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Leopard Hat Pattern

Leopard Hat Pattern
4.0★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
2.7K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

🎀

Playful Twist

Fun patterns meet timeless design in pieces that express personality while remaining wonderfully wearable.

About This Leopard Hat Pattern

This pattern creates a chunky leopard animal hat with earflaps, crocheted ears, a shaped nose and scattered spots. It is worked mainly in double crochet with shaping rounds to form the crown and rows to form the triangular earflaps. The pattern includes separate pieces for earflap facings, ears, nose and multiple spot sizes, plus charts to help with placement.

Leopard Hat Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Suitable for both child and adult sizes, with bracketed numbers for the adult. Clear tension guidance and materials list are provided for accurate sizing.

Why You'll Love This Leopard Hat Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it transforms simple double crochet rounds into a charming, wearable animal hat with personality. I enjoy how the earflaps and ear pieces give the hat a sculptural, cozy look that is perfect for chilly days. The scattered spots are a fun freestyle detail that lets you experiment and personalize each hat. I also appreciate that it includes both child and adult sizing so you can make matching hats for different ages.

Leopard Hat Pattern step 1 - construction progress Leopard Hat Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Leopard Hat Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Leopard Hat Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love changing the color palette to make a totally different look; try soft pastels for a cute nursery hat or high-contrast colors for a bold fashion hat.

You can swap the chunky yarn for a DK and a smaller hook to create a lighter, sleeker version — the hat will be smaller so remember to check gauge carefully.

I often mix yarn textures for the spots and nose to add tactile interest — a fuzzy yarn for the spots gives a fluffy effect.

Try embroidering the spots instead of crocheting them for a flatter, appliqued look that is quicker to add.

Replace buttons with safety eyes for childrens hats only if they are securely attached, or embroider eyes for a totally child-safe option.

Combine two or three colorways in the crown rounds to create subtle striping as the hat grows — change color at the start of a round and weave in ends as you go.

Add a fleece lining cut to the hat shape for extra warmth; this gives a cozy, windproof finish and is great for very cold climates.

Personalize with tassels or pompoms at the earflap ends — use the thin card to make neat pom-poms that match or contrast with the main color.

Make the ears posable by threading a thin wire inside their stuffing if you want fun expressions and shapes — secure the wire ends well so they don't poke out.

I also like to stitch a few spots asymmetrically to make each hat unique; place a planner pin and try layouts before sewing to find a composition you love.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the correct hook size can change the finished hat size and tension; always check your gauge and switch hooks if your tension differs from the pattern. ✗ Joining yarn or changing color without securing the ends can cause loose stitches later; fasten off and weave in ends as you go to keep the work tidy and stable. ✗ Overstuffing the ears or nose will distort their shape and make attaching them awkward; stuff lightly and shape gradually for a natural curve. ✗ Not counting stitches after increases can lead to an incorrect crown circumference; count each round especially during the increase rounds to stay accurate.

Leopard Hat Pattern

Make a fun, cozy leopard earflap hat with this detailed crochet pattern. You will work the crown in rounds, add triangular earflaps, and finish with adorable spots and ears for a playful effect. Clear charts and step-by-step instructions guide you from start to finish so you can create a warm, stylish hat perfect for gifting or wearing all winter.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Leopard Hat Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    King Cole Merino Blend Chunky, 100% superwash wool (74yd/67m per 50g ball) - 3[4] x 50g balls in 928 Old Gold (A)
  • 02
    King Cole Merino Blend DK, 100% superwash wool (123yd/112m per 50g ball) - 1[1] x 50g ball in 048 Black (B)
  • 03
    King Cole Baby Alpaca DK, 100% pure baby alpaca (110yd/100m per 50g ball) - 1[1] x 50g ball in 500 Camel (C)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    3mm crochet hook
  • 02
    5mm crochet hook
  • 03
    6mm crochet hook
  • 04
    2 x brown 3/4[7/8]in (2[2.25]cm) diameter buttons
  • 05
    2 x black 1/2[5/8]in (1.25[1.5]cm) diameter buttons
  • 06
    Darning needle
  • 07
    Sewing needle
  • 08
    Black sewing thread
  • 09
    Small amount of toy stuffing
  • 10
    Thin card to make pompoms

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Materials :

Info :

King Cole Merino Blend Chunky, 100% superwash wool (74yd/67m per 50g ball). 3[4] x 50g balls in 928 Old Gold (A). King Cole Merino Blend DK, 100% superwash wool (123yd/112m per 50g ball). 1[1] x 50g ball in 048 Black (B). King Cole Baby Alpaca DK, 100% pure baby alpaca (110yd/100m per 50g ball). 1[1] x 50g ball in 500 Camel (C). 3mm (UK11:US-), 5mm (UK6:US H/8) and 6mm (UK4:US/J/10) crochet hooks. 2 x brown 3/4[7/8]in (2[2.25]cm) diameter buttons. 2 x black 1/2[5/8]in (1.25[1.5]cm) diameter buttons. Darning needle. Sewing needle. Black sewing thread. Small amount of toy stuffing. Thin card to make pompoms.

