Add a touch of holiday cheer to your kitchen with this festive Santa Hat crochet washcloth – perfect as a hot pad, washcloth, or placemat!
Scroll down for the free written pattern, or purchase the ad-free, print-friendly PDF here.
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Where to get this pattern
Option 1: Scroll on down to get this pattern for free!
Option 2: Purchase the easy-to-read, print-friendly PDF:
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Why I Love This Santa Hat Crochet Pattern
This Santa Hat crochet washcloth is a fun and festive way to bring holiday cheer to your kitchen! Whether you use it to wipe down counters, protect your table from hot dishes, or even as a seasonal placemat, it’s a versatile project that’s perfect for gifting or keeping for yourself.
This pattern uses the intarsia crochet technique combined with the wide half-double crochet stitch (wide hdc) for clean, bold colorwork that really makes the Santa Hat pop. If you’re new to intarsia, don’t worry – I’ll walk you through it step-by-step in the pattern below.
And once you’re done, you will definitely want to try out the coordinating Christmas Trees Washcloth pattern!
Check out the Crochet Dishcloth Series!
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Skill Level
I have rated this pattern as “intermediate”, primarily because of the intarsia technique which might be new to you if you have just gotten started with crochet.
The wide hdc stitch is super simple, but juggling multiple colors does take a bit of focus and some organization. If you’ve already mastered my Wide HDC Dishcloth, this project is a fabulous next step!
OK, Let’s Make This Christmas Crochet Pattern!
1. Gather Your Materials
Yarn
For this pattern, I recommend 100% cotton yarn or a cotton blend for durability and absorbency. I used Drops Paris because it is super affordable and has a huge selection of colors available. The pattern below also lists lots of great alternatives.
You’ll need three colors:
- Main Background Color: choose something neutral – I went for Dark Gray
- Contrast Color 1: Red for the Santa Hat.
- Contrast Color 2: White for the hat trim and pom-pom.
Hook
A 4.5mm hook is perfect for creating tight, neat stitches with minimal gaps in the colorwork.
Additional Tools
You’ll need a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and, optionally, some yarn bobbins to help keep your yarn organized for each color block. That said, the color amounts for this pattern are pretty small, so I just rolled up little yarn balls instead – no need to stress if you don’t have bobbins handy!
2. Grab Your Pattern
Before you dive in, it’s always a good idea to read through the pattern to familiarize yourself with the steps, especially the intarsia sections.
Scroll down for the free written pattern, or purchase the ad-free, print-friendly PDF here.
The PDF includes: step-by-step photos for changing color on both the Right and Wrong sides of your work, as well as a colorwork chart for the Santa Hat motif.
3. Managing Intarsia Color Changes
When working the intarsia technique, you’ll use separate bobbins (or small balls of yarn) for each block of color instead of carrying the yarn under your stitches. This method keeps the back of your work neat and avoids unwanted bulk.
Right Side (RS) and Wrong Side (WS) Rows
- On right-side rows, keep the working yarn to the back of your project when switching colors.
- On wrong-side rows, bring the working yarn to the front when making color changes.
- This technique ensures that your colorwork stays clean, with no stray strands or bumps showing on the front of the piece.
Floats and Color Transitions
Instead of carrying the yarn, you’ll “float” it up the back of your work to use again on the next row. These floats will be visible but shouldn’t be too noticeable—just keep your tension even to avoid pulling or sagging.
When you finish a color block, cut the yarn for that section, leaving a tail long enough to weave in securely. Don’t worry – this pattern is small, so weaving in the ends won’t be too overwhelming!
Pro Tip: Avoiding Tangles
To stay organized, untangle your bobbins or yarn balls as you go. It might take an extra moment, but it saves you frustration in the long run.
4. Other Tips & Tricks
Customizations
This stitch pattern is super versatile – you can chain any number to start and work as many rows as you like to adjust the size. Whether you want a smaller washcloth or a larger table mat, it’s easy to make it your own!
If you’re resizing and want to include the Santa Hat colorwork, you’ll need to do a little math to figure out the placement.
Start by deciding where you want the Santa Hat motif to sit, then calculate the number of C1 (background color) stitches needed on the right and left of the design. This ensures the motif stays centered and balanced within your project.
