If you’ve ever wanted to crochet something that’s both timeless and eye-catching, this one’s for you! The Houndstooth Family Hat is a free crochet hat pattern that’s unisex, worked top-down, and available in eight sizes — from newborn all the way to adult large. Yep, that means you can make one for the whole crew.

This hat is part of the Crochet Cancer Challenge 2025, hosted by the wonderful Christine from Sweet Potato 3. I’ve designed it in lavender shades to raise awareness for oesophageal cancer, a cause that’s very close to my heart as it honours my grandad. 💜 You can find out more about my grandparents here.

For every free PDF download during the challenge, you’re pledging to make at least one hat to donate to a local hospital, cancer centre, or charity of your choice — spreading warmth, comfort, and kindness right in your community.

The Inspiration Behind the Design

This pattern joins my growing Houndstooth Collection, sitting proudly beside the Houndstooth Cowl and Houndstooth Ear warmer. (I’m one scarf away from a full set — don’t tempt me, it’s coming!)

I adore how the houndstooth stitch looks in two contrasting colours — it makes the texture pop and gives your finished hat a polished, modern look. And the best part? It’s deceptively easy!

The houndstooth stitch uses only basic crochet stitches — no increases, decreases, or skipped stitches to worry about. It’s rhythmic, relaxing, and so satisfying to watch take shape. The only slightly potentially tricky bit is identifying your front and back post stitches when you reach the brim, but don’t panic — I’ve got a video tutorial to guide you through it step-by-step.

So if you’re a confident beginner ready to take your skills up a notch, this pattern is absolutely in your wheelhouse.

Why You’ll Love This Free Crochet Hat Pattern

✨ Beginner-friendly: Uses basic stitches and simple construction.
🎨 Customisable: Choose any two colours to make that classic houndstooth pattern shine.
👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-sized: Written in 8 sizes — from newborn to adult large.
💜 Meaningful: Designed in lavender to support oesophageal cancer awareness.
🧶 Versatile: Perfect stash-buster project using #4 weight yarn (I used Paintbox Simply Aran).
🎁 Gift or donate: Great for charity projects, gifts, or matching family sets.

Get the Printable PDF

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Please note: if you are here for the crochet cancer challenge you need to click the button below – the shop buttons above WILL NOT get you the Free PDF Pattern.

Crochet Cancer Challenge 2025

From 22nd-31st October 2025 you can download this pattern as a free pdf. To get your copy please click the button below.

When you download the PDF as part of the Crochet Cancer Challenge, you’re pledging to make and donate at least one hat to support cancer patients in your area. Thank you for helping make a difference — stitch by stitch. 💜

Pattern Details

Pattern Name: Houndstooth Family Hat
Skill Level: Confident Beginner
Yarn: #4 Medium / Aran Weight Yarn (Paintbox Simply Aran shown)
Hook: 5mm crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)
Gauge: For the main body texture my gauge is 16 sts wide by 16 rows in 4”
Note: I do give you crown measurements from round 5 to make sure that you are on track for the crown size. If your crown size is correct you shouldn’t have issues with the main body gauge.
Sizes: Newborn, 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 1-3 years, 4-10 years, Teen / Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large
Construction: Worked from the top down in joined rounds.

Abbreviations Used: 

Pattern Notes

• This hat is worked top-down, starting with a simple crown and finishing with a ribbed brim.
• Colour changes happen every round when working the main body of the hat to create that classic houndstooth look.
• The brim uses post stitches for stretch and texture — if you’re new to those, check out my video tutorial for a quick walkthrough.
• Feel free to play with colours — traditional black and white looks sharp, but lavender and cream make it soft and modern.
• For best results, choose two high-contrast shades.
• Written in US terms
• Ch1 or Ch2 sts at the start of a row do not count as a st unless otherwise stated. 
• For the main texture you will work a sc into the sc from the previous row and a dc into the dc from the previous row.
• Turn only when the pattern tells you to.
• Where pattern is different per size this will be shown as newborn/6mth/12mths/1-3 yrs/4-10 yrs/ teen/ adult med/adult large.
• Stitch counts are given at the end of each row. 
• Where the stitch count is the same for each size only one count will be given.
• Please read the pattern and ensure you are comfortable with it before starting your project.
• When measuring the length of your hat when working the main body, you do so from the top of the crown.
• You may end on any row of the repeat before starting the brim
• If you fail to be able to meet gauge for the crown stop when your crown measures the correct width. However, you must be sure to measure and ensure that your hat does not get wider when working the body because of issues with tension and / or gauge.

