Crochet Mesh Bonnet Free Pattern + Tutorial

You still there? 😉 If you follow me on instagram (@deliacreates) then you know that I’ve been taking a blog break to move. We’re getting settled so I’m back today with a crochet project!

I actually shared this hat as part of one of my looks for Project Run & Play last October.

Goodness. Was that only a year ago? And look at my little baby Natalie!

The pattern is super easy. It’s great for a beginner. And it’s got this cool slight gnome-like shape that only comes together with two kinds of stitches!

I had some requests to share a pattern for a non-mesh version earlier this year. And…I really worked on it. A lot actually. After I think four sample hats, I found that it just didn’t look right to me. The thing that makes this hat work is the mesh. When the stitches are closer together, the back looks off because it doesn’t stretch around the head as nicely. For a denser hat, more appropriate for winter wear, I think it would be best to work in the round….like with this cool gnome hat from my friend Lorajean. But then, working in the round would make this hat less beginner friendly.

So…I decided to wait to share the mesh pattern around Halloween. And here we are!

As I whipped this hat up for Project Run & Play, I made notes on how to make the 9-12 month size. So, that is my free pattern for today. At the end of the pattern, I’ll share how you can modify it for any size. Don’t worry. It’s a cinch.

Crochet Mesh Hat Pattern

hat size – 9-12 months
hook size: J
yarn weight: 4, worsted weight (the most common, regular yarn)

chain 44

Row 1: dc in 3rd chain from the hook, *ch. 1, skip 1 stitch, dc in next stitch* repeat until the end (21 dc)
Row 2: Turn, ch. 3, dc in next dc, *ch. 1, skip chain stitch, dc in next dc* repeat until the end (21 dc)
Row 3-9: Repeat Row 2.

You should now have a mesh rectangle. Fold the rectangle in half short ends together. With your hook still in at the end of Row 9, slip stitch the rectangle together up the “back”of the hat, working in the tops of the stitches only. Tie it off and weave in the tail with a yarn needle.

*Ties. Chain tie strings into the front corners of the hat.
Crochet your tail into the chain so you don’t have to weave it in later. Tie off the end and trim.

To modify for any size…

Measure the recipient’s head from side of chin to side of chin, up and over the head, just like how the hat will sit. Crochet your chain to that length and then add three chains after that. Make sure your number of chains is an even number.

Remember that you want the hat to pull tight-ish and stretch to fit their head. So you may want to stretch your chain just a little bit when measuring to see how long it needs to be.

Alternately, you can measure your chain directly on your recipients’s head.

Proceed with the pattern, adding more dc’s and chains to fit the length of your chain. And that’s it! Pretty simple right?

I made this hat as a butterfly cap, but it would be fun for lots of costumes and even as a Fall accessory in everyday wear.