Crochet Lobster Hat Free Pattern

The Pinch Me Crochet Lobster Hat Pattern is my latest free crochet pattern that I designed as part of the 2020 Holiday Stashdown CAL! This hat is a crochet ear flap hat that’s accessible for beginners and all the sizes use less than a 100g ball of Lion Brand Basic Stitch Premium. If you don’t have the recommended yarn don’t worry, you can use any worsted weight yarn from your stash that you’re able to match the patten gauge with.

Pin this Free Crochet Lobster Hat Pattern for later SAVE

For more information about the Holiday Stashdown CAL please visit Marie’s post here: 2020 Holiday Stashdown Crochet Along.

Be sure to scroll to the end of her post to enter the CAL giveaway before December 31, 2020.

When you share your progress on Social Media add the tags #CALCentralCrochet and #HolidayStashdownCAL so we can check out your projects too!

The Pinch Me Crochet Lobster Hat Pattern was created when a family friend found out that her daughter was pregnant. She asked me if I could create a fun and goofy crochet lobster hat for her grandson to gift to him when he was born. I created the hat and subsequently a set of lobster mittens and a lobster tail bunting bag. The friend and her daughter both really enjoyed the set I made and I decided that I would grade the hat in all sizes to share it with you all.

This hat is perfect for gifting and is easy to customize. My son asked me for an alien hat so I used this exact pattern but used green yarn instead of red and it made the perfect alien. The crochet lobster hat is also a bit of an inside joke for my family because my husband has wanted a lobster tree topper forever. He always jokes that lobsters are a Christmas animal. So for us, it was kind of fitting to release the crochet lobster hat pattern going into the holiday season.

Thanks to my wonderful testers that checked the sizes of these hat for me to make sure they would fit. I really appreciate all their hard work and help!

You can purchase an inexpensive ad-free PDF version of this pattern which includes all sizes for a small fee in my Ravelry and Etsy shops.

Looking for other free crochet hat patterns? Check some of my other crochet hat patterns here:

• Snowella Crochet Snowman Hat for Kids
• Crochet Tartan Beanie
• Arctic Gem Beanie
• The Polar Puff Messy Bun Hat
• The Catena Hat
• Juneau Blues Beanie

Pinch Me Crochet Lobster Hat Pattern

Disclaimer:

Feel free to sell the crochet lobster hat created with this pattern but please provide pattern credit back to me when posting online, and please provide a link to my blog: https://www.theloopylamb.com.  Please do not resell, distribute, duplicate, or share this pattern in any printed or digital form, or claim this pattern as your own original design.  Please do not use my photos when selling your finished items.   

Skill Level:

• Easy

Terminology:

• U.S. Terminology
  
  

Supplies:

• 6.0 mm (J) Furls Crochet Hook (or whatever hook needed to obtain gauge).
  
  
• 4.5 mm (G+) Furls Crochet Hook
  
  
• Approximately 65 – 131 yds/60 – 120 m (1.06 – 2.12 oz/30 – 60 g) of Lion Brand Basic Stitch Premium in Garnet
  
  
• Approximately 7 yds/5.5 m (0.1 oz/3g) of Lion Brand Basic Stitch Premium in White
  
  
• Tapestry Needle
  
  
• Scissors
  
  
• 2 – Black 3/4” Buttons for Eyes
  
  
• Black Sewing Thread and Sewing Needle
  
  
  

If you’re planning on buying the materials for this project, please consider doing so through this affiliate link. It helps to support the blog at zero cost to you and allows me to continue to bring you great free crochet patterns like this one.

Abbreviations:

• CH = Chain
  
  
• FO = Finish Off
  
  
• HDC = Half Double Crochet
  
  
• HDCINC = Half Double Crochet Increase
  
  
• MC = Magic Circle
  
  
• SL ST = Slip Stitch
  
  
• SC = Single Crochet
  
  
• SCDEC = Single Crochet Decrease
  
  
• SCINC = Single Crochet Increase
  
  
• ST = Stitch

Learn How to Do the Magic Circle For this Pattern:

Sizes Available:

• 0 – 3 months, 3 – 6 months. 6 – 12 months, 1 – 3 years, 3 – 5 years, 6 – 10 years, Teen/Adult Small and Adult Large
  
  

Gauge:

• 14 sts x 10 rounds in HDC = 4 inches

Notes:

• This pattern is worked in joined rounds from the top down.  The hat, earflaps and ties are all crocheted on to eliminate sewing.  Then the antennae and eyes are crocheted separately and sewn on. 
  
  
• Gauge is vital to ensuring that your hat will fit as expected.  Do a gauge swatch of HDC stitches done in the round to check your gauge.  Use whatever hook size allows you to match gauge.
  
  
• Always join your rounds in the top of the first HDC of the round, not the CH.
  
