Free Mini Santa Hat Crochet Pattern (Keychain & Ornament)

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If you’re wondering “how to crochet a Santa hat?” here’s the quick answer: start with a magic ring, crochet a small cone with single crochet increases, finish with a white brim, then add a pom-pom on top. This mini version follows the exact same formula just scaled down so it’s the perfect fast project to learn the shape before making bigger hats.

This free mini Santa hat crochet pattern is beginner friendly, written in US terms, and works up in about 15–20 minutes. It’s designed as a sturdy Santa hat keychain, but also looks adorable as:

• a tiny Santa hat ornament for your tree
• a topper for gifts and jars
• a mini hat for dolls or shelf decor
• a matching charm for your favorite Christmas amigurumi

You’ll crochet the red cone in simple rounds, add a chunky white brim, then choose between two pom-pom options (structured puff or tiny round ball), and finish with an easy keychain loop so it’s secure for everyday use

Ready? Grab your red and white yarn—next we’ll cover materials, abbreviations, and the full step-by-step mini Santa hat pattern.

Materials & Tools

For this mini Santa hat crochet pattern you’ll want tight, dense stitches so the hat keeps its shape on a keychain.

• Yarn: Sport weight / #2 cotton or cotton blend (e.g. YarnArt Jeans)
  • Red – hat
  • White – brim & pom-pom
• Hook: 2.0 mm (for a firm fabric that won’t stretch out)
• Keychain hardware: jump ring + keyring or short chain
• Notions: yarn needle, scissors
• Optional: a tiny bit of stuffing for the mini ball pom-pom

If you’re unsure about pairing yarn size and hook, check your yarn label and use our yarn weight, gauge & hook size guide for reference:

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• MR – magic ring
• sc – single crochet
• dc – double crochet
• inc – increase (2 sc in same stitch)
• dec – decrease (sc2tog / invisible decrease)
• FLO – front loop only
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• (…)×n – repeat instructions in brackets n times

Unless noted, work in spiral rounds without joining.

Mini Santa Hat – Red Cone

Now let’s shape the classic Santa hat cone. 🧶
Remember: work in spiral rounds (no joining) and keep your tension firm, especially since this is a mini Santa hat keychain.

With red yarn:

• R1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
• R2: 6 sc. (6)
• R3: inc in each st around. (12)
• R4: 12 sc. (12)
• R5: (1 sc, inc) ×6. (18)
• R6: 18 sc. (18)

You’ll start to see a small cone forming.

• R7: 3 sc, inc, 2 sc, inc, 3 sc, inc, 2 sc, inc, 3 sc, inc. (23)
  Work this round slowly to keep the shape smooth.
  On the last stitch of R7, begin the stitch with red and switch to white on the final yarn-over so the color change lands cleanly at the brim.

Do not cut yarn too short at color change, leave a small tail inside to weave in later for a neat finish.

White Brim (Chunky Fluffy Edge)

Time to add that classic fluffy Santa trim. We’ll use white yarn and a simple trick in FLO (front loop only) to create a clean edge where red meets white.

With white:

• R8: Working in FLO of each st around, 1 sc in every st. (23)
  This locks the color change and creates a subtle ridge on the inside.
• R9–R10: Work 1 sc in both loops around. (23 each)

Fasten off and weave in the yarn tails neatly inside the hat.

You should now have:

• a tiny red cone
• a flat, chunky white brim that sits firmly, perfect for a mini Santa hat keychain or ornament.

Pom-Pom Options (Two Cute Finishes)

Pick the pom-pom style that matches your aesthetic (or make both 😉). Both are small, light, and perfect for a mini Santa hat keychain.

Option 1 – DC Puff Pom-Pom (Structured Puff)

Gives that elongated, textured look with visible dc “columns”.

With white:

1. Make a MR.
2. Into the ring, make 6 unfinished dc:
   • (Yarn over, insert hook in MR, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops) – leave last loop each time.
3. You’ll have multiple loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through all loops at once to close into one big puff.
4. Tighten the magic ring firmly.
5. Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
6. Use the tail to sew the puff securely to the very top of the hat.

This option gives a tall, structured pom that looks super cute in photos and doesn’t flop.

