Autumn Pumpkin Hat Crochet Pattern

I’m joining Sunflower Cottage Crochet for the Preemie Crochet Challenge with a pumpkin hat crochet pattern available in 12 sizes from 2-Lb. Preemie through Adult Large. This pattern is forever free on my blog, but you can grab the PDF version free with coupon code through 11:59pm Eastern on September 13, 2026.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Materials for the sample were generously provided by Herrschners.

I’m joining my blogger buddy Helen at Sunflower Cottage Crochet for the 2026 Preemie Crochet Challenge. Every day during September 2026, there is a featured crochet pattern for preemies. In exchange for your pledge to make the pattern to donate to a local neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or similar organization during Preemie Awareness Month in November, you can download the PDF version of the each day’s featured pattern for free.

Scroll down for the free Autumn Pumpkin Hat pattern. Preemies are born year round just like everyone else, and seasonal and holiday hats and blankets help to brighten the mood in the NICU. A recent call from Preemies of the Carolinas for seasonal hats and blankets was my inspiration for this project.

If you enjoy making projects for preemies, you may want to check out some of my other patterns for preemies:

The Autumn Pumpkin Hat is the featured pattern for September 6 in the 2026 Preemie Crochet Challenge with Sunflower Cottage Crochet. If you’re reading this blog post before 11:59pm Eastern on September 13, 2026, you’re in luck! Use coupon code PREEMIE2026 to get the Ravelry version of the Autumn Pumpkin Hat crochet pattern for free, or click the Preemie Crochet Challenge Download the free PDF pattern button below to add the pattern with coupon code to your cart. Make sure your cart is set to $0 before checking out as there will be no refunds for accidental purchases.

Don’t forget to visit the roundup post on Sunflower Cottage Crochet to get the rest of the patterns in this year’s Preemie Crochet Challenge.

If you make your own Autumn Pumpkin Hat, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Bluesky as @UndergroundCrafter, Facebook as @UndergroundCrafter, or on Instagram as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and private access to my vault of subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

Add the Autumn Pumpkin Hat to your favorites or queue, or buy the ad-free PDF on Ravelry.

Autumn Pumpkin Hat

Pumpkin Hat Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter

Welcome fall with the adorable Autumn Pumpkin Hat crochet pattern! Celebrate the fall harvest with this textured pumpkin hat with stem. Available in 12 sizes from 2-Lb. Preemie through Adult Large. This pattern was designed for the 2026 Preemie Crochet Challenge.

Finished Sizes

  • 2-Lb. Preemie, 4-Lb. Preemie, 5-Lb. Preemie, 6-Lb. Preemie, Newborn (0-6 Months, 6-12 Months, Toddler, Child, Teen/Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large). Photographed sample is Newborn size.
    • 2-Lb. Preemie: 7” (18 cm) hat circumference x 3.5” (9 cm) length (excluding stem).
    • 4-Lb. Preemie: 9” (23 cm) hat circumference x 4” (10 cm) length (excluding stem).
    • 5-Lb. Preemie: 10” (25.5 cm) hat circumference x 4.5” (11.5 cm) length (excluding stem).
    • 6-Lb. Preemie: 11” (28 cm) hat circumference x 5” (13 cm) length (excluding stem).
    • Newborn: 12” (30.5 cm) hat circumference x 6” (15 cm) length (excluding stem).
    • 0-6 Months: 15” (38 cm) hat circumference x 6” (15 cm) length (excluding stem).
    • 6-12 Months: 17” (42 cm) hat circumference x 6.25” (16 cm) length (excluding stem).
    • Toddler: 18” (45.5 cm) hat circumference x 6.5” (16.5 cm) length (excluding stem).
    • Child: 19” (48.5 cm) hat circumference x 7” (18 cm) length (excluding stem).
    • Teen/Adult Small: 21” (53.5 cm) hat circumference x 7” (18 cm) length (excluding stem).
    • Adult Medium: 22” (56 cm) hat circumference x 8” (20.5 cm) length (excluding stem).
    • Adult Large: 23” (58.5 cm) hat circumference x 8.5” (21.5 cm) length (excluding stem).

Materials

  • Herrschners Worsted 8 yarn (100% acrylic, 8 oz/226 g, 489 yd/448 m) – 1 skein each in Blaze (CA) and Walnut (CB), or approximately 35 yd (45 yd, 60 yd, 70 yd, 90 yd, 115 yd, 125 yd, 140 yd, 160 yd, 180 yd, 200 yd, 235 yd)/32 m (41 m, 55 m, 64 m, 82.5 m, 105 m, 114.5 m, 128 m, 146.5 m, 164.5 m, 182 m, 215 m) in CA and 10 yd (9 m) in CB in any medium weight yarn.
  • US Size H-8/5 mm crochet hook, or any size needed to obtain correct gauge.
  • US Size I-9/5.5 mm crochet hook, or any size needed to obtain correct gauge.
  • Yarn needle.
  • Locking stitch marker.