  
• The CH 1 at the start of every round does not count as a stitch
  
• Always start your rounds in the first stitch of the last round.

You can purchase an inexpensive ad-free PDF version of this pattern which includes all sizes for a small fee in my Ravelry and Etsy shops.

Pinch Me Crochet Lobster Hat Pattern

0 – 3 Months

Round 1: Using Garnet and 6mm hook, make a MC and HDC 8 into the MC. Join last ST to the first ST with a SL ST.  (From here on out noted as “Join”). (8)

Round 2: CH 1, (HDCINC) x 8.  Join. (16)

Round 3: CH 1, (HDC, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (24)

Round 4: CH 1, (HDC 2, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (32)

Round 5: CH 1, (HDC 3, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (40)

Round 6: CH 1, (HDC 4, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (48)

Rounds 7 – 14: CH 1, HDC in the first stitch and each stitch around. Join. (48)

Do not fasten off.  Start first ear flap as written below.

3 – 6 Months

Round 1: Using Garnet and 6mm hook, make a MC and HDC 8 into the MC. Join last ST to the first ST with a SL ST (From here on out noted as “Join”). (8)

Round 2: CH 1, (HDCINC) x 8.  Join. (16)

Round 3: CH 1, (HDC, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (24)

Round 4: CH 1, (HDC 2, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (32)

Round 5: CH 1, (HDC 3, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (40)

Round 6: CH 1, (HDC 4, HDCINC) x 8. Join (48)

Round 7: CH 1, (HDC 11, HDCINC) x 4. Join (52)

Rounds 8 – 15: CH 1, HDC in the first stitch and each stitch around. Join. (52)

Do not fasten off.  Start first ear flap as written below.

6 – 12 Months

Round 1: Using Garnet and 6mm hook, make a MC and HDC 8 into the MC. Join last ST to the first ST with a SL ST (From here on out noted as “Join”). (8)

Round 2: CH 1, (HDCINC) x 8.  Join. (16)

Round 3: CH 1, (HDC, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (24)

Round 4: CH 1, (HDC 2, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (32)

Round 5: CH 1, (HDC 3, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (40)

Round 6: CH 1, (HDC 4, HDCINC) x 8. Join (48)

Round 7: CH 1, (HDC 5, HDCINC) x 8. Join (56)

Rounds 8 – 15: CH 1, HDC in the first stitch and each stitch around. Join. (56)

Do not fasten off.  Start first ear flap as written below.

1 – 3 Years

Round 1: Using Garnet and 6mm hook, make a MC and HDC 8 into the MC. Join last ST to the first ST with a SL ST (From here on out noted as “Join”). (8)

Round 2: CH 1, (HDCINC) x 8.  Join. (16)

Round 3: CH 1, (HDC, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (24)

Round 4: CH 1, (HDC 2, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (32)

Round 5: CH 1, (HDC 3, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (40)

Round 6: CH 1, (HDC 4, HDCINC) x 8. Join (48)

Round 7: CH 1, (HDC 5, HDCINC) x 8. Join (56)

Round 8: CH 1, (HDC 13, HDCINC) x 4. Join (60)

Rounds 9 – 17: CH 1, HDC in the first stitch and each stitch around. Join. (60)

Do not fasten off.  Start first ear flap as written below.

3 – 5 years

Round 1: Using Garnet and 6mm hook, make a MC and HDC 8 into the MC. Join last ST to the first ST with a SL ST (From here on out noted as “Join”). (8)

Round 2: CH 1, (HDCINC) x 8.  Join. (16)

Round 3: CH 1, (HDC, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (24)

Round 4: CH 1, (HDC 2, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (32)

Round 5: CH 1, (HDC 3, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (40)

Round 6: CH 1, (HDC 4, HDCINC) x 8. Join (48)

Round 7: CH 1, (HDC 5, HDCINC) x 8. Join (56)


Round 8: CH 1, (HDC 6, HDCINC) x 8. Join (64)

Rounds 9 – 17: CH 1, HDC in the first stitch and each stitch around. Join. (64)

Do not fasten off.  Start first ear flap as written below.

6 – 10 years

Round 1: Using Garnet and 6mm hook, make a MC and HDC 8 into the MC. Join last ST to the first ST with a SL ST (From here on out noted as “Join”). (8)

Round 2: CH 1, (HDCINC) x 8.  Join. (16)

Round 3: CH 1, (HDC, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (24)

Round 4: CH 1, (HDC 2, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (32)

Round 5: CH 1, (HDC 3, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (40)

Round 6: CH 1, (HDC 4, HDCINC) x 8. Join (48)

Round 7: CH 1, (HDC 5, HDCINC) x 8. Join (56)

Round 8: CH 1, (HDC 6, HDCINC) x 8. Join (64)

Round 9: CH 1, (HDC 15, HDCINC) x 4. Join (68)

Rounds 10 – 19 : CH 1, HDC in the first stitch and each stitch around. Join. (68)

Do not fasten off.  Start first ear flap as written below.

