Nine free crochet patterns for cats: two bandanas and seven hats, from a pom pom hat with ear holes to a frog and a crown. I went looking for cat sized versions of the bandanas and hats I keep seeing on Pinterest, and these are the free ones I could check. Where a designer says what size of cat a pattern fits, I note it.
Every pattern here is free, and every link goes to the designer’s own page or video. A word on safety first: the designers advise supervising your cat while it wears anything, using breakaway clasps on collars and tying hat ties loosely enough that a cat can kick the hat off. I could not find a free granny style bandana written for cats, so the two bandanas below are the cat sized ones I trust. For dog sized options, see my roundup of pet bandana patterns.
Cat hat and bandana patterns to explore
1. Quick & Easy Crochet Pet Bandana
Designer Kristen Mangus at GoodKnit Kisses. A triangle worked in one piece in half double crochet, with a casing that slides onto your pet’s collar, so there are no ties. Written instructions cover five sizes from S to XXL, and the page says it suits a pup or a cat. The small is 6 by 5 inches and fits up to a 3/4 inch collar. It is rated easy, uses medium weight yarn and a 5 mm hook, and has videos for right and left handers.
2. Christmas Dog Bandana
From Jo to the World Creations. The page says to follow the small size for a cat or a small dog under 20 lbs. The small bandana is 6.5 inches high and 5.5 inches wide, with a 21 inch collar and a belt buckle detail. It uses worsted weight yarn for the bandana, bulky fleece yarn for the collar and border, and a 5 mm hook. The pattern is rated easy and is free on the page.
3. Crochet Pom Pom Hat for Cat
Designer Melissa Hassler at Lovable Loops. A hat worked from the top down in double crochet, with two ear holes and three small pom poms, one on top and two on the sides. It is rated beginner and uses worsted weight yarn and a 5.5 mm hook. Melissa made it for Thor, a 4 month old kitten, so she lists the measurements: 6 inches across the front, a 2 inch ear hole width and a 2.75 inch height without the pom.
4. Pet Hat / Bonnet
Designer WillowTreeCrochet76 on Ribblr. A little cat hat with a ruffle brim, rated beginner and listed as free. It comes in size xs/s, takes 21 steps and includes a way to start without a magic ring. It uses category 4 yarn, a yarn needle and a 5.5 mm hook, though the designer says any hook from 5 to 6.5 mm works depending on how big you want the hat. The pattern is in US and UK terms.
5. Cat Crochet Witch Hat Pattern
Designer Nicole Riley at Nicki’s Homemade Crafts. A black and purple witch hat made only with single crochet, worked from the top down with holes for the ears, a brim and ties. It uses WeCrochet Brava yarn and a 4.0 mm hook, measures 4.5 by 5 inches including the brim and fits adult cats. Nicole’s tip is not to tie it on too tight, so the cat can kick it off. The full written pattern is free.
6. Crochet Pumpkin Hat for Cats
From Shooting Star Crafts. An orange pumpkin hat with a green stem, started with a magic ring and worked in rounds. Chain spaces leave room for the ears, and front post and back post double crochet make the ribbed edge. The designer used Bernat Super Value and a 5.5 mm hook and says to go up a hook size for a larger head. It is described as fairly easy and quick, and the full pattern is on the page.
7. Crochet Flower Hat for your Pet(s)
From Sir Purl Grey. Six petals sewn together, topped with a green stem, make a flower hat big enough for a cat. The designer calls it very easy and a good way to use up odds and ends of worsted weight yarn on a 4.0 mm hook. The page says it suits any pet that needs a head covering, including cats, dogs and rabbits. The full written pattern is free.
8. Cat Crown
Designer TheCrochetyKnitter (Corrie Lynn) on Ravelry. A small crown worked in the round in half double crochet, using under 100 yards of worsted weight yarn and a 4.0 mm hook. The designer tested it three times and says it can double as a cat toy if your cat objects to wearing it. It is offered as a free Ravelry download, in English with US terms.
9. Figaro Frog Cat Hat
Channel Catventurous Crochet on YouTube. A beginner friendly video of about 38 minutes for a pale green frog bonnet with ear holes, ties, optional toes and a pair of eyes. It comes in standard, XS and XL sizes, with the sizing shown in the video, and uses a 4.5 mm hook and three colors of yarn. The designers ask you to supervise your cat while it wears the hat.
