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Leopard Hat Pattern

Leopard Hat Pattern
4.7★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
2.6K 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.

🧣

Snug Essential

Everyday comfort with practical charm, designed for both functionality and style through changing seasons.

About This Leopard Hat Pattern

This pattern creates a warm, leopard-print earflap hat in both child and adult sizes with crocheted ears, a nose and decorative spots. The hat is worked from the crown down in rounds and finished with triangular earflaps worked in rows. It uses chunky yarn for the main hat and DK yarn for the features, producing a cozy, structured finish perfect for cold weather.

Leopard Hat Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Includes full stitch-by-stitch instructions for the main piece, earflaps, ear facings, ears, nose and spots. Buttons are used for the eyes and there are clear notes for shaping and finishing.

Why You'll Love This Leopard Hat Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it transforms simple stitches into a fun, characterful hat that really pops with personality. I enjoy how easy it is to change the look by altering spot placement or yarn colors, making each hat unique. The pattern uses accessible techniques but gives a professional-looking finish, so I always feel proud to gift these to friends and family. The earflaps and shaping give the hat great structure and warmth, and stitching on the spots is a relaxing finishing touch that personalizes every piece.

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 how easy it is to customize this leopard hat — you can change yarn colors to create different animals or a unique style.

Try swapping the Old Gold for a deep rust or forest green for a bold, grown-up look that still keeps the leopard motif.

If you want a smaller, cuter hat, use a lighter-weight yarn and a smaller hook to create a mini version suitable for dolls or keyrings.

I often add embroidered whiskers or a contrast trim around the edge for extra detail that makes each hat feel handmade and special.

To make the hat extra warm, line it with a soft fleece fabric; use the lining instructions at the back of the book for guidance.

For a playful twist, change the spot sizes and placement: more small spots create a denser print, while fewer larger spots look more graphic.

I sometimes replace the button eyes with felt appliqué eyes for a child-safe option that is just as cute.

Consider adding a pom-pom to the top in a contrasting color or making braided ties longer for a funkier finish.

For a posable look, add soft wire to the inside of the ears when stitching them in place so they can be posed slightly differently each time.

Don’t be afraid to mix yarn textures — a fluffy yarn for the ear interiors gives a very different effect to a flat DK for the spots.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Starting the crown with loose chains can make the crown gap; make sure to pull the initial ring tight to close the hole completely. ✗ Skipping increases or miscounting increases will make the crown out of shape; count stitches carefully at the end of each round to confirm the stitch counts. ✗ Not working the earflaps from the correct starting point can shift facial features; follow the instructions to start the earflap at the centre back and rejoin at the front for the second flap. ✗ Attaching ears or spots without pinning them first may result in uneven placement; pin or baste pieces in position and check in a mirror before stitching permanently.

Leopard Hat Pattern

Crochet a playful leopard earflap hat with earflaps, ears, a cute snout and spotted details. This pattern walks you through making both child and adult sizes using chunky yarn and simple crochet techniques. Youll love the cozy fit and the customizable spots and ear details that make this hat special.

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)
  • 04
    Small amount of toy stuffing for ears (if using)
  • 05
    Thin card to make pom-poms (for optional pom-poms)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    3mm crochet hook (UK11:US): for small details (nose, spots)
  • 02
    5mm crochet hook (UK6:US H/8): for facings and edging
  • 03
    6mm crochet hook (UK4:US J/10): main hat
  • 04
    2 x brown 3/4[7/8]in (2[2.25]cm) diameter buttons (eyes)
  • 05
    2 x black 1/2[5/8]in (1.25[1.5]cm) diameter buttons (pupil 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

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— 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 :

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 (inc) :

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 :

Child size - 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:

Adult size only - First earflap Row 1 (RS) :

Work 1 dc in next 15 dc, turn.

Adult size only - First earflap Row 2 (WS) (dec) :

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).

Both sizes - First earflap sequence :

Next: 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).

