Free Pattern: Bobble Tail Santa Hat

Every year, my kids love having Santa hats to wear. One of my testers, Francie of The Mad Capper, made this amazing hat from one of my older patterns. I absolutely LOVE it! The model is pretty dang adorable too!

This hat was originally designed because my son (age 3 at the time) loved rainbows and caterpillars.

This hat is fun in a variety of colors. Scroll down to see the great samples by my testers.

Directions for both versions are listed below. The rainbow version has a rolled band and for the Santa version you can choose between a fluffy or ribbed hat band.

Bobble Tail Beanie Pattern

An ad-free, downloadable PDF which includes all of the photos and instructions for both versions is available to purchase from my Ravelry Shop: Click HERE

Materials and Details

Yarn: worsted weight in choice of colors, white fur/novelty yarn (optional). NOTE: The yardage below is an estimate. I am working up a sample today to double check the Santa version amounts.
- Sample yarns (yardage varies by size): Rainbow version – less than 100 yards per color; Santa version – 200-250 yards Red Heart With Love White, 200-250 yards Red Heart With Love Berry Red
Crochet Hook (not all hooks needed for each size): H (5mm), I (5.5mm), J (6mm)
Miscellaneous: yarn needle
Gauge: 4 inches with H hook = 20 sc sts and 16 sc rows
Sizes: Toddler, Child/Preteen, Teen/Adult

Tips

The project starts at the tip/end of the hat and is worked to the hat band/opening.
All sizes start the same. After step 42, skip to desired size to finish hat.
This was originally designed as a rainbow caterpillar type hat. Color changes are written for the rainbow version. The majority of this hat is worked in the round and is NOT joined at the end of each round. I changed yarn color while working the last st of the current color. Finish with the new color. This creates a less visible color change

Bobble Tail Beanie – Colorful Caterpillar Version

All Sizes Start Here
The opening of this hat has a rolled edge. A ribbed band could be added by following instructions from the Santa version.

Start of first section: With an H hook and purple yarn, start with a magic circle of 6 sc sts (or preferred method for starting a circle of 6 sc sts), pull closed and place marker for working in the round. (6sts)

2. 2 sc in each sc. (12sts)

3. *sc 1, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (18sts)

4. *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (24sts)

5. *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

6-8. Sc each stitch to end of round

9. *sc 2, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (24sts)

10. *sc 2, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (18sts)

11. *sc, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (12sts) Finish off and change to blue yarn.

12. Start of second section: *sc 1, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (18sts)

13. *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (24sts)

14. *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

15. *sc 3, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (40sts)

16-20. Sc each stitch to end of round

21. *sc 3, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

22. *sc 2, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (24sts)

23. *sc 2, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (18sts) Finish off and change to dark green yarn.

24. Start of third section: *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (24sts)

25. *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

26. *sc 3, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (40sts)

27-30. Sc in each stitch to end of round

31. *sc 3, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

32. *sc 2, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (24sts) Finish off and change to lime green yarn.

33. Start of fourth section. *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

34. *sc 2, 2sc in next st, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

35-40. Sc in each stitch to end of round.

41. Sc 2, *sc 2, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

42. *sc 2, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (24sts) Finish off and change to yellow yarn.

At this point, the piece will measure 8.5″ long.

Skip to desired size and continue as instructed.

To “fluff” the piece, squish the bobbles as shown below and then pull the top and bottom apart.

Toddler (12-24mths)

43. Start of fifth section. *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

44. Sc 2, *2sc in next st, sc 2*, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

45. Sc 2, *2sc in next st, sc 3*, repeat to end of round. (52sts)

46-51. Sc in each stitch to end of round.

52. Sc 2, *sc2tog, sc 3*, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

53. Sc 2, *sc2tog, sc 2*, repeat to end of round. (32sts) Finish off and change to orange yarn.

54. Start of sixth section. Sc 2, *sc 2, 2sc in next sc*, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

55. *sc 6, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (48sts)

56-59. Change to an I hook. Hdc in each st to end of round.

Finish off and change to red yarn.

60-63. Hdc in each st to end of round.

Finish off and weave in ends.

Child/Preteen

43. Start of fifth section. *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

44. Sc 2, *2sc in next st, sc 2*, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

45. Sc 2, *2sc in next st, sc 3*, repeat, then sc to end of round. (52sts)

46-51. Sc each stitch to end of round.

52. Sc 2, *sc2tog, sc 3*, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

53. Sc 2, *sc2tog, sc 2*, repeat to end of round. (32sts) Finish off and change to orange yarn.

54. Start of sixth section. Sc 2, *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

55. Sc 2, *2sc in next st, sc 3*, repeat to end of round. (52sts)

56-60. Change to an I hook. Hdc in each st to end of round.

Finish off and change to red yarn.

61-68. Hdc in each st to end of round.

Finish off and weave in ends.

Teen/Adult

43. Start of fifth section. *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

44. Sc 2, *2sc in next st, sc 2*, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

45. Sc 2, *2sc in next st, sc 3*, repeat, then sc to end of round. (52sts)

46-51. Sc each stitch to end of round.

52. Sc 2, *sc2tog, sc 3*, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

53. Sc 2, *sc2tog, sc 2*, repeat to end of round. (32sts) Finish off and change to orange yarn.

54. Start of sixth section. Sc 2, *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

55. Sc 2, *2sc in next st, sc 3*, repeat to end of round. (52sts)

56. Sc 2, *2sc in next st, sc 4*, repeat to end of round. (62sts)

57-62. Hdc in each st to end of round.

Finish off and change to red yarn.

63-70. Hdc in each st to end of round.

