Looking for a crochet hat a man will actually wear? Here are 24 free crochet hat patterns for men, from plain beginner beanies to ribbed watch caps, fisherman hats, textured and cabled beanies, and slouchy, newsboy and earflap hats. Every full written pattern is free on the designer's own site, with no sign-up. Most use worsted yarn and a 5 to 6mm hook, and many are quick enough to finish in an evening or two, which makes them great last-minute gifts for dads, brothers, partners and friends.
For each pattern I've noted the yarn weight, hook and sizes where the designer gives them. Some designers also sell an ad-free PDF, but the version linked here is free to read on the page.
A quick guide to choosing. Men's hats tend to look best in solid, muted colors (navy, charcoal, olive, rust, heather gray) and in stitches that read like knitting: ribbing, back-loop single crochet and simple post-stitch textures. If you're not sure what he likes, a ribbed watch cap or a plain beanie with a folded brim is the safest bet. For a fit check, an average adult man's head is about 22 to 23 inches around, and a beanie should finish 1 to 2 inches smaller than that so it hugs without squeezing.
Easy crochet beanies for men (beginner-friendly)
Simple, no-fuss hats worked in basic stitches. Good first projects and good for making in bulk.
No Drama Men's Beanie — Hookfully. A no-sew, one-color beanie in worsted or aran (#4) yarn on a 5mm hook, in Medium and Large for teens and adult men. It starts with 6 sc in a magic ring and is rated beginner. As the name says, it's a calm, classic hat with nothing fussy about it.
Men's Crochet Hat Pattern (A Basic) — JJCrochet. Worked top-down in joined rounds of double crochet from 15 dc in a ring, using about 120 yards of worsted yarn on an H/5mm hook. It finishes about 21.5 inches around and 7.75 inches tall. The pattern has a gauge check after Round 2, which is a handy way to catch a size problem early.
Men's Basic Beanie with Options — By Jenni Designs. A top-down beanie in joined half double crochet rounds from 11 hdc in a magic circle, using 175 to 250 yards of medium-weight yarn on an H/5mm hook, sized for 22 to 23-inch heads. It's rated easy, and the options let you make a plain or folded-brim version.
Hubby's Home Beanie — Nicki's Homemade Crafts. Top-down rounds of double crochet from 12 dc in a magic ring, in bulky yarn on a 6mm hook, sized for teens and adults. Bulky yarn and tall stitches make it one of the fastest hats here.
Basic Men's Hat — Craftify My Love. Half double crochet worked in the round from 8 hdc in a magic circle, on an H/5mm hook. It's a plain, everyday hat, and an easy one to try in a wool yarn for extra warmth.
Ribbed watch caps and fisherman beanies
The knit-look hats most men already own. Back-loop stitches and post stitches give that stretchy, ribbed texture.
Men's Classic Beanie — Rich Textures Crochet. Worked sideways in turned rows of single crochet and slip stitches in the back loop, then joined into a tube. It uses a J/6mm hook, fits a 20 to 21-inch head stretched, and comes in versions with and without a brim. Rated easy, with a video.
Double Ribbed Crochet Beanie — Winding Road Crochet. A top-down beanie that starts with 8 hdc in a magic circle and is worked into the front middle bar of each hdc for a ribbed look. It uses #4 yarn on an H/5mm hook and comes in six sizes from preemie to adult, with a video.
Salt of the Earth Men's Crochet Beanie — Crochet 365 Knit Too. An hdc crown increased from 8 to 72 stitches, then front and back post hdc ribbing, in about 3 ounces of worsted yarn on an H/5mm hook. It finishes about 20 inches around and 8.5 inches long, a nice snug fit.
Basecamp Crochet Beanie — Marching North. A back-loop single crochet brim is worked flat first (the long version folds up), then the body is worked around it. It uses worsted acrylic on an H/5mm hook and comes in ten sizes from preemie to adult XL, so you can make the whole family a matching set. Rated easy, with a video.
Fisherman Beanie — Pretty Darn Adorable. Single crochet crown rounds plus a separate ribbed brim of back-loop hdc rows, joined on at the end. It uses worsted yarn on a 6.5mm hook, in sizes from baby to adult XL. Rated easy, with a video. The short, cuffed fisherman shape is a classic.
Textured beanies for men
Simple stitch patterns that add interest without looking busy.
Silver Beach Men's Crochet Beanie — Salty Pearl Crochet. A top-down double crochet crown from a magic ring, followed by rounds of lemon peel, camel stitch and star stitch textures. It uses worsted (#4) yarn on an H/5mm hook, in Baby, Child and Adult sizes (17, 21 and 23-inch heads).
Herringbone Men's Crochet Hat — Salty Pearl Crochet. Herringbone half double crochet worked top-down in turned rounds, in worsted (#4) yarn on a J/6mm hook, in Baby, Child and Adult sizes. Herringbone hdc has a slanted, woven look that suits a man's hat.
Men's Thermal Beanie — Rich Textures Crochet. Worked in joined, turned rounds of thermal stitch (through the back loops of the current stitch and the one two rows below) in bands of two colors. It uses light (#3) merino on a G/4mm hook. Thermal stitch makes a thick, dense fabric, so this is a very warm hat. Rated intermediate.
