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Heart Appliqué Hat – Free Baby Crochet Pattern

October 4, 2017 2 Comments

 Get a free crochet pattern for a baby hat featuring an adorable heart appliqué, and learn how to you can crochet to help save babies' lives!
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.

 Get a free crochet pattern for a baby hat featuring an adorable heart appliqué, and learn how to you can crochet to help save babies' lives!
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.

 Get a free crochet pattern for a baby hat featuring an adorable heart appliqué, and learn how to you can crochet to help save babies' lives!

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.

 Get a free crochet pattern for a baby hat featuring an adorable heart appliqué, and learn how to you can crochet to help save babies' lives!

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.

 Get a free crochet pattern for a baby hat featuring an adorable heart appliqué, and learn how to you can crochet to help save babies' lives!
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.

Filed Under: Crochet, Free Patterns Tagged With: american heart association, baby hat, crochet, crochet heart, free pattern, little hats big hearts, preemie hat

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad (she/her) is a craft book author & designer specializing in yarn crafts. Her work combines vintage and modern design elements, prioritizing color and graphic motifs. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Comments

  1. Barbara

    January 13, 2023 at 7:58 am

    I am trying to crochet the preemie size hat. I am on round 3. I did the chain 3 and DC 1. then it says DC 2 in 1. So is it 3 DCs in 1. I am confused.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      January 18, 2023 at 9:41 am

      No problem! dc 2 in 1 means to dc twice in the same stitch. If you’re ever stuck, you can check out the abbreviations section above the pattern.

      Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

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Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts

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Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
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Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
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Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
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During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
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Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
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These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
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I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
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In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
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Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
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You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
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Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
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Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
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Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
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Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
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Image descriptions available in alt text. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration
Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact? 
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P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
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Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #frogging #blueskyfibers #knittersofinstagram #blueskymakers #knittingvocabulary #bsfmakers #knitdesign
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