PJ’s Trapper Hat

PJ's Trapper Hat by Laura McCoy

What is Being Made

The PJ's Trapper Hat is a children's crochet hat designed for ages 3-5 years old. This cozy winter accessory features a classic trapper hat silhouette with ear flaps and a fitted crown. The finished hat measures 18 inches in circumference, 9 inches in width, and 7.5 inches in height, making it an ideal size for toddlers and preschoolers who need warmth and protection during cold weather.

Crochet Techniques Used

This intermediate-level crochet pattern employs several fundamental techniques to construct the hat. The design begins with a foundation ring worked in the round, a common method for creating circular crochet projects. The pattern utilizes invisible half double crochet decreases, a technique that creates a seamless, polished appearance by working through the back loops of consecutive stitches and pulling the yarn through multiple loops on the hook to blend the decrease into the fabric. The hat is worked primarily in rows and rounds, with specific attention to working into back loops only and front loops only in designated areas to create texture and structure variation.

Stitches and Abbreviations

The PJ's Trapper Hat pattern uses the following essential crochet stitches:

• Ch (Chain) – The foundation stitch used to create the base of the pattern
• Sc (Single Crochet) – The primary stitch used throughout the hat body, worked at a gauge of 18 stitches by 16 rows over 4 inches
• HDC (Half Double Crochet) – Used in the invisible decrease technique for seamless shaping
• Sl (Slip Stitch) – Used to join rounds and create transitions
• Blo (Back Loop Only) – Worked to create textured sections and structural definition
• Flo (Front Loop Only) – Worked to create textured sections and structural definition
• Yo (Yarn Over) – A fundamental technique used in decreases and various stitches
• St (Stitch) – General abbreviation for individual crochet stitches

Materials and Tools

The PJ's Trapper Hat requires medium worsted weight yarn in two coordinating colors. The pattern calls for one skein of Navy Yarn Bee Soft & Sleek Yarn for the main body color and one skein of Blueberry Bushel Yarn Bee Rustic Romantic Yarn for the trim color, creating a complementary two-tone effect. The project is worked with a Size G (4mm) crochet hook, which is the standard hook size for worsted weight yarn projects. Additional materials include a stitch marker to track the beginning of rounds, a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, and scissors for cutting yarn. The stitch marker is placed on the loop on the hook to maintain consistency throughout the circular construction method.

Pattern Structure and Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate-level project, the PJ's Trapper Hat requires basic crochet knowledge and familiarity with working in the round. The pattern uses a foundation ring technique and incorporates selective loop working (back loop only and front loop only) to create dimensional shaping. The invisible half double crochet decrease is an intermediate technique that adds visual refinement to the finished hat. This difficulty level makes the pattern suitable for crocheters who have completed several beginner projects and are ready to develop their shaping and finishing skills.