Heart Appliqué Hat – Free Baby Crochet Pattern

It’s that time of year again! Every fall, I like to share a free pattern for red baby hats designed specifically for the American Heart Association’s annual Little Hats Big Hearts campaign. The AHA, along with tons of volunteers and partners around the country, distributes red hats to newborns born in the month of February. The hats come with an information packet about infant heart health to help raise awareness about congenital heart defects and ultimately save lives. February may be a few months away, but the donation window is open now so that the organizers may have time to handle the logistics of laundering and distributing hats in time for February 1.

I’ve done three free knitting patterns so far for Little Hats Big Hearts (get those links below), so today is crochet’s turn! I really like this hat because it incorporates an easy heart-shaped appliqué. You can attach the little heart anywhere on this sweet cap, but I decided to put it right on top – normally where you might find a pom pom on a different sort of cap. This way, you can see the little heart on top of the baby’s head if it’s wearing the hat while being held, which – because babies – is most of the time! :)

Interested in knitting for this cause instead?
Here are some free pattern options: Baby Hearts Hat / Preemie Baby Hearts Hat / Declan Hat

This cause hits close to home for me, which is why I come back to it year after year. For some context, you can read about my family’s personal connection with congenital heart defects. You can also read about a good friend’s experience having her son exceptionally early, and what a difference handmade items can make to parents living with babies in the NICU.

Heart Appliqué Hat – Baby Crochet Pattern

Supplies
Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Cherry Red (worsted weight / 100% acrylic)
scrap yarn in another color (for heart appliqué)
US I (5.5 mm) crochet hook
scissors
tapestry needle (for attaching heart to top & weaving in ends)

Abbreviations & Terms
rnd – round
magic ring – tutorial
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
sl– slip
sts– stitches
X sts – X indicates the number of stitches that are now in the round
sc 2 in 1– sc twice in the same stitch
dc– double crochet
dc 2 in 1 – dc twice in the same stitch
rep – repeat
fpdc – front post double crochet
bpdc – back post double crochet

Gauge & Dimensions
12 sc & 15 rows over 4 inches.
Baby hat measures 8 inches from cap edge to crown & 14 inches in circumference.
Preemie hat measures 5 inches from cap edge to crown & 12 inches in circumference.

The pattern – baby size

rnd 1. Create a magic ring. ch 1, sc 8 into ring, sl to join. (8 sts)
rnd 2. ch 1, (sc 2 in 1) 8 times, sl to join. (16 sts)
rnd 3. ch 3, (dc 1, dc 2 in 1) 8 times, sl to join. (24 sts)
rnd 4. ch 1, (sc 2, sc 2 in 1) 8 times, sl to join. (32 sts)
rnd 5. ch 1, sc 32, sl to join.
rnd 6. ch 3, dc 32, sl to join.
rnd 7. ch 1, (sc 3, sc 2 in 1) 8 times, sl to join. (40 sts)
rnd 8. ch 1, sc 40, sl to join.
rnd 9. ch 3, dc 40, sl to join.
rnds 10-11. Rep row 8.
rnd 12. Rep row 9.
rnd 13. ch 3, (fpdc 1, bpdc 1) 20 times, sl to join.

Break yarn and draw tail through to secure. Weave in ends.

The pattern – preemie size

rnd 1. Create a magic ring. ch 1, sc 8 into ring, sl to join. (8 sts)
rnd 2. ch 1, (sc 2 in 1) 8 times, sl to join. (16 sts)
rnd 3. ch 3, (dc 1, dc 2 in 1) 8 times, sl to join. (24 sts)
rnd 4. ch 1, (sc 2, sc 2 in 1) 8 times, sl to join. (32 sts)
rnd 5. ch 1, sc 32, sl to join.
rnd 6. ch 3, dc 32, sl to join.
rnds 7-8. Rep row 5.
rnd 9. Rep row 6.
rnd 10. ch 3, (fpdc 1, bpdc 1) 16 times, sl to join.

Break yarn and draw tail through to secure. Weave in ends.

Heart Appliqué – both sizes

rnd 1. Create a magic ring, leaving a 6 inch tail. ch 2, hdc 13 into ring, sl to join.
rnd 2. ch 2, dc 2, hdc 2, sc 2, (sc 1 -ch 2- sc 1) in next st, sc 2, hdc 2, (dc 2 -ch 1- sl 1) in next st, sl to join.

Break yarn, leaving another 6 inch tail, & draw tail through to secure. Use long tails to sew appliqué to top of hat, not leaving any loose in ends.

For complete information about Little Hats Big Hearts and how to donate hats to the cause, check out this page from the American Heart Association.