🧶 How to Make a Relief Stitch Crochet Hat for Winter

Sure! Here’s a detailed guide on how to make a 😍 Relief Stitch Crochet Hat for Winter suitable for babies, children, and adults. The relief stitch (also known as the front post/back post double crochet) adds both texture and warmth, making it ideal for cozy winter hats.

🧶 How to Make a Relief Stitch Crochet Hat for Winter

Sizes: Baby (0–6 mo, 6–12 mo), Child, Adult
Skill Level: Intermediate (Basic knowledge of crochet stitches required)
Stitch Used: Relief Stitch (Front Post Double Crochet – FPdc, and Back Post Double Crochet – BPdc)

🧵 Materials Needed

Item	Description
Yarn	Worsted weight yarn (medium #4); soft acrylic or wool blend
Hook	5.0mm (H/8) or size needed for gauge
Tapestry Needle	For weaving in ends
Stitch Marker (optional)	To mark beginning of rounds
Scissors	Sharp for cutting yarn

📏 Sizing Guide (Head Circumference)

Size	Circumference	Hat Height
0–6 months	14–16 in (35–40 cm)	5.5 in (14 cm)
6–12 months	16–18 in (40–46 cm)	6.5 in (16.5 cm)
Child	18–20 in (46–51 cm)	7.5 in (19 cm)
Adult	21–23 in (53–58 cm)	8.5 in (21.5 cm)

🧶 Key Stitches & Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Stitch
ch	chain
sl st	slip stitch
dc	double crochet
FPdc	front post double crochet
BPdc	back post double crochet
st(s)	stitch(es)
rnd	round

🎯 Gauge (Approximate)

14 dc and 8 rows = 4″ (10 cm) using 5.0 mm hook

🔄 Instructions

🔹 Step 1: Crochet the Crown (Top)

This is worked in the round from the top down.

Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, ch 2 (counts as first dc), 11 dc into the ring. Join with sl st. (12 sts)

Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st. Repeat around. Join. (24 sts)

Rnd 3: Ch 2, (1 dc, 2 dc in next st) around. Join. (36 sts)

Rnd 4: Ch 2, (2 dc, 2 dc in next st) around. Join. (48 sts)

Continue increasing until your circle matches the crown diameter for your size:

Baby: ~4.5″ (11.5 cm)
Child: ~6″ (15 cm)
Adult: ~7″ (18 cm)

🔹 Step 2: Body of the Hat (with Relief Stitch)

Rnd 1: Ch 2, 1 FPdc in next st, 1 BPdc in next st. Repeat around. Join.

Rnd 2–X: Repeat Rnd 1, alternating FPdc and BPdc to create the ribbed relief texture.
Repeat until the hat measures the desired height from crown:

Baby: 5.5–6.5 in
Child: 7–7.5 in
Adult: 8–8.5 in

Tip: If you’d like a brim, make the hat 1–1.5 inches longer so you can fold it up.

🔹 Step 3: Optional Ribbed Brim

You can extend the hat with a few more rounds for a fold-over brim:

Brim (Optional): Work an additional 3–5 rounds of FPdc, BPdc to add more length and make it extra warm.

🔹 Step 4: Finishing

Fasten off and weave in all ends with a tapestry needle.
Add a pom-pom (optional but cute, especially for babies and kids).
You can sew in a fleece lining for extra warmth (especially for babies).

🌟 Customization Tips

🧸 For Babies: Use extra soft yarn (like baby acrylic or bamboo blends).
🌈 For Kids: Try bright, variegated yarn or themed colors (like their favorite superhero).
❄️ For Adults: Go with neutral, earth tones or chunky yarn for a trendy look.