Teen/Adult Small

Round 1: Using Garnet and 6mm hook, make a MC and HDC 8 into the MC. Join last ST to the first ST with a SL ST (From here on out noted as “Join”). (8)

Round 2: CH 1, (HDCINC) x 8.  Join. (16)

Round 3: CH 1, (HDC, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (24)

Round 4: CH 1, (HDC 2, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (32)

Round 5: CH 1, (HDC 3, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (40)

Round 6: CH 1, (HDC 4, HDCINC) x 8. Join (48)

Round 7: CH 1, (HDC 5, HDCINC) x 8. Join (56)

Round 8: CH 1, (HDC 6, HDCINC) x 8. Join (64)

Round 9: CH 1, (HDC 7, HDCINC) x 8. Join (72)

Rounds 10 – 19: CH 1, HDC in the first stitch and each stitch around. Join. (72)

Do not fasten off.  Start first ear flap as written below.

Adult Large

Round 1: Using Garnet and 6mm hook, make a MC and HDC 8 into the MC. Join last ST to the first ST with a SL ST (From here on out noted as “Join”). (8)

Round 2: CH 1, (HDCINC) x 8.  Join. (16)

Round 3: CH 1, (HDC, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (24)

Round 4: CH 1, (HDC 2, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (32)

Round 5: CH 1, (HDC 3, HDCINC) x 8. Join. (40)

Round 6: CH 1, (HDC 4, HDCINC) x 8. Join (48)

Round 7: CH 1, (HDC 5, HDCINC) x 8. Join (56)

Round 8: CH 1, (HDC 6, HDCINC) x 8. Join (64)

Round 9: CH 1, (HDC 7, HDCINC) x 8. Join (72)

Round 10: CH 1, (HDC 8, HDCINC) x 8. Join (80)

Rounds 11 – 21: HDC in the first stitch and each stitch around. Join. (80)

Do not fasten off.  Start first ear flap as written below.

Crochet Lobster Hat Ear Flaps

Ear Flaps for 0 – 3 months to 3 Years Old:

First Ear Flap:

Row 1: CH 1 and SC in the first stitch.  SC 9.  CH 1 and turn. (10)

Row 2: SCDEC, SC 6, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (8)

Row 3: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (8)

Row 4: SCDEC, SC 4, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (6)

Row 5: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (6)

Row 6: SCDEC, SC 2, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (4)

Row 7: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (4)

Row 8: (SCDEC) x 2.  CH 1 and turn. (2)

Row 9: SCDEC. (1)

FO and weave in ends.

Second Ear Flap:

With the right side of the ear flap facing you, fold the hat in half, leaving slightly more stitches towards the front of the hat than the back.  Place the second earflap lined up with the first earflap. Reattach yarn in your starting stitch.

Row 1: CH 1 and SC in the first stitch.  SC 9.  CH 1 and turn. (10)

Row 2: SCDEC, SC 6, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (8)

Row 3: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (8)

Row 4: SCDEC, SC 4, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (6)

Row 5: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (6)

Row 6: SCDEC, SC 2, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (4)

Row 7: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (4)

Row 8: (SCDEC) x 2.  CH 1 and turn. (2)

Row 9: SCDEC. (1)

DO NOT FASTEN OFF.

Continue to SC around the entire hat and ear flaps. At the top of each earflap: CH 30. SL ST in 2nd chain from hook and up the rest of the chain back to the body of the hat.

Continue to SC around the hat.  Join your last stitch to your first stitch with a SL ST and fasten off.

Ear Flaps for 3 – 10 years:

First Ear Flap:

Row 1: CH 1 and SC in the first stitch.  SC 11.  CH 1 and turn. (12)

Row 2: SCDEC, SC 8, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (10)

Row 3: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (10)

Row 4: SCDEC, SC 6, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (8)

Row 5: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (8)

Row 6: SCDEC, SC 4, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (6)

Row 7: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (6)

Row 8: SCDEC, SC 2, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (4)

Row 9: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (4)

Row 10: (SCDEC) x 2.  CH 1 and turn. (2)

Row 11: SCDEC. (1)

FO and weave in ends.

Second Ear Flap:

With the right side of the ear flap facing you, fold the hat in half, leaving slightly more stitches towards the front of the hat than the back.  Place the second earflap lined up with the first earflap. Reattach yarn in your starting stitch.

Row 1: CH 1 and SC in the first stitch.  SC 11.  CH 1 and turn. (12)

Row 2: SCDEC, SC 8, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (10)

Row 3: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (10)

Row 4: SCDEC, SC 6, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (8)

Row 5: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (8)

Row 6: SCDEC, SC 4, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (6)

Row 7: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (6)

Row 8: SCDEC, SC 2, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (4)

Row 9: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (4)

Row 10: (SCDEC) x 2.  CH 1 and turn. (2)

Row 11: SCDEC. (1)

DO NOT FASTEN OFF.

