Cover your little one’s heads this winter with this extremely easy Fleece Hat Pattern. This is perfect to make, even if you’ve never sewn before!
Easy Fleece Hat Pattern
I’m always the one at the store digging around in the bargain bin fabric. Is it just me or is there something about 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.
I had to run errands a few weeks ago and I came across fleece in prints for only $2.97 per yard! So I stocked up and came home and sat down in front of my sewing machine trying to figure out what I should make first. Being that it’s 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 project takes no more than 10 minutes tops. 🙂 Enjoy!
Start by measuring your hat-wearer’s head. Fleece is 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 onto your measurement. This measurement 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 give or take depending on the size of the hat-wearer’s head.
Fold the fleece the wrong side out and stitch a straight line down the cut sides to keep them together.
I used a zigzag stitch just for extra strength. This could easily be hand sewn. 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.
Gather all the cut strips together and tie with another thin piece of fleece. Fold up the bottom of the hat as many times as needed.
Tada! So this is such an easy fleece hat pattern, anyone can do it! 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. I usually get my fabric from Fabric.com when I order online.
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 sewing 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.
What fun projects do you make with fleece?
heather says
February 21, 2014 at 7:37 amthat is adorable!! I have no sewing skills whatsoever, but i bet I could do this hat!
Kara says
February 21, 2014 at 8:18 amDo 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!
Merissa says
February 21, 2014 at 8:24 amSo far I’ve only made them with the puffy top, sorry!
CottonLady says
February 21, 2014 at 4:13 pmInstead 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.
Christina Cash says
December 26, 2014 at 7:27 pmI 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
JD says
February 21, 2014 at 8:29 amVery nice! Plus a very practical idea. Thanks for sharing.
cynthia L says
February 21, 2014 at 9:21 amIn this crazy cold weather, no one can ever have too many fleece hats. This is a great tutorial!
AMY says
February 21, 2014 at 9:37 amDude, 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!!
Merissa says
February 21, 2014 at 9:38 amThat sounds like a cute hat, have fun!
Jazmin @ Frugality Gal says
February 21, 2014 at 10:17 amThis is so cute! I haven’t attempted to sew a thing in years but this seems super approachable and easy.
Erica says
February 21, 2014 at 12:04 pmThis 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
Merissa says
February 21, 2014 at 12:05 pmYou could also easily hand sew these until you get a sewing machine again 🙂
Carrie DeCaria says
February 21, 2014 at 12:47 pmI 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
Jennifer says
February 21, 2014 at 2:40 pmI 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.
Judee says
February 21, 2014 at 7:36 pmThis 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!
francis says
February 22, 2014 at 12:29 amThis is such a good idea, I’ll make mine in red for this xmas!
Allison says
February 22, 2014 at 9:12 amI have a couple sweet little boys who would love this!
Eise says
February 23, 2014 at 8:35 pmI 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.
sparkling74 says
March 1, 2014 at 9:04 pmSo simple it’s ridiculous. Can’t wait to try it!
Marcie J says
October 31, 2014 at 1:10 pmI 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!
marci357 says
November 11, 2014 at 6:01 pmJust 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!
Merissa says
November 11, 2014 at 6:24 pmThanks for sharing these tips!
Kerby says
November 13, 2014 at 7:35 amVisiting from A Handful of Everything, very cute! What a great idea for a quick & easy stocking stuffer.
Tracy says
November 13, 2014 at 10:28 amThanks for the pattern. Excited to make for my young nieces and nephew.
AmieJo says
November 17, 2014 at 5:36 amIt looks soft, comfortable to wear and easy to make. Thank you for sharing. My husband and son would love your cameo one!
Jackie Bollinger says
November 19, 2014 at 9:40 pmClever and timely idea! Economical and easy!
Thanks!
andi gray says
December 6, 2014 at 2:23 pmMy 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 🙂
Mercedes says
December 9, 2014 at 7:58 pmLove 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 ?
Merissa says
December 9, 2014 at 9:00 pmYou will see a tiny strip in the back of the hat, depending on the pattern of the fabric it can be hardly noticeable.
Adeline says
January 29, 2015 at 11:27 amThanks 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!
Treena says
August 15, 2015 at 3:41 pmAmazing! 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,
Echo says
November 18, 2015 at 9:57 pmi 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!
s/sSusan Brown says
November 19, 2015 at 3:10 amI’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?
Jenny says
January 13, 2016 at 11:01 pmIs 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?
Shannon says
March 23, 2016 at 4:27 pmYou 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.
Patrisha says
October 18, 2016 at 5:21 pmHi. When you fold the bottom up will the seam show? I assume. Thx
Lori says
November 14, 2016 at 11:16 amLove 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! 🙂
Lisa at Dreams and Caffeine says
November 21, 2016 at 9:57 amOh 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
Elizabeth says
February 12, 2017 at 1:20 pmI love making these simple fleece hats and scarves to donate to the local homeless shelter. I always buy fleece remnants on clearance.
Kerry Nihart says
December 5, 2017 at 7:59 amWhat a great idea! I love it! Such an easy and fast project! Perfect!
Courtney says
November 28, 2018 at 8:04 amThis 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