Gauge

  • 4 sc = 1” (2.5 cm) across with smaller hook. For best fit, always check your gauge.
  • 15 sts in pattern for Rnd 5 = 4” (10 cm) across with larger hook. For best fit, always check your gauge.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

    • BL – back loop only – Fiber Flux has a helpful video showing the back loop here.
    • CA – Color A
    • CB – Color B
    • ch – chain
    • dc – double crochet
    • FPsc – front post single crochet – = Insert hook from front around back to front of st in previous round, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops. A helpful video tutorial for this stitch is available below.
    • If you can’t see the FPsc video above, watch it on YouTube.
    • invdec – invisible decrease – Insert hook in front loop only of each of next 2 sts, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops. A helpful video tutorial for this decrease is available below.
    • If you can’t see the invdec video above, watch it on YouTube.
    • Rnd(s) – Round(s)
    • sc – single crochet
    • sl st – slip stitch
    • st(s) – stitch(es)
    • tr – treble (triple) crochet
    • yo – yarn over
    • [] Repeat instructions within brackets as indicated.
    • * Repeat instructions after asterisks as indicated.

    Pattern Notes

    • A helpful video demonstrating the slip stitch seam is available below.
    • If you can’t see the video above showing the slip stitch join, watch it on YouTube.
    • A helpful video demonstrating how to crochet around the side of your project is available below.
    • If you can’t see the video above showing how to crochet around your project, watch it on YouTube.
    • Ch 1 at start of Rows and Rounds and sl st joins at end of Rounds DO NOT count as stitches.
    • A helpful video demonstrating the whipstitch join is available below.
    • If you can’t see the video above demonstrating how to join with the whipstitch, watch it on YouTube.

    Pattern Instructions

    Hat Band (All Sizes)

    • With CA and smaller hook, ch 5 (5, 5, 5, 5, 7, 7, 7, 7, 9, 9, 9).
    • Row 1: Turn, skip 1 ch, sc in next 4 (4, 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 8). – 4 (4, 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 8) sts
    • Row 2: Turn, ch 1, scBL in first st and each st across.
    • Repeat Row 2 until Hat Band measures 7” (9”, 10”, 11”, 12”, 15”, 17”, 18”, 19”, 21”, 22”, 23”/18 cm (23 cm, 25.5 cm, 28 cm, 30.5 cm, 38 cm, 42 cm, 45.5 cm, 48.5 cm, 53.5 cm, 56 cm, 58.5 cm) length. Do not fasten off.
    • Fold Hat Band so that short edges are together, being careful not to twist. Join short edges with slip stitch seam (see Pattern Notes), do not fasten off.

    Work Even (All Sizes)

    • Set Up Rnd: Working around circumference, ch 1, evenly work 28 (32, 36, 40, 44, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80) sc around (see Pattern Notes), join with sl st.
    • Rnd 1: Switch to larger hook, ch 1, starting in first st [tr in next st, sc in next st] around, join with sl st to first tr.
    • Rnd 2: Ch 1, starting in first st [pushing tr to front FPsc around next tr, sc in next sc] around, join with sl st to first FPsc.
    • Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in first st and each st around, join with sl st to first sc.
    • Rnds 4-5: Repeat Rnd 3 twice.
    • Repeat Rnds 1-5 until entire Hat measures approximately 2.5” (3”, 3.5”, 4”, 5”, 5”, 5.25”, 5.5”, 6”, 6.5”, 7”, 7.5”)/6.5 cm (7.5 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 13 cm, 13 cm, 13.5 cm, 14 cm, 15 cm, 16.5 cm, 18 cm, 19 cm) long, do not fasten off.
    • CONTINUE ON TO DECREASE TO CROWN IN RELEVANT SIZE.

    Decrease to Crown (2-Lb. Preemie)

    • Continue with CA and larger hook. (28 sts)
    • Rnd 6: Ch 1, tr in first st, *tr in next st, invdec, [tr in next st, sc in next st] 3 times; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first tr. (25 sts)
    • Rnd 7: Ch 1, pushing tr to front FPsc around first tr, [pushing tr to front FPsc around next tr, sc in next sc] around, join with sl st to first FPsc.
    • Rnd 8: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 3 sts] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (20 sts)
    • Rnd 9: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 3 sts] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (16 sts)
    • Rnd 10: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 2 sts] around, join CB with sl st to first invdec, fasten off CA. (12 sts) CONTINUE ON TO STEM (ALL SIZES)

    Decrease to Crown (4-Lb. Preemie)

