Crochet Whimsical Unicorn Hat with Braided Earflaps Free Pattern

Introduction

This whimsical crochet unicorn hat is made for little dreamers who love a touch of magic in their everyday wardrobe. With a golden horn, floppy two-tone ears, sleepy embroidered eyes, and a twisted pastel mane, it is an enchanting accessory for imaginative play and cozy winter days. The white hat base is worked in simple single crochet rounds, so even a confident beginner can bring it to life. Soft worsted weight yarn makes it warm and snuggly, while the colorful braided earflaps with tassels finish it with a playful, handmade charm.

Materials Needed

• Worsted weight yarn: white (about 150 yards), gold (about 20 yards), pink (about 40 yards), purple, blue, and mint green (about 20 yards each)
• 5.0 mm crochet hook (US size H-8)
• Safety eyes (optional) or black embroidery thread
• Polyester fiberfill
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Stitch marker

Finished size: Child size, approximately 18–20 inches (46–51 cm) in circumference, fitting most children ages 2–8.

Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• inc = increase (2 sc in one stitch)
• dec = decrease (sc two stitches together)

Gauge

16 sc x 18 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet with the 5.0 mm hook. Work a small swatch in the round and measure it; adjust your hook size if needed to match gauge.

Tips Before You Start

• Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round so your hat base stays even and your stitch counts stay accurate.
• Keep your single crochet tension relaxed but consistent; a tight, stiff fabric will make the hat too small and harder to shape.
• Place the earflap stitch markers before you begin, counting from the front center, so both flaps sit evenly on the hat.
• Cut all mane and braid strands before you start attaching them, so you can work quickly and keep the color order consistent.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Hat Base (white)

Rnd 1: Make a magic circle, 6 sc in the circle (6 sts).

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).

Rnd 4: [sc in next 2 sts, inc] x6 (24 sts).

Rnd 5: [sc in next 3 sts, inc] x6 (30 sts).

Rnd 6: [sc in next 4 sts, inc] x6 (36 sts).

Rnd 7: [sc in next 5 sts, inc] x6 (42 sts).

Rnd 8: [sc in next 6 sts, inc] x6 (48 sts).

Rnd 9: [sc in next 7 sts, inc] x6 (54 sts).

Rnd 10: [sc in next 8 sts, inc] x6 (60 sts).

Rnd 11: [sc in next 9 sts, inc] x6 (66 sts).

Rnd 12: [sc in next 10 sts, inc] x6 (72 sts).

Rnds 13–30: sc in each st around (72 sts). Do not fasten off; continue to the earflaps.

Earflaps (white)

Placement note: The hat has 72 sts. The front center sits between the two earflaps. Count 18 sts from the front center to the left for the first earflap and 18 sts from the front center to the right for the second earflap. Place stitch markers at these positions.

Row 1: Attach white yarn at the first marker, ch 1, sc in same st and in next 11 sts (12 sts), turn.

Row 2: ch 1, dec, sc in next 8 sts, dec, turn (10 sts).

Row 3: ch 1, dec, sc in next 6 sts, dec, turn (8 sts).

Row 4: ch 1, dec, sc in next 4 sts, dec, turn (6 sts).

Row 5: ch 1, dec, sc in next 2 sts, dec, turn (4 sts).

Row 6: ch 1, dec twice (2 sts). Fasten off.

Repeat Rows 1–6 for the opposite earflap at the second marker.

Ears (make 2 outer white, 2 inner pink)

Outer ear (white): Ch 2.

Row 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook, turn (3 sts).

Row 2: ch 1, inc in each st across, turn (6 sts).

Row 3: ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (6 sts).

Row 4: ch 1, inc, sc in next 4 sts, inc, turn (8 sts).

Row 5: ch 1, sc in each st across, turn (8 sts).

Row 6: ch 1, dec, sc in next 4 sts, dec, turn (6 sts).

Row 7: ch 1, dec, sc in next 2 sts, dec, turn (4 sts).

Row 8: ch 1, dec twice (2 sts). Fasten off and weave in ends.

Inner ear (pink): Work the same as the outer ear, but use pink yarn from the beginning. Make 2.

Attach inner to outer: With wrong sides together, sew the pink inner ear centered on top of the white outer ear, leaving a white border visible around the edges. Make 2 ears.

Attach ears to hat: Sew one ear to each side of the hat, about 2 inches from the top center (where the horn will go) and about 1 inch above the earflaps. The ears should flop outward slightly.

Horn (gold)

Rnd 1: Make a magic circle, 4 sc in the circle (4 sts).

Rnd 2: sc in each st around (4 sts).

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x2 (6 sts).

Rnd 4: sc in each st around (6 sts).

Rnd 5: [sc in next 2 sts, inc] x2 (8 sts).

Rnd 6: sc in each st around (8 sts).

Rnd 7: [sc in next 3 sts, inc] x2 (10 sts).

Rnd 8: sc in each st around (10 sts).

Rnd 9: [sc in next 4 sts, inc] x2 (12 sts).

Rnd 10: sc in each st around (12 sts). Stuff lightly with fiberfill.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Sew the horn to the top center of the hat, between the ears.

Mane (pink, purple, blue, mint green)

Cut 24 strands of yarn (6 strands each of pink, purple, blue, and mint green), each about 24 inches long.

Starting at the top center of the hat just behind the horn, attach strands in groups of 4 (one of each color) along the center back of the hat, spacing them about 1 inch apart and working down the back to the bottom edge. Use a lark's head knot, or simply pull the folded strand through a stitch and knot it.

For each group, twist the strands tightly together and secure the twist with a knot at the end. Trim ends to about 1 inch for a fluffy mane. Alternatively, braid the strands for a different look.

Braids (pink, purple, blue, mint green)

Cut 6 strands each of pink, purple, blue, and mint green, about 36 inches long.

For each earflap, take 3 strands of each color (12 strands total) and fold them in half. Attach to the bottom tip of the earflap using a lark's head knot.

Separate the strands into three sections, braid to the desired length (about 6–8 inches), and fasten with a knot. Trim ends evenly for tassels. Repeat for the other earflap.

Eyes

Using black embroidery thread, embroider two sleepy eyes on the front of the hat, centered horizontally, about 1.5 inches apart and about 1 inch below the horn. For each eye, make a small horizontal stitch for the closed eyelid, then add a few straight stitches for eyelashes if desired. Alternatively, attach safety eyes before sewing the hat closed, making sure they are securely fastened.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew the horn, ears, and inner ears in place as described, then attach the mane and braids. Embroider the sleepy eyes last so you can center them under the horn. Weave in all remaining ends on the wrong side of the hat, working them through several stitches so they stay secure. Lightly steam-block the hat by holding a steam iron just above the fabric (never pressing down on the stitches) to smooth the earflaps and ears, then shape the horn and mane with your fingers and let everything dry completely.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the white base for a soft cream or pale gray for a more neutral look, keeping the pastel mane and braids as the pop of color.
• Use a smaller hook (4.5 mm) for a denser, warmer fabric, or a larger hook (5.5 mm) for a slouchier fit on older children.
• Add a small pom-pom to the end of each braid instead of a simple knot for extra bounce and a finished tassel look.