— Sizes :

Info :

To fit: child, up to 20in (51cm) head circumference [adult, up to 22in (56cm) head circumference]

— Tension :

Info :

13 sts and 14 rows to 4in (10cm) over double crochet on 6mm hook. Use larger or smaller hook if necessary to obtain correct tension.

— Method :

Info :

The main part of the hat is crocheted in rounds, starting from the top and increasing the stitches to shape the crown. The earflaps are crocheted in rows and decreased to form the triangular shape. The leopard's ears are worked in rounds. They are lightly stuffed and attached to the hat along with a crocheted nose and leopard spots. The number of spots can be increased to create a denser pattern, if preferred. Buttons are stitched on for eyes.

— Main piece :

Info :

Both sizes Starting at the top of the hat, with 6mm hook and A, make 4 ch and sl st to first ch to form a ring.

Round 1 :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 6 dc into ring, sl st into first dc (6 sts).

Round 2 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (12 sts).

Round 3 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 1 dc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (18 sts).

Round 4 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 2 dc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (24 sts).

Round 5 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 3 dc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (30 sts).

Round 6 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 4 dc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (36 sts).

Round 7 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 5 dc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (42 sts).

Round 8 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 6 dc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (48 sts).

Round 9 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 7 dc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (54 sts).

Round 10 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 8 dc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (60 sts).

Round 11 (Adult size only) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 9 dc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (66 sts).

Next (Both sizes) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in each dc, sl st into first dc. Rep last round 16[18] times more.

— Earflaps and edging :

First earflap :

Next: Starting at the centre back, 1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in next 5[6] dc. The following is worked in rows:

Row 1 (RS) (Adult size only) :

Work 1 dc in next 15 dc, turn.

Row 2 (WS) (dec) (Adult size only) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), dc2dec, 1 dc in next 11 dc, dc2dec, turn, 1 ch (does not count as a st).

Next (Both sizes) :

Work 1 dc in next 13 dc, turn.

Next (dec) :

*1 ch (does not count as a st), dc2dec, 1 dc in next 9 dc, dc2dec, turn (11 sts).

Next :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in each dc, turn.

Next (dec) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), dc2dec, 1 dc in next 7 dc, dc2dec, turn (9 sts).

Next :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in each dc, turn.

Next (dec) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), dc2dec, 1 dc in next 5 dc, dc2dec, turn (7 sts).

Next :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in each dc, turn.

Next (dec) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), dc2dec, 1 dc in next 3 dc, dc2dec, turn (5 sts).

Next :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in each dc, turn.

Next (dec) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), dc2dec, 1 dc in next 1 dc, dc2dec, turn (3 sts).

Next :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in each dc, turn.

Next (dec) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), dc2dec, 1 dc in each dc, (3 sts).* Fasten off.

Second earflap :

Next: With right side facing, rejoin A to the front of the hat. Work 1 dc in each of the 24 dc across the front of the hat. The following is worked in rows:

Row 1 (RS) (Adult size only) :

Work 1 dc in next 15 dc, turn.

Row 2 (WS) (dec) (Adult size only) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), dc2dec, 1 dc in next 11 dc, dc2dec, turn, 1 ch (does not count as a st).

Next (Both sizes) :

Work 1 dc in next 13 dc, turn.

Next :

Work from * to * of first earflap. Fasten off.

— Earflap facings :

Info :

EARFLAP FACINGS (MAKE 2) Omit if you plan to add a crocheted lining.

Both sizes :

Using 6mm hook and A, make 14[16] ch. Row 1 (RS): Work 1 dc in second ch from hook, 1 dc into the next 12[14] ch, turn (13[15] sts).

Row 2 (dec) (Adult size only) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), dc2dec, 1 dc in next 11 dc, dc2dec, turn (13 sts).

Row 3 :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in each dc, turn.

Both sizes Next :

Work from * to * of the first earflap in the main piece pattern. Fasten off.

Edging :

Using 5mm hook and A, with right side of work facing and starting at row 1 of the earflap facing, work 1 dc into each stitch down the edge of the next 10[12] rows, work dc2inc, 1 dc, dc2inc in the next 3 dc along the lower edge of the earflap facing, work 1 dc into each stitch at the edge of the next 10[12] rows up the other side of the earflap facing (25[29] sts). Fasten off, leaving a long length of yarn at the end.

— Ears (MAKE 2) :

Both sizes :

Starting at the top of the ear, with 6mm hook and A, make 4 ch and sl st to first ch to form a ring.

Round 1 :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 5 dc into ring, sl st into first dc (5 sts).

Round 2 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 5 times, sl st into first dc (10 sts).

Round 3 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 1 dc) 5 times, sl st into first dc (15 sts).