    • Continue with CA and larger hook. (32 sts)
    • Rnd 6: Ch 1, tr in first st, invdec, tr in next st, sc in next st, *tr in next st, invdec, [tr in next st, sc in next st] 3 times; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first tr. (28 sts)
    • Rnd 7: Rep Rnd 2 once.
    • Rnd 8: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 5 sts] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (24 sts)
    • Rnd 9: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 2 sts] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (18 sts)
    • Rnd 10: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 2 st] around, join CB with sl st to first invdec, fasten off CA. (12 sts) CONTINUE ON TO STEM (ALL SIZES)

    Decrease to Crown (5-Lb. Preemie)

    • Continue with CA and larger hook. (36 sts)
    • Rnd 6: Ch 1, starting in first st *tr in next st, invdec, [tr in next st, sc in next st] 3 times; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first tr. (32 sts)
    • Rnd 7: Rep Rnd 2 once.
    • Rnd 8: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 2 sts] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (24 sts)
    • Rnd 9: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 2 sts] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (18 sts)
    • Rnd 10: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 2 st] around, join CB with sl st to first invdec, fasten off CA. (12 sts) CONTINUE ON TO STEM (ALL SIZES)

    Decrease to Crown (6-Lb. Preemie)

    • Continue with CA and larger hook. (40 sts)
    • Rnd 6: Ch 1, starting in first st [tr in next st, sc in next st] twice, *tr in next st, invdec, [tr in next st, sc in next st] 3 times; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first tr. (36 sts)
    • Rnd 7: Rep Rnd 2 once.
    • Rnd 8: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 2 sts] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (27 sts)
    • Rnd 9: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next st] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (18 sts)
    • Rnd 10: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next st] around, join CB with sl st to first invdec, fasten off CA. (12 sts) CONTINUE ON TO STEM (ALL SIZES)

    Decrease to Crown (Newborn Size)

    • Continue with CA and larger hook. (44 sts)
    • Rnd 6: Ch 1, starting in first st *tr in next st, invdec, [tr in next st, sc in next st] 4 times; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first tr. (40 sts)
    • Rnd 7: Repeat Rnd 2 once.
    • Rnd 8: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 3 sts] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (32 sts)
    • Rnd 9: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 2 sts] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (24 sts)
    • Rnd 10: Ch 1, starting in first st, invdec around, join CB with sl st to first invdec, fasten off CA. (12 sts) CONTINUE ON TO STEM (ALL SIZES)

    Decrease to Crown (0-6 Months Size)

    • Continue with CA and larger hook. (56 sts)
    • Rnd 6: Ch 1, tr in first st, sc in next st, *tr in next st, invdec, [tr in next st, sc in next st] 3 times; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first tr. (50 sts)
    • Rnd 7: Repeat Rnd 2 once.
    • Rnd 8: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 3 sts] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (40 sts)
    • Rnd 9: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 2 sts] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (30 sts)
    • Rnd 10: Ch 1, starting in first st, invdec around, join CB with sl st to first invdec, fasten off CA. (15 sts)
    • Next Rnd: Ch 1, starting in first st, [invdec, sc in next 3 sts] around, place stitch marker in last st to mark position, move marker up each Rnd and begin working in unjoined spirals. (12 sts) CONTINUE ON TO STEM (ALL SIZES)

    Decrease to Crown (6-12 Months Size)

    • Continue with CA and larger hook. (60 sts)
    • Rnd 6: Ch 1, starting in first st [tr in next st, invdec] twice, *tr in next st, invdec, [tr in next st, sc in next st] 3 times; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first tr. (52 sts)
    • Rnd 7: Repeat Rnd 2 once.
    • Rnd 8: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 2 sts] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (39 sts)
    • Rnd 9: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next st] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (26 sts)
    • Rnd 10: Ch 1, starting in first st, invdec around, join CB with sl st to first invdec, fasten off CA. (13 sts)
    • Next Rnd: Ch 1, sc in first st and next 10 sts, invdec, place stitch marker in last st to mark position, move marker up each Rnd and begin working in unjoined spirals. (12 sts) CONTINUE ON TO STEM (ALL SIZES)

    Decrease to Crown (Toddler Size)

    • Continue with CA and larger hook. (64 sts)
    • Rnd 6: Ch 1, starting in first st [tr in next st, sc in next st] 4 times, *tr in next st, invdec, [tr in next st, sc in next st] twice; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first tr. (56 sts)
    • Rnd 7: Repeat Rnd 2 once.
    • Rnd 8: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 6 sts] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (49 sts)
    • Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc in first st [invdec, sc in next st] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (33 sts)
    • Rnd 10: Ch 1, sc in first st, invdec around, join CB with sl st to first invdec, fasten off CA. (17 sts)
    • Next Rnd: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next st] 5 times, sc in next 2 sts, place stitch marker in last st to mark position, move marker up each Rnd and begin working in unjoined spirals. (12 sts) CONTINUE ON TO STEM (ALL SIZES)