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Option 2 – Mini Ball Pom-Pom (Tiny Round Ball)

More classic, ball-shaped pom-pom look.

With white:

• R1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
• R2: inc in each st around. (12)
• R3: 12 sc. (12)
• R4: (dec) ×6. (6)

Lightly stuff (optional) before closing the last decreases so it keeps a round shape.

Fasten off, pull the hole tight, and sew the ball on top of the hat.

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Once your pom-pom is attached, your mini Santa hat is complete in shape. Next, we’ll add the keychain loop/hardware so it’s ready to hang.

Keychain Loop & Attachment

Last step: turn your tiny Santa hat into a durable mini Santa hat keychain (or hanging ornament).

You’ve got two easy options:

Option A – Yarn Loop + Hardware

1. Choose red or white yarn.
2. Insert your hook at the very top of the hat:
   • either just under the pom-pom
   • or through a couple of firm stitches on top of it.
3. Ch 6–8 (adjust length depending on how low you want it to hang).
4. Sl st back into the same stitch to form a secure loop.
5. Fasten off and weave in ends carefully.
6. Slide a jump ring through the yarn loop, then attach your keyring or short chain.

This gives you a flexible, secure hanging point that works great for bags, keys, and zipper pulls.

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Option B – Direct Hardware

1. Take a sturdy jump ring.
2. Pass it:
   • either through the top of the pom-pom
   • or under a couple of tight white stitches at the top of the hat.
3. Close the jump ring.
4. Attach your keyring or chain.

This option is sleek, metal-based, and perfect if you prefer zero extra yarn loops.

How to Use Your Mini Santa Hat 🎅

This mini Santa hat crochet pattern is tiny, sturdy, and ridiculously versatile. Once you’ve finished one, you’ll want them everywhere:

• Keychain: Attach to your everyday keys or bag for a subtle Christmas touch.
• Ornament: Skip the hardware, add a yarn loop, and hang it on your tree.
• Gift Topper: Tie it on gift bags, treat jars, or hot chocolate kits instead of a regular bow.
• Doll / Figure Hat: Pop it onto small dolls, amigurumi, or decor characters for instant holiday vibes.
• Garlands: Make several and string them into a cute mini Santa hat bunting.

Because it’s fast and low-yardage, it’s perfect for markets, teacher gifts, stocking stuffers, and last-minute makes.

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Resize Tips: From Mini to Full Santa Hat

If you landed here searching for how to crochet a Santa hat in general, this mini Santa hat crochet pattern is the perfect prototype to scale up:

1. Start with the same cone logic
   • Increase evenly in the round (MR 6 → 12 → 18 → 24 → etc.)
   • Keep increasing until the flat circle matches the top-width you want.
2. Measure the head or the object
   • For wearables: measure head circumference, then stop increasing once you round ≈ that width when slightly stretched.
   • For decor: size it visually to mugs, bottles, plushies, etc.
3. Work even rounds
   • After increases, crochet straight rounds (no increases) to reach the desired height of the hat.
4. Add the white brim
   • Switch to white, work 1 round in FLO, then 2–4 rounds in sc for a thicker brim.
   • Add your favorite pom-pom on top—same method as this mini pattern, just bigger.

This way, your mini Santa hat becomes the prototype for baby, kids, or full-size hats without needing a completely different pattern.

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FAQ – Mini Santa Hat Crochet Pattern

Got questions about this mini santa hat crochet pattern? Here are quick answers:

More Free Patterns to Make a Matching Christmas Set

If you loved this tiny Santa hat, you’ll also enjoy:

• Avocado Crochet Keychain Pattern – fun foodie charm to pair on your keys.
• Crochet Ant Easy Amigurumi Keychain – another quick, cute keychain project.
• Free Whale Crochet Pattern – soft, round, and beginner friendly.
• Amigurumi Bunny Free Pattern – adorable gift-ready plush.
• Top 10 Amigurumi Mistakes to Avoid – improve your finish on all tiny projects.

Use this mini Santa hat crochet pattern as your go-to holiday charm, and don’t forget to pin your photos so other makers can find it too. 🎄🧶