Crochet Child Hat Sizes: A Comprehensive Guide
Keeping your little bundle of joy warm and protected during colder weather can be challenging, but with a crochet hat, you are guaranteed to keep them snug throughout the season. Finding the right hat size, however, for your child can be a difficult task.
Fear not, we have compiled a comprehensive guide to help you navigate your way through.
Size Chart
When it comes to choosing a hat for your child, it’s essential to know their head circumference, which can vary widely from child to child, ensuring your child has a comfortable fit. Here is an overview of standard crochet child hat sizes:
Preemie
Head circumference: 10-12 inches
Hat height: 4.5-5 inches
Crown diameter: 4.5-5 inches
Newborn
Head circumference: 12-14 inches
Hat height: 5-5.5 inches
Crown diameter: 5-5.5 inches
3-6 Months
Head circumference: 14-16 inches
Hat height: 5.5-6 inches
Crown diameter: 5.5-6 inches
6-12 Months
Head circumference: 16-18 inches
Hat height: 6-6.5 inches
Crown diameter: 6-6.5 inches
12-24 Months
Head circumference: 18-20 inches
Hat height: 6.5-7 inches
Crown diameter: 6.5-7 inches
Toddlers
Head circumference: 20-21 inches
Hat height: 7-7.5 inches
Crown diameter: 7-7.5 inches
Children
Head circumference: 21-22 inches
Hat height: 7.5-8 inches
Crown diameter: 7.5-8 inches
Hat Height
Hat height is the distance between the bottom of the hat and the tip-top of the hat. The length of the hat height will vary depending on the style of the hat.
For a beanie, the hat height should be long enough to cover your child’s ears, reaching the earlobe. If you prefer a slouchy style beanie, the hat height can be a little longer, reaching down to the nape of your child’s neck.
A hat with a fold-over brim should have a short hat height, so the hat brim can be folded in half without the hat looking oversized.
Hat Circumference
The hat circumference is the measurement around the hat’s brim. To get a snugger fit, you can adjust the number of stitches or use a finer weight yarn.
When making the brim, use an even number of stitches to create a ribbed effect for stretchiness. To ensure the hat fits correctly, it is best to measure your child’s head circumference using a soft measuring tape.
Place the tape measure around the forehead, over the occipital bun – the bony bump on the back of the head. This measurement will give you an accurate reading and ensure a snug fit.
Head Circumference
The head circumference is the measurement around the head, including the forehead and the occipital bun. You should measure your child’s head using a soft measuring tape by placing it above the eyebrows, then wrapping it around the back of the head, over the occipital bun then to meet in the middle of the forehead.
Bear in mind that some babies have larger noggins, so it’s always advisable to measure their head before you start crocheting.
Crown Diameter
The crown diameter is the measurement across the top of the hat. It spans from the tip-top of the hat on one side to the opposite end’s roundness or pointedness.
Measuring the crown diameter is a useful way to adjust the crochet pattern to your child’s head size. To ensure the hat you’re making has the correct crown diameter, use the hat sizing chart above as your guide, and take your child’s head measurements.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect hat size for your child can seem challenging, but with our comprehensive guide, you can now make your chrocheted hats with confidence. Remember to measure your child’s head circumference accurately and adjust the hat size accordingly.
With practice and patience, you will soon become a pro at making crochet hats your child will love. 3) How to Measure Your Child’s Head for the Perfect Fit
Getting the perfect fit for a crochet hat starts with measuring your child’s head.
Here are the steps to follow:
Required Supplies
Ensure you have the following supplies in readiness for taking the measurement. – Soft measuring tape
– String/Twine
– Marker/Pen
– Ruler
Measuring Procedure
1. Start by measuring the head circumference.
Wrap the measuring tape around your child’s forehead, just above the eyebrows and ears. The tape should sit at the widest part of the head and form a complete circle.
Ensure that the measuring tape is level, snug, but not too tight, and read off the measurement in inches. 2.
Measure the hat height. The hat height is the distance from the base of the hat to its tip-top.
To determine the hat height, take the measuring tape from the forehead down to the nape of the neck. 3.
Measure the crown diameter. The crown diameter is the distance from one side of the hat’s top to the other side that passes through its center.
To get the measurement, take the measuring tape around the widest part of the head and measure. Bear in mind that crochet hats are often stretchy, so crochet hats usually have negative measurements.
It is normal and necessary to crochet the hat 1-2 inches smaller than the child’s actual head circumference. When your child is growing, you can add an allowance of about half an inch to your crochet design, as the hat may loosen with frequent wear and washing.
4) Additional Tips for Choosing the Perfect Crochet Child Hat
Negative Ease
When it comes to crochet hat size, the term “negative ease” is used to ensure the final product is perfectly sized. Negative ease is about making the hat size smaller than the head circumference to ensure a snug fit.
This sizing term is often used when crocheting hats using a stretchy material like wool or acrylic yarn. While crochet hats are stretchy and forgiving, younger children tend to grow at a rapid rate.
Making a hat with negative ease ensures that the hat will fit snugly and stay on your child’s head as they grow.
Slouchy
The slouchy style is quite popular among crochet hat designs. This style features a droop at the back of the hat, making it trendy and stylish for your child.
To make a slouchy hat, adjust the hat length to suit the style you want. You can make the hat longer by following your usual pattern but stopping once youve crocheted the desired length.
Bear in mind that the slouchier the hat, the longer the hat height must be. To ensure the hat sits securely on your child’s head without slipping off, create a tighter brim or a more fitted hat.
Adding Ear Flaps
If you’re making a winter crochet hat, you might want to consider adding ear flaps to keep your child’s ears warm. Ear flaps add an extra layer of protection for your child’s ears during colder weather.
To add earflaps to your hat, consider the hat measurement, and sew the ear flaps to the hat band. It is also essential to take the ear measurement and create a custom pattern for the ear flaps.
Conclusion
Taking the right measurements and applying negative ease is essential when planning to crochet a perfect-fitting hat for your child. The slouchy style, coupled with ear flaps for winter hats, can keep your child looking stylish while also keeping them warm.
Use the above tips and tricks to create the perfect crocheted hat for your child. In conclusion, choosing the right size for your crocheted child’s hat can be a challenging task, but by following the measuring procedures, understanding crochet hat measurements, and using negative ease, you can create the perfect hat for your child with ease.
With these tips in mind, you can now crochet your hats with confidence knowing that your child will be comfortable and stylish at the same time. Here are some FAQs to address common questions:
– What supplies are needed to measure my child’s head?
A soft measuring tape, string/twine, a marker/pen, and a ruler. – How do I measure the head circumference of my child?
Wrap the measuring tape around their forehead, just above the eyebrows and ears, ensuring it sits at the widest part of the head, and read off the measurement in inches. – Do I need to add negative ease to my hat sizing?
Yes, negative ease is essential to crochet a hat that fits snugly; you should crochet a hat that is 1-2 inches smaller than your child’s head circumference. – How do I make a slouchy hat?
To make a slouchy hat, adjust the hat length to suit the style you want. – How do I add ear flaps?
Take the ear measurement and create a custom pattern for the ear flaps, and sew them onto the hat band.