Butterfly Kisses Crochet Baby Hat Pattern (Free Beginner Baby Beanie)

There’s just something about tiny crochet baby hats that makes it impossible to stop at one. I’ll sit down thinking I’m making a quick little project and suddenly I’m digging through my yarn stash going, “okay but what if THIS butterfly was pink instead?” And honestly, that’s pretty much exactly how this pattern happened.

The idea behind this Butterfly Kisses Baby Hat was surprisingly simple: what if, instead of adding a bow to a baby hat… I added a butterfly?

Somehow that tiny change completely transformed the whole feel of the hat. The butterfly applique is made from a folded crochet circle, which gives it this soft little 3D effect that I’m completely obsessed with. When the wind catches it just right, the wings lift a little and it actually looks like the butterfly is fluttering around. Which feels unnecessarily magical for such a beginner-friendly project, but I’m certainly not complaining.

This is also one of those patterns that practically begs for playful color combinations. I made all 6 sizes in different colors while testing the pattern, and I have to admit, seeing all the tiny colorful hats lined up together made me ridiculously happy. The cotton yarn keeps the hat lightweight, breathable, and soft against baby skin, making it especially sweet for spring and summer babies — though honestly, I’d still use it year-round because I clearly have no self-control when it comes to cute baby hats.

For this free version of the pattern, I’m sharing the 0–3 month size here on the blog! If you’d like the full printable PDF pattern with all 6 sizes included (preemie through 12 months), plus a sizing chart and size-specific instructions, you can grab the ad-free version on my Etsy and Ravelry.

And if you’re in the mood for even more baby crochet after this one, you might also enjoy my Lullaby Lace Baby Blanket, these Quick Crochet Baby Gifts You Can Make in Under 2 Hours, or some of my favorite Crochet Baby Shower Gift Ideas for Spring — which feels especially fitting considering this little butterfly hat absolutely belongs in somebody’s spring baby gift basket!

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Easy Crochet Baby Hat Pattern

Materials

• I Love This Cotton Yarn. 57 yards for Hat. 26 yards for Wings. 5 yards for Body/Antennae
• 7 / 4.5mm Crochet Hook
• Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends

Size

Finished size is for a 0-3 month baby. Approx. 5.5in tall and 13in around.

Hat

R1: Make a magic ring. Ch2 (doesn’t count as a stitch here and throughout), work 10 hdc into ring. Sl st into 1st hdc. (10st)

R2: Ch 2, work 2 hdc in each st around. Sl st into 1st hdc. (20st)

R3: Ch 2, *work 1 hdc in 1st st, 2 hdc in next st.* Repeat from *to* around. Sl st into 1st hdc. (30st)

R4: Ch 2, *work 1 hdc in 1st 2sts, 2 hdc in next st.* Repeat from *to* around. Sl st into 1st hdc. (40sts)

R5: Ch 2, *work 1 hdc in 1st 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st.* Repeat from *to* around. Sl st into 1st hdc. (50sts)

R6-12: Ch 2, work 1 dc in each st. Sl st into 1st dc. (50sts)

R13: Ch 1, work 1 sc in the blo of each st. Sl st into 1st sc. (50sts)

R14: Ch 1, work 1 sc in the blo of each st. Sl st into 1st sc. Fasten off. (50sts)

Butterfly

Note: We will start with the butterfly wings and then you will be prompted to fasten off and reattach in the same spot for the body of the butterfly to change colors if desired. 

R1: Ch 6 and join to make ring. Working in the ring, ch 3 (counts as 1st dc here and throughout), 2dc, ch2, *3dc, ch2* Repeat from *to* 6 more times, making 8 clusters. Sl st into top of ch3.

R2: Sl st into next ch space. [ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc] in same space. *in next space work [3dc, ch2, 3dc].* Repeat from *to* 6 more times. Sl st into top of ch3. 

R3: Sl st into next ch space. [ch3, 5dc, ch2, sl st into 2nd ch from hook (picot made), 6dc]. Sl st in space between dc sts in previous row. *in next space work [6dc, ch2, sl st into 2nd ch from hook (picot made), 6dc]. Sl st in space between dc sts in previous row.* Repeat from *to* 6 more times. Sl st into top of ch3. Fasten off if changing color for the body.

BODY: Ch15. After folding the butterfly in half, wrap ch around the fold and sl st back into the bottom of the butterfly. Fasten off. 

ANTENNAE: Ch14. Fasten off and tie a knot on each end of the ch. Slip the ch through the top of the body of the butterfly.

Note: You can choose to just cut close to those knots to avoid extra ends to weave, but I like using them to keep the antennae in place on the hat. 

Conclusion

I hope you enjoy making this Butterfly Kisses Baby Hat as much as I did. It’s one of those quick, simple projects that somehow still feels extra special once that little butterfly gets attached. And honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of watching the wings lift slightly in the breeze like the butterfly is about to take off at any moment.

If you’d like to make additional sizes beyond the 0–3 month version included in this post, you can find the full ad-free PDF pattern — including preemie, newborn, 3 month, 6 month, 9 month, and 12 month sizes — on my Etsy and Ravelry shops! The printable version also includes a sizing chart and clear instructions for each size to make things as beginner-friendly as possible.

And if you’re still in a baby crochet mood after this project, you might want to check out these Easy Crochet Baby Blanket Patterns for Beginners or these Perfect Crochet Baby Blankets for Your Next Baby Shower for even more cozy inspiration.

I’d also love to know: are you someone who sticks to soft neutral baby colors, or do you immediately reach for the brightest yarn in your stash the second a baby project appears? Because apparently I tell myself I’m going to crochet “something simple” and then somehow end up making a rainbow of butterfly hats instead!

And as always, I also love seeing your finished pieces! If you make this blanket, feel free to share it on  Instagram and tag me @crochetwithgabriellarose so I can see! You can also follow along on the Crochet with Gabriella Rose Facebook page for new patterns and updates.