The Free Crochet Hat Pattern

** This is a free pattern on the Sunflower Cottage Crochet blog. If you are reading this anywhere else it is stolen content. Please do not copy and paste any part of it or print this pattern out. Please bookmark this page and use the website to work up your pattern. This helps my small business greatly as it provides a little bit of ad revenue which will in turn will allow me to continue to create free content for you!**

Working the crown:

Round 1: In MR, hdc 8.  SS to first hdc to join (8)  OR CH3, ss to first ch to join (creates a ring), Ch1, in the center of the ring hdc 8. SS to top of first hdc to join  (8)

Round 2: TURN, Ch1, work 2 hdc in each st around. SS to top of first hdc to join. (16)

Round 3: Turn, Ch1, hdc in first st, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. SS to top of first hdc to join. (24)

Round 4: Turn, Ch1, hdc in first 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. SS to top of first hdc to join. (32)

Round 5: Turn, Ch1, hdc in first 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. SS to top of first hdc to join. (40)

Your crown should now measure 4”.

For size newborn move to round 13.

Round 6 :  Turn, Ch1, hdc in first 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. hdc in the last 2 sts. SS to top of first hdc to join. (48)

Your crown should now measure 4.5”.

For size 0-6mths move to round 13.

Round 7: Turn, Ch1, hdc in first 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. SS to top of first hdc to join. (56)

Your crown should now measure 5”.

For size 6-12 mths move to round 13.

Round 8: Turn, Ch1, hdc in first 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 6 sts, 2 hdc in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. hdc in the last 3 sts. SS to top of first hdc to join. (64)

Your crown should now measure 5.5”.

For size 1-3 yrs move to round 13.

Round 9: Turn, Ch1, hdc in first 7 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 7 sts, 2 hdc in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. SS to top of first hdc to join. (72)

Your crown should now measure 6”.

For size 4-10 yrs move to round 13.

Round 10: Turn, Ch1, hdc in first 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 8 sts, 2 hdc in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. Hdc in the last 4 sts. SS to top of first hdc to join. (80)

Your crown should now measure 6.5”.

For size teen / adult small move to round 13.

Round 11: Turn, Ch1, hdc in first 9 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 9 sts, 2 hdc in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. SS to top of first hdc to join. (88)

Your crown should now measure 7”.

For size adult medium move to round 13.

Round 12: Turn, Ch1, hdc in first 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 10 sts, 2 hdc in next st. Rep from * 6 more times. Hdc in the last 5 sts. SS to top of first hdc to join. (96)

Your crown should now measure 7.5”.

Working the main body of the hat:

Round 13: Turn, Ch1, sc in first st (you may want to use a stitch marker to mark this st) *dc in next st, sc in next st. Rep from * across ending with a dc. SS to top of first sc to join. (40,48,56,64,72,80, 88, 96 sts)

Rounds 14 on: Rep round 13 until your hat measures 4.5/5/6/6/6.5/6.75/7.25/7.75”

Note: to get the houndstooth look you will need to change colour at the end of each repeat of round 13. 

To work the brim:

Note: For some sizes you may end on the RS and other sizes on the WS before you start the brim. You can work the brim with either side facing you.

Round 15: Ch1, hdc in each st around. Ss to top of first hdc to join. (40,48,56,64,72,80, 88, 96 sts)

Round 16: Ch1, FPhdc in first st, BPhdc in next st, *FPhdc in next st,  BPhdc in next st. Rep from * around. SS to top of first FPhdc to join. (40,48,56,64,72,80, 88, 96 sts)

For sizes Newborn – 4-10 yrs, FO and weave in ends.

For sizes Teen – adult large, continue with round 17

Round 17: Rep round 16.

For sizes teen-adult medium FO and weave in ends.

For adult large continue to round 18.

Round 18: Rep round 16.

FO and weave in ends.

Final Thoughts

This hat means a lot to me — not just as part of my Houndstooth Collection, but as a tribute to my grandad and a small way to support others going through a tough journey.

If you decide to make one (or ten!), please tag me or use the hashtag #HoundstoothFamilyHat — I’d love to see your colours and hear where you’re donating your hats. 💜 You can also tag my Facebook page and Instagram account!

Together, we can crochet comfort and hope — one hat at a time.