With a bit of planning, you can adapt this pattern to fit any size or shape while keeping the festive Santa Hat front and center!
Finishing Tips
If you wish, you can block your finished piece to help relax the stitches, even out the tension, and make the Santa Hat motif stand out beautifully.
If you decide to block, use a steam or wet block method (depending on your yarn), and gently shape the piece to its final size for the best results.
If you’re planning to use your project as a hot pad, consider doubling the layers by crocheting a plain backing or attaching a second piece to make it thicker and more heat-resistant.
You could also line the back with a layer of heat-resistant fabric, which adds durability and extra protection for your surfaces. Both options ensure your hot pad is as functional as it is festive!
Santa Hat Washcloth – Free Crochet Pattern
Pattern Notes
Please read through the entire pattern before beginning.
Skill Level
Intermediate
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- beg = beginning
- C1 = Color 1
- C2 = Color 2
- C3 = Color 3
- ch = chain
- ch-# sp = chain space, # denotes number of chains
- hdc = half double crochet
- rem = remaining
- sc = single crochet
- sk = skip
- sl st = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- tch = turning chain
General Pattern Notes
- Ch 2 at the start of a row counts as one hdc.
- Stitch count for each row is given in square brackets [ ] at the end of the row. If no stitch count is given then the count is the same as the previous row.
Colorwork
- This project is crocheted using the “intarsia” technique. You will use a separate “bobbin” of yarn for each block of color.
- Do not carry the non-working yarn behind your work. When you need to start a new block of color, join in a new bobbin of yarn. Once you have started a new bobbin, you can ‘float’ it up to the next row as required.
- For sections where the “float” might be too long or untidy at the back of your work, cut the yarn and rejoin it when needed, leaving a tail long enough to weave in securely.
- For the colorwork section, you can follow the full written instructions below, or follow the chart in the ad, free print-friendly PDF.
- If using the written instructions, for each block of color, the instruction is written as follows: (COLOR) stitch COUNT. For example:
- (C1) hdc 5 → With C1, work 5 “wide” hdc (see Special Stitches), changing to next color on last “yarn over” of 5th hdc.
Color Changes
- Please see Appendix A: Color Changes for step-by-step photos.
- To change color on the Right Side (RS) (assuming two colors A and B):
- With Color A, yarn over, insert hook in between next 2 sts, pull up a loop. [3 loops on hook]
- Do not complete the stitch with Color A.
- Instead, keeping Color A to the BACK of your work (and pulling it gently to the right), yarn over Color B and pull through all 3 loops on hook. Color change made.
- To change color on the Wrong Side (WS):
- With Color A, yarn over, insert hook in between next 2 sts, pull up a loop. [3 loops on hook]
- Do not complete the stitch with Color A.
- Instead, keeping Color A to the FRONT of your work (and pulling it gently to the right), yarn over Color B and pull through all 3 loops on hook. Color change made.
Materials
Yarn
Any #4/Worsted/Medium weight yarn in a cotton or cotton blend. The amounts given here are for Drops Paris in Dark Gray (24), White (16) and Bordeaux (37) (82yds/75m per 50g skein; #4/Worsted/Medium; 100% Cotton).
| Project | Total yds/m | C1 (Dark Gray) yds/m | C2 (White) yds/m | C3 (Bordeaux) yds/m |
| Washcloth | 117yds / 107m* | approx. 72yds / 66m* | approx. 15yds / 14m | approx. 30yds / 27m |
| Tea Towel | 475yds / 434m* | approx. 430yds / 393m* | approx. 15yds / 14m | approx. 30yds / 27m |
Alternative yarn options:
- WeCrochet Dishie (190 yds/174m per 100g skein; 100% Cotton)
- Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran (93 yds / 85m per 50g skein; 100% Cotton)
- Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (186 yds/170m per 100g skein; 100% Cotton)
- Rico Creative Cotton Aran (93 yds / 85m per 50g skein; 100% Cotton)
- Lily Sugar ‘n’ Cream (94yds / 86m per 50g skein; 100% Cotton)
Hook
Note: the smaller hook results in tighter stitches with fewer gaps, which helps with the color changes and overall neatness of the project.
