Use this Free Mesh Sailor Hat Crochet Pattern to create a stylish sun hat with this easy mesh sailor hat design! Whether you’re crafting for your little sailor or making a chic accessory for your child, this versatile sun hat works up beautifully in cotton yarn. You will find a free version of this Lil Sailor Hat below or you can purchase the ad free pdf that includes all sizes at ETSY or RAVELRY.
Customize Your Nautical Sailor Hat – Buttons, Appliqués, and Stripes
This pattern is the perfect blank canvas for your creative touches. Turn your Mesh Sailor Hat into a boutique-worthy statement piece by adding:
-
Nautical buttons (easily found on Etsy in all shapes and sizes) Use a little bit of scotch tape to hold those buttons in place when sewing them on to the brim.
-
Star-shaped buttons for a whimsical touch
-
Nautical-themed appliqués or embroidery for extra flair
- Beautiful pull tie bows or tuxedo bows.
-
A contrasting stripe of color around the brim to make it pop
Pro Tip: You may even find a few vintage buttons on Etsy to give your hat a nostalgic or heirloom-quality finish!
Are you on my email list?
Perfect for Babies, Kids, Teens, and Adults – Full Size Range Included
Whether you’re making a hat for a baby shower, a summer family photo shoot, or your own sun-filled adventures, this pattern includes instructions for all sizes—from the tiniest baby to full-grown adults. It’s also a great stash-busting project for those beautiful leftover cotton yarns that deserve to shine.
What Yarn Works Best for the Mesh Sailor Hat?
When choosing yarn for this crochet sun hat, keep these suggestions in mind:
-
Use cotton yarns that are soft, wearable, and not labeled as dishcloth yarn.
-
“I Love This Cotton” from Hobby Lobby is a perfect choice, with a soft hand and a wide variety of colors.
-
Other soft cotton blends or (3) and light (4) weight cottons may work well and I have added a gauge as you go system that is in the ad free pdf that can be purchased at ETSY or RAVELRY.
Baby Size Mesh Sailor Hat Crochet Pattern Instructions
PATTERN NOTES: BEG. CH3 COUNTS AS DC THROUGHOUT PATTERN, BEG. SC COUNTS AS CH1 THROUGHOUT PATTERN ONCE HAT IS COMPLETE, EVENLY SPACE BUTTONS AROUND BRIM, AND SEW INTO PLACE, AND SEW RIBBON ALSO.
NOTIONS LIST: SEWING NEEDLE AND THREAD, AND 4 BUTTONS FOR GIRLS, 5 BUTTONS FOR BOYS. ONE PULL TIED BOW MADE FROM 1 ½” WIDE GROSGRAIN RIBBON. (TUTORIAL BELOW)
HOOK
H/8/5MM
GAUGE =(Main pattern rows of dc, ch1, dc, ch1) 4”w=7 dc, ch1 sequences; 3”h=6 rows = H/8/5MM
NEWBORN
Ch3, join in ring. (ch4 if you are a beginner, but I like the top of the hat to have a small hole) Row 1: ch3, 7dc in ring, slp st in 3rd ch of beg ch3 (8dc: ch3 counts as dc through the rest of pattern)
Row2: ch4; dc ch1 dc ch1 in nxt st; (dc ch1 in nxt st; dc ch1 dc ch1 in nxt st;) Complete sequence between ( ) around, join in 3rd ch of beg ch4 (12 dc)
Row3: slp st in nxt st; ch4; dc ch1 in nxt ch1sp; dc ch1 dc ch1 in nxt ch1sp (dc ch1 in nxt ch1sp, 2x; dc ch1 dc ch1 in nxt ch1sp) complete sequence between ( ) 3x, join by slp st in 3rd ch of beg ch4 (16dc)
Row 4: slp st in nxt st; ch4; (dc ch1 in nxt ch1sp) complete sequence between ( ) 3x; dc ch1 dc ch1, in nxt ch1sp; (dc ch1 in nxt ch1sp)2x ; dc ch1 dc ch1, in nxt ch1sp; (dc ch1 in nxt ch1sp)3x; dc ch1 dc ch1, in nxt ch1sp; (dc ch1 in nxt ch1sp)3x; dc ch1 dc ch1, in nxt ch1sp; join by slp st in 3rd ch of beg ch4 (20dc) {4 ¼” circle}=Row 1-4 Please understand that the measurements can have a degree of variance
Row 5-7 slp st in nxt st; ch4, dc ch1 in nxt st, around; join by slp st in 3rd ch of beg ch4 (20dc) {2” high}=Row 5-7 Row 8 ch1, sc in nxt st, around; slp st in beg ch1 (40sc)
Row 9&10: ch1, sc in each st around, slp st in beg ch1{3/4” high}=Row 8-10
Row 11: turn work so that the inside of the hat is facing you, instead of the outside of the hat, ch1, sc in back loop of each sc around, slp st in beg ch1
Row 12: ch1, sc in nxt st, 3x, 2sc in nxt st; (sc in nxt st, 4x, 2 sc in nxt st) complete sequence between ( ) 7x ; slp st in beg ch1 (48 sc)
Row 13: ch1, sc in nxt st, 7x, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt st, 10x, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt st, 9x, 2 sc in nxt st; sc in nxt st, 9x, 2sc in nxt st; sc in nxt st, 7x, 2sc in nxt st, slp st in beg ch1 (53sc)
Row 14-16: ch1 sc in each st around, slp st in beg ch1
Row 17: ch1, sc in each st around, drop MC and pick up CC, use CC to slp st in beg ch1 (this makes for a smooth color transition)
Row 18: ch1, sc in each st around, drop CC and pick up MC, use MC to slp st in beg ch1 (this makes for a smooth color transition)
Row 19: ch1, sc in each st around, slp st in beg ch1, end off and weave in ends.
Finished Measurements
{4 ¼” high}=crown to brim, hat folded {5” high}=crown to brim, hat rounded {7 ¼” wide}=widest part of hat folded {12 ½” circumference inside brim} Please understand that the measurements can have a degree of variance
If you enjoyed this free crochet pattern and make a sailor hat for baby, I hope you will come to my Facebook group and share photos with me.
There are several nautical and Sailor inspired crochet patterns for you to enjoy. Many are free here on the blog. One of these is a FUN Chicken Sweater.
Most of the Nautical or sailor designs are for baby. I am really partial to “Mamma’s Lil Firecracker” designs. It has several pieces for you to crochet for baby. The ebook can be purchased at RAVELRY or ETSY.
Pin the photo below to your favorite crochet boards.
Thank You for Crocheting With Me!
I absolutely love having you here on my side of the mountain. I hope you enjoy making the Mesh Sailor Hat as much as I enjoyed designing it. Be sure to share your finished makes with me—whether you’ve added cute buttons, playful stripes, or kept it simple and classic!
God Bless,
Please follow me at the links below.
YOUTUBE
RAVELRY
PINTEREST
INSTAGRAM
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT This crochet pattern is protected by copyright© Krissys Over The Mountain Crochet 2025. Do not sell, alter or redistribute this tutorial or it’s photos in any way or form.
I sometimes use affiliate links in my posts. This won’t cost you anything, but will help offset the cost of yarn and other supplies needed, so that I can continue bringing you crochet patterns and craft ideas. Thank you so much for your support.