Free Pattern: Striped Top Hat

We LOVE Dr. Seuss so when I first started designing crochet patterns I knew I needed to make a top hat for his birthday. I wanted to put my own spin on it and added the cat’s head too. You can make it as shown or just the top hat.

I recently updated the pattern to make the shape even better and added more sizes. It doesn’t need to be blocked. It just holds its own shape!

I had so much fun making it, I decided to do some variations.

Instructions for the child-size “cat in my hat” version are below for free. For more sizes and variations please check out the pattern, “Snappy Top Hats“.

A Cat In My Hat Child-Size (5-10 years)

Project Info

Project Description: Top hat with “head” and braids for kids.
Skill Level: Basic crochet skills are needed and must be able to read a crochet pattern.
Completion Time (how long it takes the designer to make one): 3 hours

Materials and Details

Yarn: worsted weight yarn in a variety of colors. Approximately 200 yards for “main color”, small amounts of the others.
See “variations” at end of pattern for color suggestions.
Crochet Hook: G, H, I, J
Miscellaneous: yarn needle
Gauge: 4” with I hook = 13 hdc and 9 rounds
Size: Child (5-10 Years)

Additional sizes (Toddler, Small Child (2-4 Years) and Teen/Adult) plus variations are available for purchase.
CLICK HERE for more information.

Notes:

St count remains the same unless noted at end of row/round.
The entire hat is worked with one strand of worsted weight yarn UNLESS a furry head (below the top hat) is desired. For that version, use one strand worsted weight + one strand novelty yarn.
The top is worked in the round, placing a marker to keep track of placement. The sides will be joined at the end of each round to create straight stripes.
When joining each round, I work the first st in the same st as the beginning ch 1 (or ch 2) and sl st into the first st to end the round.
The “head” part can be left off to create a regular top hat as well.
Hat starts by increases 8 sts per round for a flatter top. It switches to increasing 6 sts per round on step 4. It is underlined to note this change in sequence.

Child (5-10 years)

1. With I hook and yarn for top of hat and first stripe on side, start with a magic loop of 8 sts (or
preferred method for starting a circle of 8 sc sts), pull closed and place a marker for working in the round. (8sts)

2. 2sc in each stitch to end of round. (16sts)

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

4. *sc 3, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (30sts)

5. *sc 4, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (36sts)

6. *sc 5, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (42sts)

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

8. *sc 7, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (54sts)

9. *sc 8, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (60sts)

10. *sc 9, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (66sts)

11. Note: this round is worked differently to smooth the edges into a circle. Sc 5, *2sc in next st, sc 10*, repeat until 6 sts remain, 2sc in next st, sc 5. (72sts)

12. *sc 11, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (78sts)

13. Sc 6, *2sc in next st, sc 12*, repeat until 7 sts remain, 2sc in next st, sc 6. (84sts)

14. *sc 13, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (90sts)

15. Sc 7, *2sc in next st, sc 14*, repeat until 8 sts remain, 2sc in next st, sc 7. (96sts) Measures 8-8.5” across.

16. Sl st in next st. This will be the new start of the round and will allow us to join rounds from
this point on. Work in BLO for this round. Ch 1, sc in each st to end of round, sl st to join. (96sts)

17. Ch 1, *sc 14, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (90sts)

18. Ch 1, sc in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

19. Ch 1, *sc 13, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (84sts)

20. Ch 1, sc in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

21. Ch 2, *hdc 12, hdc2tog*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (78sts)

22. Change to yarn for second stripe. Ch 2, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

23. Ch 2, *hdc 11, hdc2tog*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (72sts)

24. Ch 2, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

25. Ch 2, *hdc 10, hdc2tog*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (66sts)

26. Change to yarn for third stripe. Ch 2, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

27. Ch 2, *hdc 9, hdc2tog*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (60sts)

28. Ch 2, *hdc 13, hdc2tog*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (56sts)

29. Change to yarn for “hat band”. Ch 2, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join. Note: be
careful to not work the hat band section too snug or it will affect the size of the hat.

30-34. Ch 2, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

35. Change to yarn color for brim. This step will help the brim stand out. Ch 1, FPSC (Front Post
Single Crochet) around each post from previous round, sl st to join.

36. Ch 1, *sc 6, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (64sts)

37. Ch 1, *sc 7, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (72sts)

38. Ch 1, *sc 8, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (80sts)

39. Ch 1, sc 5, *2sc in next st, sc 9*, repeat until 5 sts remain, 2sc in next st, sc 4, sl st to join. (88sts)

40. Ch 1, *sc 10, 2sc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (96sts)

41. Ch 1, sc 6, *2sc in next st, sc 11*, repeat until 6 sts remain, 2sc in next st, sc 5, sl st to join. (104sts)

42. Ch 1, sc in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

43. Sl st in each st to end of round. Finish off and weave in all ends.

End here for a plain top hat. Continue for the head version.

Head Version

Continue working with the top of the hat towards you.
For worsted weight yarn, use an I hook.
For a fuzzy version with novelty yarn, hold 2 strands together (ww yarn + novelty yarn) and use a J hook. This version creates a slighter larger hat.

1. Be careful to not work the following rounds too snug or the hat may not fit.

Attach yarn(s) to one of the remaining loops from round #34 on the inside of the hat. Ch 1, sc in each st to end of round, sl st to join. (56sts)

2-5. Ch 2, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join.

6. This step starts the first earflap. Ch 1, sc 14.

7. Ch 1, turn, sc in same st and in ea st until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. (13sts)

8. Repeat previous row until 2sts remain. Ch 1, sc2tog. Finish off and weave in end.

Fold hat in half to find placement for 2nd earflap. I like the front opening of the hat to be a little wider than the back. Find the starting point by finding the stitch directly across from the starting st of the first earflap. Count over 6sts and attach yarn to that st. Follow steps 6-8.

Attach one strand of matching yarn to the center back of hat. This step is worked around entire bottom edge of head section and earflaps. With the same size hook, ch 1, sc evenly around the bottom edge of the hat, working 2sc in the tip of each earflap, sl st to first st to join. Finish off and weave in ends.

Braids

Cut 9, 20” strands of black yarn. Pull one set of ends through the tip of one earflap. Pull through until even with other end and braid. Tie a knot near the end of the braid. Trim bottom edge. Repeat for other side.

Ears (make 2)
1.With 2 strands of black yarn (or one strand ww + one strand novelty yarn), ch 7, hdc in second ch from hook,
hdc 5. (6sts)
2-3. Ch 2, turn, hdc in each st to end of row.
4. Ch 2, turn, hdc2tog, hdc 2, hdc2tog. (4sts)
5. Ch 2, turn, hdc2tog, hdc2tog. (2sts)
6. Ch 2 turn, hdc2tog. Finish off and weave in ends.
Inner Ear (make 2): Follow instructions for ears, using an H hook and one strand white yarn.

Use yarn tail and yarn needle to sew the white ear to the larger black ear. Repeat for second ear.

Fold bottom edge of ear in half and sew the ear to the hat, using a yarn needle.

I hope you enjoyed making this quick and easy project. I would love to see your creations. Please add your project to Ravelry and/or share online and include #snappytots.

Thanks for crocheting with me!

~ Heidi