Other Items
- Yarn needle
Finished Measurements
Washcloth: 8.5″ x 8.75″ / 21.5cm x 22cm
Tea Towel: 14.25″ x 22″ / 36cm x 56cm
Size note: you can also add an optional single crochet border around the edge of your project which will add approx. 0.5” / 1.25cm to the width and length.
Gauge
14 sts x 12 rows = 4″ x 4″ / 10 cm x 10 cm measured over wide hdc (see Special Stitches).
Note:
Gauge is not critical for this project. However, if your gauge does not match the one listed above then your project may turn out a little larger/smaller depending on how loosely/tightly you crochet, and you may use a different amount of yarn than what is listed above.
Special Stitches
Wide half double crochet (wide hdc)
The wide half double crochet is worked between the next two stitches, rather than into the top of the next stitch.
Step 1: Yarn over, insert hook between the posts of the next 2 sts and pull up a loop. [3 loops on hook]
Step 2: Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops to complete the half double crochet as normal.
Adjustments
- This stitch pattern is very versatile in that you can chain any number to start and continue to work as many rows as desired.
- However, if you want to incorporate the colorwork section into a project of a different size, you will need to do a little maths to determine the placement of the colorwork and the number of C1 stitches to the right and left.
Note: adjusting the size of your project will impact the amount of yarn required.
Written Pattern
BASE
Washcloth
With C1, ch 31.
Tea Towel
With C1, ch 51.
Row 1: Hdc in third ch from hook (skipped 2 ch count as 1 hdc), hdc and each ch across, turn. [Washcloth: 30; Tea Towel: 50]
Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 hdc, here and throughout), hdc in space between first and second sts, *hdc in space between next 2 sts, repeat from * across, ending with hdc in tch-2 sp, turn.
Washcloth
Go to COLORWORK.
Tea Towel
Rows 3-6: Repeat Row 2.
Go to COLORWORK.
COLORWORK
Notes:
- The colorwork section for the hat is worked over 22 rows. You can follow the written instructions here, or if you prefer, use the colorwork chart in the PDF.
- For this section, continue to work each hdc in the space between the next 2 sts as previously established.
Washcloth
Row 3: (C1) Ch 2, 5 hdc, (C2) 18 hdc, (C1) 6 hdc, turn.
Row 4: (C1) Ch 2, 5 hdc, (C2) 19 hdc, (C1) 5 hdc, turn.
Row 5: (C1) Ch 2, 5 hdc, (C2) 18 hdc, (C1) 6 hdc, turn.
Row 6: (C1) Ch 2, 5 hdc, (C2) 19 hdc, (C1) 5 hdc, turn.
Row 7: (C1) Ch 2, 5 hdc, (C3) 18 hdc, (C1) 6 hdc, turn.
Row 8: (C1) Ch 2, 6 hdc, (C3) 17 hdc, (C1) 6 hdc, turn.
Row 9: (C1) Ch 2, 6 hdc, (C3) 17 hdc, (C1) 6 hdc, turn.
Row 10: (C1) Ch 2, 6 hdc, (C3) 16 hdc, (C1) 7 hdc, turn.
Row 11: (C1) Ch 2, 7 hdc, (C3) 16 hdc, (C1) 6 hdc, turn.
Row 12: (C1) Ch 2, 6 hdc, (C3) 15 hdc, (C1) 8 hdc, turn.
Row 13: (C1) Ch 2, 8 hdc, (C3) 14 hdc, (C1) 7 hdc, turn.
Row 14: (C1) Ch 2, 7 hdc, (C3) 13 hdc, (C1) 9 hdc, turn.
Row 15: (C1) Ch 2, 9 hdc, (C3) 12 hdc, (C1) 8 hdc, turn.
Row 16: (C1) Ch 2, 8 hdc, (C3) 11 hdc, (C1) 10 hdc, turn.
Row 17: (C1) Ch 2, 10 hdc, (C3) 10 hdc, (C1) 9 hdc, turn.
Row 18: (C1) Ch 2, 9 hdc, (C3) 10 hdc, (C1) 10 hdc, turn.
Row 19: (C1) Ch 2, 9 hdc, (C3) 10 hdc, (C1) 10 hdc, turn.
Row 20: (C1) Ch 2, 11 hdc, (C3) 9 hdc, (C2) 4 hdc, (C1) 5 hdc, turn.
