if you have a machine that does that or if you are skilled with hand embroidery. That would definitely make these hats extra special as a gift.
What fun projects do you make with fleece?
This Fleece Hat Pattern blog post was originally published on Little House Living in February 2014. It has been updated as of September 2022.
that is adorable!! I have no sewing skills whatsoever, but i bet I could do this hat!
Do you have any idea how to convert to a top without the “pom” on top? My mother in law made many of these hats for my boys just the way you have done here. They are great! But now my boys are teen/tween and won’t wear the “pom” but otherwise would wear the ones made with “Real Tree” fleece pattern. I’d like to recycle them by converting the top to a more socially acceptable hat for them. Otherwise, I’ll just donate them to charity, which is good too.
It’s a great pattern! We have had years of use out of the ones that Oma/Grandma made for them!
So far I’ve only made them with the puffy top, sorry!
I just made this hat with a Buffalo plaid fleece remnant. I was surprised how quick and easy it came together and how adorable it is!
Instead of the leaving the length for the pom pom, could one just use a gathering stitch, gather the material and knot the thread. When turned right side out it would just looked ‘gathered or puckered at the top. Just a thought.
I love these hats, but I to have a few teen boys that panic at the pom tops lol. So I untie the pom, turn the hat inside out, and then retie it. I cut the fringe off and then turn the hat back right side out lolol and presto…… a hat teen boys will wear. I hope this helps
It would be easy to convert. Just turn it inside out and sew like a few tucks until the fabric is all taken up then trim the bulk out.
Very nice! Plus a very practical idea. Thanks for sharing.
In this crazy cold weather, no one can ever have too many fleece hats. This is a great tutorial!
Dude, I have tons of that dotty way soft fleece baby blanket fabric from an old headboard I made and this is PERFECT for that stuff. Cannot wait to see my finished project.
THANK YOU!!
That sounds like a cute hat, have fun!
This is so cute! I haven’t attempted to sew a thing in years but this seems super approachable and easy.
This does sound easy. I lost my sewing machine when we moved across the country. Just could not bring it with us. My mom is taking car of it for me. I will pin this for her (on the board we share).
Erica
We Three Crabs
You could also easily hand sew these until you get a sewing machine again 🙂
I love this hat idea! I bought a bunch of fleece a couple of years ago and just set it aside with my other stash of fabrics in the basement! Now I’m going to be bringing them up. Christmas is on the way! Thank you so much for your website and the work you do to keep it going – I ABSOLUTELY love it and look forward to it showing up in my list of emails ! You definitely get 2
I am always in the fabric discount bin! I love it too 🙂 I just made a skirt from fabric I got for a dollar at a garage sale. So rewarding! Such cute hats. I’ll definitely be making some.
This is so neat. I love it, Thanks for sharing! I’m not a good sewer, but I think I could do this. I want to go look for fleece tomorrow!
This is such a good idea, I’ll make mine in red for this xmas!
I have a couple sweet little boys who would love this!
I love it! I want to make a pink hat for my daughter.
I’m always digging around in the bargain bin too – especially for fleece – I like to make cloth diapers with it whenever I get a chance.
So simple it’s ridiculous. Can’t wait to try it!
I just whipped up one of these hats in white fleece for my son too wear with his ghost costume. Way too easy! I’m going to be making a lot more of these for the winter. Thank you for sharing and love your blog!
Just made over a dozen of these for the local 4H Extension Office to go in the Christmas baskets for the Head Start kids. We use 20 inches each way for toddlers – say 3-5 yr olds…. We used 2 seams (So I like yours better!) The second seam folds the bottom flap up so there is not a wrong side of the fabric showing… ie, fold the fabric up 4 inches – and sew a seam near the top…. Now you have a double layer of fabric, 4 inches long… Then Fold up 2 inches on the outside for the “brim.” … So the brim will be 2 inches high and 4 layers thick… Makes for a hold tight snug fit. Plus the 1st sewing seam does NOT show when you roll up the brim as it is inside the brim. We also used 4 inches at the top for the pom… Just a lot more fluff – tie it the same – the the rest is the same……
Now for the VERY FRUGAL part…. On Bag sale sale, I fill a bag with old stretchy fleece pajama bottoms at the thrift store. Find the leg part that is 20 inches ( 10 x 10) on the legs, (or whatever size you need) and cut a stretch the right height out of each leg…. Your seam is already in it 🙂 Your cuff seam is already there also if it is the bottom cut…. and you just cut the pom pom fringe top out 🙂 Frugal and faster 🙂 …………….Now you have THREE ways to make these warm snuggly hats 🙂 ENJOY!!!