Easy Knit Look Hat for Men — SABLE + Shank. A top-down hat from 6 sc in a magic circle, worked in a crochet stitch that looks like knitting. It uses 60 to 150 yards of #4 worsted wool on a 5.5mm hook, in Teen/Small, Med/Large and X-Large Adult (21 to 25 inches). Rated easy.
Hyland Men's Hat — Yarn + Chai. A top-down spiral of alternating yarn-under hdc and yarn-under sc rounds, then a sideways back-loop sc ribbing joined to the base. It uses #4 worsted yarn on a J/6mm hook, in toddler, child, teen/adult small and adult large. Rated easy.
Alpine Nights Beanie — Pattern Paradise. A waffle stitch of double crochet and front post double crochet, worked from a single crochet band, in worsted yarn on an I/5.5mm hook, in Child and Adult. The waffle stitch makes a squishy, warm fabric. Rated easy.
Cabled beanies for men
A step up in skill, and the kind of hat that looks like it came from a shop.
Lakeview Cabled Beanie — The Loopy Lamb. A back-loop sc brim is worked in rows, then 76 sc are picked up around it for the body, with front post double crochet cables. It uses about 250 yards of bulky (#5) wool on an I/5.5mm hook, for a 20 to 22-inch adult head. Rated intermediate, with a video.
Bulky Cabled Beanie — Carol Hladik Designs. Top-down single crochet rounds from 10 sc in a magic circle, with cables, in under 125 yards of bulky (#5) yarn on an N/10mm hook. Sizes run from 6 to 12 months up to adult (21 inches), and the designer calls it unisex. The pattern adds a pom pom; leave it off for a cleaner look.
Braided Cable Beanie — Make It Crochet (Kim Guzman). A clever build: a cable panel is worked first, then single crochet short-row wedges are worked along its sides and the hat is seamed. It uses DK (#3) yarn on an H/5mm hook and finishes 21 inches around and 9.5 inches tall, slightly slouchy, with notes for a shorter, non-slouchy version. Rated intermediate.
Slouchy, newsboy and earflap hats
For the man who wants something a little different, or needs real cold-weather coverage.
Men's Slouchy Beanie — Littlejohn's Yarn. Top-down double crochet rounds from 12 dc in a magic ring, with color changes, in Red Heart Super Saver on a 5.5mm hook, with a video. It's a relaxed fit, and the stripes of three colors give it a casual, sporty look.
Easy Newsboy Hat — Posh Patterns. Half double crochet rounds starting with 10 hdc, plus a visor worked in rows, using worsted yarn held double (or a single strand of bulky or super bulky) on a K hook. Sizes run from newborn to "5T to Adult (22")".
Mary's Newsboy — Cre8tion Crochet. Top-down double crochet rounds from a magic circle, with an optional brim worked with two strands for stiffness. It uses worsted yarn on a J/6mm hook, in six sizes from newborn to adult.
Spirit Earflap Hat — The Nicole Chase. Top-down joined double crochet rounds with color changes and front post rounds, then earflaps and tassels. It uses worsted (#4) yarn on an I/5.5mm hook, in seven sizes from 0 to 3 months to adult. Beginner-friendly. Swap the tassels for simple braided ties if he'd prefer.
Cumberland Earflap Hat — Pretty Darn Adorable. Continuous top-down rounds of a treble and single crochet texture, with single crochet earflaps and braided ties. It uses chunky (#5) yarn on 6 and 6.5mm hooks, in sizes from 0 to 3 months to adult. Rated beginner. A great hat for shoveling snow.
Tips for crocheting a hat a man will wear
- Pick the yarn first. Wool and wool blends are warmest; superwash wool or a good acrylic is easiest to wash. Avoid fuzzy, sparkly or very bright yarns unless you know he likes them.
- Measure, don't guess. Wrap a tape around his head just above the ears and across the forehead. Then compare it with the pattern's finished size, aiming for 1 to 2 inches smaller.
- Go easy on the slouch. Many men prefer a beanie that just covers the ears. If a pattern looks long, stop a round or two early before the brim.
- Skip the pom pom unless you know he wants one. A folded brim or a small leather tag is a nice finishing touch instead.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest crochet hat for a man?
The No Drama Men's Beanie and the Basic Men's Hat use only simple stitches worked in the round. For a ribbed look that's still easy, try the Basecamp Beanie or the Men's Classic Beanie.
What size should a men's crochet hat be?
Most adult men need a hat about 20 to 22 inches around when finished, for a head of 22 to 24 inches, and about 8 to 9 inches tall for a beanie. Always check the designer's size chart.
What yarn is best for a men's crochet hat?
Worsted (#4) wool or a wool blend in a solid, muted color is the classic choice. Bulky yarn makes a faster, warmer hat, and light yarn makes a thinner, closer-fitting watch cap.
How long does it take to crochet a men's beanie?
A plain double crochet or bulky beanie can take two to three hours. Ribbed, textured and cabled hats usually take one or two evenings.
More crochet for men and winter gifts
Make a matching set with our crochet hat and scarf sets, add an easy crochet scarf or a pair of fingerless gloves, or browse our full list of free crochet beanie patterns. For bigger projects, try a crochet sweater or a crochet vest. For a quick non-crochet gift, a paracord keychain is easy to make for him in an evening. For more ideas, see our full list of crochet gifts for men.
