The Bitsy Bobbled Toboggan: A Free Winter Hat Crochet Pattern

Please note: This post contains affiliate links which means that if you purchase through the link, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting my small business!

If you’re like me, winter wear is NOT a favorite…probably not how you expect a free winter hat crochet pattern to start off…right?

But seriously though, cold weather just isn’t my jam! Like it or not, I still have to deal with it. So if I’ve got to dress myself and my kiddos warmly, then why not do it in style! The Bitsy Bobbled Toboggan is the cutest way to add some whimsy to your winter wear.

This design actually came to me when I was working on a different design….the Snuggle Bunny bobble buddy! I love the texture that bobbles add to crochet designs and figured incorporating them into a winter hat crochet pattern would be the perfect way to bring an eye-catching whimsy finish to that pesky winter wear!

Photo features the back of two crochet bobbled bunny patterns. — Here’s a peek at the first bobble buddy design!

Today, I am sharing the toddler size of the Bitsy Bobbled Toboggan as part of the Fall Favorites Bundle from Made with a Twist! Today only, you can download the ad-free pdf pattern for the toddler sized Bitsy Bobbled Toboggan. Remember, this download ONLY includes the toddler size of this free winter hat crochet pattern. Scroll to end to find the free download button!

Need a different size? You can also SAVE on the premium pattern, which includes seven sizes ranging from newborn to child sized. Use the code BITSY to save 50% on Etsy and Ravelry!

This free pattern is being shared as part of the Fall Favorites Bundle. From October 21st to November 1st, a brand-new fall crochet pattern will be featured each day on the blog at Made with a Twist, with one free pattern dropping at 8am Eastern daily.

These patterns are perfect for the season and crafted by some of your favorite crochet designers! Whether you’re looking for a special project for yourself, something to give to a loved-one, or inventory to offer at your next craft fair, you’ll find designs that fit the bill right here in this special event.

If you would rather have the ad-free premium patterns for each of these designs, you are in luck. You can find all TWELVE patterns bundled for just $9.99! What a steal for all of these beautiful designs! Grab your bundle here!

If you want to test out the Bitsy Bobbled Toboggan before you purchase, look no further! Find the FREE toddler sized pattern below 🙂

BITSY BOBBLED TOBOGGAN – TODDLER SIZE

MATERIALS

HOOK(S) 5.0 mm • US size H

YARN Weight : Worsted
Hobby Lobby, I Love This Yarn Toddler: ~ 145 yards

NOTIONS

Scissors // Pom Pom Maker // Stitch Marker // Darning Needle // Measuring Tape

FINAL HEIGHT

Toddler: ~7.5 inches

*Note: Hat is meant to fit large and slouchy! Size down if you’d like a more fitted look.

ABBREVIATIONS

SPECIAL STITCHES

BACK LOOP ONLY (BLO):
To crochet in the back loop only, create your chain. Turn to go back across your work. You will notice the chains are in the shape of a “V.” As you go back across your work, place your single crochet stitches in only the back loop of the “V,” rather than through both loops. When you get to the end of your row, chain 1 and turn your work. As you go back across the work, continue to crochet only in the back loop. As you work the rows, you will begin to see they create a ridge-like effect. This will create your brim.

COLOR CHANGES:

If you are interested in making your bobbles in a different color from the rest of your work, see this video tutorial or this written tutorial.

BOBBLE STITCH (bobble):

To make a bobble stitch, work four double crochets into the same stitch as below:

(Yo, insert hook into st, draw up a loop, yo, pull through first two loops on hook) and repeat 3 more times. End with 5 loops on the hook – yo, pull through all 5 loops.

See this stitch tutorial with photos if needed:

GAUGE

Gauge is important for this pattern so that you don’t end up with a hat that is too small or too large for your intended size. If you find that your sample piece when attempting to meet gauge is too big, you will need to use a smaller hook size in order to create the intended size. If you find that your piece is too small to meet gauge, you will need to use a larger hook size in creating your hat to get the intended size. *Please note, I tend to crochet tightly! If you crochet loosely, you may need to size down in order to meet gauge. If you have trouble meeting gauge, read below under “before you begin” as adjustments to this pattern are fairly easy to give flexibility in sizing! Also, this hat is meant to fit pretty slouchy. If you prefer a more fitted look consider sizing down. If you finish and your hat just seems too big, consider omitting the last round of bobbles to decrease the final height of the hat.

Using an H (5.0 mm) Hook:

4 x 4 Square in Rows:

Row 1: Ch 17. Sc in the second ch and an additional 15 across. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 2+: Sc in the BLO x 16 across. Ch 1 and turn. Repeat for 18 rows total.

