The Little Sleeve Hat draws inspiration from an old sewing idea: cutting a sweater sleeve and turning it into a hat. I loved the simplicity of that concept, so I wondered—what if I could create the same idea with crochet? That’s how the Little Sleeve Hat came about.
Instead of cutting up a sweater, you crochet a simple piece similar to a Crochet Sweater Sleeve, join it, and shape it into a tiny hat made especially for little heads.
Whether you are looking for a free crochet preemie hat pattern for donation, making hats for a NICU, or simply want a quick and meaningful crochet project, this little hat is a lovely one to have in your pattern collection.
Get Little Sleeve Hat
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About the Little Sleeve Hat
The Little Sleeve Hat uses simple crochet stitches worked flat in rows, then joins the piece to create the hat shape.
Its construction is part of what makes the design special. Rather than crocheting from the crown down or working in continuous rounds, you create a rectangular piece and then transform it into a hat.
It is a little like taking a crochet “sleeve” and turning it into a cosy hat—which is where the name Little Sleeve Hat comes from.
The pattern uses simple crochet stitches, making it a practical project for crocheters who want something that doesn’t require complicated shaping.
Because preemie babies come in many different sizes, you can adjust the pattern to create a better fit.
Get the Little Sleeve Hat FREE During the Preemie Crochet Challenge 2026!
The Little Sleeve Crochet Hat is part of the 2026 Preemie Crochet Challenge, which runs throughout September.
As part of this special event, you can download the PDF pattern for the Little Sleeve Hat FREE for the next 48 hours, simply click the button below.
Please remember that this free PDF is an event special and is only available until September 5th, 2026. All downloads include a pledge to make and donate at least one to a NICU or similar.
After the 48-hour download period has lapsed, don’t worry! The free Little Sleeve Hat crochet pattern will remain right here on the blog, so you can bookmark this page and come back whenever you’re ready to make one.
And if you’d rather have the pattern tucked neatly into your crochet library, you can always grab the paid PDF pattern too.
More Crochet Preemie Hat Patterns
Little Sleeve Hat Pattern
Skill Level: Beginner
Materials:
- 3.5 mm crochet hook
- 40 yards of soft DK Yarn
- Scissors
- Darning needle
Stitches and terms used:
- Ch= chain
- Sl st= slip stitch
- Sc= single crochet
- Hdc= half double crochet
- Rpt= repeat
Gauge: 18 sts & 9 rows in dc= 4”
Finished sizes: Using the materials indicated, the Little Sleeve Hat measures 11 inches in circumference and 5 inches long
Notes:
- Read through the pattern from beginning to end before starting your work just to be sure don’t have any questions that might cause frustration while working on the project.
- This pattern is written in US terms. For a conversion to UK terms, get my free eBook with conversion charts here.
- Before you begin, check your gauge and adjust as needed to achieve the correct sizing.
- Throughout the pattern, work in the 3rd loop only. The 3rd loop is located behind and below the back loop.
- Please note: Ch 1 does not count as a stitch. In addition, the stitch count for each size remains the same throughout the pattern.
- Hat has a bit of stretch so the actual finished circumference and fit (listed in the finished size section) may differ by a few centimeters.
- Adjust the circumference by working fewer or more rows, and adjust the length by working fewer or more chains. Keep the single crochet stitch count consistent throughout any length adjustments.
- With personal adjustments, the finished hat can be made with or without a brim.
- The Little Sleeve Hat is worked flat in rows and seamed together when finished.
- The number in parenthesis ( ) at the end of each row represents the total number of stitches to be worked in each row.
Pattern:
With your DK yarn and 3.5 mm hook,
Ch 28
Row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from hook. sc in each of the next 5 ch, hdc in each of the next ch to the last ch. (27 sts; 6 sc and 21 hdc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. In 3rd loop only, hdc in the 1st st and in each of the next 20 sts. Sc in each of the next 6 sts. (27 sts; 21 hdc and 6 sc)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn. In 3rd loop only, sc in the 1st st and in each of the next 5 sts. Hdc in each of the next 21 sts. (27 sts; 6 sc and 21 hdc)
Row 4- 28: Rpt row 2-3
Closing and finishing:
- Fold in half lengthwise with the right side facing each other.
- Sl st last row to beginning row to join them. To best disguise the join, seam is worked only through the chain stitches and the back loop of the adjacent st.
- Fasten off leaving a 6 inch tail. Use this tail to sew the top of the hat closed.
