This adorable Peony Puff Ribbed Baby Bonnet is the epitome of cozy chic! The hat’s body is worked in a simple yet elegant horizontal ribbing created by working in the back loop, giving it fantastic stretch and a gorgeous, knit-like texture. Finished with a lush, three-dimensional flower and a simple button, this bonnet is a perfect accessory for cooler weather.
This detailed pattern is written for the 6-12 Month size (Head Circumference: 16–18 inches) and is suitable for the Intermediate crocheter due to the post stitch flower work and seaming.
Materials Needed 🧶
- Yarn: Approximately 150-200 yards of Worsted Weight (Aran / #4) yarn. A soft, warm fiber like merino or a high-quality acrylic blend is recommended for the best texture and stretch.
- Main Color (MC): Light Pink (Solid)
- Crochet Hook: 5.0 mm (US H-8), or the size needed to obtain gauge.
- Button: 1 small (1/2-inch) decorative button to secure the flower center.
- Tapestry Needle: For seaming, cinching the crown, and weaving in ends.
Skill Level & Notes 💡
- Skill Level: Intermediate. Requires consistent tension when working in the back loop only to achieve uniform ribbing, and careful execution of the 3D flower structure.
- Construction: The hat body is worked flat in rows to create the horizontal ribbing (rows run from crown to brim). It is then seamed and the top is cinched shut.
- Ribbing: The brim edge is the beginning chain, and the crown edge is the final working row.
- Sizing: To adjust the size, simply increase or decrease the starting chain for height and the number of HDC-BLO rows for head circumference.
Gauge 📏
In Half Double Crochet in the Back Loop Only (HDC-BLO) using a 5.0 mm hook: 14 HDC-BLO rows (measured horizontally) = 4 inches (10 cm). 10 HDC (measured vertically) = 4 inches (10 cm).
Abbreviations 📚
| Abbreviation | Description |
| ch | chain |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| sc | single crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| rep | repeat |
| BLO | Back Loop Only |
| PFP | Puff Flower Petal |
Special Stitches ✨
HDC-BLO (Ribbing)
- HDC-BLO: Half Double Crochet worked into the Back Loop Only of the stitch from the previous row.
Puff Flower Petal (PFP)
This is a 3-DC cluster with extra stitches to create a puffy shell:
- PFP: [Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop] 3 times in the same stitch/space. Yarn over, pull through 6 loops. Yarn over, pull through the last 2 loops. (This is a 3-DC cluster). Ch 1.
Part 1: The Hat Body (HDC-BLO) 👒
The final piece should measure approximately 16-17 inches long by 6.5 inches wide before seaming and cinching.
Row 1 (Height): Ch 26. Hdc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (25 hdc)
Row 2 (Ribbing): Ch 2 (does not count as st), turn. Hdc in the BLO of each st across. (25 hdc)
Rows 3-68: Repeat Row 2 until the piece measures approximately 16-17 inches long, slightly stretched, or until it easily wraps around the target head circumference (16-18 inches). Do not fasten off.
Part 2: Finishing the Hat 👑
- Seam the Side: Ch 1. Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise (Row 1 edge meets Row 68 edge). Sc or sl st the two edges together to form a tube. Fasten off.
- Cinch the Crown (Top): Thread the long tail from the fasten-off or a new piece of yarn onto the tapestry needle. Weave the needle in and out through the tops of the final 2 rows of stitches (the crown edge) all the way around the tube opening.
- Pull tight to cinch the hole closed. Sew across the hole several times to secure the opening completely. Knot and weave in the end securely.
- Brim Trim: Attach yarn to the brim edge. Work 1 round of sc evenly around the brim. Sl st to join. Fasten off.
Part 3: The Puffy Accent Flower (PFP) 🌸
Rnd 1 (Center): Make a magic ring. Ch 2 (does not count as st). Work 10 hdc into the ring. Sl st to the first hdc to join. (10 hdc)
Rnd 2 (Petal Base): Ch 1. Sc in the first st. [Ch 2, sk 1 st, sc in the next st] rep around. Ch 2. Sl st to the beg sc. (5 ch-2 sps)
Rnd 3 (Inner Petals): Ch 1. [Work PFP into the next ch-2 sp, ch 1] rep 5 times. Sl st to the beg ch-1.
Rnd 4 (Outer Petals – Worked Behind): Sl st to the back of the work to hide the seam. Ch 1. [Sc around the post of the center dc of the next PFP, ch 4] rep 5 times. Sl st to the beg sc. (5 ch-4 loops)
Rnd 5 (Outer Petals): Ch 1. [Work (Sc, hdc, 5 dc, hdc, sc) into the next ch-4 loop] rep 5 times. Sl st to the beg sc. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Video Tutorial:
Assembly and Final Touches 🫧
- Weave in all remaining ends on the hat and the flower.
- Position the Flower: Place the flower near the front center of the hat, slightly offset from the brim.
- Sew the Flower: Use the long tail to sew the flower securely to the hat. Before securing the final knots, use the center button to anchor the very center of the flower to the hat.
- Blocking: Gently steam block the hat, focusing on relaxing the brim and ensuring the flower petals hold their shape.
Your cozy and beautifully textured Peony Puff Ribbed Baby Bonnet is now ready!