FInish off and weave in ends.

Bobble Tail Santa Hat Version

All Sizes Start Here
A pompom will be added to the end of the hat when complete. The tail actually starts with a red section.
The toddler size, as written, will end with a red brim instead of white because there is one less section for this small hat. Adjust color sequence from the start if a white brim is desired.

Start of first section: With an H hook and red yarn, start with a magic circle of 6 sc sts (or preferred method for starting a circle of 6 sc sts), pull closed and place marker for working in the round. (6sts)

2. 2 sc in each sc. (12sts)

3. *sc 1, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (18sts)

4. *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (24sts)

5. *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

6-8. Sc each stitch to end of round

9. *sc 2, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (24sts)

10. *sc 2, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (18sts)

11. *sc, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (12sts) Finish off and change to white yarn.

12. Start of second section: *sc 1, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (18sts)

13. *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (24sts)

14. *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

15. *sc 3, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (40sts)

16-20. Sc each stitch to end of round

21. *sc 3, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

22. *sc 2, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (24sts)

23. *sc 2, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (18sts) Finish off and change to red yarn.

24. Start of third section: *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (24sts)

25. *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

26. *sc 3, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (40sts)

27-30. Sc in each stitch to end of round

31. *sc 3, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

32. *sc 2, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (24sts) Finish off and change to white yarn.

33. Start of fourth section. *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

34. *sc 2, 2sc in next st, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

35-40. Sc in each stitch to end of round.

41. Sc 2, *sc 2, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

42. *sc 2, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round. (24sts) Finish off and change to red yarn.

At this point, skip to desired size and continue as instructed.

Toddler (12-24mths)

43. Start of fifth section. *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

44. Sc 2, *2sc in next st, sc 2*, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

45. Sc 2, *2sc in next st, sc 3*, repeat to end of round. (52sts)

46-51. Sc in each stitch to end of round.

52. Sc 2, *sc2tog, sc 3*, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

53. Sc 2, *sc2tog, sc 2*, repeat to end of round. (32sts) Finish off and change to white yarn.

54. Start of sixth section. Sc 2, *sc 2, 2sc in next sc*, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

55. *sc 6, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (48sts)

56. Change to an I hook. Sc in next st, sl st in next st. From this point on each round will be joined at the end. This is the new start of the round. Ch 2, hdc in same st and in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

57. Ch 2, hdc in same st and in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

Finish off and change to red yarn.

58. Ch 2, hdc in same st and in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

Choose from one of the following options for the hat band:

Fluffy brim: the main sample was created with one strand ww yarn + one strand novelty (fluffy) yarn, held together.

1-2. Ch 2, hdc in same st and in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

Add additional rounds for a wider band if desired.

Regular brim (not shown):

1-2. Ch 2, *FPHDC around next post, BPHDC around next post*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join.

Add additional rounds for a wider band if desired.

Add a large pompom to the tip of the hat tail.

Child/Preteen

43. Start of fifth section. *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

44. Sc 2, *2sc in next st, sc 2*, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

45. Sc 2, *2sc in next st, sc 3*, repeat, then sc to end of round. (52sts)

46-51. Sc each stitch to end of round.

52. Sc 2, *sc2tog, sc 3*, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

53. Sc 2, *sc2tog, sc 2*, repeat to end of round. (32sts) Finish off and change to white yarn.

54. Start of sixth section. Sc 2, *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

55. Sc 2, *2sc in next st, sc 3*, repeat to end of round. (52sts)

57-60. Ch 2, hdc in same st and in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

Finish off and change to red yarn.

61-67. Ch 2, hdc in same st and in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

Finish off and change to white yarn.

68. Ch 2, hdc in same st and in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

Choose from one of the following options for the hat band:

Fluffy brim: the main sample was created with one strand ww yarn + one strand novelty (fluffy) yarn, held together. Change to a J hook

1-3. Ch 2, hdc in same st and in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

Add additional rounds for a wider band if desired.

Regular brim (not shown): Continue with an I hook.

1-3. Ch 2, *FPHDC around next post, BPHDC around next post*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join.

Add additional rounds for a wider band if desired.

Add a large pompom to the tip of the hat tail.

Teen/Adult

43. Start of fifth section. *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)

44. Sc 2, *2sc in next st, sc 2*, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

45. Sc 2, *2sc in next st, sc 3*, repeat, then sc to end of round. (52sts)

46-51. Sc each stitch to end of round.

52. Sc 2, *sc2tog, sc 3*, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

53. Sc 2, *sc2tog, sc 2*, repeat to end of round. (32sts) Finish off and change to white yarn.

54. Start of sixth section. Sc 2, *sc 2, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

55. Sc 2, *2sc in next st, sc 3*, repeat to end of round. (52sts)

56. Sc 2, *2sc in next st, sc 4*, repeat to end of round. (62sts)

57. Change to an I hook. Sc in next st, sl st in next st. From this point on each round will be joined at the end. This is the new start of the round. Ch 2, hdc in same st and in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

58-62. Ch 2, hdc in same st and in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

Finish off and change to red yarn.

63-69. Ch 2, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

Finish off and change to white yarn.

Choose from one of the following options for the hat band:

Fluffy brim: the main sample was created with one strand ww yarn + one strand novelty (fluffy) yarn, held together. Change to a J hook

1-4. Ch 2, hdc in same st and in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

Add additional rounds for a wider band if desired.

Regular brim (not shown): Continue with an I hook.

1-4. Ch 2, *FPHDC around next post, BPHDC around next post*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join.

Add additional rounds for a wider band if desired.

Add a large pompom to the tip of the hat tail.