    Decrease to Crown (Child Size)

    • Continue with CA and larger hook. (68 sts)
    • Rnd 6: Ch 1, starting in first st *tr in next st, invdec, [tr in next st, sc in next st] 7 times; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first tr. (64 sts)
    • Rnd 7: Repeat Rnd 2 once.
    • Rnd 8: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 6 sts] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (56 sts)
    • Rnd 9: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 2 sts] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (42 sts)
    • Rnd 10: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec around, sc in next st] around, join CB with sl st to first invdec, fasten off CA. (28 sts)
    • Next Rnd: Ch 1, starting in first st, invdec around, place stitch marker in last st to mark position, move marker up each Rnd and begin working in unjoined spirals. (14 sts)
    • Next Rnd: Invdec twice, sc in next 10 sts. (12 sts) CONTINUE ON TO STEM (ALL SIZES)

    Decrease to Crown (Teen/Adult Size)

    • Continue with CA and larger hook. (72 sts)
    • Rnd 6: Ch 1, tr in first st, invdec, [tr in next st, sc in next st] twice, *tr in next st, invdec, [tr in next st, sc in next st] 5 times; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first tr. (66 sts)
    • Rnd 7: Repeat Rnd 2 once.
    • Rnd 8: Ch 1, starting in first st, invdec, [invdec, sc in next 6 sts] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (57 sts)
    • Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc in first st, [invdec, sc in next 6 sts] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (50 sts)
    • Rnd 10: Ch 1, starting in first st, invdec around, join CB with sl st to first invdec, fasten off CA. (25 sts)
    • Next Rnd: Ch 1, sc in first st, invdec around, place stitch marker in last st to mark position, move marker up each Rnd and begin working in unjoined spirals. (13 sts)
    • Next Rnd: Invdec, sc in next 11 sts. (12 sts) CONTINUE ON TO STEM (ALL SIZES)

    Decrease to Crown (Adult Medium Size)

    • Continue with CA and larger hook. (76 sts)
    • Rnd 6: Ch 1, starting in first st [tr in next st, sc in next st] 2 times, *tr in next st, invdec, [tr in next st, sc in next st] 3 times; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first tr. (68 sts)
    • Rnd 7: Repeat Rnd 2 once.
    • Rnd 8: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 2 sts] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (51 sts)
    • Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc in first st, invdec around, join with sl st to first sc. (26 sts)
    • Rnd 10: Ch 1, starting in first st, invdec around, join CB with sl st to first invdec, fasten off CA. (13 sts)
    • Next Rnd: Ch 1, sc in first st and next 10 sts, invdec, place stitch marker in last st to mark position, move marker up each Rnd and begin working in unjoined spirals. (12 sts) CONTINUE ON TO STEM (ALL SIZES)

    Decrease to Crown (Adult Large Size)

    • Continue with CA and larger hook. (80 sts)
    • Rnd 6: Ch 1, starting in first st [tr in next st, sc in next st] 4 times, *tr in next st, invdec, [tr in next st, sc in next st] 3 times; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first tr. (72 sts)
    • Rnd 7: Repeat Rnd 2 once.
    • Rnd 8: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 7 sts] around, join with sl st to first invdec. (64 sts)
    • Rnd 9: Ch 1, starting in first st, invdec around, join with sl st to first sc. (32 sts)
    • Rnd 10: Ch 1, starting in first st, invdec around, join CB with sl st to first invdec, fasten off CA. (16 sts)
    • Next Rnd: Ch 1, starting in first st [invdec, sc in next 2 sts] around, place stitch marker in last st to mark position, move marker up each Rnd and begin working in unjoined spirals. (12 sts) CONTINUE ON TO STEM (ALL SIZES)

    Stem (All Sizes)

    • Continue with CB and larger hook. (12 sts)
    • Rnd 11: Ch 1, sc in first st and each st around, place stitch marker in last st to mark position, move marker up each Rnd and begin working in unjoined spirals.
    • Rnd 12: [Invdec, sc in next st] around. (8 sts)
    • Rnd 13: [Invdec, sc in next st] twice, sc in next 2 sts. (6 sts)
    • Rnd 14: [Invdec, sc in next st] around. (4 sts)
    • Rnd 15: Sc in each st around.
    • Rnds 16-17: Repeat Rnd 15 twice.
    • Fasten off CB with long yarn tail, approximately 12” (30.5 cm) long.

    Finishing

    • Thread yarn needle with CB from Rnd 17, join stem with whipstitch seam (see Pattern Notes).
    • With yarn needle, weave in ends on inside of hat.
    © 2026 by Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). This pattern is for personal use only. You may use the pattern to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: https://undergroundcrafter.com/2026/09/05/autumn-pumpkin-hat-crochet-pattern/. Thanks for supporting indie designers!

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