Continue to SC around the entire hat and ear flaps. At the top of each earflap: CH 40. SL ST in 2nd chain from hook and up the rest of the chain back to the body of the hat.

Continue to SC around the hat.  Join your last stitch to your first stitch with a SL ST and fasten off.

Ear Flaps for Teen/Small Adult & Large Adult:

First Ear Flap:

Row 1: CH 1 and SC in the first stitch.  SC 13.  CH 1 and turn. (14)

Row 2: SCDEC, SC 10, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (12)


Row 3: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (12)

Row 4: SCDEC, SC 8, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (10)

Row 5: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (10)

Row 6: SCDEC, SC 6, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (8)

Row 7: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (8)

Row 8: SCDEC, SC 4, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (6)

Row 9: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (6)

Row 10: SCDEC, SC 2, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (4)

Row 11: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (4)

Row 12: (SCDEC) x 2.  CH 1 and turn. (2)

Row 13: SCDEC. (1)

FO and weave in ends.

Second Ear Flap:

With the right side of the ear flap facing you, fold the hat in half, leaving slightly more stitches towards the front of the hat than the back.  Place the second earflap lined up with the first earflap. Reattach yarn in your starting stitch.

Row 1: CH 1 and SC in the first stitch.  SC 13.  CH 1 and turn. (14)

Row 2: SCDEC, SC 10, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (12)

Row 3: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (12)

Row 4: SCDEC, SC 8, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (10)

Row 5: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (10)

Row 6: SCDEC, SC 6, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (8)

Row 7: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (8)

Row 8: SCDEC, SC 4, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (6)

Row 9: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (6)

Row 10: SCDEC, SC 2, SCDEC.  CH 1 and turn. (4)

Row 11: SC in the first stitch and each stitch across.  CH 1 and turn. (4)

Row 12: (SCDEC) x 2.  CH 1 and turn. (2)

Row 13: SCDEC. (1)

DO NOT FASTEN OFF.

Continue to SC around the entire hat and ear flaps. At the top of each earflap: CH 40. SL ST in 2nd chain from hook and up the rest of the chain back to the body of the hat.

Continue to SC around the hat.  Join your last stitch to your first stitch with a SL ST and fasten off.

Eyes for the Crochet Lobster Hat

Eyes – All Sizes (Make 2)

Round 1: Using White yarn and 4.5mm hook, make a MC and SC 6 into the MC. Join last ST to the first ST with a SL ST (from here on out referred to as “Join”). CH 1. (6)

Round 2: (SCINC) x 6. Join. CH 1 (12)

Round 3: (SC 1, SCINC) x 6. Join. (18)

Round 4: (SCINC, SC 2) x 6. Join (24)

FO leaving a long tail to secure onto hat.
Sew button on the center of each eye using black sewing thread and needle.  Using your tail threaded onto a tapestry needle, secure both eyes to the front of the hat directly next to each other.

Crochet Lobster Hat Antennae

Right Antenna – All Sizes (Make One)

Row 1: Using Garnet yarn and 6mm hook, CH 17.  In the back bump of the CH, SL ST in the 2^nd CH of the hook.  SL ST in the back bump of the next 5 CHs. Put 2 SL STs in the back bump of the next 2 CHs.  SL ST in the back bump of the last 8 CHs.  (18)

FO leaving a long tail for securing to the hat.  Sew onto the top of the hat on the right side.

Left Antenna – All Sizes (Make One)

The Left Antenna is worked from the bottom-up so that the right side is facing out.

Row 1: Using Garnet yarn and 6mm hook, CH 17.  In the back bump of the CH, SL ST in the 2^nd CH of the hook.  SL ST in the back bump of the next 7 CHs. Put 2 SL STs in the back bump of the next 2 CHs.  SL ST in the back bump of the last 6 CHs.  (18)

FO.  Using a long piece of yarn, secure the antennae to top of the hat on the left side.

That’s it! I hope you enjoyed making your own crochet lobster hats! I’d love to see the hats you made. When sharing them on social media, please tag me or use #theloopylamb so I can see them and possibly share them in my stories.

Disclaimer:

Feel free to sell the crochet lobster hat created with this pattern but please provide pattern credit back to me when posting online, and please provide a link to my blog: https://www.theloopylamb.com.  Please do not resell, distribute, duplicate, or share this pattern in any printed or digital form, or claim this pattern as your own original design.  Please do not use my photos when selling your finished items.   

I’d love to see your finished crochet lobster hats!  Please share your finished makes by tagging the pattern on Ravelry, sharing it to our Facebook page or Instagram.  Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest 

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