4.5 x 4.5 Square in Bobbles:

Row 1: Ch 17. Sc in the second ch and an additional 15 across. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 2: hdc x 16 across. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 3: sc, [bobble, sc x 3] x 3, bobble, sc x 2. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 4: hdc x 16 across. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 5: [sc x 3, bobble] x 3, sc x 4. Ch 1 and turn.

Rows 6-9: Repeat rows 2-5

Rows 10-13: Repeat rows 2-5

Row 14: hdc x 16 across.

Row 15: sc x 16 across. Cut yarn and fasten off.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

All sizes of hats begin by making the brim. You will work in rows on the brim and then will work in the round
for the rest of the hat. You will NOT join in the round. This might feel odd, but joining will affect the placement of the bobbles throughout the hat!

For the brim – if you have trouble maintaining gauge across the entirety of the brim when making rows, you may not reach the intended brim length as noted. Just add or subtract rows as necessary to reach the length in inches for your intended size. I can make a brim three different times and get three slightly different numbers! Aim to get close to the estimated length for your size. Also, be sure you don’t make your chains too tight when turning, as this will affect the “stretchiness” of your brim! For the hat – if you prefer a more fitted look or you are having trouble maintaining gauge, you can take out a few rounds at the end of the pattern to decrease the final height.

CREATING THE BRIM

Row 1: Ch 9. Sc in the second ch and an additional 7 back across. Ch 1 and turn. [8]

Rows 2+: Sc in the BLO x 8. Ch 1 and turn. [8]

Repeat x 57 more rows. Brim will have an estimated total of 59 rows. Continue to add if necessary!

Measurements: Height: 2 inches // Length ~13.5 inches

Fold your brim in half and sc 8 st across. Turn the brim.

WORKING THE HAT

Instructions are written in (toddler) size.

Stitch counts are included at the end of each round for each size. For the bobble rows, only the number of bobbles in that round for each size are included for the stitch count.

Round 1: Ch 1. You will now work in the round. You should be working on the outside of the brim. Sc x 60 around. [60]

Round 2: hdc x 60 around. [60]

Round 3: sc x 2, bobble, [sc x 3, bobble] x 14, sc. [15 bobbles]

Round 4: hdc x 60 around. [60]

Round 5: sc, bobble, [sc x 3, bobble] x 14, sc x 2. [15 bobbles]

Round 6: hdc x 60 around. [60]

Round 7: bobble, [sc x 3, bobble] x 14, sc x 3. [15 bobbles]

Round 8: hdc x 60 around. [60]

Round 9: [sc x 3, bobble] x 15. [15 bobbles]

Round 10: hdc x 60 around. [60]

Round 11: sc x 2, bobble, [sc x 3, bobble] x 14, sc. [15 bobbles]

Round 12: hdc x 60 around. [60]

Round 13: sc, bobble, [sc x 3, bobble] x 14, sc x 2. [15 bobbles]

Round 14: hdc x 60 around. [60]

Round 15: bobble, [sc x 3, bobble] x 14, sc x 3. [15 bobbles]

Round 16: hdc x 60 around. [60]

Round 17: [sc x 3, bobble] x 15. [15 bobbles]

Round 18: hdc x 60 around. [60] For toddler size, go to closing instructions.

CLOSING THE HAT

When you are ready to close your hat, ch 1. Fold the hat in half so that you are working from the right edge of the top of the hat. You will now single crochet through both the front and the back sides of the hat, in order to seam the two together.

Sc across x 30. When you reach the opposite side, tie off the yarn and weave in ends.

ADDING FLAIR:

To finish off your hat, add pom poms, tassels or fur poms to the upper corners of each side of your hat. For yarn poms, I used a Clover 3 3/8 inch pom pom maker for my hat and wound the yarn on each side tightly, four times. This makes a pretty thick pom pom! Shape your pom and tie on to your hat! Or choose fur poms to add to each side!

PLAY WITH COLOR:

Consider making your bobbles a different color than the rest of your toboggan! This is considered an advanced technique and you will need to be familiar with carrying yarn and making color switches. You want to be sure to switch to your bobble color before starting the bobble stitch and switch back to your main hat color when closing the bobble stitch. A video tutorial for color changing in this pattern is available here!

Thank you so much for checking out this free winter hat crochet pattern!

I hope you love your new bobbled toboggan 🙂 I’d love for you to share your finished makes with me! Tag me on Instagram or share on Facebook. I love to see and share new creations!