Round 4 (inc) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 2 dc) 5 times, sl st into first dc (20 sts).

Next (inc) (Adult size only) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 4 dc) 4 times, sl st into first dc (24 sts).

Next (Both sizes) :

1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in each dc, sl st into first dc. Rep last round 4[6] more times. Fasten off, leaving a long length of yarn at the end.

— Nose :

Both sizes :

With 3mm hook and B, make 4 ch and sl st to first ch to form a ring. Next: 1 ch (does not count as a st), work 6 dc into ring, sl st into first dc (6 sts).

Child size only :

Next round: 1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in each dc, sl st to first dc. Next round (inc): 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (12 sts). Next round (inc): 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 12 times, sl st into first dc (24 sts).

Adult size only :

Next (inc): 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (12 sts). Next round: 1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in each dc, sl st to first dc. Next round: Rep last round. Next round (inc): 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 12 times, sl st into first dc (24 sts). Next round: 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 2 dc) 8 times, sl st into first dc (32 sts).

Both sizes :

Fasten off, leaving a long length of yarn at the end.

— Spots :

Tiny (make 10[10]) :

With 3mm hook and C, make 4 ch and sl st to first ch to form a ring. Round 1: 1 ch (does not count as a st), work 5 dc into ring, sl st into first dc (5 sts). Join in yarn B. Round 2 (inc): With B, make 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 5 times (10 sts). Fasten off, leaving a long length of B at the end.

Small (make 10[6]) :

With 3mm hook and C, make 4 ch and sl st to first ch to form a ring. Row 1: 1 ch (does not count as a st), work 6 dc into ring, turn (6 sts). Row 2 (inc): 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 3 times, join and continue in yarn B, (dc2inc) 3 times, turn (12 sts). Row 3 (inc): With B, 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 1 dc) 6 times (18 sts). Fasten off, leaving a long length of B at the end.

Medium (make 6[6]) :

With 3mm hook and C, make 4 ch and sl st to first ch to form a ring. Round 1: 1 ch (does not count as a st), work 5 dc into ring, sl st into first dc (5 sts). Round 2 (inc): 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 5 times, sl st into first dc (10 sts). Round 3 (inc): 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc,1dc) twice, join and continue in yarn B, (dc2inc,1dc) 3 times, sl st into first dc (15 sts). Round 4 (inc): With B, 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc,2dc) 4 times, sl st to next dc. Fasten off, leaving a long length of B at the end.

Large (make 0[6]) :

With 3mm hook and C, make 4 ch and sl st to first ch to form a ring. Round 1: 1 ch (does not count as a st), work 6 dc into ring, sl st into first dc (6 sts). Round 2 (inc): 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 6 times, sl st into first dc (12 sts). Join in yarn B. Round 3 (inc): With B, make 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc,1dc) 6 times, turn (18 sts). Next: With B, miss first dc, 1 dc in next 2 dc, (dc2inc,2dc) 3 times, sl st to next dc. Fasten off, leaving a long length of B at the end.

Assembly Instructions

  • Lightly stuff the ears and shape them, then attach them to the hat crown with a yarn needle and the long tail, positioning them symmetrically on the crown.
  • Sew the nose to the front centre of the hat using the long tail and a darning needle, securing through several stitches for durability.
  • Stitch buttons onto the eye positions using black sewing thread; ensure thread is secured and buttons are appropriate and safe for the recipient.
  • Arrange and sew the spots onto the hat with the long yarn tails left from making the spots, then weave in all ends securely.
  • If using earflap facings, join the facings to the earflaps using the edging instructions, weaving in any loose ends and fastening off neatly.

Important Notes

  • 💡Check your tension carefully before starting the main piece; changes to hook size will affect the final hat circumference and fit.
  • 💡Fasten off leaving long lengths of yarn where indicated so you have enough to sew pieces in place and to weave in ends securely.
  • 💡Stuff the ears and nose only lightly to keep a natural, flexible shape and avoid distorting the hat when attaching pieces.

This playful leopard hat pattern is designed to be fun, wearable, and full of personality. Create a matching set in child and adult sizes or experiment with colors for endless variations. Crochet, attach, and wear your cozy creation with pride! 🐆🧶

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished hat be?

The pattern includes two sizes: child to fit up to 20in (51cm) head circumference and adult to fit up to 22in (56cm) head circumference when using the recommended yarns and hook sizes.

Can I make only one size of the spots or mix sizes?

Yes, you can make any combination of tiny, small, medium and large spots listed in the pattern; the spot instructions include quantities and you can increase or decrease them to suit your design.

Do I need to line the hat?

Lining is optional; earflap facings can be omitted if you plan to add a sewn fleece lining as mentioned in the book, but facings are provided for a fully crocheted finish.

What level of crochet experience is required?

This pattern is intermediate; it assumes familiarity with double crochet, working in rounds and rows, increases and decreases, and basic sewing-up techniques.