Row 21: (C1) Ch 2, 4 hdc, (C2) 5 hdc, (C3) 7 hdc, (C1) 13 hdc, turn.
Row 22: (C1) Ch 2, 14 hdc, (C3) 5 hdc, (C2) 6 hdc, (C1) 4 hdc, turn.
Row 23: (C1) Ch 2, 4 hdc, (C2) 5 hdc, (C1) 20 hdc, turn.
Row 24: (C1) Ch 2, 20 hdc, (C2) 4 hdc, (C1) 5 hdc, turn.
Tea Towel
Row 7: (C1) Ch 2, 15 hdc, (C2) 18 hdc, (C1) 16 hdc, turn.
Row 8: (C1) Ch 2, 15 hdc, (C2) 19 hdc, (C1) 15 hdc, turn.
Row 9: (C1) Ch 2, 15 hdc, (C2) 18 hdc, (C1) 16 hdc, turn.
Row 10: (C1) Ch 2, 15 hdc, (C2) 19 hdc, (C1) 15 hdc, turn.
Row 11: (C1) Ch 2, 15 hdc, (C3) 18 hdc, (C1) 16 hdc, turn.
Row 12: (C1) Ch 2, 16 hdc, (C3) 17 hdc, (C1) 16 hdc, turn.
Row 13: (C1) Ch 2, 16 hdc, (C3) 17 hdc, (C1) 16 hdc, turn.
Row 14: (C1) Ch 2, 16 hdc, (C3) 16 hdc, (C1) 17 hdc, turn.
Row 15: (C1) Ch 2, 17 hdc, (C3) 16 hdc, (C1) 16 hdc, turn.
Row 16: (C1) Ch 2, 16 hdc, (C3) 15 hdc, (C1) 18 hdc, turn.
Row 17: (C1) Ch 2, 18 hdc, (C3) 14 hdc, (C1) 17 hdc, turn.
Row 18: (C1) Ch 2, 17 hdc, (C3) 13 hdc, (C1) 19 hdc, turn.
Row 19: (C1) Ch 2, 19 hdc, (C3) 12 hdc, (C1) 18 hdc, turn.
Row 20: (C1) Ch 2, 18 hdc, (C3) 11 hdc, (C1) 20 hdc, turn.
Row 21: (C1) Ch 2, 20 hdc, (C3) 10 hdc, (C1) 19 hdc, turn.
Row 22: (C1) Ch 2, 19 hdc, (C3) 10 hdc, (C1) 20 hdc, turn.
Row 23: (C1) Ch 2, 19 hdc, (C3) 10 hdc, (C1) 20 hdc, turn.
Row 24: (C1) Ch 2, 21 hdc, (C3) 9 hdc, (C2) 4 hdc, (C1) 15 hdc, turn.
Row 25: (C1) Ch 2, 14 hdc, (C2) 5 hdc, (C3) 7 hdc, (C1) 23 hdc, turn.
Row 26: (C1) Ch 2, 24 hdc, (C3) 5 hdc, (C2) 6 hdc, (C1) 14 hdc, turn.
Row 27: (C1) Ch 2, 14 hdc, (C2) 5 hdc, (C1) 30 hdc, turn.
Row 28: (C1) Ch 2, 30 hdc, (C2) 4 hdc, (C1) 15 hdc, turn.
TOP
Washcloth
Repeat Row 2 twice more (until you have a total of 26 rows), or until work measures approx. 8.75″/ 22cm in length.
Tea Towel
Repeat Row 2 until you have a total of 66 rows, or until work measures approx. 22″/ 56cm in length.
BORDER
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc evenly around the edge of your work, working 3 scs to turn each corner. Join to beg sc with a sl st or invisible join.
Video Tutorial → How to Single Crochet A Border
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
All done!
This Santa Hat crochet washcloth is a festive way to add some handmade holiday cheer to your home – perfect for gifting or keeping as a fun addition to your own kitchen!
If you wish, you can purchase an inexpensive, ad-free PDF version of this pattern through Ravelry or Etsy.
I hope you have enjoyed this pattern, if you have questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me. And be sure to tag your finished project on Instagram or Facebook using @nedandmimi or #nedandmimi!
Happy crocheting!
Sarah