First earflap :

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:

Adult size only - Second earflap Row 1 (RS) :

Work 1 dc in next 15 dc, turn.

Adult size only - Second earflap Row 2 (WS) (dec) :

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).

Both sizes - Second earflap :

Next: Work 1 dc in next 13 dc, turn. Next: Work from * to * of first earflap. Fasten off.

— Earflap facings (MAKE 2) :

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).

Adult size only - Row 2 (dec) :

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 :

Info :

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.

— Earflap facings (diagram) :

Info :

Work edging into earflap of main hat at same time to join when following charted diagram.

— Earflap FACINGS (MAKE 2) (DIAGRAM NOTES) :

Info :

Follow the provided charts for child and adult size facings and edging; the chart shows start, facing edging and where to join edging to main hat earflap.

— Earflap Facings (text summary) :

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

— Ears (MAKE 2) :

Both sizes - Starting :

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).

Adult size only - Next (inc) :

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

Both sizes - Next :

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.

— Ears (assembly note) :

Info :

Ears are lightly stuffed and attached to the hat along the seam as shown in the photos; position symmetrically before sewing.

— Nose :

Both sizes - Starting :

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.

Child size only - Next round (inc) :

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

Child size only - 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).

Adult size only - Next round :

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

Adult size only - Next round :

Rep last round.

Adult size only - 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 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, 1 dc) twice, join and continue in yarn B, (dc2inc, 1 dc) 3 times, sl st into first dc (15 sts). Round 4 (inc): With B, 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 2 dc) 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, 1 dc) 6 times, turn (18 sts). Next: With B, miss first dc, 1 dc in next 2 dc, (dc2inc, 2 dc) 3 times, sl st to next dc. Fasten off, leaving a long length of B at the end.

— Key/Legend :

Info :

Key shown in pattern: chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st), double crochet (dc), dc2inc, dc2dec. Use diagrams provided for shaping and placement of earflaps, facings and spots when following charted guides.

Assembly Instructions

  • Attach earflap facings to the earflaps by aligning the facing edges and working the edging into the earflap of the main hat at the same time to join securely, following the diagram for placement.
  • Position and sew the ears to the top of the hat, stuffing lightly if desired; pin both ears symmetrically before stitching to ensure even placement.
  • Sew the crocheted nose to the front centre of the hat just above the brim, then stitch the small and medium spots around the hat as shown in the photos using the long tails left on the spots.
  • Attach buttons for eyes using the sewing needle and black sewing thread; stitch buttons firmly and add pupil buttons if using two-part eyes to achieve the look in the photograph.

Important Notes

  • 💡Check your tension before starting; 13 sts and 14 rows to 4in (10cm) over double crochet on 6mm hook is required to match sizing.
  • 💡Work the earflaps starting at the centre back and rejoin at the front so the facial features sit correctly on the hat.
  • 💡Leave long lengths of yarn when fastening off small motifs (spots and nose) to make sewing on easier and more secure.

Make a cozy leopard earflap hat that is as playful as it is practical! This pattern uses chunky yarn for a wonderfully warm finish and DK details for the spots and features. Perfect for gifting or keeping yourself snug on chilly days. 🐆🧶

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FAQs

What sizes are included in this pattern?

This pattern includes instructions for both child (up to 20in/51cm) and adult (up to 22in/56cm) head circumferences.

What yarn and hook sizes do I need?

Use King Cole Merino Blend Chunky with a 6mm hook for the main hat, DK yarn for contrast details with 3mm and 5mm hooks as required; exact yarns and quantities are listed in the materials.

How do I achieve the correct tension?

Aim for 13 sts and 14 rows to 4in (10cm) over double crochet on a 6mm hook; change hook size if needed to match the tension gauge before starting.

Can I change the spot placement or colors?

Yes, the spots and colors are easy to customize; you can increase or decrease the number of spots or change yarn colors for a different look.