PS – 20 inches fits most of the little ones. My 10 year old needed 22 inches and a 14 year old needed 24 inches… But the stretch in the fleece is very adaptable 🙂 GREAT EASY PROJECT!
Thanks for sharing these tips!
Visiting from A Handful of Everything, very cute! What a great idea for a quick & easy stocking stuffer.
Thanks for the pattern. Excited to make for my young nieces and nephew.
It looks soft, comfortable to wear and easy to make. Thank you for sharing. My husband and son would love your cameo one!
Clever and timely idea! Economical and easy!
Thanks!
My little boy has just made one of these for himself……….he has gone to bed in it! He is very proud of himself and loves the fact no one at school will have one like it 🙂
Love the picture tutorial ! Tried it out and it came out great, but when I do my folds to the bottom of the hat I can see where I sewed it together … How do I hide this ? Did I miss a step lol ?
You will see a tiny strip in the back of the hat, depending on the pattern of the fabric it can be hardly noticeable.
Thanks for this tutorial. I teach sewing at a k-8 community school and this will be perfect for the whole school to work on next week. Thanks for posting!
Amazing! Thank you for sharing this pattern. I ran across your page when looking for “un-paper towels”. You have so many awesome projects I want to try. I did make these fleece hats- in fact I made 5 in an hour! Super easy and enjoyable. I am already gifting all 5! 🙂 I look forward to reading more of your posts.
Treena,
i make my own version of a caftan or you can spell it with a k if you want. what i make is nothing fancy for sure, but they can’t be beat to curl up in on a winter night!
i used 2 of the small fleece throw blankets and sew them together on 3 sides. i leave 3 openings one for your head and 1 on either side for your arms. of course the bottom is open for your feet. you will need to trim around the head/neck opening a little . i usually do a little scoop type neckline.
i’ve made these for for men and women and both sexes enjoyed them. i made one out of black and red check fleece for my adult son and he loved it. he called it his fred flintstone nightshirt! i’m making his fiancee a pink camo one for christmas this year!
I’m getting ready to make these hats to give away to the tribal children in the mountains of Thailand where we minister as missionaries. I especially need hats for five to seven year olds, but I don’t have a convenient head to measure for the width. Suggestions?
Is there a common or average meaurement for around the heads of various ages in case someone might want to make these as a gift and doesn’t want to ask the recipient to measure own head or head of child receiving the hat as a gift?
You can look up head circumference charts or hat sizing charts online that will tell you the approx size you will need for different ages.
Here is one I found via a search engine. The chart goes from preemie to adult size heads:
http://cats-rockin-crochet.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-piece-of-pie-crochet-hat.html\
Hats in general are usually pretty forgiving in size, so as long as you stick to the general size for the child’s age, you’ll probably be okay.
Hi. When you fold the bottom up will the seam show? I assume. Thx
Love this idea! These would be great to add to the Operation Christmas Child boxes! So easy! I will be making a ton of these for next year!
Thanks for sharing at DI & DI! Love your creativity! 🙂
Oh this is adorable! I have been looking for something quick and not too expensive for all of my nieces and nephews for Christmas this year. I come from a very large family and we like to share homemade gifts with one another and I usually crochet something… however, this year I am way behind schedule and don’t think I will have the time to get all of the crocheting completed. I think this hat pattern will make a great replacement. Thank you so much for sharing!
Cheers,
Lisa at Dreams and Caffeine
I love making these simple fleece hats and scarves to donate to the local homeless shelter. I always buy fleece remnants on clearance.
What a great idea! I love it! Such an easy and fast project! Perfect!
This is adorable…I think I finally figured out what I’m going to do with all of the fleece baby blankets that I don’t use anymore since all of my babies are growing up
Is there anyway to hide the seam when you fold the bottom up?
Hi!
I sewed this hat for myself. It was very easy! Where the cut fringe is on top of my head I braided a tie & put the bow in the back where it streams down.
I am continually searching online for new ideas that can facilitate me. Thanks!
To fix the issue of the seam showing, I would just make it longer and fold it under and do a quick stitch to pin it in place (if it bothers you to have the seam show.)
I have a few fleece throws kicking around here and I am now going to make some fun hats for the kids and grandkids for this winter season. Thanks for the inspiration. Blessings to you. Can’t wait to take some fun picks with us all in matching hats.
Thank you for this pattern! It is exactly what my 10 year old granddaughter requested. I like some of the other suggestions too.
Can you make mittens out of fleece and is it warm thank you vicky
Has any one used sweatshirt fabric for this?